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BMW S 1000 XR and BMW R 1200 GS in a comparison test

Crossover bike versus travel enduro

Crossover models attack the role of travel enduros as universal touring and country road bikes. With the BMW S 1000 XR, BMW is even attacking its own icon, the BMW R 1200 GS. Where does the new concept stand compared to the tried and tested multitool? MOTORRAD checked – in the all-round rating, on the journey, on the country road and off-road.

All-round comparison

I.Your goal is as simple as it is demanding: you simply want to be able to do everything. The way there differs considerably, however. 

BMW S 1000 XR and BMW R 1200 GS in a comparison test

Crossover bike versus travel enduro

S 1000 XR not used. At least not from BMW’s point of view. Because with the GS model line, the Bavarians have long had the jack-of-all-trades in the motorcycle industry in their own ranks, and have been the best-selling motorcycle in Germany for exactly ten years in a row this season. But leaving the flank completely unprotected with the gradually emerging crossover trend, that was not what Munich dared to do.

So the new all-rounder competes at a respectful distance from the valuable cash cow. The technical basis comes from the 160 HP strong S 1000 R naked bike, the modifications are based on the considerably broader purpose. In figures: 0.8 degrees flat vertical steering head, 18.5 mm longer caster, 65 mm longer swing arm, 109 mm longer wheelbase, 35 mm lower footrests, 20 or 30 mm longer spring travel, 80 mm higher handlebar, 2.5 liters larger tank, fairing and reinforced and longer rear frame. And above all: a 17-inch front wheel instead of the 19-inch BMW R 1200 GS owed for off-road suitability. Tea orientation is clear. Off-road excursions are no longer planned for the BMW S 1000 XR.

Which doesn’t hurt you in the 1000-point evaluation of MOTORRAD (see issue 14/2015 and table in the picture gallery). In this all-round rating, which has been used by MOTORRAD for years and covers almost all facets of a motorcycle, the BMW S 1000 XR raked up many points. Above all, the potent and lively four-cylinder owes the newcomer a meteoric rise. With just a single point difference to the top dog BMW R 1200 GS, you can start at eye level.

All-round rating:

1. BMW R 1200 GS

2. BMW S 1000 XR

Comparison trip

Bilski

The name says it all: travel enduros like the BMW R 1200 GS can travel. And crossover bikes like the BMW S 1000 XR?

The name says it all: travel enduros like the BMW R 1200 GS can travel. And crossover bikes like the BMW S 1000 XR? Should be able to. Preferably just as comfortably and quickly.

If you believe the BMW R 1200 GS with something at first glance, it is the desire for a long journey. Like a sofa, the seat cushions place the driver and passenger snuggly and comfortably and can even compete with luxury tourers in this regard. The disc, which can be easily adjusted by handwheel, lifts itself powerfully into the wind, the handlebars lie loosely in the hand, the knee angle is pleasantly open. Even before the boxer is bubbling away, the GS has already flattered the touring faction. Despite its dimensions. 251 kilograms – with unloaded suitcases and top cases it is 20 kilograms more – need to be kept in balance and safely supported from an airy 850 millimeter seat height. 

But when the BMW R 1200 GS rolls, pounds and high seats disappear from consciousness, and the unobtrusively pulsating flat twin complements the feel-good atmosphere. Even the acoustically still present transmission (see “Landstrasse”) plays a minor role in this pleasant environment. At the latest when your favorite suspension settings have been found using the ESA button.

XR only nine kilos lighter than the GS

How, please, should the BMW S 1000 XR still distinguish itself next to its travel-loving sister? With less weight? Barely. After all, during its metamorphosis from the 207-kilogram Naked Bike S 1000 R to the XR, it gained 35 kilos to now 242 kilos (without case), and weighs only nine kilos less than the BMW R 1200 GS. With more comfort? Despite ESA and semi-active suspension, in which the damping on the fork and shock absorber is permanently readjusted based on the driving conditions, the basic set-up remains tight. The feedback benefits from this, the comfort is okay, but does not reach the level of the GS.

After all: Despite the thin upholstery, the BMW S 1000 XR is also quite comfortable. Whether the proper wind protection behind the two-way adjustable windshield, the sufficiently voluminous luggage system, the 20-liter tank capacity, the XR cannot be dependent on the GS in any discipline – but still remains at a respectable distance. The windscreen of the BMW R 1200 GS is more generous, the ingenious Vario cases have no counterpart in the touring segment, and the GS is about one liter less per 100 kilometers (country road: 4.8 l, motorway: 6.1 l) than the XR.

