The NEW BMW S1000XR, is it better than my R1250GS?

[@ridingdreamer]

Thanks for the review, you summarized it well without discounting the character and who this bike is for. Many people who do not like the XR because of it's "torque", do not understand that it is a character of the engine. I tried both and booked the 2022 XR M Sport (the one you rode is actually 2021 color scheme). If you are a road rider and like the characteristics of an I4 engine, XR is technically a better bike in terms of ride, handling, wind protection and superior agility with more fun. I agree GS is a great machine which can do it all, but XR is little more focused with a specific target audience those who still love I4s and precision handling. Not everything in life should be flat twins, right ? :) Let all of us enjoy the fun of motorcycling in our own way!

[@FenTour]

It has surprisingly good torque even in top gear, it will suit many riders far better than the GS. As I am not the most rapid rider and have to endure the worst roads in England then the GS still has it… I think if I had one of these I would ride far faster than I should for the licence. Thank you for commenting.

[@firebladedan1]

Hey Dreamer, seen you comment on lots of XR reviews, I know this cos i've watched them all too! How are you enjoying the bike? I went for the same as you with the M Sport, still running mine in but I know i'm gonna love it. Had a GS and a couple of GSAs before but got bit fed up with the lumpy sounding boxer engine

[@Fernando90054]

@@firebladedan1 This is a comparison between two very different machines. That’s why I think that if the possibility is there, the ideal is to have both 😂👌

[@rollingstone1689]

Did my bike license in 2010 got my first road bike in June 2022 it was a gen 2 xr 2020 model the first day it got delivered I thought I would take it for a littel ride local i got back home 4 hours later absolute awesome machine confidence inspiring.

[@FenTour]

Great bike and it’s great that you find it confidence inspiring. Cheers for watching.

[@graemeburrell5167]

Nice review, thanks! I went for the xr partly because I found a lowered M model. Things seldom mentioned are that the bike has awesome lights and brakes are so good, even the rear. Above all, the pull above 6k rpm is huge. Pretty sure this is perfect for an ex-sports bike/Ktm 1290r rider that just got a bit older and a bit more sensible (I think)

[@FenTour]

Indeed probably perfect for someone moving from a sports bike, very quick in fact too quick for me!

[@ampiegreeff3075]

Or if you go the other way around: from GS to XR like I did. It is an easy bike to ride. Why did you take it lowered? You will get used to the height (I am 1.76 m). Congrats on the M, however I think it is over priced for just visuals and no performance.

[@graemeburrell5167]

@@ampiegreeff3075 all good points. You’re right, I got the m rather than spend the time and money with upgrade packages plus it comes with the low maintenance chain, makes a big difference when most of the roads are through desert regions (currently in dubai). Mainly I like the confidence I get when riding this bike, including the lowered height

[@ampiegreeff3075]

@@graemeburrell5167 Enjoy dude!

[@clayfarnet970]

I test rode a 2020 s1000xr yesterday. Of course it wasn’t enough time to really enjoy, but I was very expressed with the smoothness of the engine and gearbox. I found the seat angle pushed me into the tank. I think I’d kill myself if I owned one. It tempts you to constantly use it’s instant power where the boxer engine doesn’t tempt me that way. That said, it’s a brilliant motorcycle. I’d love to have one in my stable.

[@FenTour]

indeed it does want one you give it illegal speeds, way more dangerous to the licence than the GS!

[@alexluckes6563]

i had a 1250 gs don't do it

[@frankmlchaelglasscock6539]

A fantastic review what a lovely bike you are spot on very interesting

[@FenTour]

This is a rather good machine, and there are none nice improvements for 2024 too.

[@ampiegreeff3075]

These motorcycles are designed for a specific purpose, taking your needs into account. A GS is a dual purpose vehicle comfortable enough to tour with, with off-road capabilities. A RR is a superbike. Upgraded sports engine. If you want to go very quick. The R is the naked version with a more straight handle bar and more on top of the pegs. And the XR is a sports tourer. Touring bike but spicy. If you want to go a little more bonkers try the first generation. Stiffer suspension, shorter gear ratio and quicker throttle response. It could take you from 0 - 200 in 10 seconds (if you are not fat). This bike is not for everyone but it was made for me. Love it. Prefer the 1st Gen. Thanks for your opinion on this bike.

[@phillipmader5286]

How tall should I need to be to ride this bike? I'm only 5' 6'' on a good day and nearly can be flat footed on my F800GT. I love my bike, just want something with a bit more power and possibly less faring. Thanks,

[@EEEBA1]

I had the 2018 version of the XR for about a year and now I have the RR. I think I'm going back to XR next season. I miss it too much.

