Overall Ratings ★★★★★
| Ride: | ★★★★★ |
| Look: | ★★★★★ |
| Value for money: | ★★★★★ |
In a Nutshell
We took the new BMW S1000XR to one of the most beautiful roads in the world to see how good it really is, in real-life riding conditions.
The 2020 BMW S1000XR has nothing to do with the previous version. Only the thing that it features a superbike engine. But this one is different too, and that’s because it’s the one from the new S1000RR, but without the ShiftCam system. The power figure is the same – 165 horsepower, but it’s lighter and it runs smoother. The new S1000XR features a new frame, new brakes, new suspension, new riding position, better weather protection, new looks.
Check the full video review:
What We Liked
The S1000XR offers a lot of power without being intimidating. It’s the most refined inline-four BMW produced so far. You’re fast on road or track without knowing it. It’s fun to ride, but it’s not snatchy. The throttle response is smooth and everything works perfect.
It doesn’t vibe anymore. This is a major improvement compared to the old S1000XR. It’s thanks to some new mounting points for the handlebar and also due to the lower rpm range in which the bike feels better. You don’t have to rev it up to 10,000 rpm in order to get the most out of it.
It looks better: symmetric headlight, LED lights, taillight incorporated in the turning lights, aggressive look, premium build quality.
The new S1000XR offers better weather protection than before, thanks to a wider and taller windscreen and thanks to some larger fairings.
The new luggage system features some discreet mounting points that look much better than the ugly frame used at the old S1000XR.
The new suspension, provided by Marzocchi, feels more plush than before, while offering great feeling and performance on track and sporty rides.
What We Disliked
The 1,000 cc in-line four is heating up, and it’s not very pleasant to ride it in the city or at low speeds during the hot summer days. It’s something usual for a performance-oriented in-line four to heat up, though. BMW made a cover in the knee area, so the things are better than before – you’re not touching the hot frame anymore. However, you’re still going to feel the heat in the ankle area.
The exhaust doesn’t look that nice.
Raw Data
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