XR - probably the best bike i have ever owned. Only one came close as an allrounder was my 2009 GSA....
Yup, agree with all that except my GSA was 2010.
The XR is probably the best bike I've ever ridden. I've been riding GS/A from 2001 up to last year when I chopped in my GSA and K1600GTLe for a new HP XR. Vibes are there but not intrusive but I'd ordered bar ends so I've fitted 'em anyway. The Mrs, having been mollycoddled on GSA Sargent Seats and the K1600 armchair looked at it with horror
until she sat on it and pronounced it great (much to my surprise).
So, for 2 up touring it's actually better than my GSA as there's no way I could ride two-up for 300 miles without refuelling as I'd get a strange noise coming from the back of the bike which sounded like "I need a piss!"
Luggage capacity is less but I used to overload my GSA and now I just take two pairs of shoes instead of the entire wardrobe.
Performance-wise the XR is far better (obviously) but up to a ton, I reckon the GS wouldn't get left far behind and that's the real world after all. The grin factor however makes the XR top dog.
They are both fantastic bikes and in an ideal world I'd have both. If you have to choose, take a break from the GS and find another bike life.
The only thing I miss is telelever suspension, a maintenance-free drivetrain and tyre pressure read-out.
