BMW S1000 XR - Any owners on here?
Discussion
I'm going to look at a few new bikes this weekend, but top of my list is the BMW S1000 XR. It seems to fulfill all my requirements - strong performance, but a more comfortable riding position for my aging hips.
The bike will be used for commuting in most weathers, weekend rides out and probably some touring next year.
Any owners on here? Or anyone else with any experience of the XR?
Cheers in advance.
The bike will be used for commuting in most weathers, weekend rides out and probably some touring next year.
Any owners on here? Or anyone else with any experience of the XR?
Cheers in advance.
Reg Local said:
I'm going to look at a few new bikes this weekend, but top of my list is the BMW S1000 XR. It seems to fulfill all my requirements - strong performance, but a more comfortable riding position for my aging hips.
The bike will be used for commuting in most weathers, weekend rides out and probably some touring next year.
Any owners on here? Or anyone else with any experience of the XR?
Cheers in advance.
There are a few of us, what would you like to know? If you want a white one still with one year of BMW warranty on it, freshly completed major service and FBMWSH, PM me. The bike will be used for commuting in most weathers, weekend rides out and probably some touring next year.
Any owners on here? Or anyone else with any experience of the XR?
Cheers in advance.
There's a forum here
https://www.s1000xr.uk/
I've test rode one a few times and loved it. Just a bit big for me. I ended up with the 1000R instead.
Doggydog.
https://www.s1000xr.uk/
I've test rode one a few times and loved it. Just a bit big for me. I ended up with the 1000R instead.
Doggydog.
308mate said:
There are a few of us, what would you like to know? If you want a white one still with one year of BMW warranty on it, freshly completed major service and FBMWSH, PM me.
Apologies - I should have been more specific. Just looking for ownership experiences, issues, running costs, general opinions & any alternatives I should be considering?S1000XR is a great all rounder! It's a sports bike built for the road, not the track! I'd have another one.
Had one for a few thousand miles when they first came out. A lot of early ones had vibration issues through the bars, which resulted in quite a few complaints. Also, heated grips are poor - BMW generally have awesome heated grips but the S1000XR and S1000R heated grips weren't upto the same standard as the rest of the fleet thats for sure. My local dealership and Park Lane BMW said that it was to do with what the bars were made from.
Had one for a few thousand miles when they first came out. A lot of early ones had vibration issues through the bars, which resulted in quite a few complaints. Also, heated grips are poor - BMW generally have awesome heated grips but the S1000XR and S1000R heated grips weren't upto the same standard as the rest of the fleet thats for sure. My local dealership and Park Lane BMW said that it was to do with what the bars were made from.
As already mentioned, pre 2017 model there were quite a number of people complaining about bar vibration. Some were definitely worse than others, I’ve ridden some and wondered how people can live with it, and others that were faultless. There is a mod to improve it which we can do FOC. I wouldn’t say it cures it, but it certainly improves it. You can buy aftermarket heavier bar end weights which make a huge difference.
Heated grips also were vastly improved on the 2017 model along with differently mounted handlebars to rid it of the vibrations.
At our place an average service cost is about £230. 18,000 miles is the biggie with valves, fork oil etc etc. It’s the time is takes that puts the cost up but for that one you can be looking in the region of £750 and up.
There haven’t been any major issues with them and as far as memory serves me, no recalls either.
If you get one, it’s worth considering a front fender extender or maybe rad guards (although that can cause them to run hot), as the radiator is quite a large target.
Just my 5p. Hope it helps
Heated grips also were vastly improved on the 2017 model along with differently mounted handlebars to rid it of the vibrations.
At our place an average service cost is about £230. 18,000 miles is the biggie with valves, fork oil etc etc. It’s the time is takes that puts the cost up but for that one you can be looking in the region of £750 and up.
There haven’t been any major issues with them and as far as memory serves me, no recalls either.
If you get one, it’s worth considering a front fender extender or maybe rad guards (although that can cause them to run hot), as the radiator is quite a large target.
Just my 5p. Hope it helps
308mate said:
spareparts said:
Really wanted to like it. But I think the GS is a better and more resolved bike for the road.
If you took away the XR’s capacity to hoik a wheelie at will in first and second off the throttle, it would have very little to offer over a GS in my opinion. Space and comfort wise, the XR is poor. Wedged in the sculpted seat to the tank, there is little room to move - especially important over distance.
