I love your opinions. 1) who's dumb enough to think that a bike based off the RR is supposed to go off-road? 2) the gearing is perfect - the gearing allows for you to cruise in speed zones where you need to go slower - and super fast when you can. 3) a couple of your points apply to multiple bikes in this category. Yes, I love my XR and it's perfect for where I live and what I wanted. I think you should do one of these "avoid" videos for the multistrada and let's see where they stack up. You warned me not to watch this video - unfortunately the points you're making don't deter me from loving my XR; but then again, what the XR is was exactly what I wanted in a motorcycle - thanks!!!
So FORTUNATELY those mentioned points don’t affect you and that’s great. It means that this particular bike suits you perfectly - I’m very happy for that.
Gotta wonder why BMW made the XR LOOK like an adventure bike...it is as a matter of fact what turns me off on the XR...what I EXPECTED was simply an RR with a modified riding position and slightly more mellow power delivery but noooo BMW marketing morons had to make it look like an overly tall dirt worthy adventure motorcycle which obviously it is NOT!...very foolish on BMW's part if you ask me....(BTW now IF BMW had actually provided some off-road captivity? And perhaps a 19" front wheel? THEN I would appreciate the styling and would also have enjoyed taking it now and again on truck trails/fire roads which I often do on my Ktm) if I am going to pay the German premium I want it to be exactly what I want which was the 1000RR adapted for sport touring....As it stands at the moment the 2022 Suzuki GSX 1000 GT is in my opinion a superior bike and it's identity is not confused....nice low 32" seat height and at $14k US it is a much better deal to boot
@@dougiequick1 Fair points; however, the XR is a gorgeous looking bike. I’m 6’ tall and the “taller sportbike” sits real nice for me. I have curvy roads around my house and on my KTM 790 I can carve those curves fairly easily and fast…on the XR I was surprised how easily I could carve those roads as well…so the height and etc. doesn’t disappoint me at all. The new Suzuki looks great - I gotta tell you though - when I bought my XR I compared it to the Japanese Ninja 1000. Once I replace the fugly exhaust on the Ninja the out the door price was only a few thousand less than the XR and still didn’t have the amenities, warranty, or fit and finish. This is all a relative debate anyway; If I spent 20k+ on a bike and not miss the money then there’s no difference with someone else that spends 15k+ on a Japanese bike that they can afford. I’ve always wanted a BMW - I rode the RR and fell in love - but wanted something for distance riding…the XR fits the bill perfectly, but if you can afford it.
@@dougiequick1 If your comment is regarding the height, I have the answer: to handle rough roads with speed; and this was the main selling point for me. Imagine a place that’s all hills and with many “goat” roads. The XR, and this class of moto (eg Multistrada, Tracer, etc), makes these roads feel like they’re nicely paved. The mental thing about the XR is it also handles speed very well. With other sport adventures I’ve ridden, the suspension starts to feel too soft, while leaning hard on well paved tarmac, at around 90-100+mph My other sport tourer has standard sportbike suspension bits. I don’t have a problem negotiating fire trails and light off road duty. But it’s slow going, and I have to be quite careful of rocks and drops so I don’t damage the low hanging fairings and brackets. The XR is profoundly more capable and confidence inspiring in this arena. It can go over larger rocks and taller drops than my sport tourer. Its not an adventure bike, you’re right. Its not tagged with a “g” in the name so I don’t expect it to be. I expect a sport adventure machine to handle rough roads and occasional fire trails with ease, and also rail on the glassy tarmac. I expect it to be a road biased adventure bike. The XR checks these boxes better than any sport-adventure I’ve ridden. The sport tourer you’re asking for does exist and it’s called the S1000R. Just slap some taller bars, panniers, etc, and let her rip. I know several fellas that have gone this route.
The comment that to overtake whilst in 6th gear u need to go to 1st is the most redicoulous thing I have ever heard ,when I am on 6th gear it means I am already over 70 kph and a simple twist of throttle blasts bike past any car if you want even more just go down 1 gear with the amazing quick shifter. Regarding off road just looking at bike says you can't, It's a BMW u are always going to pay more for the name !
I suggest you listen to that part again ruclips.net/video/UagY5JsHHUY/видео.html If at 70 km/h you're claiming that any kind of bike, and especially a 4-cylinder S1000XR requires "a simple twist of throttle" to become explosive, then we simply have a different definition of what "blasting past any car" means.
Get your XR remapped, I did and it is smooth throughout the entire rev range and it will comfortably potter round at 30mph in 6th all day pulling smoothly when required, it transforms the bike.
Maybe, just like some people change the sprockets but I believe that for the sake of comparisons, following what a manufacturer has equipped a bike with is the most reasonable as the largest number of these will stay stock. But yeah, a useful advice for the current owners - thanks!
I have a 2016 BMW S 1000 XR which I bought new in 2018. I am 69 and have owned many bikes for the last 50 years, the XR is my favorite. I think the bike is practically perfect. I love the handling, the mid to top end acceleration, the sound of the in line 4 when winding out, the incredible brakes, and surprisingly it has been very reliable. I also love the quick shifter, the electronic suspension , the comfort and the beautiful red paint job and fit and finish. My only criticism is that I wish my bike had a taller 6th gear for the freeway, but I am mainly a backcountry canyon carver and this bike is amazing, refined, fast, and exhilarating. I have the money to buy any bike I want but I can't let loose of this XR. Once the dealer installed the rubber mounts in the handlebars long ago and at no cost vibration has not been an issue. This in line 4 is my favorite motorcycle engine by a wide margin. I have not ridden a multistrada yet but I can't see how a 19 inch front wheel could handle like a 17 around tight corners.
It gave me a thought when I read about the 6th gear - maybe you'd be interested in checking out different sprocket sizes to change the final ratio? That would influence all the gears but maybe it's worth a shot in such a case. About the 19" rim vs a 17" one - after riding them all in the segment, I conclude that there is no definite rule about which works better in what circumstances. That's surprising to me but so far this is what I've realized. So perhaps it's time to check the Multistrada. It may just make you enjoy your XR more actually. All the best!
I never use my XR for city driving, and no one should. That said, I've had 8 motorcycles, and my 2016 XR, which I'm starting my 7th season with, still makes me feel like a kid in a candy factory.
I had a 16 xr up until two years ago, I still regret selling it. I used my XR for everything from city riding to hitting twisties, to drag strips. Never had a single issue with it. Could ride up to 500km easily. The bike had all the power in all the areas you wanted it. The video says you need to drop 5 gears to overtake, it's bullshit, you could roll on 6th and overtake anyone in a couple seconds and even then with the quick shifter, it's not even an issue. The shifter is what made me love the bike and the torque makes me miss the bike.
"roll on 6th and overtake anyone in a couple seconds" - this pretty much sums it up... Unless you understand "couple" as literally 2 seconds. You can afford overtaking with 1 km/h difference sitting on a highway but where we ride in Europe, it matters if you can do it quickly or not.
I have a 2021 BMW S1000XR. I'm coming off a sportbike, and I live in South Carolina US. The XR is a perfect sport touring bike/weapon. It's a fast, comfortable bike that you can ride all day. Great for day trips and weekend getaways. Would I ride it across the United States? mmmmmmm probably not. But BMW has other bikes in the lineup for that type of riding. As for filtering or lane splitting it is illegal to do that here so not anything I worry about. Going from 6th to first gear to pull away from traffic is not the case at all. I can make traffic disappear and not be in 1st gear with no problem. Lol. I did ride the GS b4 I rode the XR and the GS felt like a truck in comparison. As for paying more for a quick shifter. Most BMW motorcycles come fully loaded from the BMW factory to the US. So you're going to get a quick shifter if you like it or not. Lol. Good video 👌👌
Yeah, it's the same case here in Europe - BMW dealers mostly order fully spec'd versions and don't really offer units without the most popular packs. That's especially true for a big GS. I'm not sure if for the XR too. Don't take the idea of dropping 5 gears from 6th to 1st literally as a necessity but a possibility that most bikes don't have at those speeds. This is to highlight how long the gears usually are in 4-cylinder engines. Cheers!
@V-Told yes, the XRs as well. They won't even order the bike stripped down. Most of the time, it's fully spec'd.with an exception of carbon package and M wheels but everything else it comes with most options.
