Hi all, Im lucky enough to have a new Bmw bike every 6 months, S1000R, GS850, F800, F900 the list goes on, but for me the S1000XR is by far the best I've had, responsive on the throttle, great on the brakes, 40mph in 4th just trundles along, for a quick blast or a long ride, comfy, and nimble
I own a XR 2020 for half a year now, and did 25.000km on it. It's a nearly perfect bike. Smooth, fast, nimble and stable. Perfect seating position, great display etc.... it could use a bit more low down torque, but that's the only cons I could find. Ow and the sidestand is really too much lean. People complaining about vibes and bad seat, they just have a totally wrong bodyposition and probably stiff on the bars. And neutral? Who puts his bike in neutral ever????
😮 and I thought i had done some miles in a short space of time! Wow! Agree with needing more low down torque! Rumour has it that theres a new XR coming out next year with more torque so this could be interesting! Mine always goes into neutral when im off it as i would forget its in gear when i next get on it! Lol
i own a 2023 and I also noticed the 'jerkyness' at low rpm low speeds.. this is in fact due to the strict epa regulations and fuel mapping by bmw to achieve these requirements. I found an easy fix is simply with input throttle percentage. ie - sitting at 5% throttle, the bike will be jerky. if its safe, just twist a bit more aggressive to about 20-30%.. throw an upshift. this enrichens the fuel mixture at low rpm and eliminates the jerky sensation. just be safe and have room to do so
Thanks so much for posting! Who knew there was a part to dampen the chain slap. I figured I had to wait till the next chain/sprockets and it would go away. Funny they planned for the part but didn't attach it. Like the daytime running lights in the US.
Appreciate the informative update on the s1000xr. I am a proud owner of a 2022 triple black s1000xr and can 👍 agree with you on the dislikes. Yes...geez...ouch....the engine can run 🔥 hot. I notice it mostly around my right ankle whenever I'm in slow moving stop & go traffic. Also, I put handlebar risers on mine so I could sit more comfortably upright. I have the low seat... It definitely is uncomfortable so I ordered a custom comfort seat also. She's a thirsty motorcycle yet I noticed my gas/petrol efficiency improved after swapping out the stock exhaust for the cobra hypershot dual exhaust. As you stated the s1000xr is a damn near perfect piece of machinery. I luv ❤️ my bike and respect 🙏 her greatly. She is every bit a lioness in the motorcycle kingdom. Ride Strong brother......your bike is looking sharp.
How did you deal with the heat problem? I think it is the cat converter box under by our feet making the heat. Was thinking of wrapping just that with fiberglass tape... nobody will see it, but maybe it will help with the heat... unless there's some kind of air deflector I haven't found yet...
Did 6,000 miles on mine from new. First thing i did was change that stupid bucket seat. Not good for an older taller rider due to sharp knee/hip angle. After that added a taller screen from Puig and mirror extenders so that i can see the road and not my shoulders. Bike came with the M chain setup and have not had to adjust that at all so far. Does need occasional lube. The bike is near perfect.
I own a 2021 XR M sport and noticed that it feels noticeably quicker from 4k in top gear than the standard model that I tested. I know that there are some software changes that maybe the test bike never had at that time,maybe the Akrapovic makes a difference. Also I owned 2 previous gen XR's and I noticed the difference in handling, the new model is not as flighty and more sure footed but you have to change the tyres on the new model to unlock much improved handling, Metzeler M9rr's do the trick. The new model also does not feel as fast as the old model although it is actually the same performance and maybe a tiny bit faster but the power is much more linear hence the feel.
A mate of mine has just upgraded his 2020 XR to the new Msport version and he says the same thing, his new bike feels very different to his other XR! Never ridden the Gen1 but have been told its abit of an animal. I will let my mate know about the tyres tho, thanks for the info!
@@lifeonmarshmoto actually, because of all the electronics and the quickshifter, it is more impressive on paper then in reality. Just have to control the right hand in the beginning.
Spot on with the review. I feel the same way about other sports tourers. I've owned the fjr and concours. Both bikes were wonderful if you had lots of slab to cover. However, when I'd get to my destination I'd struggle to have the fun I wanted to have in the twisties or just around town. This XR is so much easier to ride. I did remove the servo wires from the flapper and wired the flapper open. I didn't get a code when i did this. I am also planning on installing akro headers and going with a Bren Tune next year.
I use a FJR for my bloodbike runs and agree its great for covering the miles, decent weather protection and comfy, but wouldn’t want to take it away on a trip. I think it seemed to be the European XRs had the code come up, not really sure why though. With the servo removed, the headers and the tune, thats going to be mental loud!
@@lifeonmarshmoto You're probably right. Theres nothing like spending almost $2,000 to find out its not what you want...I may leave well enough alone. Time will tell.
