"Fortnine is an obscure little channel" Well, that didn't age well.

You can easily review any of the Italian manufacturers bikes, just visit your local repair shop, they're usually always there.

I just love how Ryan is able to make a better motor-journalist review of motor-journalism than the journalists themselves make of the motorbikes. This channel is a gold mine

Did anyone notice that this just happens to be an awesome video? Like... concept, execution, locations, continuity, video quality, audio quality. Dang dude, I'll be watching more for sure.

As a 74 year old rider I subscribe to your channel because I believe I am getting honest reviews and good information, this is refreshing in these times.

When a youtuber is so honest he even shows himself stalling.... Loved the video F9, definitely wanna see more videos like it

5:40 This obscure little channel is climbing to a million! God I love this channel.

Best motorcycle channel on KZfaq. I enjoy the way Ryan can use physics and math to explain some things, the production quality is high, the variety is great and the comedy works. FortNine has an original and innovative approach to motorcycling so it is not surprising it is approaching the million subscriber mark.

The script, the comedic editing, the performance, and most of all, the topic. 10/10. That was amazing to watch.

Same thing happens with video games

.....aaaaaand this is why I'm waiting impatiently for your review of the 2019 Yamaha Teneré 700 ;-) (btw awesome job you guys do)

"IN A BLIND TEST MOST OF THE RIDERS HIT THE WALL" 😂😂😂😂

This is why I love this channel so much. Keep on stickin it to the man and people will keep flocking to you, eventually they won't be able to ignore you no matter how much they might want you to go away!

Encourages amateurs to start motovlogging *inexplicably raises the bar even higher*

Watching Ryan riding that drz on dirt made me realize that he is actually really good at riding motorcycles

"Snowed out for half the year" It would be nice to be able to co-lab with some people of like mind in Australia/New Zealand so you had year round activity on the channel, no idea how that could work but we also have a deep desire for honesty and authenticity and not known to beat around the bush, well ruralites anyway.

Damn this really is one of the best Moto channels on KZfaq, your videos are truthful and fun to watch

I have purchased a few things from fortnine based on your reviews, Ryan. You're one of the very few genuine reviewers on KZfaq, and the quality of videos you and your team produce is incredible. Keep it up Ryan and the F9 team!

This applies to the whole dying "journalism" industry.

You have single handedly convinced me to move to Canada.

This is on point even for some big ass motovloggers who literally just go to the launches and do a video with the spec sheet in their hands... cuz they wanna get invited again. LOL

Nice work Ryan, and a really interesting subject - interesting what you say about getting hold of press bikes in Canada, I'm lucky enough to get access to some (not all!) here in the UK, but I agree, when it's a 6 hour round trip on a bike to the manufacturer's location to go and pick one up in freezing temperatures, I do sometimes wonder if it's worth it! Keep up the great content....

That was one of the most honest editorials I have ever seen/listened to/read, etc. Ryan, you make us all proud of being motorcyclists, even if we're not moto-journalists.

I'm new to this channel and even watching these old videos feels amazing!

You have the talent to go places Ryan. Keep up the fantastic work, and stick to your values. You make the most professional motorcycle content on KZfaq in my opinion and I'll support you for it

We hear you and echo those thoughts! Calling spade a spade ends up pushing you out of the invite/long term test panel. It’s absurd how this industry (or for that matter any review industry) is set up!

I honestly wondered this. I looked through a bunch of bike reviews after a friend wanted recommendations. Every single one of them had a review saying it was outstanding and usually suggesting/saying its the best bike you can buy. I assumed they were just weak indecisive people but part of me wondered if they'd been paid like so many other journalists. I remember looking a decade ago, I don't remember it being anything like this.

54 years old, been riding since I was 5, daily drivers are a ‘95 CR250R and a ‘19 CRF250R, with a range of different aged, size and discipline bikes, from an ‘06 883c to a ‘57 Triumph 200 Cub with a bunch of different Honda models 17 in all. I like hearing your honesty it is refreshing, keep it up. I’m a Honda guy, but believe no matter what you are riding, you are RIDING!

Fortnine do not need press invites, you’re already super popular. I mean jeez guys, the channel has won my heart ten times over and more

Hello R-F9.. a shout out to you all the way from India. You do ride every path.. however.. I'm glad that you opt for the straight n narrow one when it comes to moto-journalism. Much respect n appreciation for the same. Look forward to more.👍

This was one of the first videos I watched when I got into motorcycling, and it always stuck with me. You guys do a really solid job.

Loved it! I'm starting to get back into motorcycling after a bit of a hiatus, and for what it's worth, I can't thank you enough for your high quality work. Cheers mate!

