BMW S1000 XR • 2000 Miles Ownership Update

[@petermcgarva7207]

I really wanted one, test rode a ‘24 model Triple Black. Sadly after cruising between 110-130kph the vibes in the pegs, tank and bars were bad enough to put me off it unfortunately. So went and bought a new R1250RS Sport. I’ve had too many twins to do otherwise. Many happy miles and years with your XR, looks fantastic.

[@pgaribay8487]

Funny how our past bikes program us. I grew up on two strokes and in line fours. So I traded my 1250RS for a 24 S100XR and now I am back in my zen zone. Funny enough I’ve never noticed the vibes, but I guess I better check my bolts 😬

[@benkelly2190]

I have had the 2024 XR now, for four months. I’m loving it. Vibes ain’t a problem and I find the suspension very compliant, the feed back through the front end is quite phenomenal considering the tall nature of the bike.

[@RikkyTang]

Great to hear that you are loving yours too

[@spikodemiko5514]

Totally agree with all your points. Had my 2024 XR for almost 4 months and love it 👍

[@ridingdreamer]

22 XR M Sport rider here. The best mod I have done is BT stage 1 and 2. The bike transformed to great!

[@Ultra54able]

BT?

[@ridingdreamer]

@@Ultra54able bt-moto

[@spikodemiko5514]

Everyone has their likes and dislikes with a bike but in my experience with both my 2022 and 2024 XRs I have to disagree with some of your cons. Vibes - never been an issue for me. Not a Rolls Royce but just normal bike vibes. Screen - had the short screen on both of my XRs and had a clean blast of air with no buffeting. Dislike tall screens as they generate buffeting. Heat - again not a big issue. Occasionally in high temps with heavy traffic it’s noticeable but no more than any other bike I’ve had. Seat - didn’t have a problem with the “bucket” seat on my 2022 but the 2024 is definitely an improvement. Just my personal opinion 😬 Anyway great vid Rikky. Enjoy your reviews 👍

[@RikkyTang]

Thanks for your comment and information Spiko! I appreciate and absolutely welcome everybodies opinions! I'm just one guy describing my experience and everyone has their own viewpoint. I'm still loving the bike and the positives outweigh the negatives for me 😁

[@jlparsons]

In my 23 XR I fitted heavy hand protector guards (Evotech I think?) and injected two part silicone through the bars which was really effective in reducing vibes. Recently tried an R1250RT and couldn't tell the difference in vibes between the two.

[@RikkyTang]

That's good to know thanks.

[@tailtidy8185]

Great review and that you are enjoying the XR. Be safe

[@RikkyTang]

Cheers TT! Hope you're doing well mate 😊

[@cmii9966]

Have a 23 w M Motorsport addition and live in Houston, TX. Motor blows hot air on both sides at calf level and feet and is very hot above 90degF OAT. Vibrations are not bad to me. I put a WRS windscreen on it and give it 8 out of 10; very nice. And put a Wunderlich seat on it, and give it 7 out of 10, it moves you back and you have some room to move around, but its not comfy after 2-3 hours. Love the bike and agree, it always compromises...

[@swiftbutfun6316]

Cracking video. Really enjoyed that and very helpful as I'm just about to test ride a new one, and like you I have s1000r (gen3). Also what's your secret for great audio 😀. Thanks

[@rexdaledave]

i can not get my head around the bolts coming loose like that after 2000 miles? i have 15000km's on my Z900 (also an inline 4) and never even have to tighten screws on my mirror extensions.

[@RikkyTang]

What can I say... I agree!

[@rexdaledave]

@RikkyTang still an amazing bike that I would love to own lol

[@bagwafu]

Nice vid. I’ve owned 3 XRs (2 x Gen 1s, 1 x Gen 2) and I can tell you the vibes are much less on the latest models. The first model they brought out in 2016 I think was horrendous but my newest model is fine. It’s a motorbike not a Rolls Royce ! Ref screens have a look at the MRA Vario. I’ve had them on all 3 of my XRs - they are much better than the stock screens although they do induce some buffeting but not much. I’m 6’2” so need a bigger screen.

[@TheDervMan]

The older I get the more I subscribe to the "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, rather than a fast bike slow". I'm at a biking junction right now, been a long time GS PCPer but the current GS/GSA are so hideously ugly I'm not upgrading again, so will be handing my GS back. That leaves me with the X-ADV, which is my fav bike anyway. I do like having two bikes so will most likely get a 2015 GSA as enjoying servicing bikes too. Glad you're enjoying the XR 😀

[@RikkyTang]

I was doing the slow bike fast thing with my previous 390 Adventure as it happens, but I had intention was originally to ride that slowly! I still have the 300 Versys and I have no choice but to ride that one slowly 😅 Still, that was the reason I bought it, to ride more slowly and relaxed now and again. It's nice to have different bikes to scratch different itches!

