BMW S1000XR 2021 test ride review

'If this motorcycle doesn't get your heart rate pumping... You haven't got one'
Watch our full review of the most versatile adventure sport touring motorcycle BMW has to offer.
This video features EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW! about the 2021 S1000XR tour spec BMW.
Motorcycle provided by: TeamMoto EURO
Location: 1/59 Moss Street, Slacks Creek Queensland 4127
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[@craigwalker3063]

Hey - thanks for the review of the S1000XR. 👍 Enjoyed the way you put it together- covered a lot of ground. 👏 I purchased the tour version in July this year. Am enjoying the bike. Extremely impressed with the handling and ergonomics. Super capable across multiple applications - touring, commuting or energetic twisties I would imagine it would hold its own at a track day as well. Agree with your assessment of the Metzler RoadTec tyres - confidence inspiring when tipped in and in the wet. Bikes are getting more expensive each year but you are getting a lot for your $ - especially the additions that come with the tour version.

[@6tdegrees]

Craig Walker well said! I’m pinning your comment at the top of our comment section. Thanks for watching our video review, we have more still to come. Cheers Craig 🍻 legend 👌

[@devonkairo1258]

You all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a trick to get back into an instagram account..? I stupidly forgot the account password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me.

[@adrianmario6705]

@Devon Kairo instablaster ;)

[@devonkairo1258]

@Adrian Mario Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@devonkairo1258]

@Adrian Mario It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much you saved my ass!

[@kristenmoon4405]

Great video, one issue though. There actually is a fuel gague on the main screen. At the top of the screen where your trip meter, coffee timer, etc is located, you can actually cycle through various options to display up top, including trip meter a, trip meter b, avg fuel economy, trip fimer, and a fuel gague. ♡

[@bernhtp]

Great review. A few points: Hill start assist. The extra bit of throttle you need to start off when in this mode surprises you the first time or two. Thereafter, it’s second nature - BMW doesn’t need to change it. The feature is brilliant and I use it all the time. Fuel gauge/range. You get to select which metrics you constantly want up on your dash in the Vehicle Settings menu. I typically have fuel range selected, but I seem to recall that even if not selected, it replaces your selected metric (e.g., trip odometer) when you get into the warning zone (50 km, I think). Of course, you can always get into the main menu to see everything at once. Mobile App. This should be a prominent part of any review IMO. It’s not only your conduit into features like Nav, Music, etc., but summarizes your rides thoroughly with distance, performance metrics (speeds, lean angles, braking, RPM, etc.), time, etc. It even enables you to replay your ride on a map showing speed, lean angle and other performance metrics. It’s very cool.

[@smtsslt7468]

Thanks for the lighting review guys. Such an important consideration, for those of us that regularly commute in the dark, but almost no reviewers bother.

[@springcorgi]

Great review guys. As a current owner of this bike,it really is a game changer for me. Owned since June and it blows my socks off every time I ride it. Just waiting for these restrictions to ease up and some better Melbourne weather to get some decent rides.Cheers

[@tomwagner6334]

I’m looking into getting one. I’ll be coming from an older r1200rt. A docile puppy compared to the xr.

[@DPM666]

Great review guys. Wish I could afford one!

[@tonytone5462]

This was awesome. He said "if this doesn't get your heart racing, you don't have one." And dammit i believe him. Thats like the realist statement I've heard in a while. This bike is nice.

[@cursedwon2910]

Great review guys, really looking forward to the comparison review with the Kawasaki Versys. Stuck in Melbourne lockdown and I plan to buy a new bike once we are out of it. Looking between the XR, Versys, Super Duke GT and the Ducati Multistrada 1260S. I realise the Kwaka is down on power to the rest but keen to hear your comparison. Cheers for the great work, keep it coming.

[@essosa1]

Re your Hill Start complaint - you obviously had it set in Automatic mode. If you set it to Manual, then you can actually use it quite similarly as on the Triumph - you squeeze the brake lever harder to engage HSC, squeeze te lever again to release it. No need to take off in gear and risk stalling the engine. Same goes for the fuel gauge - it is there, but you obviously haven't found it. You need to press the menu button UP in order to change the info's at the top of the screen. Among those info's, there is a bar style fuel gauge

[@6tdegrees]

essosa1 cheers for the info mate 👍 does the fuel gauge stay on the display when you turn your bike on and off or do you need to keep scrolling through the menu button?

[@essosa1]

Yes, it does stay on when you turn the bike on/off. No need to scroll again through the menu. You would need to do that only in case if (before switching off) you have selected some other info to be displayed instead of fuel gauge (consumption, mileage, riding time etc). Display always shows the last info selected before the bike was switched off

[@marcos.1771]

6Tdegrees I have never felt the need to constantly see the fuel gauge, since the bike warns the rider well in advance (at approximately 25% of the tank’s capacity depending on the previous rides) when to fill her up. When this warning occurs, the fuel gauge will constantly appear in the status line with also a huge brown warning on screen, which can be erased, if the rider chooses to do so.

[@6tdegrees]

Marco S. that is correct. The BMW S1000RR has the same feature 👍

[@marcos.1771]

6Tdegrees In my country, Belgium (Europe), I have plenty of filling stations available and running out of fuel is impossible, unless there would be a major political problem. This could obviously be very different in other countries, where filling stations are rare.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Looks wise, BMW nailed it !!!

[@ShawnPShort]

You can display the fuel gauge by clicking up on the menu button. Also I was under the impression all bmw bikes with the brake assist did have golden double tap option to remove the brake.

[@Neutronb0mb]

Great review guys. Love your style and worked really well with the two of you

[@himshims]

Great video guys! It shows lots of efforts. Thank you for puting this out. Any news about 2021 S1000RR though ?👍

[@tonyw3250]

That road is unbelievable, the amount of push bikes would drive me crazy riding there...

[@6tdegrees]

It’s getting worse too ☹️

[@keithgregory2800]

Another great video guys well done

[@6tdegrees]

cheers Keith

[@kristenmoon4405]

I believe the fuel gague is on the main screen. You gotta cycle past the trip 1, trip 2. Odometer, then I think it is fuel. I'm not 100% sure on this. Buying the bike later, but I do recall seeing it on my test ride. Excellent video btw ♡

[@6tdegrees]

Kristen Moon I’m sure it’s on there too, just a matter of pressing the right switch haha

[@tonyvirili3414]

Correct Kristen

[@JorgeMoya]

Sounds just like in the GSA.

[@Joekhalildds]

I love everything about my XR, I just find the seat very uncomfortable, I bought the comfort seat and didn’t see that improvement to justify the price of 730, waiting for some after market seats. Otherwise it is blast to ride.

[@pgVeritas]

I took this bike out the other day for around 6 hours on a test drive. I’ve not ridden or owned a bike for over 7 years, and I must admit, I was really wobbly to start. My previous bike was a beautiful black K1200S which was so easy to ride with piles of power and a lot more torque than this S1000XR. Towards the end of my test ride I got a lot more comfortable and confident on it. The tft screen (operation) is complicated, but if you owned it, you’d be ok. I kept it in Road mode for my ride. It would’ve been really stupid to access full power after such a long gap from riding. I’m planning on getting either one of these or a GS1250. My heart is saying XR (same standard power as a K1200S (I had an Akropovic System that added another 5-7 bhp) 165bhp, but my head says GS1250. I rode a GS1200 for a month when my K1200S’ timing chain went on an unscheduled holiday. The GS1200’s torque was intoxicating, the engine note less so. I sold my bike as a martyr does for the family, but next year I’m in position to get a brand new bike which I promised I’d do. Thanks for the review from Down Under. Fortunately for me I didn’t encounter any wallabies round rural Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire, just wallies wanting to kill me by pulling out. Little has changed on UK roads in 7 years. We’ve still got the w@nkers who think it’s ok to endanger bikers’ lives in their shitty little cars.

[@6tdegrees]

Peter L personal the GS is a much more comfortable ride plus you can access the power a lot sooner, but doesn’t have the top end like the XR does

[@marcos.1771]

Peter L According to the test results of the S1000XR in the German magazine “MOTORRAD” of 2020, the XR can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.5 seconds. If you need this acceleration, then get the XR otherwise get a GS.

