BMW S1000XR review: sportier and tourier than most sports tourers

Don't let the beak fool you, this is no adventure bike. It's a beast of a sportsbike, in a respectable three-piece suit, with every touring practicality you can think of and an insatiable appetite for cornering destruction.
Full review at Gizmag: www.gizmag.com/bmw-s1000xr-rev...
Test/edit: Loz Blain. Cameras: Chris Blain/Ashok Bibra

[@irritatedmushroom2]

This is honestly my favourite motoring journalism channel on KZbin!

[@aluisious]

+Nathan Bellows gizmag is good, but do yourself a favor and check out Motogeo to compare. He doesn't really review bikes...he sort of does, but never says anything bad, he knows where his bread is buttered. No one is so infectiously enthusiastic about motorcycling, though.

[@BikesDrones]

Buzzing harder than the second drawer than the second drawer on your mums dresser, KZbin gold. Great review, entertaining and full of golden nuggets of information. Cheers.

[@guymathew1520]

Best review yet I've seen of this bike. No other KZbin channel makes me laugh out loud. Subbed.

[@triksta17]

Fantastic video. I look forward to all of your bike reviews!

[@skylinrcr01]

As always, awesome review Loz!

[@4theriders]

I love watching your reviews! another great one!

[@MrVtwinTorque]

Very good again, Gizmag. Nice work.

[@WideLoad405]

I love this guy's hyperbole! I watched thw Multistrada 1200 S Touring review a bunch. Still go back and watch it now and then for thw humor. This one had me in stitches when he said that shit about going back to your home planet andntelling them we're all pussies or the vibrating drawer comment. This is why I subbed. Keep up the excellent and hilarious reviews, please.

[@peterjackson6228]

By far the very best review of the XR I've seen on KZbin anywhere! Absolutely brilliant! I'm off to sell what I can and buy me this bike! 😁

[@markoconnell4139]

Best motorcycle reviews out there! Keep em coming please

[@andyandreson3989]

Great work from you guys once again!

[@revcole7]

Excellent review: detailed, great action shots and dollops of good humour! Thanks!

[@ChrisAKemp]

Again, you are the best reviewer! Loved the S1000R review, too!

[@bobblimp]

Keep the motorbike reviews coming!

[@dennybronwynbennett]

I love your motorcycle reviews mate. Make me laugh all the time, but with good information. :D Thanks mate.

[@ItchesIt]

That's a great review! For what it's worth, I just read BMW fixed the vibration issue on the 2017 bike.

[@KarlByriel]

Thanks for a very honest and great review as always!

[@GregsRandomShite]

Nice review. Bit of fun makes a review much more entertaining. Was that the Latrobe Valley in the first half? It looked really familiar but I couldn't quite place it.

[@hewdenstuart7952]

Takes an Aussie to tell it like it is. The thing just rocks and he lets you know this throughout the vid without the usual unnecessary bullshit so prevalent on here. I test rode one at the weekend so well done sir for calling a spade a spade. In 6 minutes you've just about hit the nail on the head.

[@KutWrite]

Love your humo(r), video and info. Music's too loud when you talk, though. Cheers!

[@ivo7597]

Top Gear quality review. Funny and for everyone that also doesnt like bikes. Thanks!

[@GroznyjGradHunter]

Haven't laughed this much at a tube video in time! Proper review thanks! Subd

[@ericgustafsson9008]

This one was seriously funny! Really liked the coffee part! xD

[@Duck95ish]

1:41 - i was laying on the floor crying!

[@gogsalba4573]

Best Review for the S1000XR i have watched... rode it for a week in Europe & the only issue i had was the highway vibe...... bit taller screen & that was it... rode for about 90 hours over six days... what a bike :-)

[@EEEBA1]

How bad was that vibration? Bad enough to make someone not get that bike? Thank you

[@gogsalba4573]

No i dont think so, heavier bar ends can dampen it further. The joy of its engine, handling & sheer thrill of riding the twisties and fast A roads cancels out the vibe feel. If you are looking for something just to tour straigh Motorways, look for somenting else... if you mix it up regularly... its a great bike....

