After spending so much time, effort and money developing a superbike engine, why not tune it a bit differently and drop it into an adventure touring chassis? This must have been BMW’s thinking when it developed the S 1000 XR. Calling it an “adventure sport”, this machine will be no slouch when it comes to performance as it packs 160 hp and 83 foot/pounds of torque. Of course, those numbers have been matched by other adventure competitors, so check out the additional features in the press release from BMW:
The BMW S 1000 XR – all good things come in fours.
Following on from the S 1000 RR and HP4 superbikes as well as the S 1000 R roadster, BMW Motorrad is now unveiling the fourth member in the BMW Motorrad line-up of high-power motorcycles with straight-four-cylinder engines and a distinctly sporty bias. Building on the tantalising and unique mix of innovative technology, performance and safety already inherent to the existing models in this series, BMW Motorrad has taken the next step by bringing out the S 1000 XR, which offers this repertoire of core characteristics in a brand-new blend dubbed “adventure sport”. This encompasses dynamic touring qualities, sporty performance and high levels of comfort as well as outstanding everyday usability. In short, the new S 1000 XR serves up its own individual mix of sporting and touring flair at the same time as injecting a generous dose of emotion.
Straight-four-cylinder engine for punchy adventure sport performance.
The straight-four-cylinder engine on the new BMW S 1000 XR is basically derived from the S 1000 R roadster. It has an output of 118 kW (160 hp) at 11,000 rpm and generates maximum torque of 112 Nm (83 lb-ft) at 9,250 rpm. This power unit produces torque in abundance, making it ideal for providing the punchy response at low and medium revs that riders seek when powering along country roads or carrying a passenger. The straight-four-cylinder unit combines tremendous pulling power and exhilarating acceleration with a high peak output, while offering the rider a usable rev range that spans over 10,000 rpm. This makes it just as adept at highly pleasurable touring as it is at sporty rides down winding country roads or holiday trips complete with passenger and luggage.
Two riding modes and ASC as standard as well as the option of Pro riding modes including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro.
To enable the riding characteristics to be adapted to the prevailing road conditions as effectively as possible, the new S 1000 XR already comes with the “Rain” and “Road” riding modes as standard. The standard-fit Automatic Stability Control (ASC) ensures a high standard of riding safety by optimising traction. The new S 1000 XR can be equipped ex-works with the Pro riding modes option, which includes the additional riding modes “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro” along with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro.
Innovative chassis with a new frame and Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) as an option.
The chassis of the new S 1000 XR adventure sport bike is every bit as impressive as the ferocious power delivery of the four-in-line engine. Based on this model series’ existing design, it employs an aluminium-alloy perimeter frame in which the engine forms part of the load-bearing structure. Wheel suspension at the front and rear is handled by an adjustable upside-down fork and a double-sided swing arm with adjustable central spring strut respectively. The chassis geometry has been completely redefined in order to cater to the specific requirements of the XR. When fitted with the optional electronically controlled suspension system BMW Motorrad Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment), meanwhile, the new S 1000 XR takes riding safety, performance and comfort to even greater heights, while also promising adventure sport at its very finest.
ABS Pro available ex-works as part of the Pro riding modes option for even greater safety when braking in a banked position.
Whereas the standard ABS systems from BMW Motorrad to date have ensured an excellent standard of safety when braking while moving in a straight line, the optionally available ABS Pro feature now goes a step further to make braking while cornering safer as well by enabling ABS-assisted braking in a banked position. In such situations, ABS Pro prevents the wheels from locking up even when the brakes are applied sharply. This reduces abrupt changes in steering force, especially in response to panic braking, and thereby limits any undesirable righting of the bike. ABS Pro offers riders the benefit of increased braking and riding stability combined with optimum stopping power, even in corners.
The new S 1000 XR – style and function for both sport and adventuring.
The new BMW S 1000 XR fuses the characters and strengths of the BMW Motorrad GS, Touring and Sport models on a visual level as well to create a new breed of motorcycle tagged “adventure sport”. This is clearly mirrored in every design element and combines with the flawless ergonomics, ingenious wind and weather protection as well as the 20 – 30 mm increase in spring travel and greater ground clearance to make an impressive statement. Whether it’s mountain passes, a tour of the countryside, motorway riding or even rough sections of road – the new S 1000 XR handles it all with aplomb.
