JavaScript Disabled

To get the full RevZilla experience, enable JavaScript in your browser settings and refresh this page.

Limited Time Free Standard ShippingLearn More Price Match GuaranteeLearn More Customer Service From RidersLearn More Limited Time Free Standard ShippingLearn More

BMW S 1000 XR, F 900 R, and F 900 XR first look

Andy Greaser

Nov 07, 2019

47 Comments

A new S 1000 XR for 2020 was a given. What I didn’t expect was an increase to 895 cc for the two F bikes.

Now, F riders won’t fall so far behind their buddies on the thousands, at least according to BMW’s video.

S 1000 XR

With a new S 1000 RR on the market, a revised S 1000 XR was sure to follow. Here it is, BMW’s top “adventure sport” offering.

BMW’s S 1000 XR offers the power of a sport engine with touring sensibilities like longer-travel suspension, wind protection, a more upright riding position, and the ability to add some luggage.

What XR customers don’t want is a dull ride. And with 160 horsepower at 11,000 rpm, and max torque (83 foot-pounds) at 9,250 rpm, there’s no danger of that. This four wants to be revved.

BMW S 1000 XR — If anyone was wondering what kind of adventuring BMW had in mind, check out the rider's suit. These are blacktop adventures, and that's exactly what the XR was built to handle. BMW photo.

The chassis is an aluminum twin-spar that uses the engine as a stressed member. Sounds sporty to me. Fully adjustable ‘lectronic suspension’s along for the ride, and you can add additional settings as an option if you want to go motorcycling like a man of means. The bike also picked up an extra inch or so of travel and a little more ground clearance.

For all that adventure sporting, BMW’s packed the XR with almost enough tech to not need you at all. Standard bikes get two riding modes (Road and Rain) and Automatic Stability Control (ASC); an upgrade is available if you want additional riding modes (Dynamic and Dynamic Pro), plus Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro (helps braking while banked). An inertial measurement unit (IMU), plus the obligatory array of sensors, inform the brains behind these safety systems. ABS can be disengaged if you want to do that kind of stuff.

BMW calls the S 1000 XR a “multitalented motorcycle for sports, touring and adventure.” On pavement, I think this bike will deliver exactly that. No word yet on U.S. pricing.

F 900 R and F 900 XR

BMW’s F-series roadster and adventure-sporter get uprated engines, now spitting out 103 horsepower. “With the F 900 R, BMW Motorrad is launching a significantly enhanced successor to the F 800 R. The new dynamic roadster is precise, intuitive and dynamic, offering purist riding fun at all times," says Michael Zweck, BMW’s project leader for the two new 900 bikes.

BMW F 900 R — BMW positions the F 900 R as a sporty all-rounder. BMW photo.

The compression ratio’s been cranked up, pistons are now forged, and the firing order’s been altered to 90 degrees, which should change the engine’s character pretty noticeably. Counterbalancing measures hope to tame the vibrations that some riders found with the 800s. On top of all this, BMW delivers an anti-hop clutch as standard.

BMW F 900 — A revised engine delivers more ponies and fewer vibes. BMW photo.

Like the S 1000 XR, the 900s both get Road and Rain ride modes, plus all the extra ride modes and features you care to buy. (Or don’t care to buy, given how hard it can be to find a base BMW.)

BMW F 900 XR — The F 900 XR comes in a few colors. I'd get the Galvanic Gold metallic. BMW photo.

The redesigned frames are steel, the traditionally mounted tanks are plastic (4.1 gallons for the F 900 XR, 3.4 for the F 900 R), and a bolt-on steel subframe slims the appearance of the tail.