Is the 2020 BMW S1000XR a proper upright sportsbike?
In a crowded adventure bike market, the BMW S1000XR is back. With upgrades. Can it still cut it against the competition?
BMW is calling its new 2020 S1000XR an adventure sportsbike. Its sporting credentials aren’t in doubt, with its enthusiastic 165hp engine and fine handling chassis. Better still, the XR has a level of versatility to let you enjoy it on all manner of different routes, for the whole day if you fancy, and still feel fresh at the end. It’s a truly realistic, real-world sportsbike that can comfortably take you from the UK to a track as distant as Jerez, do some fast lapping, and whizz you back home again. There isn’t much this truly bloody brilliant bike can’t do.
Existing XR owners have known this for a while, with the bike selling very well since its introduction in 2015. The latest version is a lot different than it might first appear, with many changes lying under the revamped but familiar looking bodywork.
Key modifications lie in the inline four engine. It may have the same peak power and torque as the old one, but new cams, valves and alterations to inlet and exhaust manifolds help breathing and add more midrange power. Interestingly, the famous ShiftCam arrangement featured on the S1000RR sportsbike, hasn’t been added. BMW says the XR doesn’t need the top end rush of that model, so its new revisions are sufficient.
The German bike giant’s main claim to performance improvement comes from a reduced ready-to-ride weight of 10kg. Thanks to lighter wheels, swingarm, engine internals and brakes, the new XR now tips the scales at 226kg wet. With new suspension, revised electronics including a six-axis IMU (inertial measurement unit), increased frame flex for improved feel, and a revised riding position, the 2020 XR promises to ride even better than before.
The XR starts at £14,285. We rode the higher spec TE model (from £16,220, complete with two-way quickshifter, cruise control, cornering lights, keyless ignition, heated grips and centre stand), though unfortunately, wet Spanish roads limited the chance to fully examine just how much the new bike has improved. That still didn’t stop me enjoying its many virtues. The new TFT dash clearly tells you all you need to know, with the novelty of recordable info on lean angle, brake pressure and wheelspin being particularly interesting.
Bigger speedo readings are always easy to achieve thanks to the power and flexibility of the engine, whichever of the four modes you choose. The additional mid-range power does seem evident, though the inline four does pull well from low rpm, even in bigger gears; with fourth, fifth and top now being taller.
Vibration from the motor has been reduced thanks to the bike’s narrower bars featuring new clamps and bushes. Buzzing was an issue for some on the older bike, but though I only rode the new XR for half a day it felt smooth enough to ride for much longer. Boosting the comfort further is the superbly protective, very easy to adjust screen, excellent seat, and very relaxed riding position. You sit a little further forward now to improve front end feel, and with the commendable plushness of the self-adjusting electronic suspension, there’s no doubt the Beemer will be a great mile-eater.
It’s got potential to entertain well too, with an ability to be pushed hard in complete confidence. Obviously wet roads limited a full assessment of its performance, but the excellent grip of its Bridgestone T31 tyres did allow surprisingly swift pace. Their feel and feedback made progress feel safe, with quick steering, strong brakes and impressive agility adding to the XR’s sporty feel.
I’d happily do a trackday on this bike. It might not be as light as a pukka sportsbike, but the dominant riding position helps negate some of the extra weight and lets you boss the 1000 about with ease.
Given how well the new S1000XR dealt with the variety of routes it did during the test, it was a real shame to limit the ride to half a day in southern Spain. If there was ever a bike that could have been pointed in the direction of the UK and more than competently coped with whatever came its way during the journey, the BMW is it. It’s one of the most capable, all-round sportsbikes on the market. It’ll be in the shops in April and will be offered in the TE and standard specs.
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Comments (2)
165 hp in an "adventure" bike?! What a time to be alive! You can now go very fast, very far! Plus it looks great imo!
I knew this was written by Mossy just by the title. I read it in his voice. Then I looked at the author.