Highlights of the new BMW S 1000 XR:
- Straight-four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 999 cc. Output 118 kW (160 hp) at 11,000 rpm, maximum torque of 112 Nm (83 lb-ft) at 9,250 rpm.
- Dynamic, innovative design with sculptural surface styling.
- BMW Motorrad ABS as standard (semi-integral, disengageable).
- ABS Pro for even greater safety when braking in a banked position (as part of the Pro riding modes optional extra).
- Automatic Stability Control (ASC) as standard for accelerating safely even in low-grip conditions.
- Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with banking sensor for supreme performance and active riding safety when accelerating (as part of the Pro riding modes optional extra).
- Two riding modes that can be selected by the rider at the push of a button as standard (“Rain” and “Road”).
- Two additional riding modes available, “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro” (as part of the Pro riding modes optional extra).
- Spring elements with long spring travel for excellent agility and high damping reserves.
- Electronically controlled suspension system, Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) for optimum adaptation to the prevailing conditions as an optional extra.
- Light-footed handling and raised seating position.
- Multifunctional instrument cluster with a wealth of features.
- Extensive equipment and bespoke range of accessories made to BMW Motorrad’s customary high standards.
I wonder why they don’t try it in a modern sidecar rig? Nobody has a sidecar history like BMW…Seems like the racing versions of BMW powered sidecars do quite well, how about a street version capable of sport adventure touring? GS/SR?
in-helmet instruments is the anti-beak.
manufacturers: get hot.
I like that thing. 160 hp prob at rear wheel. Nice new bike. Some nice bikes coming out this year. I bet the suspension is much better than the Japanese offer. Pretty cool with a sub 18k retail.
Very nice. But it’s a sport tourer, nothing more.
Oh my! I suppose to be on my way to my local Triumph dealer to buy a new 2014 Tiger 1200…well I don’t think is going to happen. At list not for now…
Wow , awesome. This is a performance bike built for normal sized humans rather than contortionists or those under 5’6
Just when I decide to go out and spend money on a new GS 800 they come out with an insane, somewhat impractical but gorgeous adventure bike like this ##!!
Barf in mouth.
This is a S 1000 RR suitable for riding more than an hour (for those of us over 30). Low mileage crotch rockets For Sale have finally sent a message to manufacturers. If you want high performance in a comfortable bike, put the hi-po engine in a “Adventure” configuration and you have a whole new audience.
With all these new offerings I,m a mixed up man! What to try what to buy ? Options out the exhaust. Will wait to see what kind of a deal may happen at the M/C show. But have my heart on the new 1,000 V-Strom. Thank you Mc Daily for spilling all the 2015 Beans. Love to ride dot Tom.
Wonder how long it will be before the comparison with the new KTM 1200 Adventure comes out in print?
An “adventure sport” KTM with the full power 1290 Super Duke engine and good bags could be something special. Sort of a successor to the 990 SMT. A bike like that might make a convincing argument for me to replace both my ’06 FJR and ’14 Super Duke, but I’m not going back to a one bike garage. That would just be uncivilized.
damn straight
while very appealing as a concept to have that BMW-powerhouse in a ‘touring’
comfort package, the styling is somewhat characterless (at least in pictures),
and perhaps too mainstream, too play-it-safe.
the styling simply screams the formula: (duc multistrada X triumph tiger) * kawi versus,
showing that Munich has clearly chosen to infiltrate into an already well-defined
class, perhaps at the cost of losing some of its traditional strong-character flavour.
weight, price, and real-life tameability of that insanely powerful unit will be the
decisive factors whether this sells or not, but apart from the very clever-sounding
ABS-Pro solution, development costs of such bikes are not monumental, when you have a
basis so advanced as the 1000RR is.
on the other hand, knowing BMW, they might’ve thrown in a couple of ‘hidden weapons’
as well, so I wouldn’t dismiss this one so easily.
anyway, someone please pinch me, as the crazy multitude of new bikes this year is
making me afraid it’s only a nice dream…
For that $, the seat is horrible. It slants you into the tank and gives you one place to sit. (See Yamaha Super Tenere for a better idea). Huge loss ($) as soon as you drive it off the lot. But I guess you have it. Expensive insurance. It’s gonna be a gas pig while the Middle East falls apart. Top heavy. You’ll never see one commuting. He’ll be driving his Audi. Riders with traction control will get so used to it, they’ll highside their friend’s bike when they switch. Windscreens like this are not even remotely aerodynamic and instead create a vacuum behind them, excessive noise and buffeting. – That being said, if you have the money and like ADV bikes and the BMW brand, it’s a nice machine.
