The BMW Motorcycle That Feels Worth Every Dollar
Sport touring bikes have been a staple within the motorcycle industry for decades now, and they are now more powerful than ever before. But, power is not everything. Manufacturers have also been competing in other areas, offering more comfort features in an effort to differentiate themselves from the growing field. Out of all the manufacturers, it is BMW that has really taken to this segment.
Why BMW’s Crossover Lineup Quietly Outgrew The Adventure Bike Segment
BMW offers an extensive range of touring bikes. From a maxi-scooter, all the way up to a full-dresser, the Bavarian brand has every conceivable base covered, including a handful of crossovers. Crossovers, or what some call “tall-rounders,” offer the same commanding riding position usually associated with an adventure bike, but with a more dynamic chassis that is more street oriented.
As riders discover the limitations of adventure motorcycles, or simply realize that they are not particularly interested in riding off-road, switching to one of these bikes makes a lot of sense. Each brand has its own interpretation of what a crossover should be, but it is fair to say that BMW has captured this market. The bike in question has proven to be a phenomenal success, and it is pretty easy to see why.
The BMW S 1000 XR Offers Impressive Value
$18,825 Buys You A Superbike In Touring Clothing
Modern motorcyclists demand more from their motorcycles and are generally willing to pay a premium for the kind of versatility on offer with the S 1000 XR. On paper, it actually looks like a screaming deal, but BMW does leave a few nice-to-have features optional. Any color other than black is also considered optional, and will incur an extra expense. Even so, this is a genuine superbike on stilts, and even if you do add a few of those nice-to-have options, it still offers impressive bang for the buck.
The S 1000 XR Has A Proper Superbike Engine
170 Horsepower: More Power Than Any Direct Rival Except The Ducati
The inline-four heart of this beast is arguably its key point of difference. While not lifted straight from the S 1000 RR superbike, it certainly isn’t far off. It is in the same state of tune as the S 1000 R hyper-naked, and has been reworked for the real world. With 170 horsepower, it is fair to say that it brings a gun to a knife fight compared to its direct competition. Only the more expensive Ducati Multistrada V4 is able to compete in terms of performance.
Sumptuous, But Far From Perfect
This magnificent powertrain is also the source of one minor gripe. It remains as smooth as one would expect an inline-four to be through most of the rev range, except when cruising at around 80 MPH, which is not ideal for a bike that is supposed to be used for touring. This vibration will drive some people mad, and others won’t even notice. If you are coming from an inline-four from another brand, it might prove to be noticeable, but if you are coming from a single or twin, we sincerely doubt this will be an issue. It does, however, merit a test ride if at all possible.
The S 1000 XR Is A Dynamic Beast
A sporty aluminum chassis and dynamic electronic suspension (or Dynamic ESA in BMW-speak) combine to deliver exceptional handling. It may not be the lightest bike in this crossover class, but with a wet weight of around 500 pounds, it is still nimble enough to carve up canyon roads with consummate ease. The odd track day is also not completely off the table, but that is not its key strength. This is a bike designed to be used in the real world, and that is where it shines. Even though it has an ex-superbike motor, it is tractable, and the bike won’t wear you out, even after several hours in the saddle.
In terms of electronic features, you get cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, ride modes, and a TFT dash. Unfortunately, the quickshifter and cruise control are left behind a paywall. While we can understand the quickshifter being optional, leaving cruise control off a touring bike just seems like a rather strange decision. Pretty much anyone considering spending this much money on what is still a touring bike, will expect cruise control to be a standard feature. Today, bikes half the price come with both of these features standard, but if you want them on your premium bike, you will need to factor in the “Premium Package,” which will set you back an extra $2k.
The Ultimate One-Bike Garage
The S 1000 XR really offers us an opportunity to own a practical superbike. In most respects, it really is ideal for those who only want to own one motorcycle, and it is even light enough to use as a commuter if required. While it won’t be particularly economical, it will be fun. But even that wet weight figure of 500 pounds is somewhat deceptive. It assumes that you have already checked the “M lightweight battery” and “Touring and Dynamic package” options. BMW doesn’t even publish the actual weight of the base model.
One might think that getting a bike like this is like getting two bikes for the price of one. Unfortunately, that isn’t really the case. Once you start factoring in all the option boxes that need to be checked before you get out the door, you will realize it is more a case of two bikes rolled into one. This is a premium bike that delivers an exceptional, premium riding experience, for a price. There are other bikes out there that are more comfortable, and there are certainly sport bikes that are faster, but there are very few that offer this kind of balance between performance and luxury.
Just like any motorcycle on the market, this simply won’t appeal to everyone, but the popularity of the model certainly confirms that it appeals to a lot of riders. Even though the way BMW structures its pricing may be frustrating, the S 1000 XR might be the one bike that is still able to offer a lot of value. You just need to accept that it will almost certainly end up costing well over $20k.
Source: BMW Motorrad
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