2014 EICMA: 2015 BMW S1000XR Preview
If a trifecta of Inline-Four-powered sporting motorcycles from BMW aren’t enough for you, how about bringing the total to match the number of cylinders? Today in Milan, BMW announced the BMW S1000XR, an adventure sport designed to bring a little attitude to the segment.
BMW leaned heavily on the BMW S1000R’s DNA to create the XR’s engine. The mid-range-focused power delivery still manages to crank out a claimed 160 hp at 11,000 rpm and 83 lb-ft at 9,250. The “usable rev range that spans over 10,000 rpm” will be perfect for exploring newly discovered backroads. Dual riding modes, “Rain“ and “Road”, will tailor the power to road conditions while BMW’s Automatic Stability Control (ASC) manage the traction. Pro riding modes are available as an option, adding “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro” to the palette – in addition to Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro.
The S1000XR’s bone structure is based on the same aluminium-alloy perimeter frame and stressed-member engine as its S1000 siblings. Although the suspension is similar to the S1000 with an inverted fork and dual-sided swing arm, the chassis geometry has been massaged to suit the XR’s job description. The optional BMW Motorrad Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) sweetens the XR’s handling envelope. As is typical of adventure touring motorcycles, the ground clearance is increased over more pure sporting models with BMW claiming a 20–30mm increase in spring travel.
And then there’s the styling. Although clearly a part of the BMW S1000 family, the S1000XR has the aggressive styling and the “beak” favored in this style motorcycle.
At presstime, pricing and availability has not been set.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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Fits the model perfectly, which means that, unless she's 6'2, it will be way too cramped for me.
Multistrada carbon copy