Which is the better BMW Sport Tourer - S1000XR vs R1250RS

[Grumpy Goat]

The Bike Show does a good comparison between the S1000XR and the R1250RS, but the conclusion - close as it is - means that I cannot link to the video on the parent website. 

When I was in the market back in 2016, I was infatuated (for a time) with the S1000XR until I decided that it did not fit my use case. Years later I was to buy an S1000R and while I enjoyed that bike a lot, it reaffirmed my decision made back in 2016.

This guy makes very good points highlighting the characteristics of both bikes and I cannot disagree with anything he says on either side. He even points out the horrible seat on the XR (IMO) which with its scooped-out shape cups your a$$ such that you can't move about - no good for long journeys for some of us. I will not buy a bike with a seat shaped like that from the factory, and it was one of the deal-breakers back in 2016. Anyway, I digress.

I wonder if he will have a third review (and a different winner) when the 2023 R1250RSs are out, although with no change to the drivetrain for 2023, he probably won't.

On this Forum, Ron is in the best position to comment on these two bikes since he owned both (selling the right one ) although I am possibly in the best position to comment on the RS in two-up touring mode.   In that mode I bet it would beat the XR hands down, although "A Brit A Blonde A Bike" might claim otherwise having owned an S1000XR for a while (now tours on a R1250GS.. ).



Two other videos from The Bike Show on the R1250RS:

• BMW R1250RS
  
• 2022 BMW R 1250 RS, still the best the way to go sport touring?
  

[Ray]

I spent enough time on an XR to understand that is is set up as an overpowered off-road bike (see the previously posted Chris "Teach" McNeil video) and configured at that time to try and take sme of the market from the Multistrada. Though fast (I recall a small wheelie going into 3rd), and in the right hands, capable of outrunning smaller sport bikes, I found the center of gravity too high, the handlebars flexed and vibrated like the tuning fork they are, and the suspension was a mess.

My impression was that as stock, I was a lot smoother (faster) on the RS than the XR. Could I have made the XR work with time, money, and practice? Yeah, but why would I lend yet more monetary support to the marketers that decided the S1000RS should be scrapped in favor of the XR? (Still waiting....)

I suppose if one spent some time setting it up, it would be an appropriate sporty tourer - especiallly for all those who have to have handlebar risers and don't like clip ons.

But, it will still have a chain drive.....

[Lee]

Yeah, but why would I lend yet more monetary support to the marketers that decided the S1000RS should be scrapped in favor of the XR? (Still waiting....)

If there had been a S1000RS available when we bought the R1200RS I would have given that a serious look.
I never considered a XR. I'm not a fan of any Adventure styled Sport Touring bikes.

[runnerhiker]

I think his observations are accurate, his conclusion is his opinion . Let me just emphasize the differences: shaft vs chain, slight sport ergonomics vs straight upright ergo, good seat vs the worst seat in motorcycledom, torquey boxer vs screaming 4 cylinders, I can flat foot the RS vs I can barely tip toe the XR.

Any way you slice it, the BIG difference is the engine, and that is as clear cut as it can be. No one will ever confuse one for the other. So make your pick and enjoy what that engine does best.

The seat on the XR deserves every bit of bad press it gets. I bought a Corbin, a Sargent, a Wunderlich. And finally, had the Wunderlich modified. If you look at the frame with the seat off, you can see that BMW created a nightmare situation for any seat manufacturer, there is a very small valley in which to locate the rider.

[Grumpy Goat]

The seat on the XR deserves every bit of bad press it gets.  I bought a Corbin, a Sargent, a Wunderlich.  And finally, had the Wunderlich modified.  If you look at the frame with the seat off, you can see that BMW created a nightmare situation for any seat manufacturer, there is a very small valley in which to locate the rider.

From what he said apparently they made it even worse on the 2022 XR. When I tried the 2016 one it did not have those side ridges but it still cupped my butt and even then, I could tell that you would not be able to move around, which you need to do on a 500 mile+ day. It looked even more cup-shaped than the Tracer 2022 9GT.

He never mentioned vibrations in the handlebars so that is probably something that was long cured. That, and the higher revving engine for longer days in the saddle killed my lust back in 2016. I still like the idea though.

Needless to say I think that as a sport tourer, I think the RS is a better bike without a doubt.

[runnerhiker]

My XR was a Gen 1 2019 model and it had 14,600 miles when I traded it in. The engine vibrations was very noticeable when the bike was new but it was a complete non issue at the end. It did not smooth out all of a sudden, it was very gradual. The 2020 was the first year of the Gen 2, I test rode a new one and the vibrations seemed the same as my Gen 1 when it was new.

My experience and others' on the forums indicate that XR's smooth out with miles. This should not be a deal breaker.

[Becksy]

That video was weird, I was quite distracted by watching how he was trying to keep the non-speaking him looking natural whilst the other one was talking!!