Luggage wise, the XR is limited to the tiny sculpted panniers that clips on nicely, but is not robust. GS has dozens of far more robust options - top loading, side loading, soft panniers, ally, etc in different sizes.
The high revving S1000 engine just isn’t a patch on the torquey boxer twin over distance and getting drive out of corners. The balance of the R1200 chassis can’t be bettered at low speed/hairpins/etc.
And the strongest asset of the GS has to be the Telelever suspension. Broken surfaces, undulating roads, gravel, whatever... what it lacks in outright feel, it gives back in superlative control and stability.
The XR is a superbike on stilts. Good if you like neither the comfort, flexibility, or capacity when touring; and good if you don’t want the handling of a true superbike with lower CoG. Just IMO.
Problem is trying to make a bike that is all things to all men..... It'll probably end up being nothing to anyone.
The GS is the GS. It does a very specific job. Is it sports bike? Nope, not in the slightest. But it's excellent at it's design brief.
If you want a Superbike, get one and get the requisite luggage to suit. I did big mileages on my Fireblade with easy (and comfort) but it suited it's purpose. The trip wasn't the goal, it was the destination where a superbike could be properly stretched.
Regarding the bar vibs, I've ridden an early S1KR and it was really bad. As said above, some suffer from it, some don't. Was definately a resonant vib as it rose and peaked at cruising speeds.
For sporty touring, think maybe about the KTM Adventure 1290 or Superduke GT. Maybe the H2SX?
The GS is the GS. It does a very specific job. Is it sports bike? Nope, not in the slightest. But it's excellent at it's design brief.
If you want a Superbike, get one and get the requisite luggage to suit. I did big mileages on my Fireblade with easy (and comfort) but it suited it's purpose. The trip wasn't the goal, it was the destination where a superbike could be properly stretched.
Regarding the bar vibs, I've ridden an early S1KR and it was really bad. As said above, some suffer from it, some don't. Was definately a resonant vib as it rose and peaked at cruising speeds.
For sporty touring, think maybe about the KTM Adventure 1290 or Superduke GT. Maybe the H2SX?
Truth is, it is difficult to buy a "bad" bike nowadays. These "do all" bikes are all pretty brilliant. But in some ways, they're trying to be too much, as others have said. My Superduke GT, I am enjoying, it's pretty immense performance, huge practicality, great handling and features are all massive plus points and you can do everything on it very capably. But on track, a sports bike is better, (not necessarily faster, the GT is a flipping beast!), and there are better tourers, and commuters.
But these real world bikes are hard to be unhappy with so go for it. Competition wise to the XR, it is the Superduke GT, Multistrada obviously, but don't forget the much cheaper Vstrom, MT10 GT kitted, Tracer GT, Africal twin, GS even VFR 1200 / crossfit or whatever it is called!! Then their si the Triumph Tiger in its various guises, 1200, 800 and 1050 in sport trim is worth a look.
If you like a 4, the BMW will suit. Twins, Superduke GT and Multi. Or a triple on the Triumph!
All of them will be awesome, realistically.
But these real world bikes are hard to be unhappy with so go for it. Competition wise to the XR, it is the Superduke GT, Multistrada obviously, but don't forget the much cheaper Vstrom, MT10 GT kitted, Tracer GT, Africal twin, GS even VFR 1200 / crossfit or whatever it is called!! Then their si the Triumph Tiger in its various guises, 1200, 800 and 1050 in sport trim is worth a look.
If you like a 4, the BMW will suit. Twins, Superduke GT and Multi. Or a triple on the Triumph!
All of them will be awesome, realistically.
Opinions are like a
holes, everyones got one.
I bloody love my XR, best bit of kit I've had in nearly 40 years of biking. As comfy as can be for touring and goes like a bat out of hell when in the mood.
" A bit soulless" someone said. Are they kidding me. Compared to a GS it's in a different league. Had the XR for 15k miles over two years and every time I get on it it brings a bloody great smile to my face. Fantastic suspension, firm but compliant with tremendous brakes and when you give it the beans it's yeeehhhaaa all the way to the horizon. The engine, the induction noise, the power bands it's a riot.
Horses for courses and all that.
Try one, I'd done less than a mile on my test ride before I was convinced it was the bike for me. If mine got broken/nicked now I'd go straight out and buy another one.