150,000 miles on 2 Concours... I agree that it is much better for highway miles, especially 2-up. It feels like a sports-bike when I switch back to it now, too! :) Just took her for a ride today so she doesn't get jealous, still love the 2015 Green Machine, but really glad I bought the S1000XR too. I can't wait to ride it in the mountains, but not looking forward to the ride "to" the mountains from South Florida... gonna do a full day-trip ride 500+ miles in a few weeks, then I'll make my decision on what to bring with me in May when we go to the Blue Ridge Mountains... it is not an easy choice! But so happy to have the fun, lightweight, fast S1000xr to switch with the "big bike". :)
@@RideCaptainMark I had two concours over the years of riding. I really enjoyed both of them. I rode 1,600 miles in 3 days on a ride I did in north eastern part of United States. First day was over 700, and day three was north of 600. Great machine if you're only able to have one bike and you like to ride long distance with some mix of other riding too.
Thank you - I watched several of your videos before I pulled the trigger on my 2020 S1000XR. I've been on a Kawasaki Concours for the last 150,000 miles, so it is hard for me "not" to compare. There's 3 things I definitely don't like: The short kickstand, the lack of low-end power, the heat around my feet from the catalytic converter. (I live in South Florida - it was 90 degrees F yesterday) and it was hot on my right ankle and calf. I ride with blue jeans, tube socks, and Alpine Stars Air short boots. The seat is comfy for about an hour before I need to stretch. I've got a 31" inseam, and can flat-foot the bike, but you really can't reposition yourself on the seat while riding. I can live with that... I do not think I will be getting rid of the 1400 Kawi, as it is much more comfortable for 2-up riding, and that motor just pulls from 1000 to 10,500 rpms like a scalded cat! The BMW is faster when in it's power band from say 40mph to 120mph, and that brings a huge smile to my face every time. The only other thing I would complain about (in comparison to my Concours) is the "soft" suspension that is felt very much when decelerating in turns and on sweepers that are bumpy...it is taller than my Concours, and the suspension is softer even in Dynamic Pro mode. That takes a bit getting used to, but I've come to trust it, even though it feels "mushy". So to be fair, that's the negatives... and nothing is a "deal-breaker" for me except for the heat I'm feeling - because we haven't hit summer yet! For the good stuff: It is 200lbs lighter, and the CG is lower, making it easier to ride. The handlebars - comfortable position, the wider bars give you more leverage for tight turns. Seating position - very comfortable! Windscreen - no buffeting at any speed at either height setting (I took it on I95 to test... at higher-than-limit speeds. The electronics - WOW, just WOW! The brakes: just think about stopping, and you stop. Quick-shifter - too fun! So if anyone is sitting on the fence - yeah, the reviews are true... you DO laugh out loud when you twist the throttle! It IS easy to ride. It looks "hot". You feel great on it. Your passenger may not like it that much, but BMW (cars and bikes) are made for the driver, so that goes with the territory. I will keep her! I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a Sport-Tourer/Adventure bike for solo riding.
All I’ve own so far is super sports and after owning a 2020 Yamaha R1 and riding 8 hours on it I can guarantee nothing would be worse then that lol the heat is normal on sport bikes and the seat won’t even talk about it lol I think I will be very happy making the transition to an XR lol
😂 if you can do 8 hours riding a sports bike, I think you will be fine transitioning to anything! Lol. I have yet to meet anyone who has owned an XR and not liked it! 👍
Excellent video!! Love the bike; is the best one I have had too. However, the most difficult thing with this bike is to keep it under the speed limit 🤷♂️
Got same bike in the white &blue.. cracking bike.. we should meet up for a ride.. and u could explain a little more about the servo.. want to get mine removed also
Handle bars yes, the higher the rev the more vibration i feel. Even with bar end weights its still buzzy. Dont really feel anything through the pegs or seat tho. Never ridden a Hayabusa, but what I like about the XR is i sit upright, with bikes like the busa or sport tourer in general you do tend to sit forward and have abit of weight on your wrist which i dont like. So for me its not a bike id consider over the XR. Really nice looking bikes tho, can never deny that!
Hey, nice video. What helped me A LITTLE (yet noticeably) with respect to finding neutral was tightening the clutch rod at the clutch lever quite a bit (3 mm “clutch lever play” maximum). Also, once the engine is off, finding neutral becomes easy. Still, I agree it’s a pain in the butt. Personally none of the other cons bother me at all, I am so happy to own this bike! My girlfriend, who is my pillion, likes riding it with me also. Before purchasing my 2022 triple black XR I owned the R 1250 R (boxer engine). Also a great bike. What worries me though that after getting the XR, my average speed doubled 🙈🙂. The bike just wont go slow! 😂
Thanks! And thanks for the neutral info! May have to look into this! 🤣 Completely agree, the bike just doesnt do “slow” defiantly found that I have to watch my speed alot more than on previous bikes! Wouldn’t change it for world tho! Love its aggressive nature.
