The BMW S 1000 XR M Sport comes with the Dynamic, M, Touring and M Billet Packages. Throw on some optional hard luggage and you've got a touring weapon... Photos: Graham Bain/Pommie
It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to ride these incredible bikes and it’s not something I take for granted, being asked to test this BMW S 1000 XR M Sport alongside the BMW M 1000 XR Competition is not something that happens often… Let’s look at the S 1000 XR M Sport.
“With a bike like this you get pretty much everything you could ever need when it comes to features”…
The first thing I always do when testing a bike is to see how the bike feels when pushing it around and there’s no denying that the XR is a big boy, I think it’s because the bike is tall and wide across the tank area it feels heavier than it actually is. Plus, it has the optional $3,150 panniers and top box fitted. But at 227kg without the panniers it’s not that heavy and underway it certainly doesn’t feel it, in fact it feels agile, which is a nice surprise.
Read Pommie’s 2024 BMW M 1000 XR Competition review here…
The riding position is really comfortable but there is no getting around the fact this is an enormous motorcycle.
However, when sitting on the bike it’s a bit of a struggle to get my feet firmly planted, the seat is 850mm, but it is fairly wide so it makes it even harder to get them down. There is a low option at 820mm and even a taller one at 870mm so the smaller one might be the go for shorter riders and it’s free when ordering your bike.
The optional $3,150 panniers and top box are quick to remove and re-fit and are stylishly colour coded to the bike.
With a bike like this you get pretty much everything you could ever need when it comes to features. At $28,670 ride away for the standard model and $37,677 for this M Sports model you’d want a lot included for your money. Some of the feature for the M Sport include adaptive suspension, multiple rider modes that not only adjust the power delivery, but also adjust the suspension and can be tailored individually too.
S 1000 XR M Sport Additions
– M Package: M Endurance Chain, M GPS Lap Trigger, Sport Silencer, M Sport Seat, M Lightweight Battery, Windshield Sport, M Forged Wheels
– Touring Package: Navigation Preparation, Heated Grips, Tyre Pressure Control, Hand Protection, Main Stand, Luggage Grid
– Dynamic Package: Dynamic ESA, Gear Shift Assistant Pro, Cruise Control
– M Billet Package: M Brake Lever Folding, M Clutch Lever Folding, M Rider Footrest System, M Passenger Footrest
Most of these functions are adjusted with BMW’s control wheel on the left switchgear and is pretty easy to navigate around, even a novice to the BMW brand would have no problems after a few rides. The dash itself is one of the best I’ve seen, it’s large at 6.5in TFT, super clear and uncluttered, but can also be changed by a press of a button for two more screen options if you don’t like the standard one.
2024 BMW S 1000 XR M Sport
The looks of the bike have been sharpened over the previous model and the power has increased slightly by 5hp, you now get 170hp, which is quite frankly more than enough for the road, especially after stepping off the insanely powered M Competition model that had just over 200hp. Looks are always subjective, but I personally like this style of bike.
The most common question most people ask is why doesn’t it have dirt bike tyres? I always say that people who buy bikes like this generally don’t go off road, they buy the bike for comfort and practicality, so BMW put the 17in wheels on to make it a better road bike and better it certainly is.
2024 BMW S 1000 XR M Sport
My first ride on the S 1000 XR M Sport is an early one, in fact it’s pitch black, but the lights are fantastic, I just wish that the switchgear was illuminated like some other manufactures to make life easier finding the numerous button functions. I press the start button and I’m greeted by the familiar sound of the M Competition that I’ve just tested that shares the same Akrapovic exhaust, which has also been muted by those nasty Euro compliant people.
It’s a slightly different story once on the move and in Dynamic Pro mode the sound comes to life more and even has a few burbles and barks on the down shifts, this really gives the bike some character.
The rear tyre on the S XR is a 190/55 – 17in Bridgestone S22. The luggage looks huge… But no wider than the ‘bars.
With the panniers on any lane-splitting is a cautious affair, it’s not something I’m used to because I never do touring, but I keep them on for today’s ride. In saying that, they don’t protrude past the handlebars so if the ‘bars can go through the gap, then so can the panniers.
The M Sport really is the best of both worlds, you can commute to work, where it’s great in traffic and well balanced if you’re comfortable on tall bikes and has an adjustable screen to keep a bit of weather and wind off.
“I can just select Dynamic Pro mode and even with the panniers fitted, the bike turns into a sharp handling corner carver”…
You could tour all day on this bike, it’s super comfy and with the electronically adjustable suspension, it just soaks up the bumps if you are in the right mode and the cruise control works perfectly for those long freeway sections. You do get a bit of vibration at higher revs, but it’s never annoying and the mirrors don’t suffer too much.
2024 BMW S 1000 XR M Sport looking fantastic with the panniers and top box removed.
However, the best part for me is at the press of a button; I can just select Dynamic Pro mode and even with the panniers fitted, the bike turns into a sharp handling corner carver. It really shouldn’t be this good at going around a tight mountain road, but it simply is. Leaning from side to side is a breeze, no doubt helped by the leverage from the wide ‘bars. It doesn’t steer as quickly as the M model which has light carbon-fibre wheels, but it’s pretty good.
