Cheers from Oregon

[AGFergy]

Hello, all. I am in Oregon, USA. I've had a K1300S, an S1000RR, and most recently I rode an HP4 for 7 years as both my track bike and touring bike. I've just last week taken possession of a 2021 S1000XR lowered with all of the fixings. I'm in the process of personalizing it. Don't tell the folks in the states, but your forum seems much better attended to than "ours." Thanks for letting me join. I love that us motorcycle people stick together. I'm struggling with the lack of sound coming from the exhaust (I've ordered the Servo buddy) and am now trying to figure out where to place my radar detector. I've ordered crash guards (I plan gravel / dirt roads on my trips) and various other mods. I'm enjoying the OEM tires on the road, but expecting to switch out to Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR if I like the gravel roads. Cheers and safe travels!

[Darty65]

Why would you take an XR off road? Think you’re missing the point…

[AGFergy]

Originally Posted by Darty65

Why would you take an XR off road? Think you’re missing the point…

I'm not sure if you are joking or what? The XR is an adventure sport bike? I specifically got it so that I could take it on gravel / dirt roads. If you type "s1000xr off road video" into Google you will find many many videos assessing it for off road riding. What do you think the point is? The HP4 is the on road / track bike. For dirt biking I'd ride my KTM 350 EXCF or my Yamaha WR250R.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by AGFergy

I'm not sure if you are joking or what? The XR is an adventure sport bike? I specifically got it so that I could take it on gravel / dirt roads. If you type "s1000xr off road video" into Google you will find many many videos assessing it for off road riding. What do you think the point is? The HP4 is the on road / track bike. For dirt biking I'd ride my KTM 350 EXCF or my Yamaha WR250R.

I'm sorry mate but the XR is most definitely NOT an offroad capable bike at all.

It's a comfortable sports bike, that's it. It's only got 150mm travel in the front 140, in the rear, in standard trim, lowered that 130/120 which is the same as a supersport, it's stiff as balls, has 17" wheels front and rear, 190/55 rear tyres, the tyres you mentioned aren't even available for this size (surprised rally STRs even go up to 180), and whilst it has a higher ground clearance than the RR in stock trim, in lowered form it's about the same, it's nowhere near something like a GS or KTM 1290 SA, not to mention no skidplate whatsoever. Sure you can go off on a smooth gravel road but you'll be shitting bricks because of the abrupt power delivery from the 165bhp inline 4, even in rain mode, and the super aggressive brakes.

Just because there are some mad people that took it off road doesn't make it an offroader. Whilst BMW calls it an "Adventure sport" bike there is not a single piece of marketing ever suggesting to take this bike off road.

The point of this bike is for people that outgrew the supersport fad but still want to go fast on twisties. It is an extremely capable sportbike and is comfortable whilst doing so, that's all.

What you're looking for is a GS or a KTM 1290SA based on your comment, with all this said though, use the XR for what it's actually for and you'll have tremendous amount of fun.

[AGFergy]

Maybe we are having a communication problem.  I'm talking smooth gravel roads.  Fire roads.  Rear wheel drive cars drive on them all the time.  Not single track or even unfinished.  Shoot. I've taken my HP4 on some gravel roads and never dumped it.  But OK.  You've made your point. The lack of skid plate options for 2021 is telling.   

[Mareng1]

Welcome!

I'm sure you will make the bike do what you want it to do.  As you say - plenty of vids showing XRs on fire tracks.

 

[Becksy]

Welcome to the forum AGFergy, I did not realise there was a live US forum. I know there used to be one but thought it closed.
I guess you’ll have absolutely loads of fire roads, not really the kind of road we have here!