2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Finalist: BMW S 1000 XR

The BMW S 1000 XR is no stranger to the bikesales Bike of the Year Awards – this is the fourth time in five years it has won the Adventure Sport category.

Since its introduction in 2015, the BMW S 1000 XR has wooed punters with its perfect blend of sportsbike performance and adventure comfort. Throw in cutting-edge technology and sophistication, and you have a machine with ‘Bike of the Year’ written all over it. And yet, it has never taken out the top prize.

In 2019, the BMW S 1000 XR was dethroned from the Adventure Sport category for the first time, with the keenly priced Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE stealing its thunder. This clearly didn’t impress the boffins in Munich, because soon after the S 1000 XR received its first major update in a bid to reclaim the bikesales Bike of the Year Adventure Sport gong.

Okay, so maybe that wasn’t BMW's prime motivation, but the update did put the smooth-talking Beemer back into the frame for the 2020 awards selection process. It’s not vastly different to its predecessor, but it is more refined, and that was enough for us to give it the nod.

Related:
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: BMW R 1250 RS
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: BMW S 1000 XR
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Ducati Panigale V2
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Indian Challenger Limited
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: KTM 1290 Super Duke R
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Triumph Rocket 3 R
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Yamaha Tenere 700
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: The crew
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 CDi
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: How the awards process works
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: The full story
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year: In summary
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year winner: KTM 1290 Super Duke R

The biggest change was in the engine, which was completely overhauled with inspiration from the mind-bending S 1000 RR superbike. While output remains the same, the new donk does lower noise levels and fuel consumption, while BMW says it offers better reliability and a broader spread of power.

Interestingly, the engine proved to be divisive on the 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year test. Most first impressions were subdued, with some testers feeling underwhelmed by the bike's output. But as the week went on, and the crew became more familiar with the bike, the judges warmed to it.

The reality is that the S 1000 XR likes to be ridden high in the rev range. At slower speeds it's more of a handful, but once you get up and moving, the bike's real potential comes to the fore. And when you keep the revs high, you’ll be rewarded with superb performance. When we say this bike blends adventure comfort and sports performance, we mean it. This is one very sporty machine with a superbike-like persona, yet it's well-equipped for multi-day touring too.

If the Bike of the Year Awards were based solely on handling, the BMW S 1000 XR is right up there with the best of 'em. It's really very agile for its size and weight, and sometimes it feels like you're playing a video game as you flick from side to side through the twisties. The chassis is just so refined; the bike feels like it weighs 100kg, not the claimed 226kg.

Complementing the handling is a very solid suspension package which keeps the bike nice and balanced through the turns, and incredibly stable at high speeds. The optional Dynamic ESA Pro allows for suspension adjustment the fly, with a Sport setting providing a firmer and sportier ride than the softer Road setting.

The bike’s riding position is upright, but the ergonomics accommodate sporty riding too, its large handlebar affording a heap of leverage to tip it into the bends. And that lounge-like seat is like sitting on a cloud. Seriously, you could ride this bike all day, day after day, without breaking a sweat.

There's plenty to like in the tech department, with a beautifully designed TFT screen, ABS Pro, Riding Modes Pro, traction control, Dynamic Brake Control, hill-hold control, LED lighting, and an adjustable windscreen all standard on the S 1000 XR.

Safety is a priority, and despite the incredible performance you never feel like the S 1000 XR will get away from you. Additionally, things like engine braking, torque control, traction control and throttle response can all be customised individually.

Our test unit was fitted with the Carbon Sport package. BMW Motorrad Australia says the package is no longer available, but all the options can be acquired individually. And there is a long list to choose from. Dynamic ESA Pro, keyless ignition, heated grips, a quick shifter, adaptive headlights and much, much more can all be added to the S 1000 XR, taking its sophistication up another notch.

The base price for the S 1000 XR is $27,975 ride away, but this will blow out once you begin laying on the extras (with the Carbon Sport package, our test bike retails for $35,600 ride away).

Whether or not the price of those extras is justified comes down to the individual, but we think the base price and package still offers decent value. That engine and the bike's handling are worth the price of admission alone.

As for fuel economy, the BMW S 1000 XR achieved an average of 6.0L/100km on Bike of the Year, which put it mid-pack with the others on test. Not bad going for the performance on offer.

If there's one thing holding the BMW S 1000 XR back from winning the overall bikesales Bike of the Year title, it is perhaps that it's a little too perfect. Everything feels so refined and well-built that at times the bike almost feels like it could ride itself.

Some will love that sophistication, while others may want a little more character, and perhaps a touch more fun factor. It’s practical, capable and exhilarating, but it gets the job done without too much fanfare. But hey, if I was BMW, I’d take that as a compliment.

Having said that, the updated model is certainly an improvement over the predecessor, and this bike totally nails its design brief. It may have missed out on the Adventure Sport win in 2019 but in 2020 the BMW S 1000 XR is back, and it will take something special to beat it in 2021.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, inline 4-cylinder
Capacity: 999cc
Bore x stroke: 80mm x 49.7mm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 165hp (121kW) at 11000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 114Nm at 9250rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed constant-mesh (Gear Shift Assist Pro optional)
Clutch: Wet multi-plate (anti-hopping)
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Aluminium composite bridge frame, self-supporting engine
Front suspension: USD telescopic fork, 45mm, Dynamic ESA, 150mm travel
Rear suspension: Aluminium double-sided swingarm, central spring strut, Dynamic ESA, 150mm travel
Front brakes: Twin 320mm discs, four-piston radial brake calipers (BMW Motorrad ABS Pro as standard)
Rear brake: 265mm disc, single-piston floating caliper (BMW Motorrad ABS Pro as standard)
Wheels: Cast aluminium; 3.5in x 17in front, 6.0in x 17in rear
Tyres: Bridgestone Battleax; 120/70ZR17 front, 180/55ZR17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 226kg
Seat height: 840mm
Wheelbase: 1522mm
Rake: 25.5 degrees
Fuel capacity: 20 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: From $27,975 ride away ($35,600 ride away, as tested)
Colours: Ice Grey and Racing Red/White Aluminium
Warranty: Three years
Bike supplied by: