BMW S 1000 XR S1000XR S1000XR reviews

I LIVE TO RIDE. I am at my most comfortable when moving. Bicycles, skateboards, skiis, Motorcycles. Many motorcycles: BMW, Aprilia, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Honda. THIS is my last BMW, starting with a 1956 R69 ( I rebuilt one winter of 1970 and subsequently rode x-country twice ), several boxers, 1973 R75/5, 1974 R90S, 1977 R100 RS (2), 1978 R100S, 2103-2015-2017 S1000RR (THE FINEST SPORTBIKE. PERIOD ), but the 2019 S1000XR ( K49 ) is the finest example of BMW ethos; GET FROM HERE TO THERE ON THE BIKE THAT RATCHETS UP YOUR CONFIDENCE TO 11 IN RIDING ANY ROAD, ANY CONDITION, IN ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE. AND ARRIVE NOT WANTING TO GET OFF YOUR RIDE! Boxer engines are the meditative equivalent of the inline 4 cylinder 999cc engine. The water-cooled 4 valve/cylinder two OHCam engine begs to scream, once freed from DOT bureaucratic ecu strangling, the engine provides all its torque at 2500 and will spin to 13,000 rpm! 165 HP = 165 MPH. Not that you need to, it's just so much fun! Want to cover miles? Drop it into 6th, 6000 rpm = ~80mph and 41 mpg. But this is so much more than an interstate traveler, canyon roads are its home, granted you won't attack them as if you're on an RR or a dedicated track machine, but with a 4 inch longer swingarm and >100lbs, you're friends on the RR's won't be waiting for you. Multiple electrical connections, phone mounts ( forget that BMW map BS ) and top case / bag mounts and more. Reliability, ease of Maintenance, Ability to modify and make it your own, set up to be easy to strip down or load it up for your sig other's pleasure and still be relatively light, make this MY choice to ride anytime, anywhere. Why did I give it 4 stars for quality? Remember I've been on BMW's since the 1970's. Back then you got sofa cushions for seats, metal fenders, a COMPLETE tool set, a hand painted and pinstriped bike. I have watched and ridden as the fenders became plastic, the tool kit shrank, the seats lost their cushion, and paint became decals, but BMW hasn't changed their pitiful yellow headlights ( but you CAN replace them with LED's if you're handy ). But the ENGINE, FRAME, SUSPENSION AND BRAKES WORK TOGETHER AS WELL, IF NOT BETTER THAN ANY OTHER BIKE IN THE WORLD! Why did I give it 4 stars for COMFORT? Today's BMW is built for a rider at least 6'2" with a 34-36" inseam and a 34-36" reach and a butt made of steel. If you're say, 5'6" with a 28" inseam and 30" reach, you're standing at lights on one toe, riding bent over trying to reach the bars while laying on the tank. That seat is a carryover from the track focused RR; great for 20 minute sessions but ride out for the day and come back from a 300 mile loop and your butt will be talking to you for quite some time. Easy enough to remedy, but BMW should offer it instead of having to do it on your own ( see QUALITY ) THE FINAL VERDICT IS WE ALL RIDE TO BE AND EXPRESS OURSELVES, THE S1000XR IS ONE OFTHE FINEST PALETTES TO DO THAT WITH. RIDE ON! Show less

This bike has been one of my favorites. No issues. This bike should be classified as a sports-touring bike. It is powerful, very reliable...and comfortable. Great touring bike. It is high mileage...but wouldn't hesitate to take a crosss-country tour on it. Show less

This is an amazing motorcyle, best for any day and road. Try it and you will love it. Polyvalent riding in any conditions. Until you drive such a versatile motorcycle, you wont be ready to buy your next 70/30 city/highway motocycle.... Show less

This bike is a blast to ride, handles and perfoms like a race bike, but has an upright seating position for all day riding. The quickshifer works perfectly, the exhaust tone is awesome. A real head turning motorcycle, expects alot of compliments and thumbs up! Show less

Amazing bike, high-performance ride with awesome exhaust notes from the stock pipe! Ride position is better than most motorcycles with the same class, the best feature is definitely the quick-shift and the BMW Navigator with left hand grip command, so simple and easy to use! Must upgrade the windscreen and seat to make the perfect long rides enjoyable! Extremely good looking with nice touch of sportiness-sophisticated appearance! Must have sport touring ultimate driving machine! Show less

So I just rode the new BMW S 1000 RR for two days on the track out at Thunderbolt Raceway in New Jersey. I'm a Ducati guy. I ride a Monster on the street and a 748 on the track. I must say I was blown away by the BMW. I started out in rain mode just to get a feel for the bike. The platform was stable, smooth and comfortable. The shift assist allowed me to stay wide open on the throttle while not having to pull in the clutch on the upshift. The ABS and traction control work well together and make you feel safe and secure. When I went into sport mode, I was rewarded with another 40 horses or so, and then the fun really started! The traction control did it's job. In my over-zealousness coming out of a turn, I got on the throttle a bit too aggressively and the rear wheel stepped out on me a bit. Well, the traction control kicked in, I rolled on the throttle and was away safely and getting ready for the next turn. I have a sneaking feeling that if I was on my 748, I would have been in trouble! I'm not a wrench. I can't give all kinds of technical information. What I am is a rider and what I can tell you is this is a stable platform with endless power that can be controlled and moderated according to what mode you're in. The Italian in me is crying...I want a BMW. Show less