Thank you for mentioning the GS feeling like a truck compared to the XR. You made me realize why I'm leaning toward the new Tiger 1200 over the GS (even next year's 1300). I traded in a Super Tenere after only 6 months because of that "truck" feeling. A review of the new Tiger 1200 said it was way more flickable than the GS. I'll test ride both but I like to have a good idea of what to expect first.
@Craig Finnegan glad I could help ✌️🤙. When you ride, the XR and GS back to back are when you really feel the difference in steering/handling. The GS adventure I didn't ride because that's even a bigger bike, I think with a bigger gasoline tank. So that would be even slower handling. The XR is perfect for me. Safe riding.
@@VToldsMotoShow I just realized you are the uploader of the video! Still, my point is valid, at 2:19 when you say "now imagine that you want to overtake someone..." you do NOT have to drop 5 gears at all!
Your first point of low torque is the reason why i still drive my K1300S. It's one of the view 4-cilinder bikes which have a high torque and are powerful even in low rev's! I'm talking about 175 bhp and 140 Nm and a shaft drive! Apart from that, the XR is a fantastic bike!
Oh yeah, I've had a chance to ride one of those and it was the fastest that I've ever ridden any bike. Immense power and torque within the whole range - I can totally confirm that. This also comes with the displacement. And look, no one can tell us that motorcycles with a lot of power cannot have a driveshaft!
@@VToldsMotoShow This is actually not true. My mate had a K1300R and I had a Gen 1 XR, there was no situation where the K1300 was quicker. Whether from down low, to high RPM, too much power lost from the shaft drive. The XR has plenty of power down low, you just got to be in the right mode and know how to use it.
Drop 5 gears you’re definitely wrong about this one I’ve owned this bike for a year now and I can’t fault it just think your opinion is focused on looking for problems think is about looking for problems you will find them. This video is not a true representation of the bike you need to own one for a few months to give a proper honest review
Seriously? You need to live in a restaurant for a few months and eat there every day to give a review? Same for a hotel, a car or shoes? It's not about reliability but about how things feel when you ride them. As for the point of the video, maybe I still wasn't clear enough but this should help: ruclips.net/video/KOV_x32fOFc/видео.html
That’s right! There is not a perfect bike that does everything well. Although there will be a bike that is perfect for each one of us belonging that we don’t want to do every different thing at the same time. Normally we have to make choices, and that resumes it. I find the chain drive something a little old yes. And there are chains and lubricants which are less messy, but if you go on touring with that kind of bike, there is a “ kit of utility equipment” that you have to bring along with your tyres repairing tools and other little necessaries which is advised to make part of such a journey. The chain lubricant is one of those items. The BMW S1000 XR is capable, poorly, but capable on gravel roads, if is needed just to cross minor trails, for not more than a few Kms, but in that case, you must know that the tyres are softer on the sides and that on those terrains there are pointy sticks of wood in the middle of the way along with some sharp stones capable of fatally slash those more gripping tyres or side surfaces of the above said, tyres, and frequently, for those damages there are no repairing simple kits. So, if we still want to go off road with a bike that has no proper tyres, at least is important to acknowledge the risks and do very little of that and ride the bike, while there, on a very slow pace. Being careful, will kill all the fun of going off-road, but that’s the “price to pay” for an inadequate use of this bike. Probably, the best choice is to not do it at all, if we can. Tight maneuvers on off-road with an BMW S1000 XR, full loaded and with a pillion? Don’t! Forget that. For normal Bike users that will ruin the day ride, almost for sure. That’s why I am a favor of owning more than one bike. In fact, if I could, I would have a collection of them, for different environments, for different moods. 😎✌️✌️
From my point of view, I can't really agree with you on any of your points! Only when it comes to off-road capability do we almost agree. I still wonder why BMW advertises the S1000XR as an adventure bike. It is indeed, limited, suitable for off-road use, but these are isolated cases! (If you search, then you'll find here on YT) In my point of view, it's basically a sit-up sport bike! Comfortable tours are possible without any problems - I personally rode more than 500km in one go with my daughter. She drove a bike with 125ccm! But the XR can also be fast! And on country roads, its handling brings tears to the eyes of many a super sports driver... The translation is spot on from my point of view, but you don't have to like it. Then you just choose a different bike. Taking focus on overtking in the city may be the wrong criteria for choosing a motorbike...😏 Accessories cost money! Unfortunately that is correct! On the other hand, there are accessories for the XR that simply work 1:1. (Seats included 😉) With other motorcycles you can't even buy that as an accessory! And if it does, it takes quite a bit of fiddling to get it to work... I actually only find two main criticisms of the XR. 1. Consumption! Even with a leisurely driving style, I always consume at least 5.8 liters per 100 km. This is disappointing. 2. The volume! The engine and exhaust are relatively loud even on the tame setting and the bike almost screams at you "More, more more...!" That can get on your nerves! If you then switch to Dynamic Plus, it gets even louder! I'm driving mine today for the 6th season - and I don't want to be without it anymore. In an emergency, I drive something else in between... 😉
Volume? It makes it perfect fo me then. And yes, whilst I don’t have one, going down to 1st gear in order to accelerate with intent? I totally disagree. I test rode one, certainly didn’t do that. It actually inspired confidence. Even my 16 yo GSR600 just needs to be kicked down one gear then it becomes a small beast. But….with an inline 4, in traffic, why would you be in 6th gear @ 70 anyway? Keep it in a lower gear and keep the power at your finger tips.
Another reason to avoid BMW is that BMW will no longer sell you a service manual, on paper, DVD, or online, it is just not available. So if you want to do any maintenance yourself, you're left guessing at torque values, proper procedures, etc. Simply not acceptable.
Here are all the manuals online on BMW's website: www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/service/manuals/rider-manual.html Accessing them from local websites is possible too. I hope this helps. I'm seeing manufacturers dropping printing the manuals and it's a solid saving for them. Online version allows you to search too, so I guess it shouldn't be that big of a deal anyway. I'm not sure but I'd expect the printed versions to be available at an additional charge.
@@VToldsMotoShow Those are Owner's manuals. Service manuals used to available on DVD for purchase but no longer. BMW is no longer selling service manuals to the public, only BMW dealerships have online access. I'd love to be wrong as that is what is stopping me from buying another BMW motorcycle.
Oh, I now understand what you meant by a service manual. I wasn't aware of the fact that they even used to offer service manuals! Not bad and it's a pity that they don't anymore. I wonder what the real strategy behind this move it. I'd check that with some dealer or even try to call some BMW HQ if that's possible (should be).
Call it funny, but I like the fact that these inline 4 engines are more tame in the lower RPMs. I do mostly city riding and the engine is smooth to me and relaxed as needed. However, when on tour, I can open it up in the mountains and longer stretches of highway. I also don’t go off-road so I’m not worried about those capabilities. I also got a hell of a deal on the bike.
The reason for the lower power in the bottom 6k rpm is because it has 2 doors in the intake that open up after 6k rpm. Euro 5 emission issue. Get them removed like i did and remapped. Little cost but it will be an animal..
Don't know about 1250GS, but 1200GS shaft is "maintenance free" as long as you do periodic maintenance that in my country costs more than a chain transmission kit. You can also choose to be really maintenance free and spend the equivalent of a lifetime worth of chain transmissions from time to time to fix the rust that water caused inside.
@@VToldsMotoShow I don't know if I am able to describe in english, but let's try: I bought an F800GS in 2013 and most of the friends that I travel with had 1200GS. Many of them had shaft problems related to water entering the shaft and rust formation in the interior (2 of them had their shaft condemned). This is the main reason why I didn't buy a 1200GS, kept my 800 and bought a XR. As an example, this is a video of the guy that fixes my friends motorcycle. In the video he shows a GS with 1600 km that got rain and was washed only once. This guy makes some prevention to this using grease on the shaft gasket and also recommends periodic maintenance to avoid this PITA (I really don't the mileage he recommends to disassemble the entire shaft, but it wasn't longer than a chain's lifespan) As much as I like the comfort shafts provides, I still prefer chains (I'm not careful with them and they last about 30.000 km). PS.: He dealt with many Triumph shafts with problems also, but I don't remember if the problem is similar. ruclips.net/video/7V5VdIDHbro/видео.html
Thanks for explaining and a video. It seems like it wasn't sealed properly. Not nice but I guess things break. Still, I wonder how common of an issue this might be and if and how BMW is/was going to address it. 30.000 km out of a chain is quite good I think!