[@moothecow7346]

Please do a review of the Kawasaki Vulcan S

[@ronscheidel6264]

BMW S1000XR. Thanks for this video. Well presented, cleaver and most enjoyable viewing it. RonS.

[@XenonOzHID]

ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW - Well written and entertaining script.

[@gentleman279]

nicely done ! Vibration issue solved 2017 model onwards....

[@fahadm8260]

another excellent review

[@yourfastlife]

OK, I have to do a review on this bike now!

[@brianglendenning1632]

Gold. Did a track day on my s1000r, and a guy had an XR. He was lapping quicker than me...any slight advantage with the R were easily overcome with better skills.

[@DSH1LL]

Great review! How rough of roads can the XR handle? I wouldn't go off road but can it be tamed enough for rough lanes and gravel? Liked your tea sipping bit and comments. Funny stuff and informative.

[@specialandroid1603]

It's not designed to go off road and isn't suited for that

[@holdencaulfied7492]

Best review ever. All you amateurs who do a "first ride" review from a demo bike from a dealership, just hang it up and shut down your channels.

[@macsporran]

wow that is a great description great journo!

[@calraise6460]

fantastic reviews.

[@LilleyAdam]

Excellent review.

[@CurryRiderSP]

Hahahaha love your reviews guys. Keep them coming :D

[@faolan1686]

I've heard that the buzzing can be fixed by changing the riding mode. if you put it in turing mode it smooths out, did yoi find this to be the case?

[@BordersBasher]

Bloody fantastic review, best one of a bike yet! Subb'd and I'll keep watching out for more. RS

[@A_Man_Of_Culture_]

When I rode one, the vibration through the handelbars killed me!

[@2dogsstottie]

Love it mate love it. Keep it up

[@hughc023]

Great review . . .

[@cwugrad396]

stellar review

[@nestogonzo1]

Nice work!

[@paulfowler8701]

A very funny and informative review, I own one of these xr and agree with vibration issue, although I have used heavier bar ends and reduced the torque setting on the handlebars, but surprised by the low spreed issues you found, as I find the bike really easy to ride very slow, due to the bike being so well balanced.

[@gizmag]

+Paul Fowler if you're used to a taller bike you're probably golden, but it needs revs to get moving and there were a few times I had to plan where to put my foot down... At nearly 6 feet tall. Look maybe I was trying to find criticisms where there's really not a lot to criticise. :P

[@gizmag]

+Paul Fowler did the bar ends kill the vibes?

[@paulfowler8701]

I admit it is a tall bike, I am 5 10 and have to lean it over to put one feet flat on the floor, luckily it feel pretty light compare to my other bike which is an 1450cc Harley D. I guess as a road tester you need to look at all the pros and cons, I still really enjoy the review. Yes, the bar ends do kill the vibes at the motorway speed I use 65 - 85mph

[@gizmag]

Good to know!

[@MyRandomLife247]

Promised as much big fella

[@gizmag]

Just drop me a line - Loz Gizmag com with some dots.

[@MyRandomLife247]

Lol I'm not sure how I'll interpret that but I understand you do not wish to state you email addy. KZbin PM, is that alright too?

[@gizmag]

Yeah sure that works too!

[@MyRandomLife247]

Sweeet if I ever come stateside I'll drop you a line!!!

[@heza1958]

Awsome entertaining review mate , subscription button pressed loved it.

[@rogermorello9910]

Fabulous one liners mate, are you related to Jeremy Clarkson !!! LOL, great review.

