Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1227783
2020 BMW F 900 R & F 900 XR R I D E R E V I E W P48 windscreen than the rest, and, no matter which position it was in, high or low, produced heavy buffeting that seemed to whack me smack dab in the middle of my forehead. I heard no other complaints, so maybe it was just me and my certain height and posture that simply did not jive with the XR's windscreen. Maybe it also had something to do with the XR's fairing? Kinda doubt it, but the buffeting did a number on me on long stints. The TFT dash, which is found on both bikes, is very cool. The display is excellent and relatively easy to navigate and make adjustments via the nav wheel. I found myself using the Sport screen option quite a bit. Here, it entertains you because it monitors lean angle, braking force and traction-control activa- tion. It records max lean angle per ride (it gets erased every time you turn off the engine), which is quite fun. Even though the XR falls into the "Adventure" segment, I had no urges to take it anywhere near the dirt. It might have a bit more suspension than the R and better ergos for off-road riding, but it also has the same street tires and nothing else that gives me any desire to get dirty on it. The XR has more available options than the R, including cornering ABS and cornering lights. I missed heated grips and cruise control that are absent on both bikes but are offered as options. R or XR? For the money, the R appears to be the better buy here. The R is a steaming deal for just $8995. You get the BMW name and all the quality and performance you come to expect from this company, and a lot more, like LED lighting, a decent pack- age of electronics, and a ton of options to choose from. For $2700 more for the XR, you get about an inch more wheel travel, a larger fuel tank, more weight, slightly different (more neutral) ergos, and a taller windscreen and seat height. Maybe to you, that's all worth the price. Other- wise, these two middleweights that take dead aim at the popu- lar Japanese middleweights and newer riders, are extremely good motorcycles and just plain great fun to ride, and they get even better when you look at their price tags, especially the R's. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2020 BMW F900R / F900XR ($8995 / $11,695) ENGINE TYPE: ...... Liquid-cooled, inline, 2-cylinder, DOHC, 8-valve, 4-stroke DISPLACEMENT: ........................... 895cc BORE X STROKE: ................. 86 x 77mm HORSEPOWER (CLAIMED): ........99 hp @ 8500 rpm TORQUE (CLAIMED): ....67 lb-ft. @ 6500 rpm / 68 lb-ft. @ 6750 rpm COMPRESSION RATIO: ................... 13.1:1 ENGINE MANAGEMENT: .....................EFI TRANSMISSION: ............Constant mesh 6-speed CLUTCH: ..... Multi-disc, wet clutch (anti hopping), mechanically operated FINAL DRIVE: .................................. Chain FRAME: ............. Bridge-type, steel shell construction FRONT SUSPENSION: ... Inverted 43mm telescopic fork REAR SUSPENSION: ......Cast aluminum dual swingarm, central spring strut, spring preload hydraulically adjust- able, rebound damping adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: . 5.3 in. / 6.7 in. FRONT BRAKE: ........Dual floating discs, 320mm, 4-piston radial brake calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE: ....... Single disc, 265mm, single-piston floating caliper, ABS WHEELBASE: .................59.7 in. / 60 in. RAKE: ....................................29.5° / 30° TRAIL: .............................. 4.5 in. / 4.1 in. FRONT TIRE: .....................120/70 ZR 17 REAR TIRE: ....................... 180/55 ZR 17 SEAT HEIGHT: ...............32 in. / 32.5 in. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED): ... 465 lbs. / 482 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY: .........3.4 gal. / 4.1 gal.