[@timoborchert4864]

nice review:) one year ago i Exchanged my 1250gs with the XR and i‘m still happy about:) but both motorcycles are good… for me the xr make that sporty feeling on streets and thats what i like more…. so have a nice session… Greetings from Switzerland🏍️🏍️🏍️💯

[@FenTour]

Great to hear that you are getting on well with the XR, indeed both awesome bikes.

[@Hogdriver88]

I would hurt myself on that thing. Brought home my new GS Adventure this week - more power than I need and purrs like a cat. It’s going to be fun.

[@FenTour]

Indeed, far more power than I am capable of using; well at least the licence is safer with the GS! Cheers.

[@viktoriabalint7014]

I have both of these bikes. 1250 HP and the XR M. I m driving 99% asphalt. I ll sell the GS this season......... no other comments needed. my opinion XR 10/9 and GS 10/7.5

[@FenTour]

Thanks for commenting. Goo to hear how you have gotten on owning the two.

[@andyhadden9080]

Another great video Martin we'll done. The xr looks great

[@FenTour]

Here’s Andy, hope to see you on a ride soon.

[@andyhadden9080]

Hi Martin. I've just booked the hotel for the 24th June lake district tour. The wife is coming on the back with me. Hopefully that won't cause any issues.

[@FenTour]

@@andyhadden9080 awesome. Drop me a live via Fen Tour Instagram and I can send you more information via email prior to June.

[@stevenjonestriumpht1207]

Was just watching you and teapot with your Electric bike we seam to love in the same area.

[@FenTour]

Cool, you know the bumpy roads then to? Will be planning some ride outs over the summer so keep an eye.

[@stevenjonestriumpht1207]

@@FenTour yes I try to avoid them were possible

[@andrewshore262]

I own neither but I’ve ridden both, the XR is an outstanding machine but here in SE England I’d be hard pressed to justify its massive performance potential and keep a valid licence. Maybe a different story in Northumberland / Cumbria / Yorkshire dales etc, but around here you’d get nicked by those government revenue raising cams. The torque’s in the right place on the GS, if you realised the full power potential on the XR you’d be doing some serious speed (a bloody great bike though).

[@FenTour]

Yup exactly, it is far too fast for the licence if one opens it up; the GS can also easily loose one’s licence but the mid range laziness of the engine keeps one satisfied going at more sensible speeds.

[@phillipmader5286]

How tall should I need to be to ride this bike? I'm only 5' 6'' on a good day and nearly can be flat footed on my F800GT. I love my bike, just want something with a bit more power and possibly less faring. Thanks,

[@FenTour]

I am 6”1 and no problem riding, the only way is to get yourself a test ride booked and see how you get on. Feels lower than my GS. Yes is crazy fast…

[@SP-bq4mi]

Great bike, i hope you enjoy it! I'm trying to find my sweet spot. I like cornering and enjoy torque but my friends and i go on long trips very often which really makes me wonder what i should get. I have an mt 09 sp 2021, the fun part is beyond comparison. I want to keep the fun part but combine it with touring experience. I'm a short rider so i'd definetely need the lower kit cause if there is a hole on the road or if i go slightly off-road i cannot reach and i fall (fml :D). Based on your experience and opinion, is that something 1000XR can offer? We are going to travel to nordkapp and diffrenent countries starting from greece, so a light off-road is needed. Price is not an issue for my selection criteria.

[@awesomeagnihotrisvlog]

Get the GS mate …ticks all the boxes…enough fast ..comfortable…off-road sections (no issues) ….a choice you won’t regret.

[@SP-bq4mi]

@@awesomeagnihotrisvlog Thank you for your interest in my dilemma. I'm a bit worried that i'll have issues with height (combined with massive weight of GS). For example, when i had Tracer 7 i dropped it like 4 times while standing still cause i couldn't reach the ground or there was an anomaly on the road etc. It's something like PTSD i dont know. When i see incline i'm always worried that i want be able to stand well if i need to and that i'll drop it and slide :P even with mt 09 i'm not 100% percent comfortable. In addition i don't to lose this thrill of accelaration that MT offers thats why i was more focused on XR but i'll maybe have to revisit the whole situation.

[@awesomeagnihotrisvlog]

@@SP-bq4mi Tty n find out if BMW offers the XR with lowered suspension as far as GS is concerned you won’t feel the weight once you get going …feels extremely nimble and is available with lowered suspension kit …love and light and happy bike shopping 🙌🙌

[@EEEBA1]

What did you end up getting? I'm thinking about the XR and I currently ride an RR.