Totally agree. I've got mine since December after having lost my MT-10 and what struck me immediately is the low torque in low RPM. Still not sure if XR will be my love or if I will swap it for the new CP4 MT-10 which simply was lovely... Further with my 6"1' the wind protection is simply shitty. I'm trying my third windscreen now to get rid of the turbulences...
I did 18,000 miles on mine and really liked it but never really loved because of the anemic low speed performance. The '10's engine or a big twin is just so much more engaging at real world speeds.
How do you compare the XR to the mt10 to me the Mt 10 look like a Cheesy Kitty bike how do they compare power-wise low-mid hi. And which one do you prefer.
@@richardcerritelli9657 Well, yeah, the looks... I chose the XR above the R because of its practicality and riding position. The MT was to small for my liking - and my knees. But technical wise the MT - I had the SP version MK1 with the semi electronic suspension - was stunning. The engine definitely had more punch in the low and mid revs. Esp. when dirven in Riding mode 1. Here the XR is pretty phlegmatic. Yet, there is whole list of features where the XR is better equipped than the MT (MK1): 6-axis IMU, blipper, super soft quickshifter, driving modes adjustable while riding, heated grips, steel braided brake lines with integral ABS, keyless ride, cornering lights, cruise control starts in 2. gear at 30 km/h already, wheelie and back lift control loading capacity of >220 kg, etc.. Yet, in terms of emotions the MT is still in my heart 😅
I have a first generation XR that I purchased new seven years ago. I have been street riding since 1975 (yes I'm that old) and currently have 62,000 miles on my bike. I look every season taking into account form, function, and price trying to find a better new sports touring motorcycle. So far no luck. From commuting to tours to maintenance, I feel it's the best all around street motorcycle I have owned. That it is not an off road bike, or is not shaft drive, is not a clever insight.
To me having a driveshaft instead of a chain is an important part. Knowing that if you want, you cannot use this bike off the road any better than R1250RT also matters. Not sure what's not cleaver about those insights. BMW puts S1000XR into the same category as it does with R1250GS which may be misleading to some as for all the aspects of using these bikes.
I have had many friends that were stranded because their BMW shaft drive failed and left them stranded. The chain reduces weight and is more efficient, if it fails it is easy to replace or fix. Give me a chain drive anytime, I don't want a shaft drive. I am 5 11 and 180 pds and the XR seat is the most comfortable seat I have owned, and that includes the purchase of many Seat Concept aftermarket seats which were much less comfortable to me.
I think this is a not valid info, overtaking does not mean I need to downshift unless I am riding slow, Yes I do value and respect your opinion, if I did come across this video I probably would have thought twice. However I love my XR and I find it 100% satisfactory for me, its effortless overtaking for me. We're all different hence different bikes. its up to each person really to test ride a bike they like and make a call as that's your baby and you need to be fully satisfied of your choice. I do wish it had radar system like ducati but I would't trade it for any bike because of my personality and character. I do intend to test ride other bikes hopefully I'll know the difference.
All is right. As for overtaking, it’s the same story as setting off in the first gear or in the third gear - both ways are possible, but one just works better and delivers much better experience and performance than the other. Sure you don’t need to reduce any gears at 70 kph if you’re on one of 4 lanes of traffic and just cruise next to somebody “overtaking” them. Where I live, there are mostly 1 lane roads outside the city and a hell of a lot of traffic on those roads - not a pleasure to ride outside the city and super dangerous. So overtaking sometimes needs to be done super quickly and then the gears do matter a lot. However, this is about what you mentioned - we are different riders, we ride differently and in different places. That’s why I also believe that everyone should try the bike/car that they are interested in or take into account what context there is in any other review.
Totally agree. Seat is odd looking but really is comfortable on long trips. Never would take it off road, so yeah it's tough to call it an adventure bike. And yeah they do charge you for every extra nut and bolt. I can't imagine going to a BMW dealership and finding any of their bikes stripped. It is part of their sales strategy. This is my second XR and the second Gen is the best of a Sports bike and the comfort of a touring bike. But yeah I do miss the punchy Gen 1 engine.
Just an additional note. Gen 2 bikes offer a permanently lubed chain (Diamond Coating) It is a option in one of the packages. Gold Color Only have 3K on the bike so not sure how this will hold up.
I'm glad to find someone who likes the seat too. The I believe that in the cases of those more expensive bikes, the sales strategy that you mentioned in really in place. It has been this way at least for 15 years now. As for the chain, I tend not to believe those claims by BMW yet. Unless we've got riders confirming them on a larger scale, I'm going to stay skeptical I think. Still, there's a fairly easy solution to keep it lubed with an aftermarket device, so in fact that shouldn't be a big of a deal indeed. Cheers and thanks for sharing!
I used to have a new v strom 650 2020 and than i bought gd1200 and i can tell that gear situation is the same with gs. You have to go thru gears all the time and i like to keep my revs lower so i always end up going too fast. With v strom situation is more,much more relax. You can drive around town so easy and if you wan it fast you just twist thhe throttle. So i end up just to go on open road with bmw and driving around the town two more motorcycles.
If I had to trade my Harley Road King and Yamaha R1 in, and only have one bike, this would have to be the ticket. Would love one of these loaded up with all the features. Especially with an after market tune. What a machine. Shame it ain’t winning any beauty pageants but she’s definitely got it where it counts, and I still think it looks better than the Japanese alternatives for sure. Anyway, very cool bike man and great video 👍
Oh, I think it may be the best-looking bike in the class - seriously. But yeah, it can serve as a form of a good blend of a sports bike and a proper tourer. Thanks and all the best!
My 21 XR is a fine bike. I had a 16 r1200rt and think I miss the RT. I miss the versatility of the of the RT. The XR is great and the engine and transmission are amazing. I can run with anyone, take it camping, track it, and anything else want to do. The wind protection is no where near the RT and I miss the big saddle bags. That said it's a great bike.
@@VToldsMotoShow lol... I'm still in my early 40s.. can't be riding an old grampa bike.. that said the RT was quite the tourer. I just sold a 18 k1600b. I really enjoyed it but the ergos we're not for me. But that engine is a highway muncher.. when this s1000xr that I have now is run out I think I'll go k1600gt and r1250GS. I like the s1000.... Maybe it will change with some long totes and camping.. I'm interested to see the maintenance needs vs the r bikes aswell.
I prefer a doughy low end, harder to get I trouble around town punching out of corners. Considering one to upgrade my vfr800 Crossrunner. Vfr is very tame below about 7000rpm
Oh Man Oh Man Oh Man, how on earth can you make a comment like that and say that in order to make an overtake, even if you don't have enough space/gap you need to drop by 5 gears COMMON DUDE, REALLY???? Please be realististic when you make your statements on your Channel ;-)
Having such long gears, they overlap a lot, so in order to get the most out of the bike - which is very much at higher RPM in this particular case - you've got to make it rev as high as possible. Therefore if you want that, you've got to drop gears.
What if you come from a 850 pound Harley Street glide, wouldn’t this be less top heavy and easier to maneuver in traffic and easier to make u turns without tipping it over at low speeds??
Paying extra....sounds like their car division. Talk about extra, we purchased a new Honda CB500X for my wife while she was on her restricted licence, the heated grips from honda were $750 AU PLUS FITTING!!!!!! BMW make some of the best cars and motorcycles in the world, being a BMW car owner and soon to purchase a couple of their bikes. Always enjoy your vids V-Told, thank you :)
I also think that their cars are among the best out there. Now, if we want the best, we've got to pay. Sometimes it helps to realize that some others are equally financially-demanding while not being that enjoyable. Thanks for the kind words :). Cheers!
Excuse me did you say most 4 cyl, liter (shoot, any size engine) bikes require you to drop 5 gears to pass ?? Did I understand that right ? Because if that's what you said, I would be really questioning your knowledge on motorcycles. 5 gears ? I've owned 7 liter bikes so far, I NEVER had to drop 5 gears. Dude! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ that's plain ridiculous.
Mostly because MT10's presence and numbers on the road seem to be close to none. I've also never even seen it in a dealership. On the other hand Tracer 9 is everywhere and became almost something of an urban legend. On top of that, the Tracer 9 surprises with how it compares to the S1000XR. Before riding the Tracer I would also not even consider matching these two, so I get your point of view. Still, once you ride the Tracer, you may see that it can make sense to think about both of these in similar terms.
@V-Told tracer and s1000xr are bikes from different categories. Mt10 is a much more fun. I got Mt10 and I was testing also 1000r BMW also xr, including aprilia also. BMW engine is boring.