@@lifeonmarshmoto I have thought of one other con: the bike can be difficult to climb onto 🙂 I have a standard bike height but a slightly lower (- 0.5 cm) Wunderlich seat comparing to standard. Sometimes I step onto the left peg first to then get on the bike, and sometimes I just swing my right leg over the seat without stepping onto the peg first but hell does it feel like a high kick! 🙂
@@marekjandous3709 I installed the Sargent Revolution Seat. A tiny bit lower than standard oem seat. Much more comfortable and the DTX cover is non slip, which works for me. I'm 5' 10", 32 inch inseam and have the same issue with getting a leg over. I do use the center stand a good bit to avoid the big kick.
@@thetrailbuzzard I've had a Sargent Low on my Concours for over 150,000 miles across 2 bikes. It is a game changer. I can ride ALL DAY LONG. So can my wife. I need to look into the seat for the BMW...
@@RideCaptainMark Yes sir, it is a wonderful seat. The 2020 and newer XR have a different perch than the older ones did. Totally different feel I think. The Sargent seat does a nice job of giving you the feeling of doing more miles with smiles and not a numb bum. I had the 2021 XR with the standard seat at first and found it be good for me up to 2 hours or so. Then I was standing, squirming around in the seat or just pulling off to get off bike.
I love my XR msport, been riding for 40 years on all kinds of bikes, lots of blades , a few GSes, z1000sx and H2 and this is the best bike by far, a comfortable sports bike that is great for touring, perfect for me. Does removing the server affect the warranty at all? got the Akrapovic and your right it needs waking up a bit
Exactly what I think about mine! Never thought id like it as much as i do! My BMW dealership said it wouldnt matter about the warranty but I know all dealerships are different. What you could do is keep the servo motor in place but just unplug it and plug in a servo buddy, that way if you do need to get warranty work done, you can just take the servo buddy off and plug the servo back in. I didnt do this as knew i wouldnt have a problem and also didnt like the idea of the servo plug potentially getting full of crap while being left hanging there as il ride all year round. 👍🏻
For me the most annoying thing about the XR is the throttle sensitivity/response. Even in Dynamic or Dynamic Pro (most responsive setting) I found it too insensitive. You have to turn the throttle too much to get it going especially at lov revs... Second thing : Even when the engine is hot, after start it idles high at 2K RPM for about a minute. (I learned that it is concerned with Euro 5, ECU is trying to heat up the catalyser as fast as possible) Third thing : Windscreen buzz around 4K RPM when the screen in high position. (Standart BMW Screen not Sport one came with the bike)
interesting you had these issues with it, personally i never found these issues, thats why I like hearing other people opinion on it, we are all different at the end of the day! thanks for commenting though!
@@lifeonmarshmoto Thanks mate! Are you happy with it? I've only tried an XR and there was extreme buffeting with the standard screen (I'm 6'3" or 190cm), so I'm looking for a good screen that's not too damn ugly.
@@lasse9706 i really like it, i am only 5” 10 tho. This being said, its probably one of, if not the nost popular screens for the XR. Everyone I know or has one or get one loves it. Down side, on hot days when you want some wind blast to cool you down, the screen is really good at stopping that lol. So i put on a small screen for summer.
Nice video that Marc! I have to say mine has no vibes that bother me and neutral is not a problem either. I never found the engine to be noisey as a lot say. But I did have the R for 5 years and did nearly 40k on that. So being closely related I guess I was used to it. Same with the low speed jerkiness, I honestly found the R and now this XR to be like silk. Well edited as well mate 👍 I need dig my cameras out!!!
@@lifeonmarshmoto my main issue, is the stupid self cancelling indicators. I absolutely hate them. They turn off far to early for my liking, which to me is dangerous. I’m trying to find a way of stopping them doing it.
@@Wats1984 yea agree there, for me they either go off to early or dont turn off at all! Lol I have been told tho if you press the indicator for about 2/3 seconds it kind if over rides the self cancelling function for that turn.
@@lifeonmarshmoto yeah I’ve heard that, makes no odds to me. I hear BMW Cheltenham can change the timing on them. Might be worth the hour ride to do that.
The side stand is interesing. On my 2018 S1000XR I felt it was little too long, so you were never sure if it's going to tip over on the other side easily.
ua-cam.com/video/w8E9TKJMddc/v-deo.html This is the video I done about removing the servo. If the link doesnt work, look for the thumbnail call- goodbye quite akro
Nice review! I am planning to post mine in a week or so. I agree with almost all things you said. BTW my 22M is OK finding neutral, every time on the 1st or 2nd try I get it. I applied Brentune which opens the servo and overall the bike is much better in slow speeds and exhaust note. I have the M seat, which I modified a bit with an upholstery shop and it is way better now. Agree that it is also the best bike I every owned too!
A friend of mine has the 22M and he said the same thing, he had a 20plate, before and said the bikes are night and day different, all the little issues seem to be sorted so maybe a software upgrade on the newer versions 🤷♂️
@E.S. Slc I dont think there is any technical difference other than the color scheme. 21M is more blue (especially the rear panels), while 22M is more white and uneven colors on both sides. Then obviously, the software differences should be there, which I guess you can upgrade.