….maybe someday you can stop pinching those pennies between your thighs and ride a BMW motorcycle. Surprised you didn’t tell us all that you get Ebola too with it..or would that be an extra option in your mind.
This bike is as much a BMW as any Yamaha or Honda.
Neil, so what I hear you saying is you wish you had the money for it. Me too.:)
Good thing you know all of this stuff ahead of time, due to your uncanny ability to predict the future!
What’s the price? I must’ve missed it …
Dang Eeyore! (Neil)
Go take a walk or see a happy movie or something!
You might see me commuting on this, BTW.
How long before Honda makes them quit using the XR designation?
Jimminy crikey! With all these new bikes… we all win! What exciting times! Now, how to convince the girlfriend I need a 3rd bike, and which one? Dear lord, which one!
No kidding, it’s raining great bikes. I wasn’t planning on replacing the ’10 Multi, but now I want to ride the new Multi, the new BMW, and a GSw to see what I like.
Witness the birth of the Multi-Strasse….
touche’
The introduction of this bike leaves BMW with only one remaining category to exploit. I eagerly await the Supersport Adventure Touring scooter.
Noooo don’t give them any ideas….
Next year…
Enduro-cooter…
Actually the right class for this bike would be SST, SuperSport Tour. They already have ST, Sport Tour, bikes, this just ups the ante in the performance department. Hmmm, wonder how much it will be and how much it will weigh . . .
“to create a new breed of motorcycle tagged “adventure sport”. ”
Interesting they call it a new breed.
Back in 2006 “Adventure Sport” is exactly what Buell called the then new Ulysses XB12X.
This was to separate it from inevitable comparisons to GS 1200 and others, since the Buell had 17″ wheels front/rear and was not really trying to be an off-road bike of any distinction (though some have done it anyway of course).
Obviously this one is more aimed at the Ducati Multistrada now, but the roots go back to the Buell it would seem.
Agree! Would add that the Buell had an 11,900 msrp, low maintenance engine, and low maintenance belt drive as well.
I believe the roots go deeper to the 2003 Multistrada. That would be the original “adventure sport”.
“Adventure Sport”= modern UJM with less-than-attractive fairing that has no business on even a fire road. Is there no end to the curse of Bernays?
Grey bags? Should be black or color-matched. Apparently nice hidden bag mounts though.
Stuki Moi – “Still too much power to have much fun working the engine much of the time, but that’s what seem to sell these days….” +1
Now, THIS, is something I could get excited about! No more stuck with a tractor engine to get decent leg room and suspension travel!
Slightly taller seat and a narrower, more forward bar swapped in, and this should be one heck of a bike. Still too much power to have much fun working the engine much of the time, but that’s what seem to sell these days…. Wonder what it weighs?
BMW may not have introduced the beak but they have certainly embraced it.
I believe BMW is almost solely responsible for the beak, it was just previously used on BMW’s boxer engined adventure bikes (R1150 and 1200 GS). Bikes so different from this that they’re not even in our minds when we look at this magnificent thing.
I believe Suzuki’s original Katana had the very first “beak” in the motorcycle world… it was then passed on and grew in size with Suzuki’s DR750/850 BIG.
The Paris to Dakar rally is where the beak originated. Suzuki gets the blame for embracing it first in a production bike with the DR Big and now almost everything with decent ergos seems to have some form of it.
I still give BMW credit since they’ve been doing over a decade and this is the first time I’d ever heard of the “DR Big”.
So you disagree the original Katana did not have a “beak”?
And we have a winner ! It was most definitely the DR Big.
and the hits just keep on coming… (Daniel Kaffee, Lt. Jr. grade)
swear, I could spear apples or inject insulin with that face.