[@huambo]

My last 3 bikes have been an S1000xr, a 1290 Super Adventure S, and now I'm on a 1250GS Adventure. All are absolutely fantastic, and are more than capable of long distance touring. The S1000xr is a typical 4 cylinder, plenty of power after 5 or 6k, but less torque down low. The 1290 has the best engine of the three. The torque of the GS down low, with the power of the XR up top, its phenomenal. The GS is all about short shifting and using the torque. And it's very comfortable, especially in road mode. For touring, its the GS or the 1290 for me, because you can use the torque and barely stress the engines and still get 55mpg. The XR would need to dip into those higher revs to keep up, and you'd be looking at 44mpg for the same journeys In short, the KTM has all of the fun of the S1000xr with the torque of the GS and the power of the XR. If you're touring. It's one of the twins for me.

[@davidwinfield-bennett7071]

Good review,going to Italy this year to ride the Dolomites on my XR 😁

[@FenTour]

Thank you for the kind comment. A ride to the Dolomites will be awesome indeed, hope it goes well. 👍

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

I'd take it off road. On to my drive and into the garage.

[@FenTour]

hehe yes!

[@cpuuk]

Sublime gearbox, civilised bike, but the vibes buzzed my nads.

[@FenTour]

This one did not vibe at any speed, Simone told me that they have sorted the vibe issue on newer bikes?

[@ampiegreeff3075]

@@FenTour Yes on the 1st Gen there is a vibration on the handle bars which had been addressed.

[@Gdan85]

New subscriber! Also a GS owner in Downham

[@FenTour]

Excellent, thans for subbing.

[@Gdan85]

@@FenTour hope to see you on the road, or go for a ride out

[@FenTour]

@@Gdan85 will be planning some more rides as spring arrives, already have a weekender for June for subscribers. Keep an eye on the channel. Cheers.

[@Gdan85]

@@FenTour ill be there

[@ad78]

I just got my triple black 2022 S1000XR. I did consider GS1250 but I don't do heavy trail. this bike is like 750i or rolls Royce. you think you can owned it but you will get spanked lol

[@FenTour]

Nice one. 👍

[@jammydoughnut]

the only thing I didn't like with the xr was the fuel economy, so stuck to a vtwin adventure bike

[@FenTour]

The bike I rode indicated 45mpg, my GS is averaging 59mpg. More important these days than ever!

[@Elvince1981]

It‘s riding man, It‘s about going from A to A in a big circle with as much excitement as possible. Don‘t care, also considering TCO … I usually get around 30mpg on my roundtrips through the countryside.

[@ampiegreeff3075]

Fuel economy and performance don't go well together. You can ride the XR civilised and get good fuel economy or hoon on it the whole day and keep on filling up....

[@Elvince1981]

But the question is, why to buy a liter. bike with 165 horses to safe fuel … That is just nonsense imho.

[@jammydoughnut]

@@Elvince1981 my reason would be to avoid refuelling too often. If you just hoon around, why buy an xr, when you can get a tuono instead 😉

[@stevenbatley8666]

It's the only BM I would buy.

[@FenTour]

Excellent 👍

[@awesomeagnihotrisvlog]

Did you notice any vibes ….the previous ones were pretty notorius 🙌

[@FenTour]

No nasty vibes at all, I think that issue has been sorted.

[@awesomeagnihotrisvlog]

@@FenTour Thanks for the quick reply mate…ride safe 🙌🙌

[@deco5159]

30mph in 6th gear…🤣 you are definitely a GS rider. Nice review mate, cheers.

[@FenTour]

Haha the GS would not be happy in 6th at 30! Cheers.

[@awakeadventurer9198]

Deco: you have not been around GS riders that do the canyons on the reg. We'll show you what the GS is capable of. Excellent bike for those of us who came from sport bikes but need/want some comfort too for the longer days. That being said, I'm now looking at XRs for a 50lb drop and a few other slight changes it has.

[@ryanmalone2681]

I can’t get over this M Sport model being more expensive than the RR. Doesn’t sit right with me.

[@FenTour]

I have no idea about the pricing here

[@ryanmalone2681]

@@FenTour I wasn’t asking, just stating. If you price it up the same way, it is more expensive, in the US at least.

[@schemkesa]

You're riding it like a GS. Way to low in rpm. Tour in 4k and accelerate from 6k to 10k

[@FenTour]

Hehe but I still have a driving licence! 6-10k and it would be gone soonish!

[@foolishcoyote.]

How fast should he be going on a battered up, english road....?....it ain't California mate.

[@schemkesa]

Just get it in 1ste gear, omg....

[@lold6130]

I've sat on 2 of these & the seat is TERRIBLE. It slides you forward into the tank & crushes your nuts.