Really good, frank, honest and open review. Fair Play. BUT all of you Guys never, ever talk about Cost, Value, Ownership Costs. Service Interval and Cost Example. So i just surmise that All BMW Riders are Millionaires that dont give a Fig for what their Favourite Toy Costs that has a Crap Exhaust, An Imbalanced Side Stand, A Chain that crashes against the Frame a real teeth grinder when you have to clear millions of Potholes and those Blessed Restraints????? And an awful lot of you moan like Hell about the seat and all this for the Man City Petty Cash of £16.5k New in Uk. Panniers not even mentioned? I dread what they would add. So for me for Value, Performance, RELIABILITY! All the Fancy Play Toys just means one thing on a BMW......dont stray too far from your Main Dealer with their Shocking Record! The Kawasaki 1000SX Ninja and for me, the new Suzuki GSX S1000 are Far, Far better value, far more reliable and the Suzuki in the Blue is the Claudia Schiffer of the Road! Awesome Value £5k less!!!!!! And that is with a great set of Panniers against the German, Rattling two wheeled cheque book! For me its a No Brainer you just have to wipe your head clean of Brand Biase and get real.The Suzi is destined to be Bike of the year...why? Try buying one? Go out Test ride the Suzuki, think about your mortgage and report back on here........that is my Challenge to you and your Man City Supporters Club!! Money, Value no object? Cheers.
Thanks for the comment and I can assure you im not a millionaire! Lol. This is the first BMW bike ive owned so im pretty new to the BMW bike world but so far ive had no major problems with the bike where its had to go back to the dealership. You do make some very good points though, ive never seen a vid from BMW owners talk about all said points… may well be an idea for a vid! 👍 One thing I would say though is there isnt a perfect bike, theres always going to be something that people dont like about their bike, for example they may wish it had X or Y. Or even didnt have something that it has. I wouldn’t really say the GSXS or the Z1000sx are a fair comparison to the XR as they are very different bikes. I cant deny that the Suzuki or the Kawasaki are good bikes, and yes the value for money is very good, a couple of my mates have one each and they love them, but ive owned 3 Kawasaki’s so didnt want another one, and the Suzuki didnt do it for me on looks, granted I haven’t ridden the Suzuki, but i have to like the look of the bike to even consider it. With the football references, not really sure what you mean as im not at all a fan of football. Lol
@@lifeonmarshmoto What!!! You dont like the look of Claudia Schiffer?? Send her around my house. Your a cool dude shame about you taste in Cheque Book eaters! You have already changed five parts! Stay very close to your Dealer. Good luck with the Kraut. My Suzi is truly Bulletproof! Regards........
LOL, I bought used. I found a great deal on a 2020, and I made sure all the major servicing was done already - valves and plugs is a BIG, expensive job. I think that happens around 18k-20k miles. I bought mine with 24k miles on it, and IMHO, 24k on a non-Harley bike is "just broken in". A german machine should run for a long time... I would expect 300,000+ miles out of this bike as long as I feed it good gas, change the oil when I'm supposed to, and do the scheduled maintenance.
Hi all,
Im lucky enough to have a new Bmw bike every 6 months, S1000R, GS850, F800, F900 the list goes on, but for me the S1000XR is by far the best I've had, responsive on the throttle, great on the brakes, 40mph in 4th just trundles along, for a quick blast or a long ride, comfy, and nimble
Great review. Picked mine up last Friday and loving it. Racing Red 2023 low suspension.
I own a XR 2020 for half a year now, and did 25.000km on it. It's a nearly perfect bike. Smooth, fast, nimble and stable. Perfect seating position, great display etc.... it could use a bit more low down torque, but that's the only cons I could find. Ow and the sidestand is really too much lean. People complaining about vibes and bad seat, they just have a totally wrong bodyposition and probably stiff on the bars. And neutral? Who puts his bike in neutral ever????
😮 and I thought i had done some miles in a short space of time! Wow!
Agree with needing more low down torque! Rumour has it that theres a new XR coming out next year with more torque so this could be interesting!
Mine always goes into neutral when im off it as i would forget its in gear when i next get on it! Lol
I had one too and agree with you. I only raise the handlebars and change the windshield.
My solution for the "jerkiness" of the bike was to get BrenTuning Stage 1. Its much better now and the bike feels amazing.
i own a 2023 and I also noticed the 'jerkyness' at low rpm low speeds.. this is in fact due to the strict epa regulations and fuel mapping by bmw to achieve these requirements. I found an easy fix is simply with input throttle percentage. ie - sitting at 5% throttle, the bike will be jerky. if its safe, just twist a bit more aggressive to about 20-30%.. throw an upshift. this enrichens the fuel mixture at low rpm and eliminates the jerky sensation. just be safe and have room to do so
Thanks so much for posting! Who knew there was a part to dampen the chain slap. I figured I had to wait till the next chain/sprockets and it would go away. Funny they planned for the part but didn't attach it. Like the daytime running lights in the US.
