S1000XR curious

[Demon Blue]

I'm looking for a bike that's good for both spirited riding in the mountains and for comfortable, long-range travel, and the S1000XR seems to be on everyone's short list.  I'm interested in a 2024 version at the moment and have a test ride on a used bike on the horizon, though not soon enough for my liking.

As owners, I'd like ask what you consider the best and worst features of the current generation.  If you were to get another one, what would you do differently?  Is there another brand/model you'd get instead?

Are there any accessories that are must haves or must be avoided?  For example, I note the Navigator 6 is several hundred USD higher than the Zumo 2 yet the reviews I saw were not stellar. 

Thanks in advance.

[garyculb]

Demon Blue,

Welcome to the UK S1000XR Forum.

 It seems you need to do some DISCOVERY (you have just 1 post...). This can be accomplished with SEARCH section of these Forums:

https://www.s1000xr.uk/index.php?action=search
https://www.s1000rrforum.com/forums/bmw-s1000xr-general-discussion.209/

Try to make this simple for yourself:
S1000XR-   YES    or   NO
Gen 1  or   Gen 2   XR
What Color?
Height- Reg or Low

A test ride is essential. If you come away with a smile/grin on your face then, that is most likely a very good sign.

Here is a place to start:
https://www.s1000rrforum.com/threads/my-2021-xr-sport-designed-for-sport-touring.247056/page-4#post-2442481

These XR's start at a higher rpm's & run well above 5K. Taking the XR from the road to the track is allot of fun for me.

For the Mountain Twisty's in the BMW line the 1250 GSA & GS have a bit better suspension & an overall better maneuverability. Those bikes run at a much lower rpm range. They are not very good on the track. Off Road- Absolutely.

Best,

Doc

[Demon Blue]

Thanks for the reply, Doc.  Although I'm new to this board, I have been researching this for some time, and now seek individual opinions more than facts.  Presumably S1000XR owners are much like myself, willing to talk about personal bike choices at lengths normally reserved for astronomical discussions. 

The high revs are a concern which I've noted is consistently & quietly glossed over.  The test ride should reveal the truth of that.  I don't think a boxer engine is what I'm looking for. 

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Demon Blue

Thanks for the reply, Doc.  Although I'm new to this board, I have been researching this for some time, and now seek individual opinions more than facts.  Presumably S1000XR owners are much like myself, willing to talk about personal bike choices at lengths normally reserved for astronomical discussions. 

The high revs are a concern which I've noted is consistently & quietly glossed over.  The test ride should reveal the truth of that.  I don't think a boxer engine is what I'm looking for.

Gen 1 or 2 there is some vibes but it's nowhere near as bad as people like to make it out and heavy bar ends all but make it disappear. Bikes that still have some vibes have a couple remedies that haven't been done being: Re-torque engine mounts, handlebars, and check if the bar rubbers have been replaced/updated if pre 2017 model.

Imo Gen 1s 2015-2019 are the more "fun" and comfortable model. Much more raw and you lose out on very very little tech. The TC, ABS, QS other rider aids work flawlessly and just as good as the Gen 2, not sure about the just released Gen 2.5 but can hardly assume the rider aids get much better than the already near perfect.

Only thing Gen 1 is missing in relation to the Gen 2 is the TFT which is nice and offers connectivity, Hill hold control, debatable in usefulness and the Gen 2 has automatic preload, this one I think is a double edged sword, because BMW determine the right preload for you, so if you want it harder or softer you're stuck with the "min" or "max" setting, no graduation. On the Gen 1 there is only 3 preload options, rider, rider+ luggage and rider + pillion + luggage. I always rode my Gen 1 on Rider + luggage which made it just that little bit higher in the rear.

Gen 1 dynamic suspension works really well for the active features but is otherwise a bit harsh, aka anti squat and anti dive works a treat but difference in bumps between the 2 suspension settings is minimal, mostly felt under braking and acceleration, on the Gen 2 the range of "operation" is wider so there is more variation between the modes but the Gen 2 is an overall softer bike, even in the hardest setting the Gen 2 is softer than the Gen 1 in the softest, that's not to say I ever had issues about my Gen 1 being too harsh, but the gen 2 was definitively a bit too soft for me at about 105kg (230lbs) in gear + backpack.

Both gens seem very reliable, with the odd issue popping up as with any bike, but BMW customer service (usually) is 2nd to none so doubt you'll have much headaches if you buy brand new or an approved used bike. My Gen 1 did 45k miles and nothing needed replacing apart from wear items, with the exception of the exhaust servo actuator, that i had disconnected due to running a full system.

Re High revs: Yes the bike is geared fairly short, on the Gen 1, bit better on the Gen 2, but I never found cruising at 80mph a bother even with a full system on stock gearing. A common mod is go from 45T to 42T on the rear for those that spend more time on the motorway, I did plenty of either and never had an issue with 45T, 80mph is right about 5900 rpm, peak vibes are about 5500rpm so you're just above it or at 70mph just below.

