Discussion
I missed a couple of replies to my post in another thread about this bike so thought I'd start a new one off...
The engine is fantastic, it is more than happy at high gear/slow speed and accelerates well from low down. Once it gets above 6000rpm though it really does start to fly. I didn't have any issues with vibrations that others complained about, although I am used to the worlds most vibrating machine. I also didn't have any problems with the clutch lever which I know others have complained that it's non-adjustable.
It handled superbly, I often get on different machines and it takes me a while to adjust but I felt at home straight away on the XR. I rode it in dry, damp and wet conditions and it was not fazed at all. The quick shifter is a dream and the way BMW integrate the satnav into the bike is a real plus point for me, although why they haven't used the locking satnav bracket from the GS or RS is beyond me. The seat is comfortable and really holds you in place. The screen does a good job and the cruise control & heated grips also work well.
Compared to the Multistrada I found the XR far better to ride, unless you really love a twin the XR's engine is far superior, I didn't notice any difference in torque and the XR definitely felt quicker. The handling was sharper and I felt more comfortable being slightly further away from the screen/dash. Having said that, the XR does lack the full LED lights like the Multi' and I am a little disappointed BMW haven't gone for a keyless option. Ducati have also managed to integrate the panniers without the need for visible mountings and the screen adjustment is easier. Obvious signs the Multi has been refined over various generations and the XR is a new bike.
Overall I preferred the XR... Although the Multi is perhaps a more complete package, it is more expensive as a result and I found the 4 cylinder engine and the XR a more enjoyable bike to ride.
jackh707 said:
Tell me more please.
crashley said:
And me. Early comments 'round these parts weren't very encouraging. "Roundly beaten by the comp before it's started" i think was used a number of times.
jackh707 said:
I thought it was being dubbed the multistrada beater?
Ukgser and plenty of Vloggers seem very impressed. Perhaps another thread
When I got off the bike after an hour I had a massive smile on my face, in short it's a brilliant machine. Ukgser and plenty of Vloggers seem very impressed. Perhaps another thread
The engine is fantastic, it is more than happy at high gear/slow speed and accelerates well from low down. Once it gets above 6000rpm though it really does start to fly. I didn't have any issues with vibrations that others complained about, although I am used to the worlds most vibrating machine. I also didn't have any problems with the clutch lever which I know others have complained that it's non-adjustable.
It handled superbly, I often get on different machines and it takes me a while to adjust but I felt at home straight away on the XR. I rode it in dry, damp and wet conditions and it was not fazed at all. The quick shifter is a dream and the way BMW integrate the satnav into the bike is a real plus point for me, although why they haven't used the locking satnav bracket from the GS or RS is beyond me. The seat is comfortable and really holds you in place. The screen does a good job and the cruise control & heated grips also work well.
Compared to the Multistrada I found the XR far better to ride, unless you really love a twin the XR's engine is far superior, I didn't notice any difference in torque and the XR definitely felt quicker. The handling was sharper and I felt more comfortable being slightly further away from the screen/dash. Having said that, the XR does lack the full LED lights like the Multi' and I am a little disappointed BMW haven't gone for a keyless option. Ducati have also managed to integrate the panniers without the need for visible mountings and the screen adjustment is easier. Obvious signs the Multi has been refined over various generations and the XR is a new bike.
Overall I preferred the XR... Although the Multi is perhaps a more complete package, it is more expensive as a result and I found the 4 cylinder engine and the XR a more enjoyable bike to ride.
bass gt3 said:
Nice looking bike. Why would you buy a GS over this??
The XR has no pretensions about going off road. If that's your bag then avoid the XR. The GS is also a more comfortable bike over long distances and probably more economical if ridden the same so may be seen as better at touring, but I like to enjoy the journey not just get to the destination. I have no idea why people buy a GS over a GSA but BMW sell them 2:1. As Loon says, Ewan & Charlie have a lot to answer for even though BMW estimate 80% never see an unpaved road. 
keebz91 said:
bass gt3 said:
Nice looking bike. Why would you buy a GS over this??