Yea its stupid they didnt fit it as standard! So many XR owners i know complain about it, probably just another to get some more money out of you! Lol
Hey man, I bought the part. Having a hard time on how to install it. You have tips? Or a link on how to install? Thank you!
Appreciate the informative update on the s1000xr. I am a proud owner of a 2022 triple black s1000xr and can 👍 agree with you on the dislikes. Yes...geez...ouch....the engine can run 🔥 hot. I notice it mostly around my right ankle whenever I'm in slow moving stop & go traffic. Also, I put handlebar risers on mine so I could sit more comfortably upright. I have the low seat...
It definitely is uncomfortable so I ordered a custom comfort seat also. She's a thirsty motorcycle yet I noticed my gas/petrol efficiency improved after swapping out the stock exhaust for the cobra hypershot dual exhaust. As you stated the s1000xr is a damn near perfect piece of machinery. I luv ❤️ my bike and respect 🙏 her greatly. She is every bit a lioness in the motorcycle kingdom. Ride Strong brother......your bike is looking sharp.
The triple black is what i was looking at before spotting my one so i have a soft spot for that colour scheme, looks stealthy and i like that!
How did you deal with the heat problem? I think it is the cat converter box under by our feet making the heat. Was thinking of wrapping just that with fiberglass tape... nobody will see it, but maybe it will help with the heat... unless there's some kind of air deflector I haven't found yet...
Did 6,000 miles on mine from new. First thing i did was change that stupid bucket seat. Not good for an older taller rider due to sharp knee/hip angle. After that added a taller screen from Puig and mirror extenders so that i can see the road and not my shoulders. Bike came with the M chain setup and have not had to adjust that at all so far. Does need occasional lube. The bike is near perfect.
I own a 2021 XR M sport and noticed that it feels noticeably quicker from 4k in top gear than the standard model that I tested. I know that there are some software changes that maybe the test bike never had at that time,maybe the Akrapovic makes a difference. Also I owned 2 previous gen XR's and I noticed the difference in handling, the new model is not as flighty and more sure footed but you have to change the tyres on the new model to unlock much improved handling, Metzeler M9rr's do the trick. The new model also does not feel as fast as the old model although it is actually the same performance and maybe a tiny bit faster but the power is much more linear hence the feel.
A mate of mine has just upgraded his 2020 XR to the new Msport version and he says the same thing, his new bike feels very different to his other XR!
Never ridden the Gen1 but have been told its abit of an animal.
I will let my mate know about the tyres tho, thanks for the info!
I bought mine in Mai 2020 and now have 66 000 kms on it. It is my first bike and i ride all year round in Belgian weather.
Sofar perfect for me.
An XR as your first bike, Im impressed nice one!
That millage is also impressive! Glad you enjoy it as much as i do mine 👍
@@lifeonmarshmoto actually, because of all the electronics and the quickshifter, it is more impressive on paper then in reality. Just have to control the right hand in the beginning.
Spot on with the review. I feel the same way about other sports tourers. I've owned the fjr and concours. Both bikes were wonderful if you had lots of slab to cover. However, when I'd get to my destination I'd struggle to have the fun I wanted to have in the twisties or just around town. This XR is so much easier to ride. I did remove the servo wires from the flapper and wired the flapper open. I didn't get a code when i did this. I am also planning on installing akro headers and going with a Bren Tune next year.
I use a FJR for my bloodbike runs and agree its great for covering the miles, decent weather protection and comfy, but wouldn’t want to take it away on a trip.
I think it seemed to be the European XRs had the code come up, not really sure why though.
With the servo removed, the headers and the tune, thats going to be mental loud!
@@lifeonmarshmoto You're probably right. Theres nothing like spending almost $2,000 to find out its not what you want...I may leave well enough alone. Time will tell.
150,000 miles on 2 Concours... I agree that it is much better for highway miles, especially 2-up. It feels like a sports-bike when I switch back to it now, too! :) Just took her for a ride today so she doesn't get jealous, still love the 2015 Green Machine, but really glad I bought the S1000XR too. I can't wait to ride it in the mountains, but not looking forward to the ride "to" the mountains from South Florida... gonna do a full day-trip ride 500+ miles in a few weeks, then I'll make my decision on what to bring with me in May when we go to the Blue Ridge Mountains... it is not an easy choice! But so happy to have the fun, lightweight, fast S1000xr to switch with the "big bike". :)
@@RideCaptainMark I had two concours over the years of riding. I really enjoyed both of them. I rode 1,600 miles in 3 days on a ride I did in north eastern part of United States. First day was over 700, and day three was north of 600. Great machine if you're only able to have one bike and you like to ride long distance with some mix of other riding too.