Don't leave out how different riders experience specific bikes differently. I still have my FJ-09 (1st gen Tracer 9, basically) after test riding both the Super Duke GT and the MT-10 (months after I bought the FJ-09). Both times I got back on my FJ feeling amazed that I already owned the better bike. Who's to say what should be compared to what? Should oranges only be compared to apples? What about comparing them to mangos or grapefruits? Gotta stop now, I'm starting to laugh. But you get the point.
NUMBER 1 REASON TO AVOID THE BMW S1000XR IS BMW WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT WHEN ITS BROKEN. The bike doesn't run. I know, shocking that after 4 mo of sitting in the dealership after leaving me stranded 800 miles from home, STILL NOT HELP FROM BMW. NO FUN BMW. This is the first bike I've had in almost 50 years of riding that left me stranded. I'm not a newby, and I traded a 2017 Multistrada with 23k miles and no problems for this.
I'm sorry to hear about it and surely manufacturer's support can make a night and day difference. The machine itself may suffer from some unfortunate issue and even Rolls-Royce cars break down but I totally understand the feeling of being left alone with a problem. There's a long way for the automotive industry to reach an overall acceptable level of customer support. While considering the prices of "goods", they should be the first ones to lead others by good example. Unfortunately not as we see... I hope BMW will be amongst the ones that will up their game and also your case will have at least a positive ending.
Great comments, spot on. Had this bike for 2 years now. All true. Still... great bike, very enjoyable. Slow manoeuvring needs care, feels very top heavy at slow speeds, engine is very docile at low revs, but for old guys like me, its an RR with a comfy riding position. Well done and thanks for making this video.
Nicely said about it being an RR with a comfortable riding position. I'd gladly spend a few days on it on a high-speed Spanish coastal road. All the best with your XR. Cheers!
Interesting video, with great points. Oddly I think the current v-Strom isn't a bad looking bike, in a sector where all the bikes have looks that only a parent could love !
Very personal indeed, but there are certain trends and I've got a feeling that its current look may in general not be considered the most "beautiful". However, the first look which I personally liked very much was not loved by everyone either so there's that.
@@yojimbo21 Sure it is..More or less the same power, both have 17” wheels, both are more sport than adventure , difference is just how and who built them.
@@yojimbo21 What part of “Difference” of how and who built them don’t you understand. ?? Ultimately, both are used for Fast paced Road riding. One is BMW and the other Ducati, of course they’re different, but used for the same sort of riding.
@@elithegreat6463 “in the same league” suggest more than superficial comparables. What’s clear is the Pikes Peak is a far superior machine in terms of its engine and power delivery, suspension, technology, wheels, tires, maintenance intervals and desirability. I’ll acknowledge that they’re both adventure/ sport tourers with 17” wheels and similar horsepower but they’re not in the same league.
I wish I could but I haven't ridden it nor even seen it on the streets ever. I tried to get a look at one but no dealer seems to have it which is a shame. It along with 1290 Super Adventure look on paper like they could win my heart but if it's impossible to get them, then there's nothing to talk about. Shame on KTM for that!
There are better bikes to tour long distance snotty gravel roads and rough terrain, although not impossible or the best choice. 21 inch front wheel, better tyres. Back in the 1970's we had Enduro motorcycles, read road and trail boat anchors motorcycles. One of the group rode a Yamaha 500 Enduro with his girl friend on the back up a hill known as the "Widow Maker" to the top while the rest of us flipped our bikes. Its not the bike, its the rider.
It always depends on what matters to you yourself. As a quick tourer that feels like a sports bike, it may be the best. For a twisty road - take a GS. To have crazy performance in the straight line - get a KTM 1290 Super Adventure, to float over bumps and have a comfy seat - Harley-Davidson Pan America or a Triumph Tiger 1200 GT, or a GS for that matter.
Mam 183 cm bez butów. Wymiarowo then XR jest jest dla mnie w sam raz - nie za ciasny ani nie za niski, a też nie zbyt duży. Siedzenie mi odpowiadało, ale jest sporo głosów od osób, którym bardzo nie pasuje, więc może to pójść w dwie strony w tym zakresie.
Could not disagree more with your analysis of the low down capability of this bike - you are so wrong….. Come to Scottish roads and I will show you…… This is the ultimate all round bike - buy one folks - you won’t be disappointed 👍
That's a good question that depends on your one preference - do you prefer your bike's suspension stiff like in a sports bike or do you prefer it not to try to break your spine. In both cases the "sports bike feel" is there but if you'd like to have additional comfort, I personally would look for ways of how I could upgrade an '18 to thee second generation S1000R. I also like the look of the 2nd generation more but that's an even more personal matter. I'd rarely be willing to replace such a new bike, but this could be such a case.
Depends. You can make the gen 1 be considerably better than a stock Gen 2. I have Andreani cartridges, an ohlins shock, an hm quickshifter, RR master cylinder, revised geometry and sag set for my weight + Brentuning. Taking the cost of those into account , if you but a low mileage Gen 1, add those mods, even add some forged wheels, full system, or both, you will still have 2-3k $ left from the price of a decent spec brand new Gen 2. Besides the gearbox changes, legal led lights and the TFT with its functions and added configuration options, there is no huge difference. + ESA isn't all that great. The gen 1 clearly worse than Gen 2, but the latter isn't stellar either. The components are also quite heavy. Give me aftermarket manual suspension any day.
It depends - for straight line racing: this. For most other things: Triumph Tiger 1200 GT. But in my case - definitely a GT and not a Rally version. That's another recent learning for me.
@@VToldsMotoShow you are right, equipment and details but i believe that kawasaki can be a better choice if you want a fast bike with comfort and spend less money .
I’m 69, had multiple big cruisers, a KZ900, an FZ1 and now a 2018 XR. It’s the best bike I’ve ever owned.
I'm glad that you're enjoying the XR! All the best with the bike!
Good to hear, because I'm looking around at modern alternates to my '04 FZ1
I love your opinions. 1) who's dumb enough to think that a bike based off the RR is supposed to go off-road? 2) the gearing is perfect - the gearing allows for you to cruise in speed zones where you need to go slower - and super fast when you can. 3) a couple of your points apply to multiple bikes in this category. Yes, I love my XR and it's perfect for where I live and what I wanted. I think you should do one of these "avoid" videos for the multistrada and let's see where they stack up. You warned me not to watch this video - unfortunately the points you're making don't deter me from loving my XR; but then again, what the XR is was exactly what I wanted in a motorcycle - thanks!!!
So FORTUNATELY those mentioned points don’t affect you and that’s great. It means that this particular bike suits you perfectly - I’m very happy for that.
Most definitely agree with the entirety of your response...
Gotta wonder why BMW made the XR LOOK like an adventure bike...it is as a matter of fact what turns me off on the XR...what I EXPECTED was simply an RR with a modified riding position and slightly more mellow power delivery but noooo BMW marketing morons had to make it look like an overly tall dirt worthy adventure motorcycle which obviously it is NOT!...very foolish on BMW's part if you ask me....(BTW now IF BMW had actually provided some off-road captivity? And perhaps a 19" front wheel? THEN I would appreciate the styling and would also have enjoyed taking it now and again on truck trails/fire roads which I often do on my Ktm) if I am going to pay the German premium I want it to be exactly what I want which was the 1000RR adapted for sport touring....As it stands at the moment the 2022 Suzuki GSX 1000 GT is in my opinion a superior bike and it's identity is not confused....nice low 32" seat height and at $14k US it is a much better deal to boot
@@dougiequick1 Fair points; however, the XR is a gorgeous looking bike. I’m 6’ tall and the “taller sportbike” sits real nice for me. I have curvy roads around my house and on my KTM 790 I can carve those curves fairly easily and fast…on the XR I was surprised how easily I could carve those roads as well…so the height and etc. doesn’t disappoint me at all. The new Suzuki looks great - I gotta tell you though - when I bought my XR I compared it to the Japanese Ninja 1000. Once I replace the fugly exhaust on the Ninja the out the door price was only a few thousand less than the XR and still didn’t have the amenities, warranty, or fit and finish. This is all a relative debate anyway; If I spent 20k+ on a bike and not miss the money then there’s no difference with someone else that spends 15k+ on a Japanese bike that they can afford. I’ve always wanted a BMW - I rode the RR and fell in love - but wanted something for distance riding…the XR fits the bill perfectly, but if you can afford it.
