BMW S 1000 XR: Advancing off-road adventure

The very exciting BMW S range is expanding with its latest iteration in the form of S 1000 XR. No really, BMW Motorrad is on a very steep rise with more demands and customer preferences turning in favour of German motorcycles than the previously appreciated Japanese counterparts.



The XR is the fourth member in the S club, after the S 1000 RR, HP4 and S 1000 R roadster. The range is known for its high power four cylinder engines and extreme sport biased performance levels. The XR will take the ‘adventure sport’ category, but with added bite, with a more dynamic character and safety.



Looks the part

Indeed it does, the design lies in tune with the XR’s ‘adventure’ as well as ‘sport’ moniker. Look closely and you will notice its family lines from the GS range, which are again purpose built to go off-road and sport lines from the high power S-range.



All across the body of the XR, layered structuring exudes a sense of three-dimensionality and looks just right wherever it goes. The lightness and agility is expressed by the slim proportions of this new model. And of course the asymmetrical headlights, yes at first glance they look symmetrical but they are not, display the sport character of this machine.



The outside have been contoured symmetrical but BMW has given it a split-face as all its S models have. The tail is short, slim and less fussy; however, the frame has now been designed not only to hold large panniers, but also a luggage grid. The grid is top-quality and the attention to detail, as always, is immaculate.



Engine to gloat

The engine is a hoot. The water-cooled 4-cylinder straight unit displaces 999cc and generates 160bhp at 11,000rpm with a peak torque of 112Nm at 9,250rpm. This is the same engine powering the S 1000 R roadster, with plenty of low and mid range, and a screaming top end.



This means you fancy any style of riding, sporty, adventure, country roads, and the XR will respond as you please with abundant pulling power and usable torque spread. Power is delivered through a 6-speed constant-mesh transmission with an X-ring roller chain. The S 1000 XR comes with the option of a Gear Shift Assist Pro which allows you to shift up and down without using the clutch.



The exhaust system is a high-quality stainless steel system mounted lower to allow the fitment of a full sized pannier. But low positioning of the end can does not at all compromise the banking angles of the motorcycle.

Enhanced traction control

The traction control on the S 1000 XR has two riding modes and ASC system as standard fitment. Optional equipment includes Pro riding modes with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro.



The two traction control modes, ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’, help the XR to adapt to the road conditions even better providing more grip and safety to the rider. The ‘Rain’ mode is for wet slippery conditions, wherein the throttle response gets gentler and the front wheel is corrected from lifting up. In the ‘Rain’ mode, power is dropped to 146bhp and torque gets limited to 106Nm at 9,000rpm.



The other ‘Road’ mode is for normal riding on dry roads, where the throttle response gets direct and front-wheel lift detection works to avoid wheelies. The standard-fit Automatic Stability Control (ASC) has a very high safety level, but riders may also equip their XR with Pro riding modes option.



These systems include additional expert riding modes “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro” along with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro. A sensor box with motorcycle bank angle detection reacts when high levels of sensitivity allowing riders accelerate harder while banking.



Huge accessory bank

Riders can customise their XR’s with a wealth of options and accessories. The fitment has been completed in the production phase of the XR, so any equipment you pick will set in as accurately as possible. And obviously you may equip your XR with that utterly important Akrapovic slip on exhaust. All special accessories are fitted by authorised BMW Motorrad dealers or customers may do so on their own.



The two optional packages are called ‘Touring’ and ‘Dynamic’. Touring includes Dynamic ESA, heated grips, pannier mountings, preparation for navigation system incl. multi-controller, main stand and luggage grid. The other Dynamic package comes with Pro riding modes (including DTC and ABS Pro), Gear Shift Assist Pro, cruise control and LED indicators.