In collaboration with BMW Motorrad France
We organized a competition around the new BMW S1000 XR
Three readers of Moto Journal will come with us to the Motorrad Days at Garmish Partenkirshen
More than 3000 participants competitors have been registered
Our selection was very professional, very conscientious
Followed by a very selective phone call test
To succed, Julien, Daniel and Yann crossed all stages
Before riding the bikes, a short explanation is delivered by Julien
, a young guy who’s working for BMW and who will be with us all along our trip.
If you want to change the speed withtout moving the throttle, you can adjust the cruise control with this button
Then, it was time to leave
ok guys, here are the bikes. There are three XR and one GS. But you’ll loan me your bikes, won’t you ?
A last picture
and it’s time to begin a wonderful adventure for each of us
The S1000 XR is supposed to be a travelling bike
So, few hundreds kilometers on highway are not going to scary it.
The riding position is very natural
The protection is effective and the saddle confort is ok.
But, at constant speed, we feel some small vibrations in hands and feet
A good reason to leave this boring bitumen strip for some winding roads
Especially when the beautiful roads of Ballons d’Alsace and their landscapes appear in front of us
Kilometers come quietly one after the other, emptying fuell tanks and stomachs
A short lunch is going to sate our group and allow each member to introduce himself
And to switch bikes. Well, to try to switch bikes
Julien, for the test ride, i’ve to take the XR. Can you loan me your bike ?
Well, no !
But, why ?
I’m going to show you !
Ok, no problem. I’m going to ask to someone esle.
Yann, i asked to Julien, but he has a problem with his arm
So, i need to borrow your bike for my test ride.
Ha, it would be a pleasure but i’ve adjusted the saddle height for me. So, it’s not possible, sorry.
But, we can’t adjust the saddle height on this bike
i’ve the impression that our readers snag to their XR as a mold to its rock
No problem, i’m not the kind of man who easely gives up
Build from the S1000 RR, the XR borrows the same four cylinder in line
But the bavarian ingeneers have tamed the beast
The power went down to 160 horsepowers, the maxmimal RPM went down from 2000 rotations,
and the torque is a little bit better.
The engine is smooth at low RPM. So, it’s easy to ride gently in 5 or 6th gear.
And to park kindly in front of our hotel, in Baden Baden city, whithout playing with the clutch.
This a night for a well deserved rest. But not for everyone
Hey, what are you doing here ?
I was looking if you were sleeping well. Everything is ok ?
Yes, everything is ok. You can go back to your room.
What a jerk !
Today, we have a lot to do
We cross Mehliskopf pass, where the roads look like a track.
Then we go to Freudenstadt, Turbigen, Riedligen, Ochsenhausen…
Some difficult name to prononce, but lovely places to cross by bikes
Some roads that help us to know better the S1000 XR.
The very smooth throttle, the numerous electronic helps
and the fuel capacity
250 km before fuel light, it could better for a bike wich allowes you to travel.
But, the S1000 XR is not a tiresome bike to ride. And it allowes us to join Munich on a very good form.
We park the bikes under the famous « four cylinder tower »
and meet Frédéric Stik, BMW France CEO, for the first debriefing
Then, it’s time to visit the Welt.
A crazy architectural building from outside, and a huge showroom for BMW inside
Here, we can find everything : shops, bars, restaurants…
Taking advantage from our readers attractions for big german cars, nobody is perfect,
i decide to make my move
Hey look, this is the new X5’s hybrid engine
Take a look closer.
I said you that i’m not the kind of man who easely gives up
While Julien, Daniel and Yann will visit the BMW Museum
i’m going to ride hard the new BMW XR
To start, we enjoy german’s highway to wide open the throttle
When you ride fast, the S1000 XR remains immediately its sporting DNA
It accelerates, it screams… even if we regret the 100 HP french limitation
Okay, on small roads, no need 160 HP for fun.
Here you can appreciate the accurate and efficient chassis of the German Bike.
Automatic suspensions, wich can adjust their settings according to the road conditions and your riding rhythm.
The Pro-Shifter, that allows up and down the gears without closing the throttle.
And finally the Pro ABS
A system that offers the ability to brake strongly, even when you’re cornering
without destabilising the bike.
In approaching to Garmisch, beautiful Bavarian landscapes and the many convoys of BWM riders
make us to slow down a little bit.
And to look all this new BMW’s details
Ok, design is very similar to the Multistrada’s. But the XR has its own personality.
And an ultra complete equipment which includes two engine modes
an adjustable screen or a highly visible daytime light.
The last kilometers finish to describe the BMW
A bike able to travel but with a rather sporty DNA.
A motorcycle closer to a S1000 R with a fairing than a flexbile R1200 GS.
So, where were you ? It wasn’t too hot today ?
Let’s see what BMW Motorrad days look like !
The motorrad Days is the biggest annual gathering of aficionados of the Bavarian brand.
To begin, we started with a small walk among all the exhibitors.
Here, you can find everything
From parts and accessories distributors to the most delirious customised bikes.
As that old Boxer completely restored by Sumisura Moto
Or the Concept 101
A K1600 GT customised by Roland Sand Design who developped into a superb Californian bagger.
For those who prefer bikes wich can ride, no worries.
You can stay one hour watching Chris Pfeiffer.
Riding his F800 R, the official BMW stunter is amazing.
Otherwise, there are also gymkhanas in R1200 GS.
This is less fluid, but much more funny when someone falls.
The ones who love rock’n roll can go to the Classic Boxer Sprint
An evil race where old flat engines race on a one on one run
But the wall of death is the most impressive event !
Like in a big washing machine, these crazy dudes make some very dangerous moves.
The atmosphere becomes very hot. But also creates some side effects
Finally, there are the evenings
Because when night falls on the BMW Motorrad Days, it’s time for the Bavarian mega party !
Aurélien ? - Yes
I thought about it, and i’ve decided to give you my S1000 XR’s keys. Enjoy !
Thanks a lot
Aurélien, I’m going to go back home by train
Really ?
And, me too !
Hey dudes, how can i ride 3 bikes in the time now ?
So, conclusion ?
I really enjoyed the bike. It’s very easy to handle, easy to take corners.
Especially on smalls roads we rode
A versatile bike very fun to ride.
I’m really surprised because i’m not a BMW customer
I felt very safe on the bike. Especially because of the Pro ABS
It forgives you a lot of riding mistakes
If you come too fast in a cornerv or a curve, it helps you a lot. It’s very impressive.
This is not a motorcycle which I would spontaneously go to.
A very good experience. We made a lot of kilometers and the bike is confortable
The bike is very versatile. It’s a very good surprise.
On the BMW S1000 XR
We liked
The effectiveness on roads
The versatility
The good protection
And the electronic helps
We didn’t like
The small vibrations at constant speed
The non-adjustable clutch lever
And the tank autonomy