Thank you for the honesty here! I was highly concerned that this was going to be your "Peace, I'm out" video based on the title. Keep up the great work and the honest reviews! I'm just down in the Seattle area and plan to ride up into B.C. this coming summer on my BMW R Nine T Scrambler.

Great video +FortNine. Spent 7 years as a moto journo. Always struggled to get along because of having too much of my own thoughts and criticism not in-line with what manufacturers wanting to hear. Decided to go the KZfaq path with my channel (Motolixious) and just work with whoever is OK with getting both the good feedback AND the bad, when there's such. Glad to see there are others that are doing the same, I do believe FortNine is the best motorcycling KZfaq channel at the moment. Please keep on pushing the boundaries and doing what you do. - Asaf

All good points Ryan. As a former PR manager, I can confirm that no product marketing campaign is without a catch. Continue to swim against the tide and viewers WILL follow.

I only recently discovered your channel, and I just want to thank you for this video. I live in the Philippines, and of course, in a fit of patriotism, I chose to watch Filipino motovloggers and reviewers first. But your rant is just what I needed after all their brownnosing. Thank you.

...and that, is one of the awesome reasons that I watch FortNine, my friend.

This channel is by far the best motorcycle channel on KZfaq. The amount of effort and work that goes into each video is truly incredible. Very intelligent writing, beautiful cinematography, amazing creativity, and a true and honest opinion that adds character. All of these things make fortnine so great. Please keep up the good work and bringing truth to the motorcycle community. It is needed now more than ever.

You undoubtedly make the most reviews on KZfaq. Keep it up, you're a breath of fresh air!

you guys have come a long way. says something about your creativity and your staff. now you are one of the most influential motorcycling channel out there, learned a lot from you on what to buy, maintenance tips and riding and safety. Keep up the good work guys.

Our MotoVlog Gear Setup: Klim Krios Helmet: frt9.co/v6hxj4 Icon Raiden DKR Jacket: frt9.co/i0b5ym Icon Raiden Arakis Pants: frt9.co/gqm1df Icon Patrol Boots: frt9.co/b4xu37 Scorpion Klaw II Gloves: frt9.co/ah3k3o "The" song: artlist.io/song/4344/mm-mm-mm

Ryan, we need that outro song. Hell, we need the soundtrack to this video BAD! It's like some mix of mario sounds and wonderful synth and relaxation! I NEED IT!!!

5 years later.... Now the biggest motorcycle youtube channel out there. Yay!

Dude there definitely needs to be more guys out there doing this properly. It's kick-ass that you speak your mind about our sport instead of writing the same dull opinions of every other journalist. Keep it going man.

This is the best motorcycle show on youtube. Honest and straight forward. Humorous and informative. Going over things that one might not even think of. Not to mention the quality of your reviews which are like small movies on there own. The lighting, camera angels and scripts are top notch. Thank you for the honest work FortNine. Canada 8s proud of you

Bull#%^* Love it Ryan. You got it right.

So I stumble upon this video months later after it was uploaded. But now I get why when I search for Ryanf9's reviews for a bike, I don't find it. But I really like your painfully truthful videos. I hope you don't lose the momentum ! :)

and that's how the best channel is born. thanks for existing, guys. i mean, really. i don't even speak english as my native tongue, actually i live tons of kms away from you. but your channel is where i come to for oxygen and geuine motorcycle passion after scrambling through so many poor channels in my own native language -- brazilian portuguese, that is --, either because they're too quickly sold out for some free peanuts and suspiciously cheap wine, or just because they're too lazy to plan and edit their videos properly before publishing, like you guys do. so, again, thanks. you're an inspiration to many, perhaps far more than you imagine.

This is without a doubt the best vlogging I have seen from you, and one of the best motorcycle vlogs I have seen, period. Well done. Keep up the good work (please). Thanks.

That text scroll at 2:09 was absolutely hilarious! You're seriously gifted at making people laugh, and your honesty is seriously refreshing. All that aside, I'M PAINTING MY BIKE RED FOR AN EXTRA 15HP!! Even better just paint Seabiscuit red!

Wow, this is one of the best motorcycle related vids on YT....production values, camera work, music....

I've been driven insane by all these shallow bike "reviews" that are simply "journalists" repeating a sheet of marketing propaganda. You're speaking the truth

Excellent writing, as always. Motorcycles have a certain romance to them. And you represent that brilliantly. Thank you.

I absolutely love your videos. Do you have a background in film making? The writing, shots and music of each video is just beautiful, regardless of the great content. Keep it up, this channel will not stop growing anytime soon. Love it!