I've been reading all the reviews about this bike from Motorcycle-USA's 2010 bike shootout to YouTube. It's all true. I picked this bike up about two weeks ago and even though I only have 304 miles on her now this is truely amazing machine. So powerful and handles like a dream so easy to take corners and the autoshify while in a corner AMAZING/Seemless shifting. I previously rode a '05 Honda Repsol 1000 RR. My Honda feels like lead compared to the new BMW. If you ever wanted the ultimate machine this S1000 RR is it! Show less

Have owned other four BMW's: R90S, R1100RSL, R1100S and a R1200S before this bike. Committed sport bike with decent ergos, super fast, handles like a dream, and is the nicest bike I've ever owned. This from a guy who started out and still owns too many old Brit bikes. Show less

I know it is break in, I select rain mode and ease out into traffic expecting a challenge to run at the lower speed limits based on my K1200R I traded. Much to my surprise, this precision marvel of engineering feels right at home to all my commands. First thought falls onto the unexpected user friendliness of the bike. The "S" class slithers onto the highway during rush hour like an old friend. I have bikes I owned over ten years that are not as familiar as this new technology BMW - as I said, an unexpected bonus. I purchased this bike based on the test data, my ride home is my test ride. Upon arrival, I install the slick mode under the seat. Again, I am amazed at the ease of operation at low speed in my small, and intimate town in SE Ohio. I put out of town at 25 the 35 mph, all without tasking myself at all. I find the first straightaway and watching the tach, not exceeding 7000 rpm I start to grab some of the throttle, rolling it on a little faster as the machine reponds to my 60 year old experienced hand. Rapidly the new best friend starts disappearing the asphalt under my seat at a record pace. I develop chest pains as the gas tank slams into my eighteen year old chest. I ease her down and click the shift assist into higher gears still picking up speed, but not R's - an involuntary grin hurts my ears. Supressing a viking yell I lean her into the first sweeper, paying attention only to the tachometer and the road ahead. In this instant I am once again sixteen years old astride a balanced and shaved BSA Lightning, only this machine does not vibrate, this machine introduces the rider to speed like a mother introduces her spinster daughter. Fast, efficiently and hopeful. Only 48 years of experience, including three races to the top of Pikes Peak in the open invitational class can force me back to 2010 and the task at hand of breaking in this worthy investment. I turn around and take her to her new home where she will rest until I can add up enough miles for my first service. Soon, me and my time machine shall romp unabated on the back roads of Monroe County. To those who would join me, accept my blessings. To those who would like to be instantly younger and to those who would like to enjoy their youth, buy this bike. Brook no excuse, do not take no for an answer. Grab this bike with both hands, all of your wits and your full attention - see if YOU can get the grin off your face. Les Show less

Stable, relatively fast, very comfortable. This bike is fun to ride, especially with inexperience as a sport bike pilot. It's not the K1200 which I strongly considered, but actually, I think having driven one of those, this one is more approachable. Like any BMW, the 800 rides like it's on a rail. The seating position is very comfortable with no back strain, arm strain or hand strain at all. Ergonomics-A+ for me. It's a tad windy at speed and the wind noise requires earplugs. Not a good bike for the rain not because of instability but because of the lack of faring. At least in downpours, I got caught in one and learned the hard way. The bike accellerates very quickly. 6 speed gearing is great, the clutch has been flawless. The seat is very comfortable for long distances. As a light weight, it's easy to maneuver, quick and nimble on it's feet. Great cornering--has inspired in me a lot of confidence. After 2,000 miles I'm just now getting used to what I can do and the bike can do, but it seems like the bike will let me do a lot and we are one on the road. What I like about it vs. the K1200 which was my other choice, is that this bike is much less expensive, the maintenance in theory will be much less, the insurance on this is 1/2 of the K1200 (I'm 51 and married and was quoted $1,200 a year on the K vs. $600 a year on this machine). I use the bike principally for commuting and man does it fit that bill like a glove. I go on one or two week long trips a year and I won't hesitate to take this bike. It's a big seller in Europe and I'm surprised that here in the U.S. it doesn't seem to garner as much press. I think here we like bigger, badder, faster but to overlook this model is a mistake and the bike should be considered. It certainly is much more practical from an expense point of view. And the 50 mpg I'm averaging is real sweet. And I don't need a bike that goes 167 mph, because my brain won't let me do that. Bottom line is although 2,000 miles is a little early for a review, I absolutely love this bike. It's one I think I've been looking for in the 20 plus years I've been riding. Previous bikes-Suzuki 450, Suzuki GS 750, Shadow 1100, BMW R1100RT. The 800S vs. a K is like driving a Mazda Speed 3 vs. a Corvette---yeah the Corvettes a dream car but the Mazda 3 does supposedly everything the same-just 40,000 bucks cheaper. Oh, and this 800S goes 0-60 in 3.8 which beats the Corvette, so there you go. The only caution I have is on the gas guage, computer driven. Rely on your odometer like the old days because the gas guage is weird on the computer-it tells you you have a full tank until you have about 20 miles to go. Otherwise, no other nitpicks. Show less