BMW S 1000 XR, test (evaluation, gallery and technical sheet)

We reached the end of another of the most anticipated motorcycles this year, such as the BMW S 1000 XR or what is the same, the entry of the Bavarian brand in the asphalt trail segment. In it he has tried to make a compendium of all the experience that he has accumulated over the years in the different segments: Sport, Roadster, Trail and Touring; so that its new mount serves as a good multipurpose knife and serves both for a ripped and for an unstitched.

For this it has incorporated one of the best engines sports cars of recent times, the inline four of the BMW S 1000 RR together with a chassis more conservative than that used in the BMW S 1000 R, a position similar to its bestseller, the R 1200 GS and a good aerodynamic protection and ability to load as in their tourist models. In addition, all this seasoned with a large dose of electronics so that it allows us to squeeze the engine with greater security and at the same time, modify its behavior according to our desire to have fun.

BMW S 1000 XR: good starting price and a long list of options

Although we usually leave the issue of price until last, today we are going to talk about it earlier than usual. The price of the BMW S 1000 XR part of 16.950 €. For this price we have ABS, ASC passive traction control, and Rain and Road driving modes available.

But if we want to access all the possibilities that they offer us, we must opt for one of the packages that it has prepared and that get us to save between 14% and 18% compared to the price of them separately.

Thus the first of them named Dynamic Package, gives us the opportunity to have the DTC, the shift assistant PRO, the driving modes PRO, the cruise control and the LED indicators. Its price is 1,205, 22 euros.

On the other hand we have the Touring Package: Dynamic ESA, navigation pre-installation, heated grips, center stand, luggage rack and luggage rack. Its price, 1,509, 55 euros.

But curiously, if we analyze both packages, we find some inconsistency. The theme of the Dynamic ESA not available in the Dynamic Package may be more or less available since if we do not travel too much in duo or with suitcases, we will not change the suspension settings as often. But others like for example that the cruise control It is not in the Touring Package we do not quite understand it since, what accessory more prepared for travel is there than a good cruise control?

The list of options is long, so we leave you the following table with all those available from the beginning of this month, which is when the BMW S 1000 XR has been put up for sale:

BMW S 1000 XR: electronics at the driver's service

Rather than get involved in explaining the multiple possibilities available, we leave you with the following tables that perfectly explain how the driving modes and the intervention of both the ABS PRO as from DTC. Regarding the Dynamic ESAIn addition to changing its response depending on the chosen driving mode, it is active and therefore also adapts to road conditions or our driving.

Driving modes:

ABS / ASC / DTC intervention:

The BMW S 1000 XR versus its rival, the Ducati Multistrada 1200

Leaving aside a direct comparison between the BMW S 1000 XR and the Ducati Multistrada 1200 (we tested the previous version), we have decided to put ourselves in the shoes of a potential buyer and broadly equate one model with the other.

Thus and starting from the base of the BMW S 1000 XR, we see that the Ducati Multistrada 1200 offers a higher level of equipment as standard, such as ABS and active DTC traction control or cruise control. The price difference between 16.950 € of the BMW and 16.990 € of the Ducati make the Italian win this first battle.

But if we go to a higher model, that is, equipping the BMW with options and taking as a reference the Ducati Multistrada 1200S, we would equip the German bike with the Dynamic Package as well as the Dymanic ESA and the handguards for 19,110 euros, away from 19,740 euros of the Ducati but that does not seem so much if we think that for this price the Italian motorcycle also It offers as standard details such as the TFT instrument panel with Multimedia system, full LED headlights, cornering light or hands-free ignition.

Without a doubt, the Ducati has been a tough competitor with the new BMW S 1000 XR But the Italians have managed to keep ahead of a motorcycle from a segment that they have not really created (we could say that the grandmother is the Yamaha TDM) but they have known how to exploit to the fullest until now.

We do not want to say goodbye without commenting on our feelings with him gear shift assistant PRO. Although we liked it in general, we found that it lacks a point of refinement. For example, when going up gears, the motorcycle nods excessively (something that we have not noticed so marked in other asphalt trails that also have a semi-automatic transmission). On the other hand, when reducing, if we do not have the gas completely closed, it will be difficult for us to select a less gear, having to make more force or even fail the odd change until we catch up with it. Perhaps, thought for the BMW S 1000 RR, it is too radical for use in the BMW S 1000 XR. Similarly, the system does not work in the event that we are braking, so we will have to use the traditional system with the clutch.

Finally, we found it too strange (and unsightly) that the luggage racks are not integrated and therefore, ugly irons are seen on the sides of the tail.