Point is is that all these horsepower numbers mean horse$hit imho when it comes to designing a bike that is both fast and comfortable over long distance. TORQUE, supple but controlled suspension, and comfortable ergos are critical to fulfilling that remit. And on all 3 counts, the GS knocks out the XR.
And that is my issue with the XR. It is touted as BMW’s sports adventure bike and it simply manages to be something that no one really asked for, except for being a competitor to the Multistrada/KTM 1290 for BMW’s marketing department. Pub bragging rights the XR has but it does not translate into real-world usable capabilities imho. As it is, the GS may lose out in Top Trumps but remains the best seller - and for good reason too.
And that is my issue with the XR. It is touted as BMW’s sports adventure bike and it simply manages to be something that no one really asked for, except for being a competitor to the Multistrada/KTM 1290 for BMW’s marketing department. Pub bragging rights the XR has but it does not translate into real-world usable capabilities imho. As it is, the GS may lose out in Top Trumps but remains the best seller - and for good reason too.