Thank you - I watched several of your videos before I pulled the trigger on my 2020 S1000XR. I've been on a Kawasaki Concours for the last 150,000 miles, so it is hard for me "not" to compare. There's 3 things I definitely don't like: The short kickstand, the lack of low-end power, the heat around my feet from the catalytic converter. (I live in South Florida - it was 90 degrees F yesterday) and it was hot on my right ankle and calf. I ride with blue jeans, tube socks, and Alpine Stars Air short boots. The seat is comfy for about an hour before I need to stretch. I've got a 31" inseam, and can flat-foot the bike, but you really can't reposition yourself on the seat while riding. I can live with that... I do not think I will be getting rid of the 1400 Kawi, as it is much more comfortable for 2-up riding, and that motor just pulls from 1000 to 10,500 rpms like a scalded cat! The BMW is faster when in it's power band from say 40mph to 120mph, and that brings a huge smile to my face every time. The only other thing I would complain about (in comparison to my Concours) is the "soft" suspension that is felt very much when decelerating in turns and on sweepers that are bumpy...it is taller than my Concours, and the suspension is softer even in Dynamic Pro mode. That takes a bit getting used to, but I've come to trust it, even though it feels "mushy".
So to be fair, that's the negatives... and nothing is a "deal-breaker" for me except for the heat I'm feeling - because we haven't hit summer yet!
For the good stuff:
It is 200lbs lighter, and the CG is lower, making it easier to ride. The handlebars - comfortable position, the wider bars give you more leverage for tight turns. Seating position - very comfortable! Windscreen - no buffeting at any speed at either height setting (I took it on I95 to test... at higher-than-limit speeds. The electronics - WOW, just WOW! The brakes: just think about stopping, and you stop. Quick-shifter - too fun!
So if anyone is sitting on the fence - yeah, the reviews are true... you DO laugh out loud when you twist the throttle! It IS easy to ride. It looks "hot". You feel great on it. Your passenger may not like it that much, but BMW (cars and bikes) are made for the driver, so that goes with the territory. I will keep her! I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a Sport-Tourer/Adventure bike for solo riding.
Is it easy to imstall the chain dampener? Great video btw! Thank you!
All I’ve own so far is super sports and after owning a 2020 Yamaha R1 and riding 8 hours on it I can guarantee nothing would be worse then that lol the heat is normal on sport bikes and the seat won’t even talk about it lol I think I will be very happy making the transition to an XR lol
😂 if you can do 8 hours riding a sports bike, I think you will be fine transitioning to anything! Lol.
I have yet to meet anyone who has owned an XR and not liked it! 👍
Thanks for your review after a good deal of riding. I'm looking for the links you mentioned - particularly on the servo delete?
Excellent video!!
Love the bike; is the best one I have had too. However, the most difficult thing with this bike is to keep it under the speed limit 🤷♂️
Thanks bud!
🤣🤣 yep completely agree, it always just wants to go!
Enjoyed your review 👍
Excellent and well spoken review. Cheers 🍻
Thank you very much! 🍻
Got same bike in the white &blue.. cracking bike.. we should meet up for a ride.. and u could explain a little more about the servo.. want to get mine removed also
Marsh, did you feel any vibrations in the handlebars/pegs/seat at high speed ? Lastly, what do you think of the 2023 Hayabusa vs the s1000 XR ?
Handle bars yes, the higher the rev the more vibration i feel. Even with bar end weights its still buzzy.
Dont really feel anything through the pegs or seat tho.
Never ridden a Hayabusa, but what I like about the XR is i sit upright, with bikes like the busa or sport tourer in general you do tend to sit forward and have abit of weight on your wrist which i dont like.
So for me its not a bike id consider over the XR.
Really nice looking bikes tho, can never deny that!
@@lifeonmarshmoto thanks my man.... :)
Hey, nice video. What helped me A LITTLE (yet noticeably) with respect to finding neutral was tightening the clutch rod at the clutch lever quite a bit (3 mm “clutch lever play” maximum). Also, once the engine is off, finding neutral becomes easy. Still, I agree it’s a pain in the butt. Personally none of the other cons bother me at all, I am so happy to own this bike! My girlfriend, who is my pillion, likes riding it with me also. Before purchasing my 2022 triple black XR I owned the R 1250 R (boxer engine). Also a great bike. What worries me though that after getting the XR, my average speed doubled 🙈🙂. The bike just wont go slow! 😂
Thanks!
And thanks for the neutral info! May have to look into this!
🤣 Completely agree, the bike just doesnt do “slow” defiantly found that I have to watch my speed alot more than on previous bikes! Wouldn’t change it for world tho! Love its aggressive nature.