Stuck some bar end weights on mine which completely eliminated the vibes which weren't that bad in the first place. The heated grips are more than warm enough even on the lowest setting. The only downside is it makes me ride like a bit of a nutter as opposed to steady eddy on a GS.
holes, everyones got one.I bloody love my XR, best bit of kit I've had in nearly 40 years of biking. As comfy as can be for touring and goes like a bat out of hell when in the mood.
" A bit soulless" someone said. Are they kidding me. Compared to a GS it's in a different league. Had the XR for 15k miles over two years and every time I get on it it brings a bloody great smile to my face. Fantastic suspension, firm but compliant with tremendous brakes and when you give it the beans it's yeeehhhaaa all the way to the horizon. The engine, the induction noise, the power bands it's a riot.
Horses for courses and all that.
Try one, I'd done less than a mile on my test ride before I was convinced it was the bike for me. If mine got broken/nicked now I'd go straight out and buy another one.
Stuck some bar end weights on mine which completely eliminated the vibes which weren't that bad in the first place. The heated grips are more than warm enough even on the lowest setting. The only downside is it makes me ride like a bit of a nutter as opposed to steady eddy on a GS.
I've ridden a mate's a couple of times. Most recently a few weeks ago in the out Hebrides, this time I rode it back to back with an S1000R. I'm not a big fan of either, but I feel the need to stand up for it here. I've not road it for masses of time but enough to argue some of the above..
The bottom line is that it is a S1000R with more comfort and weather cover. The suspension obviously has significantly more travel which makes it less "sporty". But on the road? I'm sorry but it makes fk all difference to actual progress. If anything the XR is quicker on country roads as it's much more forgiving of the st surface.
The difference in turning and braking is minimal on the road once you get used to it, if it's slowing you down compared to the S1000R I'd be more inclined to say it's a problem of the rider than the bike.
It also stops, turns, and accelerated a lot better than a GS, has reasonable luggage solutions, has almost as good weather protection, and that suspension will let you go down roads you'd never take the S1000R on, probably beyond what most GS users actually do. I've got footage of us going down to the beach and wading through water and rocks, and going along peat paths, probably at the limit of the road tyres, but not the suspension.
On the track, S1000R all the way. But the XR everywhere else. Especially over distance. I've only ever ridden the new GS off road so can't comment how it relates on road manners.
Not for me though.
The bottom line is that it is a S1000R with more comfort and weather cover. The suspension obviously has significantly more travel which makes it less "sporty". But on the road? I'm sorry but it makes f
k all difference to actual progress. If anything the XR is quicker on country roads as it's much more forgiving of the st surface. The difference in turning and braking is minimal on the road once you get used to it, if it's slowing you down compared to the S1000R I'd be more inclined to say it's a problem of the rider than the bike.
It also stops, turns, and accelerated a lot better than a GS, has reasonable luggage solutions, has almost as good weather protection, and that suspension will let you go down roads you'd never take the S1000R on, probably beyond what most GS users actually do. I've got footage of us going down to the beach and wading through water and rocks, and going along peat paths, probably at the limit of the road tyres, but not the suspension.
On the track, S1000R all the way. But the XR everywhere else. Especially over distance. I've only ever ridden the new GS off road so can't comment how it relates on road manners.
Not for me though.
Many thanks for all the replies.
I'm visiting the dealer on Saturday to try one out, so I'll update this thread with my thoughts.
I don't intend to do any track days or off-roading of any description & it'll be used on the road 100% of the time. I want decent performance combined with a more "mature gentlemans" riding position & the XR seems to tick all my boxes. I completely understand that it isn't everyone's cup of tea & I'm grateful for all comments, negative & positive - especially the servicing costs.
There's a Ducati dealers nearby too, so I'll definitely bob in & look at the Multistrada whilst I'm there.
Thanks again.
I'm visiting the dealer on Saturday to try one out, so I'll update this thread with my thoughts.
I don't intend to do any track days or off-roading of any description & it'll be used on the road 100% of the time. I want decent performance combined with a more "mature gentlemans" riding position & the XR seems to tick all my boxes. I completely understand that it isn't everyone's cup of tea & I'm grateful for all comments, negative & positive - especially the servicing costs.
There's a Ducati dealers nearby too, so I'll definitely bob in & look at the Multistrada whilst I'm there.
Thanks again.
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