“It really shouldn’t be this good at going around a tight mountain road, but it simply is”…
Even when hitting bumps and potholes mid corner, the S 1000 XR M Sport takes a bit to get unsettled and handles it very well. Unlike the more taught suspension of the M model you do need to be in the Dynamic mode to use the bike aggressively on twisty roads, because the more touring style modes are a bit soft, perfect for rough long straight stretches, but not for cornering.
“Even when hitting bumps and potholes mid corner, the S 1000 XR M Sport takes a bit to get unsettled”…
The gearbox and quick-shifter work flawlessly as we’ve come to expect from BMW and clutch-less up and downshifts are a joy, especially with the pops and burbles from the exhaust in Dynamic Pro mode and this only enhances the riding experience when giving it the berries.
Talking of berries this bike has plenty, 170 of them to be precise, yes you are down 31hp on the M model, but for me it’s more usable and to be honest less intimidating, but still super fast and a whole lot of fun in the twisties. You still have plenty of mid-range and it really starts pulling around 4500rpm and just keeps going to 11000rpm. I even took off the panniers and top box for one of my rides (takes literally 30 seconds) and this improved the handling even more and made the bike a lot easier to get on and off.
“You still have plenty of mid-range and it really starts pulling around 4500rpm and just keeps going to 11000rpm”…
The fuelling is spot-on too and if you use Rain mode you can dampen down the throttle response or simply select another mode to sharpen the response up again and fuel economy is pretty good too, [BMW claim a thirsty 6.2L/100km – Ed] I was getting over 300km out of the 20L tank and that’s with having a bit of fun along the way.
“I really enjoyed testing the BMW S 1000 XR M Sport, the bike is a whole lot of fun to ride”…
The brakes are also up to the task of bringing the 227kg BMW to a stop, they are not quite on the level of the M Competition model, but they are not far off and they still have plenty of progressive power and good modulation and feel.
2024 BMW S 1000 XR M Sport – Tony ‘Pommie’ Wilding is loving these upright bikes in his old age!
Conclusion
I really enjoyed testing the BMW S 1000 XR M Sport, the bike is a whole lot of fun to ride. It is super practical and if you’re in the market for a bit of touring, but fancy a bike that can still carve up a mountain road better than most sportsbikes and you have deep enough pockets to buy one, then I’d be wondering along to your local BMW dealership and organise a decent test ride…
Click on the link in this test to read Pommie’s review of the amazing M 1000 XR Competition.
2024 BMW S 1000 XR M Sport Specifications
Price: From $35,290 + ORC (Nov 2024) ($40,827 R/A as tested)
Warranty: Three-years
Colours: Light White M Sport
Claimed power: [125kW]170hp@11,000rpm
Claimed torque: 114Nm[84ft-lbs]@9250rpm
Wet weight: 227kg
Fuel capacity: 20 litres
Fuel consumption (claimed): 6.2L/100km
Engine: Water-cooled in-line four-cylinder four-stroke, four valves per cylinder, DOHC, 999cc, 80 x 49.7mm bore x stroke, 12.5:1 compression
Gearbox: Constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox, quick-shifter Clutch: Self-reinforcing multi-plate anti-hopping wet clutch Final drive: 525 Chain 17/45, Top Speed: Over 250km/h, Max rpm: 12,000rpm.
Chassis: Aluminium composite bridge frame, self-supporting engine, alloy swingarm.
Rake: 64.8º Trail: 118mm
Front Suspension: Upside-down telescopic fork, slide tube diameter 45mm, Dynamic ESA, damping electronically adjustable. Rear Suspension: Dynamic ESA, damping electronically adjustable, 150mm travel both ends.
Brakes: Twin disc brake, floating, 320mm, radial four-piston fixed Brembo calipers, rear Single-disc brake, 265mm, two-piston floating caliper, BMW Integral ABS partially integrated.
Wheels & Tyres: Cast alloy, 120/70-17, 190/55-17, 3.50 x 17in, 6.00 x 17in. Bridgestone Battlax S22.
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 1541mm
Seat Height: 850mm STD (790mm available).
Length: 2156mm
Height: 1460mm (no mirrors)
Electronics & Dash: 6.5in TFT colour display, BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, DTC, Dynamic Brake Control, LED lights, Hill Start Control, Riding Modes Pro, Keyless Ride, Dynamic ESA Pro, Gear Shift Assist Pro, Heated Grips, Cruise Control, Adaptive Headlight, Daytime Riding Light, Headlight Pro, HP Battery.
Ratings | Bike Review | BMW S 1000 XR M Sport
Fast Touring!
The S 1000 XR M Sport is fast, functional and almost sensible… We take it on some fast touring trips and put it to the test. Here is our review…
2024 BMW S 1000 XR M Sport
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