I LIVE TO RIDE. I am at my most comfortable when moving. Bicycles, skateboards, skiis, Motorcycles. Many motorcycles: BMW, Aprilia, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Honda. THIS is my last BMW, starting with a 1956 R69 ( I rebuilt one winter of 1970 and subsequently rode x-country twice ), several...
read more
I LIVE TO RIDE. I am at my most comfortable when moving. Bicycles, skateboards, skiis, Motorcycles. Many motorcycles: BMW, Aprilia, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Honda. THIS is my last BMW, starting with a 1956 R69 ( I rebuilt one winter of 1970 and subsequently rode x-country twice ), several boxers, 1973 R75/5, 1974 R90S, 1977 R100 RS (2), 1978 R100S, 2103-2015-2017 S1000RR (THE FINEST SPORTBIKE. PERIOD ), but the 2019 S1000XR ( K49 ) is the finest example of BMW ethos;
GET FROM HERE TO THERE ON THE BIKE THAT RATCHETS UP YOUR CONFIDENCE TO 11 IN RIDING ANY ROAD, ANY CONDITION, IN ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE. AND ARRIVE NOT WANTING TO GET OFF YOUR RIDE!
Boxer engines are the meditative equivalent of the inline 4 cylinder 999cc engine. The water-cooled 4 valve/cylinder two OHCam engine begs to scream, once freed from DOT bureaucratic ecu strangling, the engine provides all its torque at 2500 and will spin to 13,000 rpm! 165 HP = 165 MPH. Not that you need to, it's just so much fun! Want to cover miles? Drop it into 6th, 6000 rpm = ~80mph and 41 mpg. But this is so much more than an interstate traveler, canyon roads are its home, granted you won't attack them as if you're on an RR or a dedicated track machine, but with a 4 inch longer swingarm and >100lbs, you're friends on the RR's won't be waiting for you.
Multiple electrical connections, phone mounts ( forget that BMW map BS ) and top case / bag mounts and more.
Reliability, ease of Maintenance, Ability to modify and make it your own, set up to be easy to strip down or load it up for your sig other's pleasure and still be relatively light, make this MY choice to ride anytime, anywhere.
Why did I give it 4 stars for quality?
Remember I've been on BMW's since the 1970's. Back then you got sofa cushions for seats, metal fenders, a COMPLETE tool set, a hand painted and pinstriped bike. I have watched and ridden as the fenders became plastic, the tool kit shrank, the seats lost their cushion, and paint became decals, but BMW hasn't changed their pitiful yellow headlights ( but you CAN replace them with LED's if you're handy ). But the ENGINE, FRAME, SUSPENSION AND BRAKES WORK TOGETHER AS WELL, IF NOT BETTER THAN ANY OTHER BIKE IN THE WORLD!
Why did I give it 4 stars for COMFORT?
Today's BMW is built for a rider at least 6'2" with a 34-36" inseam and a 34-36" reach and a butt made of steel. If you're say, 5'6" with a 28" inseam and 30" reach, you're standing at lights on one toe, riding bent over trying to reach the bars while laying on the tank. That seat is a carryover from the track focused RR; great for 20 minute sessions but ride out for the day and come back from a 300 mile loop and your butt will be talking to you for quite some time. Easy enough to remedy, but BMW should offer it instead of having to do it on your own ( see QUALITY )
THE FINAL VERDICT IS WE ALL RIDE TO BE AND EXPRESS OURSELVES, THE S1000XR IS ONE OFTHE FINEST PALETTES TO DO THAT WITH. RIDE ON!
Show less