Anyway, I owned a Gen 1 XR for 5 years, which must mean I liked it. Which I did, it was a great bike. But eventually got tired of the screaming engine egging me on to go faster all the time, plus I think I naturally ride lower in the rev range than required to make the most of the S1000 engine. I ended up hankering after a twin and bought the RS after I stumbled upon comments on the RS on the XR forum after looking at the usual suspects. Have adjusted it to sit more upright, I could always flat foot the XR, but actually like the fact the seat is a bit nearer to the ground.

Both great bikes, as said above, the key thing is the engine. Ironically, after getting tired of the XR shouting at me to go faster all the time, I think I actually ride even faster now without realising it. It is a very quick bike. Love my RS, will keep it for years I suspect.

[Grumpy Goat]

That video was weird, I was quite distracted by watching how he was trying to keep the non-speaking him looking natural whilst the other one was talking!!

Great to hear someone chime in from the UK on this (or any other topic ... contrary to some popular misconception, this was not intended to be a "US site" )

As a YouTube content creator I too found myself looking at the very same thing and wondering how he managed to get the expressions on the listening version to coincide meaningfully / naturally with what the speaking version was saying. Cool concept for a vid though.

Anyway, I owned a Gen 1 XR for 5 years, which must mean I liked it. Which I did, it was a great bike. But eventually got tired of the screaming engine egging me on to go faster all the time, plus I think I naturally ride lower in the rev range than required to make the most of the S1000 engine.

Exactly the same reason I got rid of my otherwise great S1000R.

I did love that bike for the year that I had it. No issues whatsoever and it was a joy to own, but its attitude (?) was such that everytime I got on it it was raring to go, even if I was just going to work. And while rides were "relaxing in a way" they were never really relaxing, and when I pulled into my garage afterwards I was always "alive" and not mellow. But that is exactly what the S1000 engine is all about, I guess. I traded it for the Tracer 900GT, which suited my use case much better. It has the get-up-and-go when I needed it, and is probably the all 'round most relaxing bike I have owned so far. Funnily enough, after having both the RS and the Tracer, the RS connotes "sport bike" to the Tracer's "transportation machine".

The XR is like a way more powerful Tracer, and maybe it was no coincidence that I leaned in that direction when I was looking for my second bike. I have no issue with the adventure-style sport tourer, but for me when doing long distance riding, the revs have to be lower and that is where the boxer comes into its own. The Tracer's triple is smooth and quiet enough and the transmission is geared low enough that it is equal to the RS as a long-distance machine, and from that standpoint is a better fit for me than the XR.

[maxredline]

The XR would be fun but would wear thin on me in no time. I would prefer a Multistrada of the 2 cylinder variety.
I don't think I will ever own an inline 4 again.
Love the Rs's torque and the bike does not hurt me with a massive clutch pull or high seat height.

[Liteitup]

Hmmm, has to be one in every crowd I suppose. My first BMW was a 2018 RS, my second a 16 XR, traded them both for a 22 GSA. The RS was/is a great bike, but the slight forward lean didn't work for me on our normal day rides that include lots of "goat paths" of poor pavement and not turning around when we hit gravel. I could never get comfortable riding gravel on that bike. On the other hand, it's a great touring bike on pavement. For my use the XR was the better choice, the upright position is more comfortable and I must be the only person in the world that didn't think the XR seat was a torture device, I never felt the need to change it. And I admit, I started with and still like in-line 4's. So I rode the RS less and less as time wore on. A riding buddy bought a 19 GS and let me ride it, it was really close to what I wanted so the wheels stared turning in my head. After riding Bruce's GSA I knew what I wanted and made the swap soon after. Didn't hurt that I have the 890 Duke R for sportier riding. Different strokes for different folks, that's why they make different models.

 Full disclosure, I lowered the XR an inch to make it more comfortable at low speed maneuvers and the GSA is factory lowered.

[Grumpy Goat]

Phil, your view and mine on bikes are not that far apart, except for the seat of the XR.  As a matter of fact, I was taking a serious look at the KTM 890 Adventure earlier this year so even there we would have been even more similar in our bike choices. As a lover of sport bikes (and 4-cylinder bikes) I have been resisting the left brain telling me to be done with it and get a GS for years, so that would make our alignment on bikes complete. 

I agree that the RS is not one that likes gravel / off-road surfaces, and since I have this idea that I would like to pitch a tent in some remote spot somewhere one of these days, the RS is not the ticket for that. But I can't see how your XR was much better than the RS when it comes to goat paths and gravel roads. 

[Liteitup]

Phil, your view and mine on bikes are not that far apart, except for the seat of the XR.  As a matter of fact, I was taking a serious look at the KTM 890 Adventure earlier this year so even there we would have been even more similar in our bike choices. As a lover of sport bikes (and 4-cylinder bikes) I have been resisting the left brain telling me to be done with it and get a GS for years, so that would make our alignment on bikes complete. 

