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S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2020 BMW S 1000 XR ($17,645 Base) ENGINE: ...........Inline 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 16-valves, DOHC FUELING: ................................................ EFI DISPLACEMENT: ............................... 999cc BORE X STROKE: ................... 80 x 49.7mm POWER (CLAIMED): ..... 165 hp @ 11,000 rpm TORQUE (CLAIMED): ....84 lb-ft @ 9250 rpm TRANSMISSION: ..............................6-speed CLUTCH: ..............................Wet multi-disc CHASSIS: ................ Aluminum composite bridge frame FRONT SUSPENSION: .........45mm inverted fork, electronic self-adjusting rebound/ compression damping (Dynamic ESA) REAR SUSPENSION: ................ Monoshock, double-sided aluminum swingarm, central spring strut, electronic preload adjuster, electronic self-adjusting re- bound/compression damping (Dynamic ESA) FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: ......................5.9 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: ........................5.9 in. FRONT BRAKE: ........... Dual 320mm discs, 4-piston fixed caliper, ABS Pro REAR BRAKE: ............ Single 265mm disc, 2-piston caliper FRONT TIRE: .......................... 120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: ............................ 190/55 ZR17 SEAT HEIGHT: .....................................33 in. WHEELBASE: ................................... 59.9 in. STEERING HEAD ANGLE: ......................65.1° FUEL CAPACITY: ...............................5.2 gal. WEIGHT (WET, MEASURED): ..........521.6 lbs 2020 BMW S 1000 XR R I D E R E V I E W P70 or as stiff as you like—Road mode for sure gives the most pleasant ride but Dynamic will offer more composure when you really start wailing, which seems like a god-given right on something like the XR. If you're not really going for it, however, Dynamic is pretty stiff and high- speed compression can be a bit on the harsh side from both the fork and shock. The S 1000 XR motor is noth- ing short of magnetic in how it just wills you into going faster. One complaint is the initial throttle opening feels too soft, and the motor doesn't really get going below 3000 rpm. From fully closed, you have to twist the grip quite a long way before a very soft delivery of power can be felt, but eventually, it's some- thing you get used to. As I said at the start of this test, pinning a four-cylinder BMW is pure sex, especially when it's mated to such a great induction roar. Throwing gears via our optioned-up quickshifter is about as good as it gets when on the power—once the motor is signing at 5000 rpm or more, hold on. Amazingly, this thing is considered a sport-touring bike, especially when it'll vapor- ize most bikes of any class up to 1000cc. Despite having a conventional front master-cylinder, the braking power is absolutely superb. You barely need to squeeze the lever at all for huge stopping power, and the feel at the lever, plus the behavior of the Dynamic ESA system, allows you to trail brake right through the corner. And when you get off the brakes and on the gas, the electronics limits rear compression and increases the rebound to keep the front planted for acceleration. Very cool. After a few weeks with the 2020 Honda Africa Twin, which has almost as much electron- ics as the BMW, it's interesting to note the execution of both models. The Honda doesn't do a great job of making the elec- tronics user friendly, partly down to the fact (in my opinion), they haven't been at the game as long as BMW. BMW practically invented rider aids/electronics for motorcycles, and it shows in an interface that's much more user friendly, yet just as, if not more, complex. The BMW S 1000 XR is in- deed a worthy successor to the original 2015-'19 XR. Although I'm really not a fan of the seat position, it's still a bike I could ride all day in touring mode, but that would be doing the bike a disservice. The XR is a sport bike in a tuxedo. Stylish in appearance, the XR will slap most bikes around in the canyons and get there in more comfort. Only when you get to the track will it start to be outclassed, and even then, with a good rider on board, will embarrass many 600cc and 1000cc sport bike riders. That's part of the appeal of such a bike. This really is a do-it- all sport bike. CN