@@dougiequick1 If your comment is regarding the height, I have the answer: to handle rough roads with speed; and this was the main selling point for me.
Imagine a place that’s all hills and with many “goat” roads. The XR, and this class of moto (eg Multistrada, Tracer, etc), makes these roads feel like they’re nicely paved.
The mental thing about the XR is it also handles speed very well. With other sport adventures I’ve ridden, the suspension starts to feel too soft, while leaning hard on well paved tarmac, at around 90-100+mph
My other sport tourer has standard sportbike suspension bits. I don’t have a problem negotiating fire trails and light off road duty. But it’s slow going, and I have to be quite careful of rocks and drops so I don’t damage the low hanging fairings and brackets.
The XR is profoundly more capable and confidence inspiring in this arena. It can go over larger rocks and taller drops than my sport tourer.
Its not an adventure bike, you’re right. Its not tagged with a “g” in the name so I don’t expect it to be.
I expect a sport adventure machine to handle rough roads and occasional fire trails with ease, and also rail on the glassy tarmac. I expect it to be a road biased adventure bike.
The XR checks these boxes better than any sport-adventure I’ve ridden.
The sport tourer you’re asking for does exist and it’s called the S1000R. Just slap some taller bars, panniers, etc, and let her rip. I know several fellas that have gone this route.
The comment that to overtake whilst in 6th gear u need to go to 1st is the most redicoulous thing I have ever heard ,when I am on 6th gear it means I am already over 70 kph and a simple twist of throttle blasts bike past any car if you want even more just go down 1 gear with the amazing quick shifter.
Regarding off road just looking at bike says you can't,
It's a BMW u are always going to pay more for the name !
I suggest you listen to that part again ruclips.net/video/UagY5JsHHUY/видео.html If at 70 km/h you're claiming that any kind of bike, and especially a 4-cylinder S1000XR requires "a simple twist of throttle" to become explosive, then we simply have a different definition of what "blasting past any car" means.
@@VToldsMotoShow my xr is M is amazing. To pass a car, click down 2 gears and whack it
Agreed - if you had to knock it down 4-5 gears, it would scream and lift the wheel. A quick 1 second double tap at most, and you would fly by
Get your XR remapped, I did and it is smooth throughout the entire rev range and it will comfortably potter round at 30mph in 6th all day pulling smoothly when required, it transforms the bike.
Maybe, just like some people change the sprockets but I believe that for the sake of comparisons, following what a manufacturer has equipped a bike with is the most reasonable as the largest number of these will stay stock. But yeah, a useful advice for the current owners - thanks!
I have a 2016 BMW S 1000 XR which I bought new in 2018. I am 69 and have owned many bikes for the last 50 years, the XR is my favorite. I think the bike is practically perfect. I love the handling, the mid to top end acceleration, the sound of the in line 4 when winding out, the incredible brakes, and surprisingly it has been very reliable. I also love the quick shifter, the electronic suspension , the comfort and the beautiful red paint job and fit and finish. My only criticism is that I wish my bike had a taller 6th gear for the freeway, but I am mainly a backcountry canyon carver and this bike is amazing, refined, fast, and exhilarating. I have the money to buy any bike I want but I can't let loose of this XR. Once the dealer installed the rubber mounts in the handlebars long ago and at no cost vibration has not been an issue. This in line 4 is my favorite motorcycle engine by a wide margin. I have not ridden a multistrada yet but I can't see how a 19 inch front wheel could handle like a 17 around tight corners.
It gave me a thought when I read about the 6th gear - maybe you'd be interested in checking out different sprocket sizes to change the final ratio? That would influence all the gears but maybe it's worth a shot in such a case. About the 19" rim vs a 17" one - after riding them all in the segment, I conclude that there is no definite rule about which works better in what circumstances. That's surprising to me but so far this is what I've realized. So perhaps it's time to check the Multistrada. It may just make you enjoy your XR more actually. All the best!
I never use my XR for city driving, and no one should. That said, I've had 8 motorcycles, and my 2016 XR, which I'm starting my 7th season with, still makes me feel like a kid in a candy factory.
I had a 16 xr up until two years ago, I still regret selling it. I used my XR for everything from city riding to hitting twisties, to drag strips. Never had a single issue with it. Could ride up to 500km easily.
The bike had all the power in all the areas you wanted it. The video says you need to drop 5 gears to overtake, it's bullshit, you could roll on 6th and overtake anyone in a couple seconds and even then with the quick shifter, it's not even an issue. The shifter is what made me love the bike and the torque makes me miss the bike.
"roll on 6th and overtake anyone in a couple seconds" - this pretty much sums it up... Unless you understand "couple" as literally 2 seconds. You can afford overtaking with 1 km/h difference sitting on a highway but where we ride in Europe, it matters if you can do it quickly or not.
I have a 2021 BMW S1000XR. I'm coming off a sportbike, and I live in South Carolina US. The XR is a perfect sport touring bike/weapon. It's a fast, comfortable bike that you can ride all day. Great for day trips and weekend getaways. Would I ride it across the United States? mmmmmmm probably not. But BMW has other bikes in the lineup for that type of riding. As for filtering or lane splitting it is illegal to do that here so not anything I worry about. Going from 6th to first gear to pull away from traffic is not the case at all. I can make traffic disappear and not be in 1st gear with no problem. Lol. I did ride the GS b4 I rode the XR and the GS felt like a truck in comparison. As for paying more for a quick shifter. Most BMW motorcycles come fully loaded from the BMW factory to the US. So you're going to get a quick shifter if you like it or not. Lol. Good video 👌👌
Yeah, it's the same case here in Europe - BMW dealers mostly order fully spec'd versions and don't really offer units without the most popular packs. That's especially true for a big GS. I'm not sure if for the XR too. Don't take the idea of dropping 5 gears from 6th to 1st literally as a necessity but a possibility that most bikes don't have at those speeds. This is to highlight how long the gears usually are in 4-cylinder engines. Cheers!
@V-Told yes, the XRs as well. They won't even order the bike stripped down. Most of the time, it's fully spec'd.with an exception of carbon package and M wheels but everything else it comes with most options.
Thank you for mentioning the GS feeling like a truck compared to the XR. You made me realize why I'm leaning toward the new Tiger 1200 over the GS (even next year's 1300). I traded in a Super Tenere after only 6 months because of that "truck" feeling. A review of the new Tiger 1200 said it was way more flickable than the GS. I'll test ride both but I like to have a good idea of what to expect first.
@Craig Finnegan glad I could help ✌️🤙. When you ride, the XR and GS back to back are when you really feel the difference in steering/handling. The GS adventure I didn't ride because that's even a bigger bike, I think with a bigger gasoline tank. So that would be even slower handling. The XR is perfect for me. Safe riding.
@@jamesmelendez4549 Glad you found "the bike." I'll ride paranoid safe! You too, my brother.
2:29 Come on... it's stupid to say you need to drop 5 gears to overtake a car going at 100Km/h. NOT my experience at all with my 2021!
No one says that there's a need of dropping 5 gears to overtake at 100 km/h.
@@VToldsMotoShow no? You probably saw a different video then.
Yeah, I guess that was another video that I saw :D
@@VToldsMotoShow I just realized you are the uploader of the video!
Still, my point is valid, at 2:19 when you say "now imagine that you want to overtake someone..." you do NOT have to drop 5 gears at all!
@@VToldsMotoShow Denying it makes your video a no honest review.
Your first point of low torque is the reason why i still drive my K1300S. It's one of the view 4-cilinder bikes which have a high torque and are powerful even in low rev's! I'm talking about 175 bhp and 140 Nm and a shaft drive! Apart from that, the XR is a fantastic bike!
Oh yeah, I've had a chance to ride one of those and it was the fastest that I've ever ridden any bike. Immense power and torque within the whole range - I can totally confirm that. This also comes with the displacement. And look, no one can tell us that motorcycles with a lot of power cannot have a driveshaft!
@@VToldsMotoShow This is actually not true. My mate had a K1300R and I had a Gen 1 XR, there was no situation where the K1300 was quicker. Whether from down low, to high RPM, too much power lost from the shaft drive. The XR has plenty of power down low, you just got to be in the right mode and know how to use it.