BMW S 1000 XR pulls out of the travel business excellently

Only when the journey becomes a high-speed tour does the BMW S 1000 XR play its trump card. The experience when the four-cylinder on the track still pushes with power even at 150 km / h, the fire-red rocket – despite the recommended but not binding maximum speed of 150 km / h with suitcases – whipping easily over the 200 limit, that can BMW R 1200 GS does not offer. It may be impressive, but it is seldom relevant. Mainly because the muscular propellant in touring outfit has neglected his good manners. In the frequently used speed range around 6000 tours, the four-cylinder tingles extremely unpleasantly in footrests and handlebar ends.

Nevertheless: The BMW S 1000 XR pulls itself out of the travel affair and, despite its super sporty roots, offers astonishing touring suitability. Younger siblings in many families have to come to terms with the fact that the BMW R 1200 GS is superior to it in every aspect.

Travel rating:

1. BMW R 1200 GS

2. BMW S 1000 XR

Comparison of country roads

Bilski

The more specialized the concept, the greater the potential for cornering ecstasy. Not an easy job for a wide range of travel enduros or crossover bikes.

As a rule, the more specialized the concept, the greater the potential for cornering ecstasy. Not an easy job for a wide range of travel enduros or crossover bikes.

On the country road, there are no compromises, but hard facts. Weight, power, braking, handiness, steering precision. Bad cards for the GS? Are 251 kilograms too much and measured 126 hp too little to be able to withstand the 242 kilograms and, above all, the massive 170 hp of the BMW S 1000 XR? The BMW R 1200 GS does not want to be judged so quickly. As if she hadn’t already proven it in comparative tests and many brilliant appearances at the MOTORRAD Alpine Masters, the grande dame of the travel enduro segment surprises every time anew. However: It takes a few kilometers for the pilot to get used to the somewhat diffuse feedback from the Telelever front. But when the ice is broken, the GS blossoms. As if nudged by an invisible finger, it falls nimbly into the curves, pulling its path sparkling clean. Braking far into the hairpin bends? No problem. The pitch compensation of the Telelever keeps your nose high, also guarantees an overview of the game downhill. 

Especially since the motor, with the flywheel mass increased by 1127 grams for this model year, pushes finely dosed from 2000 rpm, and in the highway-relevant speed range (see driving performance) does not allow itself to be so much dependent on the powerful BMW S 1000 XR. Admittedly, the gearbox can still be heard from time to time when shifting gears, the shift assistant and blipper only play a harmonious role at higher speeds. Nevertheless: if you are looking for efficiency, you will find it. With the BMW R 1200 GS.

Brakes the XR a force

But how was that? Country road, hard facts, no compromises. With these buzzwords, the BMW S 1000 XR no longer seems to want to have anything to do with its broader conceptual orientation. The short-stroke four-cylinder hisses aggressively, teasing in the best power naked bike fashion. And delivers. He spontaneously hangs on the gas, encourages more and more. More revs, more power, more speed – and more noise. At the latest from 8000 tours, the engine blares embarrassingly loud from the tailpipe. The fact that up to this brand it also presses less power on the roller than the BMW R 1200 GS (see performance diagram) is astonishing at the rumbling appearance. In contrast to the motorway (see "Travel"), at least the vibrations around the 6000 mark are less annoying when the speed level changes on the country road. 

Maybe because the BMW S 1000 XR does its job so well otherwise. Schaltassi and Blipper work well even at low speeds, the brakes are great, feedback and steering precision are first class. However: The XR’s suspension is not as fluffy as the spring elements of the BMW R 1200 GS, even in the softest ESA configuration. The domesticated naked bike cannot hide its 242 kilograms either. Compared to the GS, the XR can be angled more slowly. Nevertheless: The reserves of the XR (see also handling course) are so huge, the precision so imposing, the fun potential so enormous that the fun bike derivative can push the sum of its capabilities in front of the clarified GS. In addition: if you are looking for a kick, you will find it. On the XR.

Country roads rating:

1. BMW S 1000 XR 

2. BMW R 1200 GS

Off-road comparison

Bilski

Telelever versus telescopic fork

GS – with the initials for terrain and road, the BMW R 1200 GS has its universality in its name. The driver of the BMW S 1000 XR picks the flowers near the paved roadside.

Away from the road, the XR driver quickly sees nothing but a cloud of dust from the BMW R 1200 GS. It’s not amazing. Because off-road qualities do not play an essential role in the crossover segment, which is visually adventurous, but technically, not least because of 17-inch wheels with road tires, is clearly asphalt-oriented. With moderate suspension travel of 150 or 140 millimeters (GS: 190/200 mm) and just under 16 centimeters of ground clearance (R 1200 GS: 23 cm), the limits of the BMW S 1000 XR off the road are hardly any further than those of an all-rounder or naked bike. It’s not just the stainless steel exhaust system, which is unprotected against falling rocks, that you don’t want to do worse than leisurely motorcycle hiking on unpaved alpine passes.