[@tougenomikado]

Love this review... Funny..(very) informative.... And finally someone who knows how to give it some stick.... #subscribed

[@gbitsadze]

Hi, and how good is it as everyday city bike? How it works at low rpm-s, from 3 to 6 or 7 hundred? Is lack of power at that range or not? And how good is it at low speed, for example if you are in traffic jam and are moving couple miles with a very slow speed?

[@gizmag]

It's smooth and powerful at low rpm, although quite tall, so watch where you put your feet down in stop start traffic if you live somewhere where you can't go lane splitting.

[@gbitsadze]

Ok, thank you ))

[@adamf5541]

I agree with the fellow below, this is an awesome channel, thank you for the smarts and the funnies, we are loving it, we appreciate it! I don't get how BMW can release a bike with this vibration issue. Its like last night my girlfriend served up this chicken dish without tasting it first. It was horrible, really horrible. Tasting it first is the golden rule. BMW should taste it first. Maybe they did taste it and don't care? Anyway who cares, I can't afford that motorcycle. I just returned from test riding a multistrada (2012). I fucking love it. Sorry for the swear but jesus fucking christ man!!! Last weekend I got lost in Point Cook trying out the Tracer, which was pretty... pretty... pretty good. I'm conflicted, 15k on a new Yamy or the same on an 2nd hand multi. I'm just going to assume this is an advice column. Thank you.

[@donaldklopper]

haha awesome sense of humour! tx for the review

[@robinz02]

That was a perfect Review

[@andreasjonsson2761]

intro song?

[@luckyluc7584]

Great review and funny, i want and I need this the XR ;-)

[@eubikedude]

Re: 3:15. Doesn't it have semi-active suspension? It's already a standard optional extra (Dynamic ESA branding). Odd they would cheap out on the demo bike they gave you and not have it "fully loaded". Edit: Looking at 1:42 it looks like the required cable to control the valve is there on the left shock, so maybe it did have it? In which case, is the suspension noticeably worse; less compliant/plush, than the S1000RR you tested? It would be nice to know. thanks.

[@gizmag]

They're two different things. ESA is the electronic suspension adjustment thing, which this bike was fitted with. I'm talking about DDC, or dynamic damping control. I didn't really have any issues with the suspension, it's great as is. But the DDC mantra of "as soft as possible, as firm as necessary" sure does sound nice for the road. It controls brake dive and throttle squat, and firms the suspension up as you lean into a smooth corner. It ensures a soft touch down for wheelies by backing the compression damping right off when the wheel is in the air. Etc etc. It's awesome.

[@eubikedude]

+gizmag I know they have "ESA" and "DDC" but it looks like the XR should effectively have both ... it's called "Dynamic ESA" (optional) and the description says it is the semi-active system. Take a look at the packages here: byo.bmwmotorcycles.com/16K9#packages and click on the Dynamic ESA and see what your take on the description is. ;) This: www.wolfbmw.com/S1000XR.html Even calls it out as being DDC, so if it isn't it would be false advertising I would think?

[@gizmag]

By gum you're right. I had a flick through the specs page specifically looking for it, too, when I was writing it. So it appears I'm just an idiot. I should've got my missus to have a "girl look," she always seems to find things right in front of my face. I'm rapidly running out of improvements to suggest to this bike.

[@eubikedude]

+gizmag Maybe better vibe damping? :) Do you need a technical editor/proof-reader? I'm looking for work. ;)

[@gizmag]

If you can write, the editors are always looking for good writers!

[@bepsiguy]

please review the BMW R nine t

[@gizmag]

Already did mate. kzbin.info/www/bejne/apfFXoefm8-Aga8

[@philpbrumby]

1000xr or bmw s1000r??? Which one

[@MothershipVideos]

good stuff-again

[@Kevin-yh8ol]

The best reviewer

[@albertptran]

Does he like to ride with helmet open for a reason?

[@TheMadHatter1330]

Brilliant

[@MyRandomLife247]

More bike reviews pweez. Also Loz, I have a keen interest for journalism. I want to be like you and review awesome bikes, it's a dream job of mine. How can you get started? I've got a KZbin channel with nearly 2000 subscribers, does that kinda count? I'm basically asking, how do I get a job at gizmag?