[@pgVeritas]

@@marcos.1771 Nobody “needs” that sort of acceleration, unless you in Law Enforcement. I’m going towards the XR since my wife has now agreed I should get a bike and she likes the XR. She never came on the back of my K1200S. I got rid of it during the winter (when we moved back from abroad. The bike stayed in the UK and was ridden as I transited the UK on my way to work in other countries) That winter we had snow. However, she’s up for coming on the back and doing some touring. Yes, I know long tours will be better on the GS, so I will test one, but as many of us know getting the boss to authorise a bike is pretty rare!

[@marcos.1771]

Peter L The acceleration of the S1000XR is nice to have, when getting away quickly from a tricky traffic situation. I cannot comment on having a passenger on my XR, as I always ride alone. There is a French biker on KZbin who has tested the XR with a passenger and you may want to check out his video first. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKXVfmCKgNmXmtU

[@RT-VIEW_FROM_A_PILLION]

Marco S. I had a BMW K1200S which could go from 0 to 100 to 0 mph in 7.2secs. I didn’t “need” that sort of acceleration and deceleration performance, but I enjoyed it. The K1200s had 143Nm of torque compared to the new XR which only has 114Nm (albeit in a 20kg wet weight package). What I meant was racers and police need that level of performance. Everyone else just “wants” it mainly because of the thrills. I agree there is occasion when it might save your life, but in the wrong hands, it’s more likely to get you into trouble. I watched an XR video which was either in Cyprus or the UK judging by the driving side and the signage. This idiot was doing what must’ve been at least 70 or 80 mph in a 30mph by a school. If you want to ride like that you’re going to end up either killing yourself or someone else. Police are (rightfully) notoriously tough on speeding in built up areas. On the open roads they’re not so worried. The thrill for me was the rocket like acceleration, not necessarily the speed. There were times on my bike when I used its acceleration to get me out of trouble, you’re bang on with that. However, it was the duolever front suspension that allowed me to brake in turns (like ABS pro) which saved my life when a car hit another car in front of me on the motorway in heavy rain and starting spinning like a skittle in front of me. BMW make great bikes, and always have. It’s great that we all have the passion for the bikes we own (or want) and for biking. I’ll check out the French guy. Stay safe and enjoy your bike!

[@narinsuriyarungsi4878]

Thanks for sharing this video . I'm looking for sport touring bike .

[@veljkovic92]

Amazing video. Well done!

[@NickMasseyRideon]

I like my 2014 S1000r pirate look lol but looking to upgrade and this seems like a really nice option for my favourite kiwi roads

[@El_Sueno_]

Man that looks like FUN 🤩. What’s your thoughts after riding it for awhile? Thinking about getting one!

[@Chris-vq5vr]

they just told you

[@steveolund5931]

I'm interested in this bike and I have been going through a number of reviews and I like how you guys got right to it with good info. Any thoughts on how things feel with a passenger on board? Thanks.

[@6tdegrees]

Steve Olund thanks mate. 🍻 In regards to having a pillion on the back I had no problem pulling up on the bike or taking off as the bike itself doesn’t feel too top heavy when travelling at very low speeds, however just be mindful where you pull up! Always place your foot on highest point of the road (camber of the road) especially if you are in the short department like myself. Comfort for the pillion, the seat is a little firm so I would suggest buying a ‘Air Hawk’ seat to go over the top to fix that problem, however some riders do prefer a firm seat over a soft one. Plenty of leg room for the pillion so no issues there, although it is quite high for the pillion to mount on and off the bike itself, but nothing too concerning as it’s just a matter of getting use to its height. My missus is 5 foot 5 but loved being on the back of the bike... I couldn’t get her off the bloody thing 🤦‍♂️

[@shill7369]

Hi 6Tdegrees, Really liked your review. Just wondering... how's the heat coming off the engine? My awesome S1000RR is a rolling furnace that's a bit too much on any day that's more than 72 degrees F (22 Celsius)? Were you comfortable at slower speeds, or were you getting cooked?

[@6tdegrees]

In all honesty I didn’t really notice my balls getting roasted. Slow speeds I had no issue

[@royalad]

Thank yoyou for video,, Is the seat comfortable for long trips?

[@sim124381]

You can do the breaks Hill assist on manual you squeeze the break once your at stand still

[@Graeme4561]

Great review guys...

[@robertlee8042]

How do you suppress air noise in your helmet and mic? My helmet is noisy as hell.