The XR has no pretensions about going off road. If that's your bag then avoid the XR. The GS is also a more comfortable bike over long distances and probably more economical if ridden the same so may be seen as better at touring, but I like to enjoy the journey not just get to the destination. I have no idea why people buy a GS over a GSA but BMW sell them 2:1. As Loon says, Ewan & Charlie have a lot to answer for even though BMW estimate 80% never see an unpaved road. Silver993tt said:
Well, I went from a 4cyl adventure bike to a 2cyl adventure bike. Will pick up my KTM 1290 Super Adventure next week. Got a brilliant deal, 15,500 -euros on the road, about 11,200GBP while in the UK they are 16,000GBP, a saving of over 40% 
That sounds like a great deal. As we've discussed before I have ridden the 1190 & 1290 but didn't really enjoy either. I would compare them to the GS & GS Adventure rather than the XR and Multistrada however. Silver993tt said:
Well, I went from a 4cyl adventure bike to a 2cyl adventure bike. Will pick up my KTM 1290 Super Adventure next week. Got a brilliant deal, 15,500 -euros on the road, about 11,200GBP while in the UK they are 16,000GBP, a saving of over 40%
Is that 11200 for a new bike?? Good deal but 30% not 40 
Over here they're the equivalent of 12k which isn't too bad. Better than 16k!!
Edited by bass gt3 on Monday 22 June 13:05
bass gt3 said:
Silver993tt said:
Well, I went from a 4cyl adventure bike to a 2cyl adventure bike. Will pick up my KTM 1290 Super Adventure next week. Got a brilliant deal, 15,500 -euros on the road, about 11,200GBP while in the UK they are 16,000GBP, a saving of over 40%
Is that 11200 for a new bike?? Good deal.Over here they're the equivalent of 12k which isn't too bad. Better than 16k!!
Silver993tt said:
es, brand new bike. I rode the GS but the 1290 is a different bike in a different league. I like bikes with big torque low down and a good rev range, the 1290 was the only bike out of the GS, Multistrada, K1300s that stood out. I had the 1200 Honda CT before. The litre bikes don't have the torque in comparison. The inline 4's give the impression of speed due to their buzziness. The V4 was an epic engine but due to personal location circumstances I had to sell the CT, so went for something different, tried the 1290 for 600km and it was the best imo.
Have to say I agree. I took one for a test and it was like my previous 1190 but better.All the niggles that pee'd me off about the 1190 are resolved. I did 15000kms around East Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique etc on the 1190 and other than an ability to loosen its headstock bearing cap, was faultless.
Just be warned though, if you get a funny headshake or hinge in the middle feeling, it'll be the circular headstock nut needs tightening. It's the one with the holes around it and it will feel tight but I promise you, get it nipped up. Quite disconcerting.
For proper adventuring it's fantastic. Yes, it's big but the ability to run it on shyte fuel is a big bonus. The module (poor fuel dongle) also retains the ABS and settings memory so you don't have to mess about reconfiguring the bike after you've switched off. Well worth having just for that. The cornering ABS is a revelation as well, and make sure you get the Hill Hold and stability control activated. They're both electronically activated features so easy to get done.
Silver993tt said:
Well, I went from a 4cyl adventure bike to a 2cyl adventure bike. Will pick up my KTM 1290 Super Adventure next week. Got a brilliant deal, 15,500 -euros on the road, about 11,200GBP while in the UK they are 16,000GBP, a saving of over 40%
Thread resurrection.David, hi. Not sure whether you're based in the UK? Is the price above the UK, landed price?
If you are UK based, how much hassle was it with HMRC, DVLA, etc getting it registered?
fergus said:
Silver993tt said:
Well, I went from a 4cyl adventure bike to a 2cyl adventure bike. Will pick up my KTM 1290 Super Adventure next week. Got a brilliant deal, 15,500 -euros on the road, about 11,200GBP while in the UK they are 16,000GBP, a saving of over 40%
Thread resurrection.David, hi. Not sure whether you're based in the UK? Is the price above the UK, landed price?
If you are UK based, how much hassle was it with HMRC, DVLA, etc getting it registered?
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