@@lifeonmarshmoto I have thought of one other con: the bike can be difficult to climb onto 🙂 I have a standard bike height but a slightly lower (- 0.5 cm) Wunderlich seat comparing to standard. Sometimes I step onto the left peg first to then get on the bike, and sometimes I just swing my right leg over the seat without stepping onto the peg first but hell does it feel like a high kick! 🙂
@@marekjandous3709 I installed the Sargent Revolution Seat. A tiny bit lower than standard oem seat. Much more comfortable and the DTX cover is non slip, which works for me. I'm 5' 10", 32 inch inseam and have the same issue with getting a leg over. I do use the center stand a good bit to avoid the big kick.
@@thetrailbuzzard I've had a Sargent Low on my Concours for over 150,000 miles across 2 bikes. It is a game changer. I can ride ALL DAY LONG. So can my wife. I need to look into the seat for the BMW...
@@RideCaptainMark Yes sir, it is a wonderful seat. The 2020 and newer XR have a different perch than the older ones did. Totally different feel I think. The Sargent seat does a nice job of giving you the feeling of doing more miles with smiles and not a numb bum. I had the 2021 XR with the standard seat at first and found it be good for me up to 2 hours or so. Then I was standing, squirming around in the seat or just pulling off to get off bike.
I love my XR msport, been riding for 40 years on all kinds of bikes, lots of blades , a few GSes, z1000sx and H2 and this is the best bike by far, a comfortable sports bike that is great for touring, perfect for me. Does removing the server affect the warranty at all? got the Akrapovic and your right it needs waking up a bit
Exactly what I think about mine! Never thought id like it as much as i do!
My BMW dealership said it wouldnt matter about the warranty but I know all dealerships are different.
What you could do is keep the servo motor in place but just unplug it and plug in a servo buddy, that way if you do need to get warranty work done, you can just take the servo buddy off and plug the servo back in.
I didnt do this as knew i wouldnt have a problem and also didnt like the idea of the servo plug potentially getting full of crap while being left hanging there as il ride all year round. 👍🏻
For me the most annoying thing about the XR is the throttle sensitivity/response. Even in Dynamic or Dynamic Pro (most responsive setting) I found it too insensitive. You have to turn the throttle too much to get it going especially at lov revs...
Second thing : Even when the engine is hot, after start it idles high at 2K RPM for about a minute. (I learned that it is concerned with Euro 5, ECU is trying to heat up the catalyser as fast as possible)
Third thing : Windscreen buzz around 4K RPM when the screen in high position. (Standart BMW Screen not Sport one came with the bike)
interesting you had these issues with it, personally i never found these issues, thats why I like hearing other people opinion on it, we are all different at the end of the day!
thanks for commenting though!
Nice vid! What windscreen is that?
Thats a MRA Vario touring screen.
@@lifeonmarshmoto Thanks mate! Are you happy with it? I've only tried an XR and there was extreme buffeting with the standard screen (I'm 6'3" or 190cm), so I'm looking for a good screen that's not too damn ugly.
@@lasse9706 i really like it, i am only 5” 10 tho.
This being said, its probably one of, if not the nost popular screens for the XR. Everyone I know or has one or get one loves it.
Down side, on hot days when you want some wind blast to cool you down, the screen is really good at stopping that lol.
So i put on a small screen for summer.
@@lifeonmarshmoto Thanks for the in-depth answer, much appreciated! Safe travels
Nice video that Marc! I have to say mine has no vibes that bother me and neutral is not a problem either. I never found the engine to be noisey as a lot say. But I did have the R for 5 years and did nearly 40k on that. So being closely related I guess I was used to it. Same with the low speed jerkiness, I honestly found the R and now this XR to be like silk. Well edited as well mate 👍 I need dig my cameras out!!!
You must be one of the lucky ones to not have any of the issues!
Yep still waiting for a vid about yours!
@@lifeonmarshmoto my main issue, is the stupid self cancelling indicators. I absolutely hate them. They turn off far to early for my liking, which to me is dangerous. I’m trying to find a way of stopping them doing it.
@@Wats1984 yea agree there, for me they either go off to early or dont turn off at all! Lol
I have been told tho if you press the indicator for about 2/3 seconds it kind if over rides the self cancelling function for that turn.
@@lifeonmarshmoto yeah I’ve heard that, makes no odds to me. I hear BMW Cheltenham can change the timing on them. Might be worth the hour ride to do that.
I keep hearing that it won’t clutch up wheelie. Can anyone confirm? Or what mode(s) does it need to be in to lift the front without intrusion.
The side stand is interesing. On my 2018 S1000XR I felt it was little too long, so you were never sure if it's going to tip over on the other side easily.
Yea i prefer knowing it wont fall over, but this is leaning to the extreme! Lol
@@lifeonmarshmoto I understand. I'm shoping for an S1000XR currently.
Could you please put link / definition for servo removal?
ua-cam.com/video/w8E9TKJMddc/v-deo.html
This is the video I done about removing the servo.
If the link doesnt work, look for the thumbnail call- goodbye quite akro
Wich one motorbike is better than XR in low rpms?