[@gizmag]

+MyRandomLife247 in my experience you have to sleep your way to the middle...

[@MyRandomLife247]

OMG when I read this, I was rolling on the floor. But seriously though, do you have to be qualified or show a passion for riding and writing? How did you get the job if I may ask.

[@gizmag]

I've been a writer forever, I got on board fairly early and have written nearly 1000 articles for Gizmag over the last 9-odd years. We're always looking for new writers, you can send our editor Noel an email with samples of writing and a CV at [e-mail].

[@gizmag]

Noel's the one you'll need to be sleeping with first, so be nice.

[@MyRandomLife247]

Thanks Loz, I appreciate you taking the time to provide me this information. I'll see if I can make something up.

[@yourmate8155]

Hey guys, what music is used in the intro?

[@gizmag]

It's called Beat Your Competition, from the KZbin audio library: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIDXpnSwqLJ0q8U

[@aluisious]

Great review as always. Highly entertaining and informative. I think I'm going to get the Multi. Looks better, has a V twin which tickles my fancy, and actually does munch highways well. And chicks love Ducatis. Chicks don't even realize BMW makes bikes. Very important.

[@EEEBA1]

That part about chicks is true. Most of them only know about the Ducati or Harley Davidson :)

[@wheelieking333]

some of us buy bikes to ride not pull "chicks"

[@jamesshedd752]

That’s right

[@robinz02]

Man your're too good

[@dougcampbell3593]

Love mine ... and yeah, wolf in sheeps clothing ... they never suspect a thing ... and then you're too far gone for a good read on the plate ... brilliant! Thanks, BMW ... now I can ride a sport bike for more than 90 minutes at a time!

[@krisrudecki9477]

This bike is not scary and it’s not too torqy. This review makes it seem like it’s some kind of a monster, and it’s really not. It’s the same as riding any ~2010 super bike, so if you’re ok with a 2010 fire blade you’ll be ok with this (even more so with top notch electronics keeping the bike in check). It’s really well behaved below 8k, it will power wheelie in 1st, but there are bikes out there that will do it in 1st, 2nd and 3rd ... XR is not one of those. It feels like an adventure bike but rides like a really composed and predictable super bike 👍

[@Motorcyclemeanslife]

Just emazing review🤣🤣🤣🤣:"Sitting there and feeling not guilty"

[@djcjsadventures8200]

that is piss funny - well done!

[@johnnnewmex]

'older psychopathic speed demons' ....ha!

[@IndomieNL]

2:15

[@DrummerOnTwoWheels]

Some of the similes and metaphors used are truly genius. The bars buzz harder than the 2nd draw in your mum’s dresser. Absolute quality.

[@djcjsadventures8200]

piss funny - just bought myself one of these crazy bikes!

[@PaulBodyBuilder]

More electric vehicles please

[@valensinclair6750]

Lol, great review.

[@vivinvincent692]

luggage and Secretary.... lol

[@Porsche996driver]

#ButtonBarrel 😆👍🏼

[@ivo7597]

@Ivo van Gessel i do like bikes. Written poorly srry

[@Xerdoz]

Only problem is the stupid popping and crackling exhaust.

[@Silver1137]

Suck it Ducati, BMW beat you straight out of the box

[@catmacleod6241]

LOL, I love how Aussie and Brit reviewers and not slaves to political correct BS. Yeah lets get you on one of these things on one of our California tours and see what your face looks like after a week of grinning all day long.

[@philpbrumby]

1000xr or bmw s1000r??? Which one

[@gizmag]

+Philip Brumby do you like screens and luggage or naked bikes?

[@philpbrumby]

Naked bikes, but I also tour a fair bit

[@rogermorello9910]

Depends how healthy your back is.