I agree that the RS is not one that likes gravel / off-road surfaces, and since I have this idea that I would like to pitch a tent in some remote spot somewhere one of these days, the RS is not the ticket for that. But I can't see how your XR was much better than the RS when it comes to goat paths and gravel roads. 

The upright riding posture took all the lean out as well as the weight on my wrists. The ability to stand on the pegs and not be over the front tire is a plus as well. I found the XR to be fine on gravel, much better than the RS.

[Lee]

But I can't see how your XR was much better than the RS when it comes to goat paths and gravel roads. 

Sometimes in the Hill Country we like to take some of the narrow, no centerline roads or gravel roads. The Hill Country has a ton of roads like that.
They tend to be a little rough.
Longer suspension on the XR will help with the bumps.
The upright seating position and wider bars on the XR makes U turns easier and the extra leverage helps when squirming on loose gravel.
Oops I didn't see Phil's reply.

[Lee]

Phil, your view and mine on bikes are not that far apart, except for the seat of the XR.  As a matter of fact, I was taking a serious look at the KTM 890 Adventure earlier this year so even there we would have been even more similar in our bike choices. As a lover of sport bikes (and 4-cylinder bikes) I have been resisting the left brain telling me to be done with it and get a GS for years, so that would make our alignment on bikes complete. 

I agree that the RS is not one that likes gravel / off-road surfaces, and since I have this idea that I would like to pitch a tent in some remote spot somewhere one of these days, the RS is not the ticket for that. But I can't see how your XR was much better than the RS when it comes to goat paths and gravel roads. 

The upright riding posture took all the lean out as well as the weight on my wrists. The ability to stand on the pegs and not be over the front tire is a plus as well. I found the XR to be fine on gravel, much better than the RS.

I agree. Your arms and wrists take more of a beating on rough roads or slow speeds with low bars and standing with low bars is not easy for me.
Debbie has mentioned several times u turns were harder for her on the K75S and K1300S with the low narrow bars compared to the more upright and wider bars on the K1200RS and R1200/1250RS.

[TriangleRider]

If only they made an adv bike with the 1250 engine.

[c10]

2023 RS with the factory handlebars make maneuvering it easier than without . XR lost out for me due to Tall , bad seat , chain drive .

[Grumpy Goat]

2023 RS with the factory handlebars make maneuvering it easier than without .  XR lost out for me due to Tall , bad seat , chain drive .

XR was first on my list before I even considered the RS. It was actually the first BMW that I had an interest in, and after I decided against it, the RS was a "fall-back" option - considered only after walking away from the XR, disappointed. Weird, looking back on that day. 

I agree on the seat - it was too scalloped for my liking, as I like flatter seats. Chain was never a bad thing for me and since buying the RS it is still not an issue - bought 3 chain-driven bikes since. So what if it has to be lubed every 500 miles, or at the end of every long day of touring? Takes less than a minute. Its lighter and more efficient in transmitting the power to the pavement.  No denying that the shaft is less maintenance though.

[c10]

45 years of chains . Lighter is not 100% accurate when you start to weight all components from cush drive / nuts / bolts / sprockets / chain / guards / axle blocks / adjusters / wheel to accept chain drive / chain guides on swing arm . The weight might favor a RS with its very light design .
I've toured and raced a great deal . Chains excel on a track for gearing changes as needed , and cost is low for a manufacturer .
I see you have a Tiger 900 . I bought my wife a 2020 900 GT LRH before they hit the show rooms in 2020 . She likes it and its a nice bike.
Add 1 tooth up front and GPS / speedo speed are spot on

[Grumpy Goat]

...
I see you have a Tiger 900 .  I bought my wife a 2020 900 GT LRH before they hit the show rooms in 2020 .  She likes it and its a nice bike.
Add 1 tooth up front and GPS / speedo speed are spot on

Thanks for the tip! Very tempting as I hate the bigger discrepancies between speedos and GPS that some people tend to excuse. I don't. The Tracer 900 GT I traded for the Tiger was off by 1 mph and that was good ... can't say the same about the RS, and I hear the Tiger is similar. Problem with adding the tooth is that acceleration will get slightly slower, but it's a consideration come time to change.

The Tiger is nice but it has assembly quality issues, and other quirks that I am coming to find out with ownership. Overall, I am not yet regretful of the purchase though ... great bike to ride.

[runnerhiker]

I wish BMW made a K1300RS with shaft drive and size and weight similar to my R1250RS.  An XR with a shaft drive won't do it, the "bucket" seat is just too bad, and the seat height is too high - two things that I could not fix on my XR.  Even though I had 3 seats for the XR including one Wunderlich seat that was further customized.