In a bit of a digression from the norm here at Goodwood, we’ve been running a (whisper it) motorbike as a long termer over the past few months. With COVID measures very much in force over the summer months, I took to my full PPE and practiced social distancing in its best form. And free from the grasp of the virus, I commuted, cruised and cut around town like there was no tomorrow. My steed? BMW’s F900R, new for 2019 and about as enthusiastic as a young Labrador pup.
The BMW F900R isn’t a happy commuter | GRR Garage
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Admittedly, like a puppy, the F900R wasn’t best suited to long journeys, as I found out upon a trip to Luton Airport. While the bike could sit at motorway speeds, the same couldn’t be said for me, with the wind rushing past my helmet, catching my shoulders like a kite and leaving my arms aching before too long.
The weather forecast had promised overcast weather, but the heavens opened up above the M25. With no faring on the F900, it wasn’t long before I was soaked through. ‘Should have worn Gore-Tex,’ I grumbled. Flicking through the modes – from Dynamic to Rain – I felt the throttle tangibly subdue, the urgency replaced by a smooth, measured delivery. The aforementioned power flat-spot was perhaps at its most obvious in this mode, but it didn’t matter so much due to the nature of the ride. Once again, the throttle was happiest open – not an issue on the open road. The ABS was present, but not obtrusive as I gently braked while crossing the dashed white line.
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Returning to the bike late the following evening after a sunny sejour in Italy, I was faced with a two-hour ride home. While the rain had abated, my kit was still wet, and the temperature low. The chill was a blessing and a curse, keeping me awake and focussed as I hurried down the A3 home. The firm seat meant that I was constantly adjusting my seating position, while the sporty peg position called for regular leg stretches. At least the vibration wasn’t unbearable, I mused, thinking of another naked machine upon which I had done a similar journey. Curiously, the non-adjustable 43mm upside-down fork felt firmest in Road mode, a feeling I couldn’t shake once in my head.
While I lament the F900R’s long-distance capabilities, it does the job as well as it can, given its propensity for short and sharp city sprints. And as soon as I pulled off the M275 into Portsmouth I remembered exactly what it was made for, taking the long cut around the empty city streets, and revelling in the reverberation of the rumbling exhaust.
Read our last report: Introducing our long‑term BMW F900R
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