Another GSer joining the XR massif

batman1 said:

Keep the photos coming...also what's the camera?

Click to expand...

An iPhone 6S. I find it great in everything except strongly back-lit views & rain
I recently bought a little waterproof Polaroid but it usually stays in the top box.

Seeing as you asked nicely.
Just for a bit of variety, Donegal in the northwest :
Untitled by Jochen Riehn, on Flickr

And Mayo, not quite as far north
Untitled by Jochen Riehn, on Flickr

So looking at your terrain...Who needs a GS?

Presume that you are running road focused tyres as well?

Nice photos.

Yep, running the Battlax T30 she came with. They're toast after 6000km so I'm putting Dunlop Roadsmarts on tomorrow.
(No issue with the T30 other than longevity. At that rate of wear I'd be going through a lot of tyres in a year)

I ride a lot of minor roads but the ESA on the XR isn't quite as compliant as the GSA used to be so the really rough bits need to be taken a bit slower. It's never caused me any issues though. The dirt track picture was at an Irish Photo Rally point and only a couple hundred meters off a sealed road.

This one was a couple of KM on a gravel track in Co Clare. Again no problem but I wasn't doing any Simon Pavey impressions !
Untitled by Jochen Riehn, on Flickr

I have a small off road bike so I've really no excuse for taking the XR off piste but you know how it is when you see something interesting

Jockser,
I pretty impressed with what you are showing us, and I'm getting more tempted towards owning an XR, can you tell me if your GSA was an LC which is what I'm running right now? It's obvious that you are loving your XR and I wonder if you might pop a few pros and cons into print.

I did try to book a test ride today but my local dealer's only test XR is out on loan.

Another question to all...
I have heard that it's a little more thirsty and a bit more 'busy' on motorways etc and I wondered if anyone has tried putting an extra toothed front drive sprocket on the engine end to improve both economy and to relax motorway/autobahn work.

It seems clear that the motor has more than enough power and torque to take such a mod in it's stride. Such a mod may also reduce some of the vibe issues that some riders have found irritating.

I hope to get out on a bike next week.

Had a bit of a hoon on one of these at the touratwatfest in Germany recently, to say I was impressed would be an understatement

Still not sure I'd part with my 1150GSA for touring purposes, but if I had the cash it'd be first in line for my second bike Or maybe a superduke...

if you put an MRA vario screen and bar end weights on the S1000xr then it's just as comfy as the GS for motorway work. Or it is for me atleast. The screen is quite ugly that's all.

batman1 said:

Jockser,
I pretty impressed with what you are showing us, and I'm getting more tempted towards owning an XR, can you tell me if your GSA was an LC which is what I'm running right now? It's obvious that you are loving your XR and I wonder if you might pop a few pros and cons into print.

I did try to book a test ride today but my local dealer's only test XR is out on loan.

Another question to all...
I have heard that it's a little more thirsty and a bit more 'busy' on motorways etc and I wondered if anyone has tried putting an extra toothed front drive sprocket on the engine end to improve both economy and to relax motorway/autobahn work.

It seems clear that the motor has more than enough power and torque to take such a mod in it's stride. Such a mod may also reduce some of the vibe issues that some riders have found irritating.

I hope to get out on a bike next week.

Click to expand...

Certainly not as relaxed as a GS on a motorway but that is more than compensated for when you get off the motorway

I've put the mra screen and bar ends on. The riding position is virtually identical to the GS WC. It's a very torquey motor u get used to its revvy nature after 1k miles. I think the reviness is a lot to do with it being a 4 cyl 1000cc. No tingling hands on mine. Average mpg is about 10mpg down on the GS WC.

batman1 said:

Jockser,
I pretty impressed with what you are showing us, and I'm getting more tempted towards owning an XR, can you tell me if your GSA was an LC which is what I'm running right now? It's obvious that you are loving your XR and I wonder if you might pop a few pros and cons into print.

Click to expand...

No, I had an '09 version which puts out something like 90bhp from 2 cylinders as against the XR's claimed 160 from 4
Other than the fact that both have 2 wheels and a BMW rondel there's really no comparison
The XR is a sports bike with more suspension travel & high handlebars. Or, as I like to think of it, an old mans sports bike
My back was never able for a leaned-over stance so this is the perfick compromise for me

Pros :
It goes like stink when you want it to but it also behaves really well around town or on small roads
The QuickShifter is brilliant. I rarely used the clutch on the GSA for either up or downshifts but being able to hold the throttle open & go from first to sixth in less time than it takes to count is a revelation. And down changes require less concentration than before
It sounds gorgeous, even with the stock can
Whoever thought cruise control on a bike was a good idea ? It's a great idea whether for giving your right hand a rest on the long boring bits or ensuring you don't go over the limit around urban areas
The seat is surprisingly comfortable for something that looks the thickness of a folded tissue
The stock screen gives sufficient protection for someone of 5'10". It's a motorcycle so I expect to feel a bit of wind rushing past !
And last but by no means least - it's a hoot to ride

Cons :
It goes like stink and if I spent more time riding main roads I don't think I'd have my licence for long
Fuel consumption is higher (& the tank is way smaller) but I didn't buy it to achieve any fuel efficiency awards
The suspension (mine has the ESA so no manual adjustment) is rather firm even in 'road' mode for the bumpy Irish roads but I haven't lost any teeth yet
The heated grips are sh1te

'Mods' done :
Evotech rad & oil cooler guard - essential to protect that huge area IMO
HID lights from Les Wassall - standard lights aren't great & later in the year I'll often be out after dark

'Mods' under consideration :
Tinted screen, purely for the look
HP seat, see above
Bar risers or 'bar back' cos me little arms aren't long enough & I find myself moving forward on the seat
Adjustable clutch lever cos the standard one isn't and it a truly horrible piece of cheap crap



Was out Saturday :
Untitled by Jochen Riehn, on Flickr

Untitled by Jochen Riehn, on Flickr

And Sunday :
Untitled by Jochen Riehn, on Flickr

Untitled by Jochen Riehn, on Flickr

*Apologies for all the pics but I've only recently worked out how to post pics from my new Flickr account

Out on mine on Sunday as well
Shagged another rear tyre

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickmidgley/27749195474/in/dateposted-public/" title="BMW S1000 XR at Flamborough head"><img src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8421/27749195474_385799bcb3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="747" alt="BMW S1000 XR at Flamborough head"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>