Considering S1000xr - Any Thoughts

[sclayto2]

Hello all,

I'm wanting to get back to doing some long distance riding. (Having tried it on the MV, it is just too painful by Day 3).

Anyway I've been a long time, serial owner of BMW GSs, but last night spotted something I'd not heard of an S1000 XR.

This would be instead of get yet another BMW R1xx0GS, probably an Adventure.

Any owners on here, care to share some thoughts and what to look for, please?

Ta
SJC

[Chipchap]

OP I have an F4 312RR that I have toured on [8 days in Pyrenees] and also took my F4RR on a 10 day trip to Portugal so touring can be done on these. However as I was approaching the end of my fifties I decided to add a distance bike. I bought an R1200RS SE Sport [Iconic version] and have done 11,000 miles on it only used for tours. The S1000XR is a great bike but I wanted the effortless torque that the boxer delivers rather than the revs needed on the 4 cylinder. Go and ride both.

The two MV's together before I sold the F4R



The big Beemer in Slovenia last year on the way home from 15 days 3300 miles

[PIGINAWIG]

I’ve tried the 1000XR and it’s a great bike but seemed soulless to me. The RS was great.

I prefer the engine delivery on the RS. Had plenty of character.

[black-k1]

XR Is a great bike that, performance wise, will "knock spots" off the GS. That, of course, doesn't mean it'll take you from A to B quicker on real roads as doing that is something the GS is pretty damn good at.

The XR is quick, nimble for a touring bike, fun and reasonably economical. It will however feel very "busy", especially compared to a GS. Check that the engine vibes to make your fingers/hands/feet go numb.

[Ceeejay]

I’ve got one. Had it for 18 months, coming from a GSA. I’d been through a few boxers and fancied a change to the IL4. It handles really well, more power than needed, and very comfy.

It’s just a little bit too hooligan for me though. It’s not a relaxing bike, and it just makes me want to go and ride like a knob all the time.

I’m probably going to go back to a flat twin. Tried the 1250GS last year and it felt like slipping back into to some well worn slippers.

[spareparts]

I found riding the XR like riding an S1000R on stilts. The engine is mismatched to the chassis for the kind of riding you want when going long distance. It’s controllable, but keeps you very busy in a non-relaxing way. If you want handling and the high revving IL4, an S1000RR or S1000R is better. If you want comfort and effortless torque for long distance, the GS/A is better. XR is worst of all worlds imho.

[Prof Prolapse]

spareparts said:

I found riding the XR like riding an S1000R on stilts. The engine is mismatched to the chassis for the kind of riding you want when going long distance. It’s controllable, but keeps you very busy in a non-relaxing way. If you want handling and the high revving IL4, an S1000RR or S1000R is better. If you want comfort and effortless torque for long distance, the GS/A is better. XR is worst of all worlds imho.

I've ridden one a few times now, not really for long enough to argue about it as a bike but that seems a fair summation to me. On paper it should do everything, in reality, well, I remain unconvinced.

I would add though, that for bigger blokes the S1000R can be a bit too small, and the XR gives them a decent alternative however.

[tykel]

I've rented a S1000XR twice, once on the west coast of California, another in the French Riviera.

It's much more exciting than a GS, but I would not even compare them. The GS is touring/adventure, the XR is sports++/touring.

Honestly, having also tried the S1000RR, it's a lot like that with maybe more grunt and less top end, and much better position and protection.
Seat is quite hard, if you're serious about touring replace it.
Really fun, keeps egging you on to rev higher and downshift. It's quite the hooligan bike.
The GS is better for long distances as you don't mind cruising at a fixed speed quite so much!

I'd probably have got one if I'd stayed stateside...

[G Man]

I have a XR ... my advice buy 1

[matt 74]

Done 15k now on my x2 year old XR. It’s a capable and comfortable all rounder however it’s also very ‘buzzy’ at the top end - this is particularly noticeable having spent numerous years on a Z14, prior to that Blackbird and Busa. The responsive XR is fun but I do miss the effortless grunt that the previous bikes offered.

[308mate]

The XR gets asked about a lot, did you do a search?

They're good. Its a value proposition that sits neatly between an RR and a GS, I think.

I'm selling mine, if you're interested.

[308mate]

matt 74 said:

Done 15k now on my x2 year old XR. It’s a capable and comfortable all rounder however it’s also very ‘buzzy’ at the top end - this is particularly noticeable having spent numerous years on a Z14, prior to that Blackbird and Busa. The responsive XR is fun but I do miss the effortless grunt that the previous bikes offered.

Not really comparing apples with apples there though, I would say. All those bikes compare quite closely but are a different seating position, longer geared and larger capacity than the XR with probably less over-square engines. They’re bound to feel different, as a collective.

[black-k1]

308mate said:

matt 74 said:

Done 15k now on my x2 year old XR. It’s a capable and comfortable all rounder however it’s also very ‘buzzy’ at the top end - this is particularly noticeable having spent numerous years on a Z14, prior to that Blackbird and Busa. The responsive XR is fun but I do miss the effortless grunt that the previous bikes offered.

Not really comparing apples with apples there though, I would say. All those bikes compare quite closely but are a different seating position, longer geared and larger capacity than the XR with probably less over-square engines. They’re bound to feel different, as a collective.

While I agree that the ZZR14, Blackbird, ‘Busa etc. are different to the XR, I would suggest that direct comparison is fair. They each represent their manufacturers offering for the large capacity sports tourer market.

[podman]

Just cant get over the way they look but id certainly have one over an outdated , obsolete sports tourer.

If the 2020 bike is drastically updated, i may consider one then.

I do really like this video thou...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKLCDOIQi5o

[308mate]

black-k1 said:

308mate said:

matt 74 said:

Done 15k now on my x2 year old XR. It’s a capable and comfortable all rounder however it’s also very ‘buzzy’ at the top end - this is particularly noticeable having spent numerous years on a Z14, prior to that Blackbird and Busa. The responsive XR is fun but I do miss the effortless grunt that the previous bikes offered.

Not really comparing apples with apples there though, I would say. All those bikes compare quite closely but are a different seating position, longer geared and larger capacity than the XR with probably less over-square engines. They’re bound to feel different, as a collective.

While I agree that the ZZR14, Blackbird, ‘Busa etc. are different to the XR, I would suggest that direct comparison is fair. They each represent their manufacturers offering for the large capacity sports tourer market.

Really? As the OP didn't specify brand new, would the K1300S not be the correct BMW offering against that group?

[garypotter]

Ceeejay said:

I’ve got one. Had it for 18 months, coming from a GSA. I’d been through a few boxers and fancied a change to the IL4. It handles really well, more power than needed, and very comfy.

It’s just a little bit too hooligan for me though. It’s not a relaxing bike, and it just makes me want to go and ride like a knob all the time.

I’m probably going to go back to a flat twin. Tried the 1250GS last year and it felt like slipping back into to some well worn slippers.

Fair comments, I have the same issue on my fireblade it makes me want to ride like a knob (as you put it) whereas the gs1200 is relaxed smoother and alot easier to ride.

[fire3500]

Nobody mentioned a Multistrada?

It's tourable and will still have fun but has the more relaxed beat of a twin than an IL4. Ignore all of the "it's Italian, it's going to be bother" wobbling (or go have a look at BMW issues - all bikes have them).

Was sad to see my GS go, but I like the Multi.