From the moment BMW launched the XR, we thought it was an unlikely combination of styles that could make perfect sense. Now, in 2024, we’ve tested the M version and it makes even more sense!
This is a supersport bike that is ridden with its back straight. It’s even intimidating in person and its figures speak for themselves. 3.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. It is the lightest and most powerful crossover in the world with 220 kg and 201 hp of power. Its wings produce exactly the same downforce as the wings on the M1000R. And it’s a real M. Super precise, yet with plenty of torque.
DRIVING PLEASURE
This bike is somewhat misunderstood within the BMW Motorrad range, so many buyers of the famous GS should take an XR for a spin. It’s a bike that makes perfect sense. Many GS buyers around the world rarely go off-road, and I can assure you that this XR corners better than the already impressive GS. The focus of the development of this new version is weight distribution at the front, its character is strong and the riding pleasure is difficult to explain in a simple text.
This bike breathes quality, it breathes good taste and it is proudly an M, which within BMW is like a brand within the brand itself, a seal of quality and exclusivity. On the move, this translates into spectacular precision, touch and power on the brakes is close to perfection (without exaggeration). If all motorcycles were like this, we’d be in a perfect world. One of the objectives was to have the benefits of a construction for everyday use, but with some components that make you feel like you can ride on the track.
CONCEPT
The way this bike rides gives you a false sense of speed because the aerodynamic protection is extraordinary, combined with a lot of power. What took me the longest to get used to was the comfort/performance ratio. Normally you either have one aspect or the other. Here you’ve got both. It’s a different and strange concept, it’s true. But it works, and how… It’s very easy to reach the legal speed limit quickly. When I was going 120km/h I thought I was going 80km/h, and as you can imagine I’ve tested a lot of bikes over the last few years. In terms of direct rivals we find, for example, the Ducati Multistrada, which falls into this category of a bike that practically only has good things going for it, although the aerodynamic protection of this XR is superior.
This is a bike that gets noticed. It’s practically impossible to remain indifferent, because it’s a big, imposing bike that’s even intimidating. Then, after a short time, it proves to be very easy to ride and after a few more kilometers it becomes even easier to ride fast. There are no perfect bikes, but I can only say that I really wish the controls were backlit, or at least the 4-blink emergency button. But when that’s the only criticism, it’s a great sign!
If I could sum up this M 1000 XR, it would be this: a super-sporty bike for those who don’t want to come home from their trip completely exhausted.