[@pgaribay8487]

Thanks for the comments Ricky. I am loving my 24 M sport, but I guess I need to check my bolts. The 24 M seat is not perfect though. In jeans I slide up against the tank. However in leathers it’s great 🤔 Also I got the tall screen and it sucks buffeting like crazy so I put the small on back on until I find a deflecter

[@RikkyTang]

Glad (but not that glad) that I'm not the only one with screen issues! I've heard that the comfort seat on the

[@pgaribay8487]

@@RikkyTangUpdate I put a MRA vario spoiler om my BWM tall screen and am quite pleased with the wind protection. No more buffeting 😃 It could be a little wider as my arms get cooled down a bit.

[@AshWalters-p9c]

Liked vid yes screen wind noise is very bad can’t fix mine either anyone out there that has?

[@Wanderer69]

Rikky, I am looking for your opinion on the low suspension, I have a option on a 2023 with 2,500kms on the clock, with factory lowered, but am not sure if I will find the suspension harsh, I am tall enough to ride the full hight but there not available at present, do you have any thoughts you care to share... Cheers J

[@RikkyTang]

Hi there, the last time I rode a full height XR was about three years ago now, it's difficult to remember exactly, but aside from the lower stance of my machine, I don't think there is much difference between the two bikes in terms of suspension feel and performance (in fact, if you check out S1000XR.co.uk forum, several people there say that the suspesion performace is basically identical). As you may have seen, I feel that the Road ESA mode in my bike is a little too soft/floaty for sportier riding and so I keep it on Dynamic ESA most of the time, even though it feels a little too firm at my weight when I go for more relaxed riding (about 80kg in gear). I think I would be doing the same thing on the full height XR if I had one. Both ESA modes are adaptive though so that can harden and soften their damping to a dgree while you are riding. SO yeah I think the perfoiamce of the suspension is similar for both models!

[@Wanderer69]

@@RikkyTang Thank you VERY much for your descriptive reply and thoughts on this, and your great vids, following with interest :) Cheers

[@stevedavies-pp7dp]

When they build a XR with shaft I think it may just be BMW’s best all round bike

[@specialandroid1603]

That would probably make the bike too heavy. The M chain is next best re low maintenance.

[@stevedavies-pp7dp]

@@specialandroid1603 we havnt all got the skills of toprack so many would be happy to lose a little performance to have shaft

[@johngoodlass]

Moto Guzzi V100

[@JedHorner-k6u]

Hi Rikky - enjoying your posts so thanks for posting - is there a vast difference in ride, handling etc from your previous S to the latest XR or may that also be midlife updates over the years 🤔🤔

[@crumblymal8479]

Interesting one Rikky what have I gleaned from watching ?well that bike isn't for me 😉 to heavy to revvy wouldn't get the best out of it and I have moved to an old mans bike now to reduce weight and be flat footed because I am officially an old and I ride like one 😂. although I miss my old XJR12000 already with better breaking and I think more umff but hey who needs umff anyway gone from fours to a twin and man is it different . Do I like it ? well I've used it twice and the jury is still out . But for you I notice the screen woes still continue and now with vibes but I am sure it's still good fun 😉 👌👍

[@RikkyTang]

Well as you know Mal, people go through different stages in life, so you might well and up back on something with more umff! Can't underestimate the nice secure feeling of getting both feet on the ground though 😊

[@Bruttus4377]

Have the tripple black 2023 love it it is dr jekill and mr hide bellow 6000 he is a handsome puppy above it turns in to a pittbull .only troubles i had is with the keyless ride when i brake the tft tels me the key is not in range an i can,t restart

[@RikkyTang]

Strange issue with the keyless ride there... does this happen even if you have the key in the small compartment on top of the fuel tank?

[@Bruttus4377]

@@RikkyTang yes

[@kugangles9860]

Interesting I never had a problem with my 2023. I replaced the factory battery in the remote right away with a new quality one. Maybe that will do the trick?

[@armandoloureiro7158]

for absolute shits and giggles remove the screen completely. You might be surprised. I had to do that on my KTM superadventure s and it was amazing. its almost as if screens defeat the object. No screen is always the best idea. clean air, no buffetting, no rear helmet pressure. just try it nd see

[@RikkyTang]

@armandoloureiro7158 I have done that exact thing before on a suzuki 1250 Bandit and it fixed the buffering on that bike too! But i want the screen to keep the wind blast off me and keep bugs off the top half of my jacket, as well as my camera if I'm recording.

[@ricardopereira597]

How do you compare it with the s1000r?

[@RikkyTang]

Well to be brutally honest, the S1000R feels more like a 600/750 when you sit on it compared to this bike. The naked bike would have lighter/more agile handling for sure. The XR has a lot more weight up-high with the extra bodywork. Also the additional weight does take the edge off the power delivery comapred to the naked bike. But personally... I am going through a faired bike phase (I much prefer the wind/weather protection) and if I could only choose one to own, it would still be the XR. The XR is still a high performance bike with the capability to do big distances in relative comfort (just came back from a two week, 2,900 mile trip around Europe)

[@ricardopereira597]

Thanks for the honesta answer, myself had a first generation s1000r and thats what i think so, the XR is somehow too heavy When compared but get the job done but with less lasersharp