The XR competition.....

[S1000XR]

The S1000XR claims to have founded a new Adventure Sport market but we all know that there are already a few bikes out there which fit this mould.

Some of these are more "Tourer" than "Sport" but the Ducati Multistrada is the obvious competitor to the XR. However, will BMW steal their crown in this niche market? Should Ducati be worried or will they respond by upping the game? Something to ponder !

[45miles]

I've had a look at Multistrada whilst deciding what to buy and have pondered over the MS forums for weeks. Whilst it's obviously a fantastic bike it doesn't seem short of issues. Ducati have curied many of their electrical problems but seems they won't go away and now again more still keep poping up. Can't be doing with that, I need something that works. Ok the S1000R had a few teething problems initially but they seem to be ironed out now so I'm thinking that the S1000XR will be good from the off.

There will the loyal Multistrada Ducatisti who love the brand who no doubt will slag off the BM as a Bararian tech meister but at least it will probably be on the road than in the workshop far more than Duke. Don't get me wrong I like the MS and it's very capable but I do want reliability as well as the fun factor.

[Ninja]

Multistrada is a great bike but pound for pound (and there's quite a few £££'s involved) I'd rather bet on the BMW. Ive ridden both a MS and an S1000R and in my book the BMW wins hands down. Ducati was far too harsh for my liking although handled really well.

[TheRat]

Originally Posted by 45miles

Ok the S1000R had a few teething problems initially but they seem to be ironed out now so I'm thinking that the S1000XR will be good from the off.

You could argue that the S1000R should have been good from the off, it being based on the S1000RR.  Truth is modern BMWs while being at the cutting edge in terms of engineering and ride-ability, are probably the least reliable bike out there.  I say this based on both experience and people I know in the trade.  I owned a 2009 K1300S and it went back to the dealership 10 times in 18 months before I moved it on.  3 of these times were for the left hand switchgear going wrong, which is also still the subject of recalls 5 years later on the S1000R.

Someone who I know in the trade sells bikes with the usual non franchised 3/6 month warranties on them.  The ratio of BMWs requiring work under these warranties is far higher than any other marque.

My view is that if you get a modern BMW then you will have one of the best machines you can ride at the moment.  But if you think it will be the most reliable then you are sadly deluded.  It will be recall after recall.  If you look on the S1000R forum some of the bikes have already had half a dozen recalls.

[Gilly76]

I've got a MTS1200 & a S1000R in the garage. I love both bikes, and use them for totally different purposes. BOTH bikes have had issues, and I've had them both from brand new I don't think any manufacturer is perfect, and as long as they sort the problems out in a timely manner then I'm OK with it.

I was intending on swapping my Multistrada for the new version, however they seem to have all been sold in the UK, and no more are due until September. So I'll be looking at swapping to the XR. If it proves to be anywhere near as good as my Ducati then I'll be swapping. I'm just waiting for a test ride whenever they appear.

[MikeLW]

I have just chopped in a 2013 multistrada for the XR with no regrets.

The XR corners MUCH better than the Multi and it's auto adjusting suspension is far better and more stable. On rough back roads or any bad surface I found the Multi transmitted too much of that bad surface back up the forks and through the bars to the rider. I was amazed how little in comparison the XR transmits.
The multi had a tendency to shake its head when encountering any bump or bad surface when cranked into a corner (happened a lot on fast Spanish sweepers) or when being pushed near its speed limits.
The brakes are also better although both are Brembo setups the XR's are much more powerful and controlled. (braided hoses perhaps)
The main reason I was looking to change was the low speed difference in an IL4 compared to the twin. I loved the Multi when it was being thrashed, that engine was great, but when negotiating slow traffic, road works, town & city centres I could have dumped it at the curb sometimes it was such a pain.
The XR will pull away quite happily from 25mph in 6th and the combination of good fuelling and cruse control  make average speed camera covered road works almost a pleasure.
The top gearing on the XR could have been a little higher, like the 6th on the Multi being an overdrive.. it would feel a little more relaxed for motorway work, but that aside, (in my humble opinion) the XR has moved the goalposts with this bike.
Fit, finish and fasteners are better on the BM, reliability I cannot comment on yet..
The Multi never let me down mechanically or electrically so I hope the XR can equal the Italian beauty there.
Multi lovers need not be afraid of a change to the XR...