Well done and very well said! It's not just the journalist who needs balls to speak the truth, the brands need serious balls to give their products to all the journalists for press rides or reviews without any exception! I think F9 is one of the best automotive channels across KZfaq! Keep going man! Keep going strong!

The truth! You are a blessing to the world of journalism FortNine. I know this is a couple years old but the first time I saw it so your my hero!

Ryan... loved this video. I have been purchasing a fair bit from Fortnine based largely on my enjoyment of your videos, so keep up the good work.

You have my respect sir. That was one rough stretch of off road. I gave it up 30 years ago.

I have no clue how you only have 1.4mil subs. Your channel has been so informative and the content and production is top notch.

Total respect for your honesty. Imagine if we had people with principles like you in politics, the world would be a better place, for sure!

"IN A BLIND TEST, MOST OF THE RIDERS HIT THE WALL!" hahahaha, great one

Why is F9's video's so amazing! Damn Ryan, your stuff is always good. Keep em' coming.

Im also stuck in the 6 month lag, way northern New York, so I greatly enjoy your channel to keep me chomping at the bar till I can get out there again, I'm a newbie to 2 wheels and the honest and often humorous reviews are greatly appreciated, keep up the great job

I haven't ridden since 2012 and still watch your channel because the content is so well polished. I also couldn't agree more though about the journalism aspect; seeing this in the mtb, skiing, running worlds as the product options and seemingly endless accessories come into the light. A lot of it /is/ bullshit. I'm trailing off... Keep up the good content.

The pizza boxes. I’m literally crying. Brilliant.

Best video yet, IMO. Glad to see you've settled into BC quickly and smoothly (other than some of that terrain, that is!) Super jealous in New Brunswick :/

Speaking truth to power! Ryan points out something many of us have known regarding magazine reviews. It's also apparent in most reviews I've seen on KZfaq (RyanFortNine is an exception). I've gotta admit I've been checking out the rash of Speed Twin reviews: They all cover the list of bike features, 'tested' on the same roads (often in a line of moto journalists), coming to pretty much the same semi-conclusion. And then there are the retailers who are increasingly publishing video reviews (loosely defined) of gear they're selling. They basically adapt the manufacturer's marketing copy. These videos populate search returns, crowding out anything that might actually be an informative review. Maybe FortNine will help turn the tide.

Been watching for a year, figured I should go back and see how it all began. Love how the format has evolved, and basically has been awesome the entire time. Love it.

the pizza boxes FTW

The state of journalism in general had been severely compromised. I own restaurants, and while I dreaded the reviewers 20 years ago, who came on their own dime, now it's pay for play, reviewers don't come unless you're buying, and then they give you a good review. Back to motorcycle press, there's only one mag left, Motorcycle Consumer News, which has no advertising and so is beholden to only the junkets. You can extrapolate all this to CNN and what have you, if it's advertiser driven it's compromised. But motorcycle journalism has the double whammy of being driven by both advertising and press junkets, kind of like Fox. It's fake news. Sad!

Admittedly, I wish you could do more bike reviews, but I do understand the difficulties involved. I, and probably many others, deeply appreciate the honesty, the time you put in, and the resulting accuracy of the reports on products you are able to review. All tips and tricks as well! What makes your channel worthwhile for me is the sense, that I get from your videos, that I'm not alone out here trying to get the best products for the way I ride and the meager money I have available to spend. So sincerely, thanks for all you do and the way you do it!

I really appreciate your approach. You are so unique and well spoken.

Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Above Okanagan Lake near Naramata.

The only people who disliked this video are the Italian manufactures you mentioned, plus one angry fan boy...Bahaha

Whatever you do, dont change. The fact your not part of that club is your USP. I come to this channel because its honest, informative and the most important, ENTERTAINING ! keep up the great work 👍

Thats why I subscribed. I feel you guys are honest and I appreciate that.

Those visual metaphors and puns though 🔥

This video is really well made.

The editor tells the writers "that ad space ain't going to sell itself!"

Watching you ride out there in the wilderness made me think of the time I broke my ankle, and my bike, at the same time. And had to hobble backwards dragging my broken foot in tow, leaving a 5 mile long line in the dirt... fun times.

Hello from the uk! Please keep going and leading with honesty, it’s very refreshing to hear any negative points on the bikes then we can then make our own decisions. Hearing every bike is amazing does get boring.. thanks and keep up the good work!

2:25 "THE RED COLOUR OPTION ADDS 15HP" is that a Warhammer 40k reference?

Bravo. This video still has legs after 5 years. I find the new KZfaq motorcycle videos mostly the same. Same launch bike. Same road. Same schmooze. It’s just not genuine. This content is genuine. Keep it up boys. It’s worth it.