Drop 5 gears you’re definitely wrong about this one I’ve owned this bike for a year now and I can’t fault it just think your opinion is focused on looking for problems think is about looking for problems you will find them. This video is not a true representation of the bike you need to own one for a few months to give a proper honest review
Seriously? You need to live in a restaurant for a few months and eat there every day to give a review? Same for a hotel, a car or shoes? It's not about reliability but about how things feel when you ride them. As for the point of the video, maybe I still wasn't clear enough but this should help: ruclips.net/video/KOV_x32fOFc/видео.html
That’s right! There is not a perfect bike that does everything well. Although there will be a bike that is perfect for each one of us belonging that we don’t want to do every different thing at the same time.
Normally we have to make choices, and that resumes it.
I find the chain drive something a little old yes. And there are chains and lubricants which are less messy, but if you go on touring with that kind of bike, there is a “ kit of utility equipment” that you have to bring along with your tyres repairing tools and other little necessaries which is advised to make part of such a journey. The chain lubricant is one of those items.
The BMW S1000 XR is capable, poorly, but capable on gravel roads, if is needed just to cross minor trails, for not more than a few Kms, but in that case, you must know that the tyres are softer on the sides and that on those terrains there are pointy sticks of wood in the middle of the way along with some sharp stones capable of fatally slash those more gripping tyres or side surfaces of the above said, tyres, and frequently, for those damages there are no repairing simple kits. So, if we still want to go off road with a bike that has no proper tyres, at least is important to acknowledge the risks and do very little of that and ride the bike, while there, on a very slow pace. Being careful, will kill all the fun of going off-road, but that’s the “price to pay” for an inadequate use of this bike. Probably, the best choice is to not do it at all, if we can. Tight maneuvers on off-road with an BMW S1000 XR, full loaded and with a pillion? Don’t!
Forget that. For normal Bike users that will ruin the day ride, almost for sure. That’s why I am a favor of owning more than one bike. In fact, if I could, I would have a collection of them, for different environments, for different moods.
😎✌️✌️
From my point of view, I can't really agree with you on any of your points!
Only when it comes to off-road capability do we almost agree.
I still wonder why BMW advertises the S1000XR as an adventure bike.
It is indeed, limited, suitable for off-road use, but these are isolated cases! (If you search, then you'll find here on YT)
In my point of view, it's basically a sit-up sport bike!
Comfortable tours are possible without any problems - I personally rode more than 500km in one go with my daughter. She drove a bike with 125ccm!
But the XR can also be fast! And on country roads, its handling brings tears to the eyes of many a super sports driver...
The translation is spot on from my point of view, but you don't have to like it. Then you just choose a different bike.
Taking focus on overtking in the city may be the wrong criteria for choosing a motorbike...😏
Accessories cost money! Unfortunately that is correct! On the other hand, there are accessories for the XR that simply work 1:1. (Seats included 😉)
With other motorcycles you can't even buy that as an accessory! And if it does, it takes quite a bit of fiddling to get it to work...
I actually only find two main criticisms of the XR.
1. Consumption! Even with a leisurely driving style, I always consume at least 5.8 liters per 100 km. This is disappointing.
2. The volume! The engine and exhaust are relatively loud even on the tame setting and the bike almost screams at you "More, more more...!"
That can get on your nerves! If you then switch to Dynamic Plus, it gets even louder!
I'm driving mine today for the 6th season - and I don't want to be without it anymore. In an emergency, I drive something else in between... 😉
Volume? It makes it perfect fo me then. And yes, whilst I don’t have one, going down to 1st gear in order to accelerate with intent? I totally disagree. I test rode one, certainly didn’t do that. It actually inspired confidence. Even my 16 yo GSR600 just needs to be kicked down one gear then it becomes a small beast. But….with an inline 4, in traffic, why would you be in 6th gear @ 70 anyway? Keep it in a lower gear and keep the power at your finger tips.
I wonder what's going on. This bike is available from 2020, so I'd say that it's max 3 seasons instead of 6. Are we on the same page?
its a sports tourer. not an adventure but a s sport tourer.
What do you think about the new M XR - I have and love the 2023 XR but ... the new XRM ... if I can't have proper bags on it... Why not buy the RR ?
Another reason to avoid BMW is that BMW will no longer sell you a service manual, on paper, DVD, or online, it is just not available. So if you want to do any maintenance yourself, you're left guessing at torque values, proper procedures, etc. Simply not acceptable.
Here are all the manuals online on BMW's website: www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/service/manuals/rider-manual.html Accessing them from local websites is possible too. I hope this helps. I'm seeing manufacturers dropping printing the manuals and it's a solid saving for them. Online version allows you to search too, so I guess it shouldn't be that big of a deal anyway. I'm not sure but I'd expect the printed versions to be available at an additional charge.
@@VToldsMotoShow Those are Owner's manuals. Service manuals used to available on DVD for purchase but no longer. BMW is no longer selling service manuals to the public, only BMW dealerships have online access. I'd love to be wrong as that is what is stopping me from buying another BMW motorcycle.
Oh, I now understand what you meant by a service manual. I wasn't aware of the fact that they even used to offer service manuals! Not bad and it's a pity that they don't anymore. I wonder what the real strategy behind this move it. I'd check that with some dealer or even try to call some BMW HQ if that's possible (should be).
Thanks for the heads up! I can go ahead and cross BMW off of my list for good. I'm not going to a dealership for routine maintenance.
Thats a great point that I didnt know. Thanks for that!! Im looking at the R1250RT. But if I cant get a manual, thats a non-starter for me.
Call it funny, but I like the fact that these inline 4 engines are more tame in the lower RPMs. I do mostly city riding and the engine is smooth to me and relaxed as needed. However, when on tour, I can open it up in the mountains and longer stretches of highway. I also don’t go off-road so I’m not worried about those capabilities. I also got a hell of a deal on the bike.
The chain no longer an issue with the new maintenance free chain by bmwv
I don't believe in this tale. Unless I see riders' reviews confirming the claim. So far I haven't really.
The reason for the lower power in the bottom 6k rpm is because it has 2 doors in the intake that open up after 6k rpm. Euro 5 emission issue. Get them removed like i did and remapped. Little cost but it will be an animal..
I test rode one of these yesterday. Loved everything about it besides the seat. Hopefully the M performance seat makes up for it
Easy fix then - replacement or a modification and you'll have it the way you like it.
get a Corbin... I did.. 👍
XR is a badass bike. Acceleration.....speed....comfort and you can go for miles!
Yup, I'd say that it's a real improvement over the previous generation at the same time. I just miss the sound of the first generation one.
Don't know about 1250GS, but 1200GS shaft is "maintenance free" as long as you do periodic maintenance that in my country costs more than a chain transmission kit.
You can also choose to be really maintenance free and spend the equivalent of a lifetime worth of chain transmissions from time to time to fix the rust that water caused inside.
Do you mean changing oil in the cardan shaft?
@@VToldsMotoShow I don't know if I am able to describe in english, but let's try:
I bought an F800GS in 2013 and most of the friends that I travel with had 1200GS. Many of them had shaft problems related to water entering the shaft and rust formation in the interior (2 of them had their shaft condemned).
This is the main reason why I didn't buy a 1200GS, kept my 800 and bought a XR.
As an example, this is a video of the guy that fixes my friends motorcycle.
In the video he shows a GS with 1600 km that got rain and was washed only once.
This guy makes some prevention to this using grease on the shaft gasket and also recommends periodic maintenance to avoid this PITA (I really don't the mileage he recommends to disassemble the entire shaft, but it wasn't longer than a chain's lifespan) As much as I like the comfort shafts provides, I still prefer chains (I'm not careful with them and they last about 30.000 km).
PS.: He dealt with many Triumph shafts with problems also, but I don't remember if the problem is similar.
ruclips.net/video/7V5VdIDHbro/видео.html
Thanks for explaining and a video. It seems like it wasn't sealed properly. Not nice but I guess things break. Still, I wonder how common of an issue this might be and if and how BMW is/was going to address it. 30.000 km out of a chain is quite good I think!
Totally agree. I've got mine since December after having lost my MT-10 and what struck me immediately is the low torque in low RPM. Still not sure if XR will be my love or if I will swap it for the new CP4 MT-10 which simply was lovely... Further with my 6"1' the wind protection is simply shitty. I'm trying my third windscreen now to get rid of the turbulences...
I did 18,000 miles on mine and really liked it but never really loved because of the anemic low speed performance. The '10's engine or a big twin is just so much more engaging at real world speeds.
How do you compare the XR to the mt10 to me the Mt 10 look like a Cheesy Kitty bike how do they compare power-wise low-mid hi. And which one do you prefer.
