The great German company has done it yet again. After the success of the S 1000 RR, HP4 and the naked S 1000 R, BMW has taken its straight four cylinder engine yet again and inserted it into the S 1000 XR which has aptly been named an adventure sport motorcycle.
And why name it an adventure sport? Personally I think that if you parked the S 1000 RR alongside the Multistrada 1200 you would have your answer. At first glance this bike seems to be a combination of the two, but the real proof would be in the riding and so we were invited down to KZN by BMW South Africa to test the theory.
First off, I have to tell you, this bike is fast, very fast and the engine is a major reason for that. As you’d expect, it’s every bit as good as it is in the S 1000 R because this is where it is derived from. It has an output of 118 kW at 11,000 rpm and generates maximum torque of 112Nm at 9,250 rpm making it powerful and revvy enough to give exhilarating, shoulder-wrenching acceleration every time you twist the throttle. It’s also immaculately fuelled, extremely smooth – with just a slight four-cylinder tingle up near the 11,000rpm red line – and flexible enough to make the XR easy and even relaxing to ride.
Well, maybe not quite relaxing because it is so fast that you are tempted to open the throttle far more often than you should. The XR is happy to howl to 200km/h in seconds, with plenty more to come to a top speed of about 270km/h. Personally I only saw just over 200km/h on the clock but there were various other journos on the launch that saw closer to the top speed. There’s also a fantastic midrange punch from 7,000rpm until the adjustable shift light starts flashing. And while the four doesn’t have quite the low-rev heft of some engines, it pulls very cleanly from well below 4,000rpm in the lower gears, and is equally rider-friendly whether you’re trickling through town or gassing it out of a hairpin in the country as we were on the launch.
Worth mentioning, when you are talking about addiction here, is that the XR is fitted with the Gear Shift Assist. The shifter works flawlessly both up and down the box, allowing rapid changes on the way up, and even more enjoyable and effortless down-shifts that are accompanied by a blip of the pleasingly throaty exhaust. And even though, because of the torque, gear changes are not necessary all that often, I found myself shifting regularly to feed my addiction.
Standard features include: “Rain” and “Road” modes, ASC and Riding Modes Pro including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro which are easily selected. In “Road” mode, the control systems are set to provide an optimum balance of performance and comfort on dry roads. Throttle response is direct and front-wheel lift detection is activated to suppress wheelies in this mode.
In “Rain” mode, on the other hand, the bike is set up for road conditions offering low grip. Consequently, throttle response becomes gentler with this mode activated and the front wheel is again prevented from lifting up when accelerating.
The new S 1000 XR also comes standard with Riding Mode Pro that offers two additional riding modes – “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro”. Riding Modes Pro also includes Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) instead of the standard ASC system. By using a sensor box with banking detection, this particular form of traction control reacts with yet greater sensitivity to let the rider accelerate even more safely, especially when in a banked position.
The chassis of the new S 1000 XR adventure sportbike is every bit as impressive as the ferocious power delivery of the four-in-line engine. Based on this model series’ existing design, it employs an aluminium-alloy perimeter frame in which the engine forms part of the load-bearing structure. Wheel suspension at the front and rear is handled by an adjustable upside-down fork and a double-sided swing arm with adjustable central spring strut respectively. The chassis geometry has been completely redefined in order to cater to the specific requirements of the XR. Fitted with the electronically controlled suspension system BMW Motorrad Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment), the new S 1000 XR takes riding safety, performance and comfort to even greater heights, while also promising adventure sport at its very finest.
The sporty side of the new BMW S 1000 XR can be experienced at its most intense in “Dynamic” mode. Instant throttle response and restrained intervention by the DTC let the bike unleash its full performance potential. Front-wheel lift detection is reduced in this mode, moreover, making it possible for the front wheel to come up when accelerating.
