09-04-2019, 11:19 PM
I bought this bike three weeks ago and I really like it. Even though it appears the 2020 model will have some improvements, I was ready for one now and I got a good price on it.
First, it is not a replacement for my RS. It is a second bike for me. In 2015 when I bought my RS I test rode the RS and the XR back to back and the RS was a clear winner. The buzz of the engine on the XR has been fixed now, as part of my research into this bike, I rode a used 2017 XR with 14k miles on it and bar end weights installed. I was astounded how much smoother this used bike was compared to the test I took in 2015 when I bought my RS. The deal killer had been fixed!
I was looking for a 4 cyl bike that "grabbed me", something that I could connect with, something that my gut feeling could say "this is it". This XR is not a perfect bike, but it rang my bell.
The engine is outstanding, it is by far the most compelling feature of this bike. It has amazing power and torque. For me, it is THE reason to have this bike. The electronics, the controls, the features, are what we expect from BMW. My RS side bags and tail bags fit the XR. All I needed to do to the XR was add a Battery Tender directly to the battery.
Now it's time to comment on other things I like, the things I don't like, and some comparison to the RS.
The first line: great engine and lousy clutch. The clutch didn't keep me from getting the bike, but it really is lousy. It's hard to pull, the lever is a long reach from the grips, and that reach cannot be adjusted. It really is unpleasant. But the quick shifter is fantastic, really, really, fantastic. Very smooth upshift and downshift. On this bike, I use it ALL the time.
I have a handful of other negatives, but they are minor. Nothing compared to the clutch.
Negatives or things it does not do as well as the RS.
Chain drive, no TPMS, tall seat, long reach to the ground, top heavy around the gas station and the garage. Some engine heat on the left foot and ankle, a comfortable seat but shaped in such a way that it locks me in place (not much room to move). The racing info on the display is totally useless to me, I guess it just "comes" with the RR heritage. The gas mileage is about 10 MPG lower than the RS, the gas tank is 0.5 gal larger, but the range to a gas tank is about 30 miles fewer than the RS.
Some positives: It's easy to stand on the pegs and stretch the legs, the GPS is above the instrumentation, digital MPH and analog RPM but no TFT (wait for 2020 model). Electronic suspension, engine modes, ABS, and handlebar controls are like the RS. It's about 20 lbs lighter than the RS but as I mentioned above, it's tall and top heavy. It is very easy to put on the center stand and the side stand leans the bike over in a normal fashion.
The K1600GT is too big. The K1300GT is no longer made. The KTM SDR GT is a twin, not a four, and I traded in a naked SDR for this XR so I had my fill of that bike. The new Kawasaki Versys Grumpy wrote about in this section was appealing but I found it ugly, I could not "connect" with it. I did not want a naked bike.
Anything you would like me to expand on? Just ask.
First, it is not a replacement for my RS. It is a second bike for me. In 2015 when I bought my RS I test rode the RS and the XR back to back and the RS was a clear winner. The buzz of the engine on the XR has been fixed now, as part of my research into this bike, I rode a used 2017 XR with 14k miles on it and bar end weights installed. I was astounded how much smoother this used bike was compared to the test I took in 2015 when I bought my RS. The deal killer had been fixed!
I was looking for a 4 cyl bike that "grabbed me", something that I could connect with, something that my gut feeling could say "this is it". This XR is not a perfect bike, but it rang my bell.
The engine is outstanding, it is by far the most compelling feature of this bike. It has amazing power and torque. For me, it is THE reason to have this bike. The electronics, the controls, the features, are what we expect from BMW. My RS side bags and tail bags fit the XR. All I needed to do to the XR was add a Battery Tender directly to the battery.
Now it's time to comment on other things I like, the things I don't like, and some comparison to the RS.
The first line: great engine and lousy clutch. The clutch didn't keep me from getting the bike, but it really is lousy. It's hard to pull, the lever is a long reach from the grips, and that reach cannot be adjusted. It really is unpleasant. But the quick shifter is fantastic, really, really, fantastic. Very smooth upshift and downshift. On this bike, I use it ALL the time.
I have a handful of other negatives, but they are minor. Nothing compared to the clutch.
Negatives or things it does not do as well as the RS.
Chain drive, no TPMS, tall seat, long reach to the ground, top heavy around the gas station and the garage. Some engine heat on the left foot and ankle, a comfortable seat but shaped in such a way that it locks me in place (not much room to move). The racing info on the display is totally useless to me, I guess it just "comes" with the RR heritage. The gas mileage is about 10 MPG lower than the RS, the gas tank is 0.5 gal larger, but the range to a gas tank is about 30 miles fewer than the RS.
Some positives: It's easy to stand on the pegs and stretch the legs, the GPS is above the instrumentation, digital MPH and analog RPM but no TFT (wait for 2020 model). Electronic suspension, engine modes, ABS, and handlebar controls are like the RS. It's about 20 lbs lighter than the RS but as I mentioned above, it's tall and top heavy. It is very easy to put on the center stand and the side stand leans the bike over in a normal fashion.
The K1600GT is too big. The K1300GT is no longer made. The KTM SDR GT is a twin, not a four, and I traded in a naked SDR for this XR so I had my fill of that bike. The new Kawasaki Versys Grumpy wrote about in this section was appealing but I found it ugly, I could not "connect" with it. I did not want a naked bike.
Anything you would like me to expand on? Just ask.
2020 R1250 RS
2022 K1600 GT
2024 S1000 XR
Niwot CO USA
2022 K1600 GT
2024 S1000 XR
Niwot CO USA