@@richardcerritelli9657 Well, yeah, the looks... I chose the XR above the R because of its practicality and riding position. The MT was to small for my liking - and my knees.
But technical wise the MT - I had the SP version MK1 with the semi electronic suspension - was stunning. The engine definitely had more punch in the low and mid revs. Esp. when dirven in Riding mode 1. Here the XR is pretty phlegmatic.
Yet, there is whole list of features where the XR is better equipped than the MT (MK1):
6-axis IMU,
blipper,
super soft quickshifter,
driving modes adjustable while riding,
heated grips,
steel braided brake lines with integral ABS,
keyless ride,
cornering lights,
cruise control starts in 2. gear at 30 km/h already,
wheelie and back lift control
loading capacity of >220 kg, etc..
Yet, in terms of emotions the MT is still in my heart 😅
I have a first generation XR that I purchased new seven years ago. I have been street riding since 1975 (yes I'm that old) and currently have 62,000 miles on my bike. I look every season taking into account form, function, and price trying to find a better new sports touring motorcycle. So far no luck. From commuting to tours to maintenance, I feel it's the best all around street motorcycle I have owned. That it is not an off road bike, or is not shaft drive, is not a clever insight.
To me having a driveshaft instead of a chain is an important part. Knowing that if you want, you cannot use this bike off the road any better than R1250RT also matters. Not sure what's not cleaver about those insights. BMW puts S1000XR into the same category as it does with R1250GS which may be misleading to some as for all the aspects of using these bikes.
I have had many friends that were stranded because their BMW shaft drive failed and left them stranded. The chain reduces weight and is more efficient, if it fails it is easy to replace or fix. Give me a chain drive anytime, I don't want a shaft drive. I am 5 11 and 180 pds and the XR seat is the most comfortable seat I have owned, and that includes the purchase of many Seat Concept aftermarket seats which were much less comfortable to me.
That would be one of the worst failures I guess. I actually like the seat myself too but it depends on how you're built.
Drop 5 gears?? No!!!!
I think this is a not valid info, overtaking does not mean I need to downshift unless I am riding slow, Yes I do value and respect your opinion, if I did come across this video I probably would have thought twice. However I love my XR and I find it 100% satisfactory for me, its effortless overtaking for me. We're all different hence different bikes. its up to each person really to test ride a bike they like and make a call as that's your baby and you need to be fully satisfied of your choice. I do wish it had radar system like ducati but I would't trade it for any bike because of my personality and character. I do intend to test ride other bikes hopefully I'll know the difference.
All is right. As for overtaking, it’s the same story as setting off in the first gear or in the third gear - both ways are possible, but one just works better and delivers much better experience and performance than the other. Sure you don’t need to reduce any gears at 70 kph if you’re on one of 4 lanes of traffic and just cruise next to somebody “overtaking” them. Where I live, there are mostly 1 lane roads outside the city and a hell of a lot of traffic on those roads - not a pleasure to ride outside the city and super dangerous. So overtaking sometimes needs to be done super quickly and then the gears do matter a lot. However, this is about what you mentioned - we are different riders, we ride differently and in different places. That’s why I also believe that everyone should try the bike/car that they are interested in or take into account what context there is in any other review.
Totally agree. Seat is odd looking but really is comfortable on long trips. Never would take it off road, so yeah it's tough to call it an adventure bike. And yeah they do charge you for every extra nut and bolt. I can't imagine going to a BMW dealership and finding any of their bikes stripped. It is part of their sales strategy. This is my second XR and the second Gen is the best of a Sports bike and the comfort of a touring bike. But yeah I do miss the punchy Gen 1 engine.
Just an additional note. Gen 2 bikes offer a permanently lubed chain (Diamond Coating) It is a option in one of the packages. Gold Color Only have 3K on the bike so not sure how this will hold up.
I'm glad to find someone who likes the seat too. The I believe that in the cases of those more expensive bikes, the sales strategy that you mentioned in really in place. It has been this way at least for 15 years now. As for the chain, I tend not to believe those claims by BMW yet. Unless we've got riders confirming them on a larger scale, I'm going to stay skeptical I think. Still, there's a fairly easy solution to keep it lubed with an aftermarket device, so in fact that shouldn't be a big of a deal indeed. Cheers and thanks for sharing!
I used to have a new v strom 650 2020 and than i bought gd1200 and i can tell that gear situation is the same with gs. You have to go thru gears all the time and i like to keep my revs lower so i always end up going too fast. With v strom situation is more,much more relax. You can drive around town so easy and if you wan it fast you just twist thhe throttle. So i end up just to go on open road with bmw and driving around the town two more motorcycles.
I've sat on 2 of these & the seat is TERRIBLE. It slides you forward into the tank & crushes your nuts.
Yeah, it's a controversial design that some don't enjoy.
If I had to trade my Harley Road King and Yamaha R1 in, and only have one bike, this would have to be the ticket. Would love one of these loaded up with all the features. Especially with an after market tune. What a machine. Shame it ain’t winning any beauty pageants but she’s definitely got it where it counts, and I still think it looks better than the Japanese alternatives for sure. Anyway, very cool bike man and great video 👍
Oh, I think it may be the best-looking bike in the class - seriously. But yeah, it can serve as a form of a good blend of a sports bike and a proper tourer. Thanks and all the best!
@@VToldsMotoShow Now that I think about it, you’re probably right. I definitely like it better than the Multistrada.
My 21 XR is a fine bike. I had a 16 r1200rt and think I miss the RT. I miss the versatility of the of the RT. The XR is great and the engine and transmission are amazing. I can run with anyone, take it camping, track it, and anything else want to do.
The wind protection is no where near the RT and I miss the big saddle bags. That said it's a great bike.
That sounds fair. RT is like a good grandpa that always takes care of you. But yes, it's not that crazy performance-wise.
@@VToldsMotoShow lol... I'm still in my early 40s.. can't be riding an old grampa bike.. that said the RT was quite the tourer. I just sold a 18 k1600b. I really enjoyed it but the ergos we're not for me. But that engine is a highway muncher.. when this s1000xr that I have now is run out I think I'll go k1600gt and r1250GS. I like the s1000.... Maybe it will change with some long totes and camping.. I'm interested to see the maintenance needs vs the r bikes aswell.
I prefer a doughy low end, harder to get I trouble around town punching out of corners. Considering one to upgrade my vfr800 Crossrunner. Vfr is very tame below about 7000rpm
Oh Man Oh Man Oh Man, how on earth can you make a comment like that and say that in order to make an overtake, even if you don't have enough space/gap you need to drop by 5 gears COMMON DUDE, REALLY???? Please be realististic when you make your statements on your Channel ;-)
Having such long gears, they overlap a lot, so in order to get the most out of the bike - which is very much at higher RPM in this particular case - you've got to make it rev as high as possible. Therefore if you want that, you've got to drop gears.
3:00 the ZX6R ninja is the answer to those problems
What if you come from a 850 pound Harley Street glide, wouldn’t this be less top heavy and easier to maneuver in traffic and easier to make u turns without tipping it over at low speeds??
It's so tall. HDs are heavy, but lower CG.
I don’t remember seeing one of these videos done for the Tracer 9gt. Maybe I missed it.
The first one is coming this Saturday and then a week later there will be another one - with an opposite point of of view.
Funny, he couldn't say enough about this Bike before!!!!!
No? "BMW S 1000 XR full review: ruclips.net/video/9BLq9mEN-Hg/видео.html"
Paying extra....sounds like their car division. Talk about extra, we purchased a new Honda CB500X for my wife while she was on her restricted licence, the heated grips from honda were $750 AU PLUS FITTING!!!!!! BMW make some of the best cars and motorcycles in the world, being a BMW car owner and soon to purchase a couple of their bikes. Always enjoy your vids V-Told, thank you :)
I also think that their cars are among the best out there. Now, if we want the best, we've got to pay. Sometimes it helps to realize that some others are equally financially-demanding while not being that enjoyable. Thanks for the kind words :). Cheers!
Excuse me did you say most 4 cyl, liter (shoot, any size engine) bikes require you to drop 5 gears to pass ?? Did I understand that right ? Because if that's what you said, I would be really questioning your knowledge on motorcycles.
5 gears ?
I've owned 7 liter bikes so far, I NEVER had to drop 5 gears. Dude! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ that's plain ridiculous.
Why not Yamaha Mt10 Touring version SP? Comparing s1000xr to tracer900 is a little bit silly.