The fact that the BMW R 1200 GS plays in a league of its own off-road should have got around in the course of its 35-year model history. At first glance, it doesn’t seem obvious. Because with a full tank of 251 kilograms (without suitcase) the GS not only hauls nine kilograms more through the botany than the 242 kilograms heavy BMW S 1000 XR, but also inspires respect with its stately dimensions. But just like on the road, the boxer seems to leave its pounds behind on gravel roads after the first roll-up. Stabilized by the low center of gravity, the GS keeps track even on rough terrain and immediately gives you a feeling of security. And because the engine that runs smoothly in the low rev range also strengthens this basic trust, the GS driver enjoys the unexpected ease of being off-road on dry terrain.

At least, as long as the cocky enduro rider doesn’t stumble and the five hundred pounds of live weight of the GS suddenly report back. Nonetheless: With the Dakar look, the BMW R 1200 GS not only maintains its image, but actually expands its range of uses – especially with regard to a mountain and / or tour of southern Europe. In this respect, it lives up to its model name and hardly has to take a hold of a fellow travel enduro colleague. Not from the BMW S 1000 XR anyway.

Off-road rating:

1. BMW R 1200 GS

2. BMW S 1000 XR

Handling course

Bilski

Something’s going on: Above all, the more aggressive assistance systems and the higher performance make the BMW S 1000 XR legs.

Lean angle, traction control, ABS regulation – what are the limits of the BMW R 1200 GS and the BMW S 1000 XR? MOTORRAD pushed the two BMWs to the limit on the handling course.

Dynamic driving mode is selected on the BMW R 1200 GS, and Dynamic Pro-Mapping on the BMW S 1000 XR. The spring preload is maximized, the basic damping setting is on hard. No setup for the Sunday tour. Because: The duo should be challenged on the 820 meter long handling course. In order to feel the control behavior of traction control and ABS and to underpin and classify the test results obtained on the country road.

The BMW R 1200 GS begins. It is amazing how quickly the travel enduro, otherwise in a sovereign position, reaches its limits in the staccato of hard braking, acceleration and turning maneuvers. This shows that the GS assistance systems are geared more towards safety. Both when accelerating at point 1 and after the tight hairpin (point 2), the traction control lets the boxer scoff.

When braking hard at point 3, the inertial masses of the cardan shaft and crankshaft – in contrast to the usual deceleration measurement with the clutch pulled in ABS tests – cause the rear wheel to pound when downshifting despite the anti-hopping clutch. Brilliant: the slight turning behavior that can also be felt on the country road, which makes the BMW R 1200 GS turn 2 km / h in the bend (point 2), which is 14 percent faster than the BMW S 1000 XR.

Nevertheless, the BMW S 1000 XR shows what can be done in the curve twist. There are no puncturing wheels when decelerating, regulating swallowers when accelerating hard only when the throttle cable is pulled with gross motor. And instead of swaying through the spring travel like the BMW R 1200 GS, the tightly tuned XR pulls its course with pin-stable stability and clear feedback. The semi-active suspension also prevents the front from plunging in when you brake hard. All of them impressions that correspond to the experiences on the country road. Even the somewhat sluggish handling of the XR on winding streets can be verified by the lower speed in the hairpin (point 2).

Technical data and measured values

MOTORCYCLE

Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on the Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%

The four-cylinder BMW S 1000 XR cannot deny its short-stroke design, even on the test bench. The four-of-a-kind lags behind the boxer of the BMW R 1200 GS up to almost 8,000 turns. The XR pilot seldom exhausts the impressive power peak of 170 hp (nominal power 160 hp!). From 8000 rpm, the crossover bike covers the environment with an infernal carpet of sound.

Bottom line and conclusion

MOTORCYCLE

Overall result

The GS leaves the fight, which began with the all-round competition at eye level, with its head held high. On the journey, the BMW R 1200 GS is not the slightest weakness with its outstanding seating and suspension comfort, good wind protection or moderate consumption. The sporty BMW S 1000 XR wins on the country road, but with the rough running of the four-cylinder and somewhat stiff handling, the talented sportsman can only narrowly prevail against the agile and cultivated GS. Therefore: The GS would have achieved overall victory even without an off-road trip.

Price comparison for used BMW S1000XR and R1200GS

1000PS marketplace app

Used copies are fairly similar in price.

The iconic BMW R 1200 GS has a major advantage over the newer S 1000 XR on the used market: its high availability. The prices of used copies are pretty similar, most motorcycles are already equipped with accessories. Here is a current price comparison of used BMW touring motorcycles: used BMW R1200GS and S1000XR in Germany.

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