Please continue with more videos
Thank you for the kind comment 👍
What mileage you get from full tank to fuel light on? (Not till empty tank)
Il get around 200miles when riding normally, if im riding abit more enthusiastically then about 150ish miles
I’ve got the 900 xr and the engine is noisy as well
Must be a BMW thing for this style of bike 🤷♂️
Nice review! I am planning to post mine in a week or so. I agree with almost all things you said. BTW my 22M is OK finding neutral, every time on the 1st or 2nd try I get it. I applied Brentune which opens the servo and overall the bike is much better in slow speeds and exhaust note. I have the M seat, which I modified a bit with an upholstery shop and it is way better now. Agree that it is also the best bike I every owned too!
A friend of mine has the 22M and he said the same thing, he had a 20plate, before and said the bikes are night and day different, all the little issues seem to be sorted so maybe a software upgrade on the newer versions 🤷♂️
Do you know if there any differences between the 21 and 22 M version?
Thank you and congrats. Ride safe my friend.
@E.S. Slc I dont think there is any technical difference other than the color scheme. 21M is more blue (especially the rear panels), while 22M is more white and uneven colors on both sides. Then obviously, the software differences should be there, which I guess you can upgrade.
@@ridingdreamer Great. Thank you.
Really good, frank, honest and open review. Fair Play. BUT all of you Guys never, ever talk about Cost, Value, Ownership Costs. Service Interval and Cost Example. So i just surmise that All BMW Riders are Millionaires that dont give a Fig for what their Favourite Toy Costs that has a Crap Exhaust, An Imbalanced Side Stand, A Chain that crashes against the Frame a real teeth grinder when you have to clear millions of Potholes and those Blessed Restraints????? And an awful lot of you moan like Hell about the seat and all this for the Man City Petty Cash of £16.5k New in Uk. Panniers not even mentioned? I dread what they would add. So for me for Value, Performance, RELIABILITY! All the Fancy Play Toys just means one thing on a BMW......dont stray too far from your Main Dealer with their Shocking Record! The Kawasaki 1000SX Ninja and for me, the new Suzuki GSX S1000 are Far, Far better value, far more reliable and the Suzuki in the Blue is the Claudia Schiffer of the Road! Awesome Value £5k less!!!!!! And that is with a great set of Panniers against the German, Rattling two wheeled cheque book! For me its a No Brainer you just have to wipe your head clean of Brand Biase and get real.The Suzi is destined to be Bike of the year...why? Try buying one? Go out Test ride the Suzuki, think about your mortgage and report back on here........that is my Challenge to you and your Man City Supporters Club!! Money, Value no object? Cheers.
Thanks for the comment and I can assure you im not a millionaire! Lol.
This is the first BMW bike ive owned so im pretty new to the BMW bike world but so far ive had no major problems with the bike where its had to go back to the dealership.
You do make some very good points though, ive never seen a vid from BMW owners talk about all said points… may well be an idea for a vid! 👍
One thing I would say though is there isnt a perfect bike, theres always going to be something that people dont like about their bike, for example they may wish it had X or Y. Or even didnt have something that it has.
I wouldn’t really say the GSXS or the Z1000sx are a fair comparison to the XR as they are very different bikes.
I cant deny that the Suzuki or the Kawasaki are good bikes, and yes the value for money is very good, a couple of my mates have one each and they love them, but ive owned 3 Kawasaki’s so didnt want another one, and the Suzuki didnt do it for me on looks, granted I haven’t ridden the Suzuki, but i have to like the look of the bike to even consider it.
With the football references, not really sure what you mean as im not at all a fan of football. Lol
@@lifeonmarshmoto What!!! You dont like the look of Claudia Schiffer?? Send her around my house. Your a cool dude shame about you taste in Cheque Book eaters! You have already changed five parts! Stay very close to your Dealer. Good luck with the Kraut. My Suzi is truly Bulletproof! Regards........
….not enough Money for a BMW?
LOL, I bought used. I found a great deal on a 2020, and I made sure all the major servicing was done already - valves and plugs is a BIG, expensive job. I think that happens around 18k-20k miles. I bought mine with 24k miles on it, and IMHO, 24k on a non-Harley bike is "just broken in". A german machine should run for a long time... I would expect 300,000+ miles out of this bike as long as I feed it good gas, change the oil when I'm supposed to, and do the scheduled maintenance.
My friend….. only s1000xr. The best motorcycle ever… this is the truth.
Sound???
No sound!!!!!!
??? Sorry i dont know what you mean?
No sound for what?
I agree with all of that
S 1000 XR GEN1. The best of the best….
Why gen 1?
Cool bike but the seat is horrible. I have the K1600GT which is incredible.
hello, Are you interested in testing products? We would like to invite you to test the universal motorcycle fender holder for your BMW S1000XR 2021
I bought mine in Mai 2020 and now have 66 000 kms on it. It is my first bike and i ride all year round in Belgian weather.
Sofar perfect for me.