Power comes on hard at 6k revs, then you get another dump at 9k revs and it takes of like a screaming banshee, but it's got plenty of poke from down low too.

All depends on pricing but I wouldn't buy a Gen 2 over a Gen 1 unless you really value the additional connectivity and tech, or you find the Gen 1 too stiff and rowdy. I'm interested in what the new 2024 MY has to offer with the another 5bhp bump, if that can be felt and if there is any other changes to the dynamics of the bike but it looks 90% the same as the Gen 2 save for some minor body work changes. And then there is of course the M1000XR if you're so inclined and got the cash...

[Matt589]

I owned both and after living with my gen 1 for a few months I got rid of it. The suspension is rock hard, with nothing even approaching a comfort or touring mode, the clutch is very heavy and needs both hands to pull in, the power curve is too abrupt from low revs to the point that the gearing is just too revvy right up the range, but the biggest issue was the awful vibes. My gen 1 had both heavy bar ends and the rubber mounts as well as re-torqued everything and after 2 hours’ riding I couldn’t feel my little fingers. It wasn’t just the bars either - the seat and the pegs were just as bad. Some seem not to be bothered by it but many owners never solved it and got rid.

IMHO the gen 2 is much the better and more rounded bike - when you want to slow down and take things easy it’s docile and easy to ride, when you want to give it the beans it’s ballistic. Plus you don’t have to live with that weird squint from the headlights! Then there’s the benefits - LED lights all round, the TFT, tyre pressure control, more up to date ESA, ABS and traction control, better panniers with integrated mounts and plenty more.

[bobdave]

Having had both gen 1 and gen 2 I would say gen 1 is a bit more of a hooligan bike whereas gen 2 is more refined but just as capable. Both need the seat changing if you plan on bigger milage (an hour on the standard seat and you need 20 minutes stop to get rid of the aches in the posterior). Both are good bikes and fun to ride.

[Demon Blue]

Originally Posted by bobdave

. Both need the seat changing if you plan on bigger milage (an hour on the standard seat and you need 20 minutes stop to get rid of the aches in the posterior).

This is why I'm interested in the 2024 as I have had similar issues with previous bikes and can't imagine a two-week trip under circumstances like these.  The used bike test ride is just to evaluate the performance. 

[Mareng1]

Seat comfort is entirely subjective and even if it is problematic for an individual - appears to be easily remedied by either a different seat or getting it remodelled.

I find the Mk1 BMW low seat comfortable and the HP seat (std height) even more so.  That includes 500 mile days.

Plenty riders are doing fine on them, and I certainly wouldn't discount one particular model on that.   

If half the folk on internet are to be believed - the bar ends of the Mk1 bike behave like a pair of rampant rabbit vibrators with a 3-phase supply !

[Demon Blue]

My thinking is that if the issue is widespread enough that BMW specifically addresses it in their product launch, then it's both an issue I'm very likely to encounter - costing time and frustration down the road - and one into which BMW has sunk considerable R&D, hopefully rectifying it.  Also the 2024 will have the full term of the warranty available, a virtual necessity in my experience with their cars.   

[capt cf]

I find them different enough that I just kept my gen 1 too.  Some random notes I made a while back for a buddy that asked about the deltas between the two:

Gen 1 - feels more hooligany; makes cooler noises; DESA much stiffer on road mode (e.g. much smaller delta between road and dynamic than the gen 2); lights not as good as gen 2 (I added Clearwaters); love the analog tach; BMW RSD (service manual) available on DVD for DIY servicing (or used to be anyway; prob still available on ebay, etc.)

Gen 2 - feels more "refined"/less hooligany; feels "bigger" from the rider's perspective in the tank/front end area; doesn't make cool noises; narrower bars are nice; clutch pull much easier and also stock lever is adjustable; DESA much more plush in road setting and much nicer on rougher roads; TFT with phone and cardo/sena integration; better lighting/LED/active headlights/stock LED aux lights; Dynamic Pro is customizable (e.g. can independently choose settings for engine braking, throttle response, wheelie control, DTC, etc. and save them to the Dynamic Pro setting); keyless ride; storage compartment; somewhat less vibey although the vibes on gen 1 never bothered me; quick shifter is smoother than gen 1; TPMS stock; nav prep is locking vs. non-locking on my gen 1; tail section is smaller/cleaner with brake lights/turn signals integrated; mine came with Lion battery which is lighter than stock gen 1 batt; water/oil pump still a leaking problem but now is buried in the sump so a lot more expensive/complicated to repair than gen 1; no BMW RSD (service manual) available as of this writing so DIY servicing is a much bigger pain and requires extensive forum/youtube research and/or guesswork; update - can source black market manuals on eBay