8 Reasons Why You May Have to Avoid BMW S1000XR

Looking for a sporty adventure motorcycle, you might come across BMW S 1000 XR and wonder whether it's worth your attention. After checking the reasons to buy it (link below), watch this video to learn what challenges you may find when living with BMW S 1000 XR.

00:58 - 1st reason
03:47 - 2nd reason
05:25 - 3rd reason
06:33 - 4th reason
08:17 - 5th reason
09:52 - 6th reason
11:26 - 7th reason
14:13 - 8th reason

Background music: "Go to Girl (Adilyn's Mix) (ft. Alex Beroza, Rebecca Cannon, Sassy Gal)" by snowflake and "Blue Circles (ft. CSoul)" by unreal_dm

[iron-brigade]

I love your opinions. 1) who's dumb enough to think that a bike based off the RR is supposed to go off-road? 2) the gearing is perfect - the gearing allows for you to cruise in speed zones where you need to go slower - and super fast when you can. 3) a couple of your points apply to multiple bikes in this category. Yes, I love my XR and it's perfect for where I live and what I wanted. I think you should do one of these "avoid" videos for the multistrada and let's see where they stack up. You warned me not to watch this video - unfortunately the points you're making don't deter me from loving my XR; but then again, what the XR is was exactly what I wanted in a motorcycle - thanks!!!

[sactown]

I’m 69, had multiple big cruisers, a KZ900, an FZ1 and now a 2018 XR. It’s the best bike I’ve ever owned.

[ivanmallia]

The comment that to overtake whilst in 6th gear u need to go to 1st is the most redicoulous thing I have ever heard, when I am on 6th gear it means I am already over 70 kph and a simple twist of throttle blasts bike past any car if you want even more just go down 1 gear with the amazing quick shifter.
Regarding off road just looking at bike says you can't,
It's a BMW u are always going to pay more for the name !

[marktaylor]

Get your XR remapped, I did and it is smooth throughout the entire rev range and it will comfortably potter round at 30mph in 6th all day pulling smoothly when required, it transforms the bike.

[byronchesebro]

I have a 2016 BMW S 1000 XR which I bought new in 2018. I am 69 and have owned many bikes for the last 50 years, the XR is my favorite. I think the bike is practically perfect. I love the handling, the mid to top end acceleration, the sound of the in line 4 when winding out, the incredible brakes, and surprisingly it has been very reliable. I also love the quick shifter, the electronic suspension, the comfort and the beautiful red paint job and fit and finish. My only criticism is that I wish my bike had a taller 6th gear for the freeway, but I am mainly a backcountry canyon carver and this bike is amazing, refined, fast, and exhilarating. I have the money to buy any bike I want but I can't let loose of this XR. Once the dealer installed the rubber mounts in the handlebars long ago and at no cost vibration has not been an issue. This in line 4 is my favorite motorcycle engine by a wide margin. I have not ridden a multistrada yet but I can't see how a 19 inch front wheel could handle like a 17 around tight corners.

[jamesmelendez]

I have a 2021 BMW S1000XR. I'm coming off a sportbike, and I live in South Carolina US. The XR is a perfect sport touring bike/weapon. It's a fast, comfortable bike that you can ride all day. Great for day trips and weekend getaways. Would I ride it across the United States? probably not. But BMW has other bikes in the lineup for that type of riding. As for filtering or lane splitting it is illegal to do that here so not anything I worry about. Going from 6th to first gear to pull away from traffic is not the case at all. I can make traffic disappear and not be in 1st gear with no problem. Lol. I did ride the GS b4 I rode the XR and the GS felt like a truck in comparison. As for paying more for a quick shifter. Most BMW motorcycles come fully loaded from the BMW factory to the US. So you're going to get a quick shifter if you like it or not. Lol. Good video 👌👌

[NicChap]

I never use my XR for city driving, and no one should. That said, I've had 8 motorcycles, and my 2016 XR, which I'm starting my 7th season with, still makes me feel like a kid in a candy factory.

[NunoMPS]

2:29 Come on... it's stupid to say you need to drop 5 gears to overtake a car going at 100Km/h. NOT my experience at all with my 2021!

