Which is the better BMW Sport Tourer - S1000XR vs R1250RS

[Paughco]

Back in March of 2016 I traded in my black K1300S for a red S1000XR. I sold my 2010 R1200GSA to a neighbor. I've always enjoyed riding that red XR. Short rides around the Snoqualmie Valley, the occasional run into Seattle, and multi-day rides with the Hog Ridin' Fools - all were just fine. I ran through nine sets of Metzeler M7RRs and was on my third DID chain in September 2022. The tires were never really worn out; I just wanted fresh tires for an upcoming high-speed boogie multi-day tour with the HRF. I rode the XR from Pugetropolis to the Reno Air Races in 2018. Took two days each way - getting older, I guess. No problem-o. Had a great time. 

The XR was getting taller as time went on. In September 2022 I rode out to Seattle BMW MC on Lake City Way in Seattle and asked to look at their RS motorcycles. Thought I'd see if the lower seat height (a plus) or the more sporty ergs (a potential negative) would make a difference. They rolled out a white RS (the one with the belly pan and the red frame). I popped it on the centerstand. I swung my leg over and sat on it. This is where things got really weird. Y'know in those Alien movies, like "Prometheus," how all that alien s**t happened? Well, it was like that; these tendrils grew up from the handlebars, up my arms, all throughout my body, and straight to my credit card. I was FORCED to put an immediate deposit down on that bike! Actually, I took it on a testride first. 52,921 miles on my XR when I traded her in.

A year has gone by. I've got 8,126 miles on the RS. The original tires, Metzeler Z8s, have been worn out and replaced by M7RRs. I've changed the oil and the final drive lube. 

Some observations: 

• The XR had great performance, but it was always kind of "busy." My old K1300S used to speak softly to me, always wanting to go faster. The XR screamed that I should be going way  faster - right NOW! 
  
• All my K-bikes, starting with a dolphin blue K1200RS, followed by a silver K1200S, then my black K1300S wore the OXCART license plate (OXCART is the CIA code name for the Lockheed A-12). I dunno - somehow the XR wasn't quite OXCART worthy. Also, to be honest, I didn't want the plate to be easy to remember... MY 2022 R1250RS is OXCART worthy, so she's running the OXCART plate. 
  
• I checked the specs. The R1250RS has more torque than a S1000XR, or even a S1000RR! I haven't studied the rpm vs torque and hp curves like on YouTube's Engine Masters dyno runs, but I'll bet that torque diff applies through the rpm range that I'll be using 99% of the time.
  
• The RS fits me like a glove.
  
• Talk about tradition - I replaced that ugly chrome bazooka on the right side of the RS with a black Remus from none other than the PIRATE!
  

OK - I'll try to post a couple pictures of the bike. It is beautiful.





Check the hat in the first image...

Seeya
 ATB