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#1 | 2020 BMW S1000XR first ride review datum

Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:22 pm

Here is the link to a review of this updated XR model. The new D-ESA suspension sounds interesting to me, especially if it works as advertised:
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/20...torcycle-review

Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2020 KTM 390 Duke; 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2016 BMW R1200RS; 2018 Zero S 16.6 kWh

Lee likes the post

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#2 | RE: 2020 BMW S1000XR first ride review datum

Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:53 pm

They mentioned the handlebar vibration has been fixed.
I thought that happened a couple years ago.
I also thought the change from 160 HP to 165 happened a couple years back.
BMW needs to sell a S1000S or S1000RS.

Lee
2016 R1200RS
Iowa, USA

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#3 | RE: 2020 BMW S1000XR first ride review datum

Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:55 pm

I took one out for test ride from my local dealer! Aside from the person/people who tested it at the factory, and the employee who literally rode it down the street to get put fuel in it when I arrived...I was the first consumer to ride it! Top spec, carbon parts everywhere, brand new tires...no pressure!

I absolutely loved it though! Amazingly smooth, the quick shifter is seamless, engine sound incredible! They addressed the bar vibrations a few years back with rubber spacers/grommets to isolate some of the feedback, it helped, but didn�t eliminate it completely! I can�t say I noticed anything in the short time I rode this one, however that may be because I was laughing at how insane the bike was!

I got to ride it with my wife and can say that the new suspension felt great, no noticeable changes in riding from solo, to pillion. Again this was only a test ride so I can only comment on the short time I had it.

My only negative take away was that I preferred the seat from the previous models. The new seat seemed very formed to the rider, and sporty I guess? But I felt less relaxed than I did on the previous model. But maybe this bike isn�t for relaxing? More for opening the throttle and leaving this planet??

If you can get a test ride on one I highly recommend it! It�s an amazing piece of engineering!

duccrazydave likes the post

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#4 | RE: 2020 BMW S1000XR first ride review datum

Mon Sep 14, 2020 4:23 pm

My 2016 XR is in Cotswold Motorrad for the 18,000 mile service. To try to cheer me up before I get the bill I have been loaned the new XR demo for the day. I have just go back home after this 148 mile loop https://goo.gl/maps/YfzuBAwC8x3kpZE99

Overall, it is a very good bike but there are some flaws which make me prefer my 2016 bike.

Good points: the bike is comfy. Standard seat as good as my HP seat. Screen is okay and being able to adjust on the move is good. The Hayes brakes work very well when not leaking. Higher gearing suits touring. The suspension is good in dynamic when pressing on. Handling is less flighty and more sports bike like with the narrower bars. It's fast. Oh, and the indicators turn off more quickly as the bike senses when you are now upright after a turn rather than using a fixed time period.

Bad points: my right hand is aching. There are bad vibes in the right bar and in the seat at 4000rpm. 60mph in top gear, so you need to use lower gears to keep the revs up. I have Grip Puppies on my bike so maybe the new one would be better with the grip puppies. Road mode: press on in road mode on bumpy roads and you get sea sick as it is quite wallowy. That display: I have used it on the newer GS, new RS and now the XR. I do not like it. Too busy; too many gimmicks and the connectivity options for music and phone make it more like a Fisher Price activity centre.

For me, the original model has a rawness to it that is part of the attraction. The new bike has moved the XR further along the sport-touring axis towards touring but still has the potential to be annoying with vibrations unless you avoid certain revs. The taller gearing and revised engine does make cruising on main roads more relaxed. 70mph is around 5000rpm in top gear so well away from that nasty 4000 rpm band. This is at the expense of that snarl and growl when you open the throttle on the earlier bike: yes, when you hit 6000rpm the bike starts to accelerate rapidly but it seems to do this more serenely. Partly less noise, partly the narrower bars and partly the more protective screen.

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