When the “Dynamic Pro” mode is engaged, the new S 1000 XR is able to show off all of its sporting prowess and remarkable riding dynamics. Once again, throttle response is perfectly clear and direct, while the DTC set-up makes it possible to sample the high-grip qualities of sports tyres on country roads offering high levels of grip or even out on the race track. In this mode, the rider is required to actively control front-wheel lift and therefore potential wheelies. The “Dynamic Pro” mode is activated by means of a coding plug. The traction control and ABS remain deactivated for as long as the coding plug is inserted, even after the ignition has been switched off and on again.
The various riding modes can be selected from the corresponding menu at the push of a button. To activate the selected mode, all the rider then has to do is briefly close the throttle.
Whereas the standard ABS systems from BMW Motorrad to date have ensured an excellent standard of safety when braking while moving in a straight line, the ABS Pro feature now goes a step further to make braking while cornering safer as well by enabling ABS-assisted braking in a banked position. In such situations, ABS Pro prevents the wheels from locking up even when the brakes are applied sharply. This reduces abrupt changes in steering force, especially in response to panic braking, and thereby limits any undesirable righting of the bike. ABS Pro offers riders the benefit of increased braking and riding stability combined with optimum stopping power, even in corners. Funnily enough, BMW only told us about this feature after our day’s riding, or maybe that was just them keeping us all safe!
So now let’s move onto the looks of the bike. The dynamically styled twin headlights combine with the fairing’s sporty lines to give the new S 1000 XR its highly distinctive appearance from the front, while also clearly signalling the bike’s touring and sporting qualities in equal measure. The light beam apertures are symmetrical in design, whereas the reflector units have an asymmetrical arrangement in similar fashion to the S 1000 RR and HP4 BMW Motorrad superbikes. Not only does this ensure excellent lighting power and optimum illumination of the road ahead, it also gives the new S 1000 XR its unmistakable “face”.
The S 1000 XR instrument cluster includes a large, easy-to-read LC display along with an analogue rev counter with scaling designed for optimum clarity. In addition to the gear selection, the display also indicates the riding mode currently engaged: “Rain”, “Road”, “Dynamic” or “Dynamic Pro”. Riders are able to switch between the individual riding modes using the controls on the right handlebar even while on the move by simply closing the throttle twist grip. The new S 1000 XR also caters to the specific demands on its touring and long-distance travelling capabilities by including a 12V power socket integrated into the cockpit.
The instrument cluster on the S 1000 XR comprises a wealth of functions. A shift flash that is adjustable for brightness, frequency (0, 4 and 8 Hz) as well as rev speed in a range from 7,000 to 12,000rpm additionally helps the rider to hit exactly the right shift point for gear changes.
The instrument cluster displays rev speed, road speed, gear display, riding mode, total mileage, engine temperature, fuel level, remaining range, trip 1, trip 2, average consumption, average speed, lap timer, shift flash and time. And then lastly, there are two colour and surface variants which produce equally powerful yet very different, adventure sport characters and these are Racing red and Light white.
In closing, never before have I been so blown away by any BMW and would I want one, absolutely! At the price of R212,450, if I start saving now, I may just be able to afford one before I’m 50!
Highlights of the new BMW S 1000 XR:
• Straight-four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 999 cc. Output 118 kW at 11,000 rpm, maximum torque of 112 Nm at 9,250 rpm.
• Dynamic, innovative design with sculptural surface styling.
• BMW Motorrad ABS as standard
• ABS Pro for even greater safety when braking in a banked position (as part of Riding Mode Pro, which comes standard).
• Automatic Stability Control (ASC) as standard for accelerating safely even in low-grip conditions.
• Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with banking sensor for supreme performance and active riding safety when accelerating (as part of Riding Mode Pro).
• “Rain” and “Road” riding modes can be selected by the rider at the push of a button
• Riding Modes Pro offers two additional riding modes, “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro”.
• Spring elements with long spring travel for excellent agility and high damping reserves.
• Electronically controlled suspension system, Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) for optimum adaptation to the prevailing conditions as an optional extra.
• Light-footed handling and raised seating position.
