New F900XR

[bdimon]

1/2 inch of side to side free play on the rear swing arm is not a good thing. Not to mention the wheel bearing that does not rotate smoothly. After a hundred and fifty-seven thousand miles, I think it's time for a new bike, finally.

The new RT is a really nice bike but it's kind of expensive. Moreover, I really like that new TFT display. My knees are not getting any better and the lighter the bike the better my knees like it.

Morton's BMW has a pretty white XR on their showroom floor. it is a barebones bike with only the ride modes pro installed as an option, but at least it's cheap. There's a deal right now where you can get some factory-installed options retrofitted to a new bike at a big discount. If I were buying this from a factory order I would have ordered more options but I can get the ones I really want installed. I'm in kind of a rush because I'm supposed to go to the Reg Pridmore CLASS ride at Virginia international raceway on the 20th of this month.

I test rode the XR and liked how well it handled. It's much lighter than my RT and feels like it has more power because of the combination of it a hundred horsepower engine and 125 lbs less weight. The only downsides are that the seat is hard as a board and the exhaust is kind of loud. Of course I'm used to touring bikes so I think anything else is loud. Replacing the seat will be easy and I can do that at my leisure. I might want a larger windscreen eventually but we'll see. The people on the interwebs say that the bike is very comfortable to ride long distances after you replace the seat and the windscreen. I think it will do fine as a touring mount even if it won't do for an iron butt tour.

I Love gadgets and the TFT display is like the best gadget ever for motorcycles. I already downloaded the app for my phone and loaded up the maps for the navigation. The built-in navigation is not going to replace my TomTom, but it will be a nice addition.

The last time I bought a motorcycle was 2010; the last time before that was 1989. It's time. It's past time. I'm really excited. Mortons should be installing some of the accessories this coming week and I should be picking it up next weekend. Then I'm going to have to put on enough running-in miles so I can have the break in maintenance done in time for me to ride down to VIR.

[bdimon]

I pick it up Saturday. They are still waiting on parts to mount the side cases, center stand, and tire pressure monitor. I'll add those later.

I have a week to put on enough miles for the break-in service and get that done in time to ride to Virginia international raceway on the 20th.

[HMF]

I don't think you'll have too much difficulty putting 600 miles on it.
Have fun!

[bdimon]

I am adding the following options:

Cruise control*
Heated grips*
Saddlebag mounts*
Tire pressure monitor*
Center stand*
Saddlebags w/locks*

There is a sale on these accessories so I get them at a big discount. The saddlesbags, center stand, and TPM will have to wait for some parts to come in.

[bdimon]

My first new bike in 31 years. Only my third bike purchase in that time.

[Rick F.]

Bruce,

That's one beautiful bike--congratulations!

Rick F.

[JimVonBaden]

Cool bike!

Congrats!

[phil.ager]

Have Fun hangin off that new replacement for your olde behemoth, Bruce!
Guess it was just meant to be; Way 2 Go Morton's!

Ciao! HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen

[Mikepotter86]

Congrats on the new bike, Bruce! Hope to see you on the roads in Spring.

[bdimon]

A few more pictures. It looks like a little RT with the OEM luggage.


It handles really well.

[stevebmw]

Looking awesome, Bruce!

[JonG]

Ditto.
Nice pictures plus I saw a nice write up in the December ON.

And Jose has an interesting product review for NoNoise there too.