Troppo
Bemused observer
I have test ridden two standard XRs over the last twelve months. One was on the Gavia Pass in the Italian Alps and the other was on local roads here in Far North Queensland Australia. I have done about 250 km all up.
I have owned a S1000R (and a couple of boxers) for about 18 months.
There were three things I really did not like about the XR:
• the ridiculous seat height – I’m 5 10 and I was on tip toes….on a road bike?. My GS is lower….stupid, really stupid;
• the vibrations through the seat and bars; and
• the awful aesthetics – it looked like it was on stilts, particularly from the front.
These criticisms were offset to a certain extent by the superb engine, gearbox, brakes and handling. However, the net result was negative.
My local dealer has the BMW test fleet available at the moment. It included an XR. It looked different somehow…so I sat on it. I could flat foot it…what?
Of course, it was the low suspension model….
So, I took it for a test ride of about 150 km today. My route was mixture of surburbia, twisties and country roads. It included trips up and down the magnificent Gillies Range – 263 corners and 800m elevation change in 19 km.
Naturally, I paid particular attention to vibration. Passing 3500, you can feel vibrations through the seat, but these stop at about 4500. In the critical 4500-5500 range, the vibrations can be felt if you hold on to the bar ends, but they are dampened at the actual grips – with your hands in the normal position, the vibrations are almost gone. The mirrors remained clear.
The bike smooths out nicely above 6000.
Perhaps BMW have fixed the problem on 2016 bikes, as others have pointed out…
The XR will always be an acquired taste looks wise, but the shorter front forks on the low suspension model certainly improve the front end appearance. The whole bike looks much more conventional.
The handling is not effected by the lower suspension. The XR remains beautifully responsive, with the wide bars providing lots of leverage. The bike goes precisely where you point it, at whatever speed you desire.
The brakes are superb, of course. Just enough progression with plenty of bite.
I don’t know what it is with the engine, but it seems to pull harder than my S1000R. The XR must have a different airbox arrangement, as the induction roar sounds delightful. The stock XR pipe is quieter than the S1000R equivalent.
Perhaps it is the upright seating position, but the sensation of acceleration is accentuated compared to the R. Performance above 6000 RPM is truly addictive…speed builds in what seems like a flash. Triple digits come very quickly on the XR. Overtaking makes you laugh out loud.
The gearbox/drivetrain is outstanding. The up/down quickshifter works flawlessly, whatever the speed or engine load.
Australian bikes have a vertical daylight running light between the main headlights, like the R1200RS. This is very effective. The main lights are off when the daylight running light is on.
Niggles? If you ride on the balls of your feet as you should in the twisties, your heels tend to bang into the centrestand. Having said that, the centrestand is probably the easiest I have used. The bike pops up onto the stand with little effort, and the back wheel is just high enough off the ground. Beautifully engineered.
Yet, to me, the centrestand is symptomatic of where BMW has missed the point with this bike. They have marketed it as some kind of alternative GS-type adventure tourer. Marketing fail, BMW.
Why, for example, does the standard XR need GS style handguards, lots of suspension travel and a higher seat height than a GS?
It has a 17 inch front wheel shod with sticky road rubber – you aren’t going to take it off road like you would with a GS, with its 19 inch front and dual purpose tyres…
Centre stands? Silly great luggage scaffolding? Rear racks?
Sure, you could tour on an XR…but that is not what it is about. If (when...
I bought an XR, it would not have any of that touring palaver. It would be stripped back….to its roots.
The XR fills a very specific niche, in my opinion – it is a magnificent sport bike with relaxed ergonomics. It isn’t an adventure tourer, Mr. BMW. Stop pretending that it is, and you may sell some more….
My GS is a better all round bike. If you want an adventure tourer, the GS is hard to beat – BMW sold 30000 last year…
But, if you want blistering performance and all day twisties fun with relaxed ergonomics, the low suspension XR is the bike to get.
I have owned a S1000R (and a couple of boxers) for about 18 months.
There were three things I really did not like about the XR:
• the ridiculous seat height – I’m 5 10 and I was on tip toes….on a road bike?. My GS is lower….stupid, really stupid;
• the vibrations through the seat and bars; and
• the awful aesthetics – it looked like it was on stilts, particularly from the front.
These criticisms were offset to a certain extent by the superb engine, gearbox, brakes and handling. However, the net result was negative.
My local dealer has the BMW test fleet available at the moment. It included an XR. It looked different somehow…so I sat on it. I could flat foot it…what?
Of course, it was the low suspension model….
So, I took it for a test ride of about 150 km today. My route was mixture of surburbia, twisties and country roads. It included trips up and down the magnificent Gillies Range – 263 corners and 800m elevation change in 19 km.
Naturally, I paid particular attention to vibration. Passing 3500, you can feel vibrations through the seat, but these stop at about 4500. In the critical 4500-5500 range, the vibrations can be felt if you hold on to the bar ends, but they are dampened at the actual grips – with your hands in the normal position, the vibrations are almost gone. The mirrors remained clear.
The bike smooths out nicely above 6000.
Perhaps BMW have fixed the problem on 2016 bikes, as others have pointed out…
The XR will always be an acquired taste looks wise, but the shorter front forks on the low suspension model certainly improve the front end appearance. The whole bike looks much more conventional.
The handling is not effected by the lower suspension. The XR remains beautifully responsive, with the wide bars providing lots of leverage. The bike goes precisely where you point it, at whatever speed you desire.
The brakes are superb, of course. Just enough progression with plenty of bite.
I don’t know what it is with the engine, but it seems to pull harder than my S1000R. The XR must have a different airbox arrangement, as the induction roar sounds delightful. The stock XR pipe is quieter than the S1000R equivalent.
Perhaps it is the upright seating position, but the sensation of acceleration is accentuated compared to the R. Performance above 6000 RPM is truly addictive…speed builds in what seems like a flash. Triple digits come very quickly on the XR. Overtaking makes you laugh out loud.
The gearbox/drivetrain is outstanding. The up/down quickshifter works flawlessly, whatever the speed or engine load.
Australian bikes have a vertical daylight running light between the main headlights, like the R1200RS. This is very effective. The main lights are off when the daylight running light is on.
Niggles? If you ride on the balls of your feet as you should in the twisties, your heels tend to bang into the centrestand. Having said that, the centrestand is probably the easiest I have used. The bike pops up onto the stand with little effort, and the back wheel is just high enough off the ground. Beautifully engineered.
Yet, to me, the centrestand is symptomatic of where BMW has missed the point with this bike. They have marketed it as some kind of alternative GS-type adventure tourer. Marketing fail, BMW.
Why, for example, does the standard XR need GS style handguards, lots of suspension travel and a higher seat height than a GS?
It has a 17 inch front wheel shod with sticky road rubber – you aren’t going to take it off road like you would with a GS, with its 19 inch front and dual purpose tyres…
Centre stands? Silly great luggage scaffolding? Rear racks?
Sure, you could tour on an XR…but that is not what it is about. If (when...
I bought an XR, it would not have any of that touring palaver. It would be stripped back….to its roots.The XR fills a very specific niche, in my opinion – it is a magnificent sport bike with relaxed ergonomics. It isn’t an adventure tourer, Mr. BMW. Stop pretending that it is, and you may sell some more….
My GS is a better all round bike. If you want an adventure tourer, the GS is hard to beat – BMW sold 30000 last year…
But, if you want blistering performance and all day twisties fun with relaxed ergonomics, the low suspension XR is the bike to get.