You have me intrigued. I don’t know what your background is but you raise the bar in terms of intelligent commentary and analysis. Well done.

DID NO ONE SEE THE DEER AT 5:59?!

True. Most reviews sound like they were written by the same script writer. One homogeneous stew of superlatives and cliched adjectives. And funnily enough people who would thrash certain bikes on a personal level will defend them if you say something negative about them on a forum, post the press invite and bag of goodies.That must have been really good Scotch is all I can think..... Anyway, keep em coming. Great work. Enjoy watching your honest reviews

I don't know about you guys, but I watch this channel cause it's like watching technical comedy. It's refreshing

So much for being small! Love you guys

It's become the same for every industry.

If you want an honest opinion about a bike ask a mechanic, if you want to know the specs and features check out a moto-journalist review.

I don't think I learned a whole lot from this video, except maybe that press bikes are reasonably accessible. It confirmed a lot of things I would already suspect. It wasn't as informative as most of yours. However, the writing, presentation, timing, and editing of this are just spot on. There are so many little things you put thought into in making this. I really appreciate it. The text crawling on the screen was one of the most hilarious things I've read in a while. Overall an excellent rant worth seeing and hearing. Bravo!

There is so much truth here. It is Also very prevalent that there are "reviews" and "comparisons" that are nothing more than a reading of printed specs. I have, in the last few years, relied only on the reviews of owners and contributed my own thoughts on mine. Of course there you have to read their bias (either pissed off at an atypical problem or writing glowing things because they don't want to feel ripped off.

A year and still nothin... boi. I just need that music on my ride to college every morning bro

Canadian and honest. That's why I watch you guys. (Also is that somewhere in the BC interior? Looks like the Okanagan or something)

Been a rider for over a decade, what used to be a fairly cheap and fun hobby, now get's us shafted just buying oil ffs. Even chain and sprocket sets have more than doubled in price. You are so correct in your views, I am now a subscriber! Ride safe but not slow my friend.

100% got sold on my first bike by the "bought" reviews only to find out later that it was nothing like i had wanted and that adv/dual sport bikes were better at meeting the style i wanted. Wish the salesman was as honest as you are

You should share the locations that you ride to ! (especially the railroad track)

Not so little anymore. Your opinion matters to us

I am a car journalist in one of EU countries with 10 years experience. What F9 said here is mostly true, although it depends on the market. A few years ago I wrote a short first drive review of one really shitty small "japan" FL hatch (still offered in Canada, but yours is from Mexico, ours was from Thailand (pre-FL) and then from India (FL) :). It was an extra drive, coz I was invited to a first drive of a different model of that producer, that was really good. But funny was nobody wants us to drive a second one "new" car, the FL hatch that was officially available for a short loop. Instead of drinking coffee... The drive was horrible. Suspension, tranny, steering, lack of any quality and that scent. No, it was stink of toxic plastic. I wrote it and the review was published in web after a discussion with my editor in chief. And a thunderstorm begun... We were told no more test cars, no more advertisements, and "polite ask" to delete it from the web page. We said "hey guys, look what is stated in UK press. They told readers to not to buy it coz it is not worth any penny". Of course, they mostly tried to frighten us, finally we won that battle. The question is: was it worth? I think YES. Journalists despite hangovers and jet lags have to tell the truth to the consumers. So do I. My personal advise: if you are really interested in buying anything good or perfect suited to your needs, a car, a motorcycle, whatever it is, you have to read every review you can find. Even "bought" journalists when hangover ends lists pros and cons. After several reviews (and point of views) read list your concerns and go to a dealer for a test drive. Test drive is a must, but remember you do not have to buy the stuff after. Try your picks and go back to the favorite one. Test it again and than you can buy it. For me it was the basic schedule even if I wanted to buy used car or used motorcycle :) Cheers. Sorry for my crappy English :P

Fair point. We, the customers, appreciate honesty. I've been looking for a new bike (and gear) for a few months now and I used channels such as FortNine and other "smaller" channels for a lot of good, quality information. As soon as I see something that's a review off of a test ride or is from a major reviewer who is at a press launch, I stop watching it. I'd rather watching someone who's lived with a bike for a few weeks/months and gives me more of an ownership review, the things they found annoying that you'll only notice it when you use it as your daily driver. It's the same reason why the world follows MKBHD for tech. Keep up the good work. Your subscribers appreciate the time and effort you put into it. Videos like this have made me think if I should publish my thoughts about various bikes as well (even though editing and publishing videos is a pain in the ass)