Why This Motorcycle Might Be The Only One You Ever Need

Most motorcycles are built with a singular purpose — and they nail it. The track-focused superbike terrifies on a circuit but punishes on a commute. The plush tourer eats miles but bores on a canyon road. The naked is endlessly fun until you hit a headwind at highway speed. For riders who can only justify one machine, that kind of compromise is a real problem. So what if there were a motorcycle engineered to sidestep all of it?

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The modern sport-touring crossover is the closest thing the industry has produced to a genuine answer. These machines cherry-pick the best of motorcycle styles: the easy riding posture of a naked, the creature comforts of a laid-back touring motorcycle, and the fury of a sports bike’s top end when you let them have their way. Thanks to these things, there are some very good crossovers in the market, but we think there is one example that stands head and shoulders above the others when it comes to usability. This motorcycle might be the only one you ever need.

The BMW S 1000 XR Might Be The Only Motorcycle You Ever Need

Starting Price: $18,825

The S 1000 XR is essentially a Frankenstein mashup of various BMW bits and bobs. It pairs the chassis, drivetrain, wheels, and brakes from an S 1000 RR superbike with raised suspension reminiscent of the smaller GS adventure bikes, all without taming the power output. What you are left with is a strange but deeply appealing motorcycle that does everything well, even the things it isn’t supposed to.

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We’ve had four-cylinder crossovers before, but they have always been domesticated and detuned to be civilized. The S 1000 XR can be docile, but it can also be ferociously quick when you give it the beans — and all the while it delivers excellent comfort thanks to a great seat and rider triangle. This is why it is the only motorcycle you’ll ever need.

BMW S 1000 XR Highlights

• A crossover with liter sport bike performance
• Can handle corners
• True all-day comfort
• Impressive electronics

BMW S 1000 XR Engine: Barely Leashed

Touring Motorcycle, Superbike Engine

The S 1000 XR, as the name suggests, uses the same powerplant as the S 1000 RR. However, there are a few notable differences. The most obvious is the absence of BMW ShiftCam variable valve timing, a feature reserved for the M 1000 XR. As a result, the S 1000 XR produces ‘only’ 170 horsepower at 11,000 rpm. It generates just as much torque as the M 1000 XR and at lower revs, so while it may not be as quick outright, in the real world it will be easier to ride. That’s not to say this engine doesn’t like to rev, though — a 12,000 rpm redline ensures there’s always fun to be had when the road allows.

The six-axis IMU enables ride modes, engine brake control, lean-sensitive traction control, and hill hold assist. Egging you on further is a six-speed gearbox and an optional two-way quickshifter that arguably should be standard fitment. An assist and slipper clutch is present, and a chain drives the rear wheel. This engine has a relatively high compression ratio of 12.5:1, so premium fuel is recommended for best results.

BMW S 1000 XR Engine Specifications

BMW S 1000 XR Chassis: Keeps Up Well With The Engine

Quality Components, Conventional Suspension

BMW

The S 1000 XR uses a cast aluminum bridge-type frame — BMW’s terminology for a twin-spar layout. The rear subframe is bolted on, and the engine serves as a stressed member of the frame. It’s an elegantly simple structure, and on a touring motorcycle that’s a genuine advantage, since it makes roadside repairs far more manageable. Given that this is a BMW touring motorcycle, you might expect Paralever and Duolever suspension, but just like the S 1000 RR, the S 1000 XR opts for a conventional setup.

There are fully adjustable inverted forks at the front and a fully adjustable monoshock at the rear with a double-sided swingarm. The rear is a link-type shock mounted up high — roughly level with the top mounting point of the subframe — which keeps mass centralized and the shock linkage out of harm’s way. Dynamic ESA is standard, putting electronic suspension control at the rider’s fingertips. Large brake discs, radial brake calipers, and lean-sensitive ABS with light 17-inch rims round out the chassis. All in, this is a 500-pound motorcycle, which is not that much heavier than a sport bike.

BMW S 1000 XR Chassis Specs And Dimensions

BMW S 1000 XR Features

Average Standard Package, But Plenty Of Options

BMW

The S 1000 XR has a solid standard equipment list, headlined by a 6.5-inch TFT display that provides access to the various menus, Bluetooth connectivity, and turn-by-turn navigation. Also included on every S 1000 XR are keyless ignition, a USB charging port, and an emergency call system. The options list is impressively long. Highlights include Dynamic ESA Pro, a two-way quickshifter, tire pressure monitoring, forged wheels, carbon wheels, a Li-ion battery, heated grips, a titanium muffler, and the M GPS Lap Trigger that requires only an activation code. Interestingly, lowered suspension also appears on the options list — though one wonders if that would simply make it an S 1000 RR.

BMW S 1000 XR Features

• Adaptive headlamp
• Riding modes Pro
• Keyless ignition
• Emergency call system
• Long list of optional equipment

BMW S 1000 XR Competition

Lots Of Options But No True Equal

BMW has been extremely intelligent with the S 1000 XR, because there isn’t a true apples-to-apples competitor in the market. Sure, everyone will think of the Multistrada V4, but the Multi V4 RS competes with the M 1000 XR, while the V4 S runs a 19-inch front wheel. It’s a similar story with the Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro. The Harley-Davidson Pan America ST has a 17-inch front wheel but doesn’t have the performance to match the S 1000 XR.

A left-field option would be the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, which offers comparable performance. There are other inline-four crossovers with 17-inch front rims that are capable, like the Kawasaki Versys 1100 LT SE ABS and the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX. But look closely, and you’ll see the BMW operates in another universe of performance compared to them.

BMW S 1000 XR Vs Rivals

Sources: BMW Motorrad