BMW’s S 1000 RR Goes Touring With This S 1000 XR

BMW has taken the wraps off the new S 1000 XR, its sports tourer based on the S 1000 RR. The new XR comes with the Euro 5 updated 999cc inline-four motor but misses out on BMW’s ShiftCam technology. Much like the S 1000 RR, BMW has done away with the S 1000 XR’s asymmetric bulb-type headlight setup for symmetric LED units.

The new look might not be as distinctive as the older bike but it is a design that we reckon will grow on you over time. It still maintains the split headlight setup with a small beak protruding forwards. Overall, the design looks fairly familiar. But the Bavarians have worked a way to make this bike 10kg lighter than before. Also new on this XR is the full colour-TFT dash which acts as the control hub for all electronic systems of the motorcycle.

Housed inside the aluminium bridge frame is the 999cc inline-four engine that pumps out 165PS and 114Nm, which is exactly the same as the older model. However, the absence of ShiftCam is a big downer as the tech could have improved the bike’s all-round rideability. Thankfully, you get a ton of riding aids like traction control, wheelie control, engine drag torque control (which is basically Motor Slip Regulation), Shift Assist Pro (BMW lingo for quickshifter) and hill start assist. Most of these rider aids are aided by a six-axis IMU which adds lean sensitivity to the equation.

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The XR gets electronically adjustable suspension which actively takes care of road undulations. A 45mm USD fork and monoshock are provided by ZF. Given that it is a sports tourer and not an adventure motorcycle, the S 1000 XR gets 17-inch alloy rims at both ends which come shod with proper touring-spec rubber. Twin 320mm discs upfront with Hayes monobloc calipers are entrusted to bring the bike to a halt. The rear wheel gets a 220mm disc with single-piston caliper.

We can expect the new S 1000 XR to arrive on our shores around March 2020. We expect a marginal hike in price for the new S 1000 XR in India. Prices could be starting at 18.5 lakh (ex-showroom India) for the new Euro 5/BS6-compliant model.