What was it I bonded too so closely with out in Malaga then? It’s worth returning to my Spanish notes to understand where the M9 is at: “We landed in Malaga to images of a bull running riot somewhere north, jumping the wall, causing carnage. This bloody bike just didn’t want to slow down, having an insatiable desire to go charging. Spain was indeed a great place to let the raging bull run loose.”
In an unfamiliar place the M9 held things steady – I made a link with the bike, something I hadn’t done for sometime.
“Not really made a strong connection with Intense downhill bikes for several years. The SS came into my life and changed all that. Shape and poise of the M9 is faultless, truly faultless, a pillar of dependency when things begin to get slightly bent out of shape. The M9 is a reliable performer no matter how hard you ride. Riding a Demo the same day felt incredibly emaciated in comparison.”
I still feel that connection today, but now believe it needs the skinnier BoXXer and either a Fox or BOS out back to do its business of damping and liven up the ride characteristic – sometimes it’s good just to slot the rock gaps, nudge past the odd root rather than plough straight through.
The M9 very much hit the right buttons for me, it’s just that I’d need so much more time to fine tune the rear damping to get it to the place I’d like. It is an issue, but it can be addressed – just give it some loving time. What stands it apart from me is its balance and steering. Fortunately it fits me perfectly and I can ride it free of any weight transfer issues. Few bikes allow you to stand and steer, it sounds so simple. It’s been almost ten years since Intense was anywhere near the top of our downhill bike wish list, but I have very much found the love again, this bike is very much back in the game.
With a continual storm of eastern manufacturing hitting these shores, the warm breeze of a Californian beauty is refreshing…sounds so tranquil. Yes there’s quicker and lighter, but nothing quite as wild at charging.
M9 frames from £2449 with Fox shock, and £2499 with Cane Creek Double Barrel.