[@biker_marinator5696]

Best comment I've heard "If this bike doesnt lift your heart rate, you dont have one" *haha*

[@Mk-uk4ej]

Is the hill start assist not applied via the break leaver when needed. Is it automatically applied or is they a on off mode?

[@6tdegrees]

Only when you apply the front break with a tight squeeze. You can turn that feature off however

[@AI3THEANSWER]

great review ! of a great bike

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Some BMW bikes have manually activated Hill Hold brakes. On these bikes, K1600 and the RT, you give the brake lever an "extra firm" pull. It works quite well. For the 2020 XR I'm sure it would have been easy peasy to re-use that system, so why didn't they?

[@6tdegrees]

G just a matter of getting use to it.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@@6tdegrees Surely that's true. I personally hope for some solution to turn it off, or implement manual control. Four years into my K1600 and I RARELY ever use hill hold... and I still hate pulling away when its' active. I love BMW but really, this whole thing is a useless feature that looks better on paper than in the real world. Id rather my bike be 5 lbs lighter and $5 cheaper than have this feature :-D

[@marcos.1771]

G The Hill Start Control (HSC) on the S1000XR can be set to automatic or manual.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

@@marcos.1771 Yeah? Perfect! Thanks for that info.

[@marcos.1771]

G If the HSC is set to automatic, then the brake is applied automatically even on the slightest slopes. This could be a surprise and some riders will stall the engine when driving off. When the brake is applied in HSC, it is always shown in the upper left hand corner of the display. The HSC works only when the engine is running.

[@JUFFAIR101]

This or the new Multistrada V4s ?

[@MiamiJato]

does it come standard with a steering dampner?

[@BIMMERGUYRICH]

Are you going to test the F900xr?

[@6tdegrees]

We sure are, I’ll be meeting up with BMW this week 👍

[@GameWinner85]

So XR or GS?!?!

[@f1hotrod527]

Shiftcam?

[@Patrickcobra]

Thanks good share!! Did u flat footed with 173 cm height Patrick from Sweden

[@mherbert3646]

I couldn't place the commentary style, then it came to me. Top Gear for bikes.

[@Ryzza5]

Gotta fix that helmet audio or convert it to stereo while editing.

[@6tdegrees]

microphone troubles, did the best I could to try and fix it in editing.

[@Ryzza5]

@@6tdegrees Duplicate the audio track with helmet microphone and set the copy from Left to Right. Alternatively, change the track settings from Stereo to Mono. This assumes all Helmet audio is on a separate track in your video editor compared to other audio sources. Hope this helps.

[@rzu7120]

Watch me wallabies feed, mate Watch me wallabies feed There a dangerous breed, mate So watch me wallabies feed All together now...

[@Mike_Aguilarr]

2021 models are now available in bmw agency ?

[@darrenhennig4972]

Must be the 1st 2021 model in the country (2 months ago) , Mine is still on a slow boat.

[@lspzinff2501]

MEU SONHO DE CONSUMO 😍😍😍

[@danilovescovo2880]

Dopo aver posseduto 2 Bmw S1000rr usandole anche in circuito con ottimi tempi, ho provato la XR1000 2020 . La moto va molto bene agile e veloce nel misto stretto ma ha delle vibrazioni fastidiose sulle pedane e sul sellino. Anche il precedente modello le aveva ma sul manubrio. Mi meraviglio della Bmw che non riesce a risolvere questo problema prima di metterla in commercio, ma lo fa più o meno bene solamente dopo!!!! Peccato l’avrei comprata ma quelle vibraIoni sono davvero fastidiose !! 👎

[@6tdegrees]

la nuova XR vibra a malapena, c'è ancora molto debole ronzio attraverso le sbarre che viaggiano in autostrada, ma non così male come il modello precedente. I apologies, my Italian isn't that great haha

[@danilovescovo2880]

Bene allora se ha un ronzio sulle pedane e sotto la seduta del pilota è perfetta ..... per voi! Per me che mi ritengo un buon motociclista non è giustificabile cmq è una mia opinione personale, e come tale mi ha fatto desistere all’acquisto..!!!!

[@robertlee8042]

Subtle rage? Huh?

[@小小吕摩托补给站]

My love biker！！！

[@kevinroberts2395]

The seat looks like its from a trials bike. So thin looking.

[@modernserf2020]

I just want the s1000xr with the same power as the s1000rr. Fuuuuuck