Mostly because MT10's presence and numbers on the road seem to be close to none. I've also never even seen it in a dealership. On the other hand Tracer 9 is everywhere and became almost something of an urban legend. On top of that, the Tracer 9 surprises with how it compares to the S1000XR. Before riding the Tracer I would also not even consider matching these two, so I get your point of view. Still, once you ride the Tracer, you may see that it can make sense to think about both of these in similar terms.
@V-Told tracer and s1000xr are bikes from different categories. Mt10 is a much more fun. I got Mt10 and I was testing also 1000r BMW also xr, including aprilia also. BMW engine is boring.
Don't leave out how different riders experience specific bikes differently. I still have my FJ-09 (1st gen Tracer 9, basically) after test riding both the Super Duke GT and the MT-10 (months after I bought the FJ-09). Both times I got back on my FJ feeling amazed that I already owned the better bike. Who's to say what should be compared to what? Should oranges only be compared to apples? What about comparing them to mangos or grapefruits? Gotta stop now, I'm starting to laugh. But you get the point.
NUMBER 1 REASON TO AVOID THE BMW S1000XR IS BMW WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT WHEN ITS BROKEN. The bike doesn't run. I know, shocking that after 4 mo of sitting in the dealership after leaving me stranded 800 miles from home, STILL NOT HELP FROM BMW. NO FUN BMW. This is the first bike I've had in almost 50 years of riding that left me stranded. I'm not a newby, and I traded a 2017 Multistrada with 23k miles and no problems for this.
I'm sorry to hear about it and surely manufacturer's support can make a night and day difference. The machine itself may suffer from some unfortunate issue and even Rolls-Royce cars break down but I totally understand the feeling of being left alone with a problem. There's a long way for the automotive industry to reach an overall acceptable level of customer support. While considering the prices of "goods", they should be the first ones to lead others by good example. Unfortunately not as we see... I hope BMW will be amongst the ones that will up their game and also your case will have at least a positive ending.
Glad I didn’t listen purchased a 23’ S1000XR w/M option and love every mile so far, just exceed 8K rpm. Fantastic bike!
Glad you didn't listen to what exactly?
@@VToldsMotoShow I purchased the 2023’ S1000XR and enjoy all of those things you point out!
Great comments, spot on. Had this bike for 2 years now. All true. Still... great bike, very enjoyable. Slow manoeuvring needs care, feels very top heavy at slow speeds, engine is very docile at low revs, but for old guys like me, its an RR with a comfy riding position. Well done and thanks for making this video.
Nicely said about it being an RR with a comfortable riding position. I'd gladly spend a few days on it on a high-speed Spanish coastal road. All the best with your XR. Cheers!
Has your XR been reliable?
What About the cost for the service... Small service €.... Big service€ 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Interesting video, with great points. Oddly I think the current v-Strom isn't a bad looking bike, in a sector where all the bikes have looks that only a parent could love !
Very personal indeed, but there are certain trends and I've got a feeling that its current look may in general not be considered the most "beautiful". However, the first look which I personally liked very much was not loved by everyone either so there's that.
It’s basically in the same league as the Pikes Peak Multstada Ducati 🤷🏼♂️
No, it’s not.
@@yojimbo21
Sure it is..More or less the same power, both have 17” wheels, both are more sport than adventure , difference is just how and who built them.
@@elithegreat6463 yeah. I mean suspension, power delivery, tires, wheels, comfort, technology all don’t count, right?
@@yojimbo21
What part of “Difference” of how and who built them don’t you understand. ??
Ultimately, both are used for Fast paced Road riding.
One is BMW and the other Ducati, of course they’re different, but used for the same sort of riding.
@@elithegreat6463 “in the same league” suggest more than superficial comparables. What’s clear is the Pikes Peak is a far superior machine in terms of its engine and power delivery, suspension, technology, wheels, tires, maintenance intervals and desirability. I’ll acknowledge that they’re both adventure/ sport tourers with 17” wheels and similar horsepower but they’re not in the same league.
Strange you didn't include Superduke GT as an alternative? It probably beats the XR on every metric
I wish I could but I haven't ridden it nor even seen it on the streets ever. I tried to get a look at one but no dealer seems to have it which is a shame. It along with 1290 Super Adventure look on paper like they could win my heart but if it's impossible to get them, then there's nothing to talk about. Shame on KTM for that!
There are better bikes to tour long distance snotty gravel roads and rough terrain, although not impossible or the best choice. 21 inch front wheel, better tyres. Back in the 1970's we had Enduro motorcycles, read road and trail boat anchors motorcycles. One of the group rode a Yamaha 500 Enduro with his girl friend on the back up a hill known as the "Widow Maker" to the top while the rest of us flipped our bikes. Its not the bike, its the rider.
So what bike is better than the XR? Please tell us soon
It always depends on what matters to you yourself. As a quick tourer that feels like a sports bike, it may be the best. For a twisty road - take a GS. To have crazy performance in the straight line - get a KTM 1290 Super Adventure, to float over bumps and have a comfy seat - Harley-Davidson Pan America or a Triumph Tiger 1200 GT, or a GS for that matter.
mega recenzje !! :) can i jus change rear gear (number of teth ) to shorter gears?
Yes, I believe that it should be doable and could influence how the gears are feeling ;)
Vito ile masz wzrostu?? Jak sie dopasowales do xra?? Bylo wygodnie ??
Mam 183 cm bez butów. Wymiarowo then XR jest jest dla mnie w sam raz - nie za ciasny ani nie za niski, a też nie zbyt duży. Siedzenie mi odpowiadało, ale jest sporo głosów od osób, którym bardzo nie pasuje, więc może to pójść w dwie strony w tym zakresie.
Could not disagree more with your analysis of the low down capability of this bike - you are so wrong…..
Come to Scottish roads and I will show you……
This is the ultimate all round bike - buy one folks - you won’t be disappointed 👍
Is it worth upgrading from the 2018 XR? Thank you.
That's a good question that depends on your one preference - do you prefer your bike's suspension stiff like in a sports bike or do you prefer it not to try to break your spine. In both cases the "sports bike feel" is there but if you'd like to have additional comfort, I personally would look for ways of how I could upgrade an '18 to thee second generation S1000R. I also like the look of the 2nd generation more but that's an even more personal matter. I'd rarely be willing to replace such a new bike, but this could be such a case.
Depends. You can make the gen 1 be considerably better than a stock Gen 2.
I have Andreani cartridges, an ohlins shock, an hm quickshifter, RR master cylinder, revised geometry and sag set for my weight + Brentuning.
Taking the cost of those into account , if you but a low mileage Gen 1, add those mods, even add some forged wheels, full system, or both, you will still have 2-3k $ left from the price of a decent spec brand new Gen 2.
Besides the gearbox changes, legal led lights and the TFT with its functions and added configuration options, there is no huge difference.
+ ESA isn't all that great. The gen 1 clearly worse than Gen 2, but the latter isn't stellar either. The components are also quite heavy. Give me aftermarket manual suspension any day.
What happened to the yellow humvee in the background?!!!
Poor boy reflects the thoughts. But it's going to be back on track!
@v-told this or triumph tiger 1200 gt pro
It depends - for straight line racing: this. For most other things: Triumph Tiger 1200 GT. But in my case - definitely a GT and not a Rally version. That's another recent learning for me.
I love my s1000 xr
Hope it serves you well in the years to come.
"Anemic"... 🤣
He is'nt made to go offroad.BMW has other bike's to go offroad.
That's for sure.
love mine.. Just put a Corbin seat on it.. Perfect land missile...😊
Very well-said ;)
Kawasaki ninja 1000 SX can do the same of BMW but it is more cheap
The differences may be in the details and equipment. And as you mentioned - in the price very much as well.
@@VToldsMotoShow you are right, equipment and details but i believe that kawasaki can be a better choice if you want a fast bike with comfort and spend less money .
It's not a boxer 🙏🙌
I guess this reason might depend very much on who's making the list ;)
@@VToldsMotoShow true... But it's still not a boxer 🙏🙌🤣
Buy a R1250RT 🙏🙌
fridge shaped tractor
@@H34dshotMickey 😂🙏🙌😂
A tractor with such crazy torque!
Hey….🙄🙄🙄
DON'T FLIRT HERE!
@@VToldsMotoShow sorry to disappoint...that was not a flirt
Drop 5 gears what the hell you on about 😂.
About long gearing.