[Fernando]

That’s right! There is not a perfect bike that does everything well. Although there will be a bike that is perfect for each one of us belonging that we don’t want to do every different thing at the same time.
Normally we have to make choices, and that resumes it.
I find the chain drive something a little old yes. And there are chains and lubricants which are less messy, but if you go on touring with that kind of bike, there is a “ kit of utility equipment” that you have to bring along with your tyres repairing tools and other little necessaries which is advised to make part of such a journey. The chain lubricant is one of those items.
The BMW S1000 XR is capable, poorly, but capable on gravel roads, if is needed just to cross minor trails, for not more than a few Kms, but in that case, you must know that the tyres are softer on the sides and that on those terrains there are pointy sticks of wood in the middle of the way along with some sharp stones capable of fatally slash those more gripping tyres or side surfaces of the above said, tyres, and frequently, for those damages there are no repairing simple kits. So, if we still want to go off road with a bike that has no proper tyres, at least is important to acknowledge the risks and do very little of that and ride the bike, while there, on a very slow pace. Being careful, will kill all the fun of going off-road, but that’s the “price to pay” for an inadequate use of this bike. Probably, the best choice is to not do it at all, if we can. Tight maneuvers on off-road with an BMW S1000 XR, full loaded and with a pillion? Don’t!
Forget that. For normal Bike users that will ruin the day ride, almost for sure. That’s why I am a favor of owning more than one bike. In fact, if I could, I would have a collection of them, for different environments, for different moods.
😎✌️✌️

[eelcowellinga]

Your first point of low torque is the reason why i still drive my K1300S. It's one of the view 4-cilinder bikes which have a high torque and are powerful even in low rev's! I'm talking about 175 bhp and 140 Nm and a shaft drive! Apart from that, the XR is a fantastic bike!

[mimi-rxtr]

From my point of view, I can't really agree with you on any of your points!
Only when it comes to off-road capability do we almost agree.
I still wonder why BMW advertises the S1000XR as an adventure bike.
It is indeed, limited, suitable for off-road use, but these are isolated cases! (If you search, then you'll find here on YT)
In my point of view, it's basically a sit-up sport bike!
Comfortable tours are possible without any problems - I personally rode more than 500km in one go with my daughter. She drove a bike with 125ccm!
But the XR can also be fast! And on country roads, its handling brings tears to the eyes of many a super sports driver...
The translation is spot on from my point of view, but you don't have to like it. Then you just choose a different bike.
Taking focus on overtking in the city may be the wrong criteria for choosing a motorbike...😏
Accessories cost money! Unfortunately that is correct! On the other hand, there are accessories for the XR that simply work 1:1. (Seats included 😉)
With other motorcycles you can't even buy that as an accessory! And if it does, it takes quite a bit of fiddling to get it to work...

I actually only find two main criticisms of the XR.
1. Consumption! Even with a leisurely driving style, I always consume at least 5.8 liters per 100 km. This is disappointing.
2. The volume! The engine and exhaust are relatively loud even on the tame setting and the bike almost screams at you "More, more more...!"
That can get on your nerves! If you then switch to Dynamic Plus, it gets even louder!

I'm driving mine today for the 6th season - and I don't want to be without it anymore. In an emergency, I drive something else in between... 😉

[unknownRebelPL]

What do you think about the new M XR - I have and love the 2023 XR but ... the new XRM ... if I can't have proper bags on it... Why not buy the RR ?

[darmcdd]

Drop 5 gears you’re definitely wrong about this one I’ve owned this bike for a year now and I can’t fault it just think your opinion is focused on looking for problems think is about looking for problems you will find them. This video is not a true representation of the bike you need to own one for a few months to give a proper honest review

[Arcrobes]

I test rode one of these yesterday. Loved everything about it besides the seat. Hopefully the M performance seat makes up for it

[antalya]

its a sports tourer. not an adventure but a s sport tourer.

[luckymann]

Totally agree. Seat is odd looking but really is comfortable on long trips. Never would take it off road, so yeah it's tough to call it an adventure bike. And yeah they do charge you for every extra nut and bolt. I can't imagine going to a BMW dealership and finding any of their bikes stripped. It is part of their sales strategy. This is my second XR and the second Gen is the best of a Sports bike and the comfort of a touring bike. But yeah I do miss the punchy Gen 1 engine.

[ronaldbrenner]

The chain no longer an issue with the new maintenance free chain by bmwv

[FILTH_]

XR is a badass bike. and you can go for miles!

[rb]

Another reason to avoid BMW is that BMW will no longer sell you a service manual, on paper, DVD, or online, it is just not available. So if you want to do any maintenance yourself, you're left guessing at torque values, proper procedures, etc. Simply not acceptable.

[skippynj]

My 21 XR is a fine bike. I had a 16 r1200rt and think I miss the RT. I miss the versatility of the of the RT. The XR is great and the engine and transmission are amazing. I can run with anyone, take it camping, track it, and anything else want to do.

The wind protection is no where near the RT and I miss the big saddle bags. That said it's a great bike.