Unveiled at EICMA: 2015 BMW S 1000 XR

Showcasing their litre-class all-rounder, BMW had the new S 1000 XR on display at EICMA. We knew that the German manufacturer would be bringing one to Milan and we had seen spy shots and renderings online. It still doesn’t take away from the impressive-looking sports tourer and its detuned S 1000 RR engine.

Even though it is fair to say that the S 1000 XR is the faired version of the S 1000 R (which it shares its powertrain with), the sports tourer gets a new frame, and a new swingarm with geometry to suit the new bike’s all-rounder intentions. There is also the option of getting the all-rounder with electronically adjustable suspensions.

Its in-line four-pot 999cc motor belts out 158bhp at 11,000rpm, and a maximum torque of 112Nm at 9250rpm, and has been tuned to dliver more than decent amounts of torque in the lower and mid-rev range. With a wet weight of 228kg, the bike isn’t particularly light-weight though seems on-par for its segment (the 2015 Ducati Multistrada weighs about 4kg more).

BMW Motorrad’s usual bevy of adgets and electronic aids finds its way on to the S 1000 XR including, ABS (cornering ABS is also an option) and multiple engine modes (two as standard, four as an option.) Plus there’s traction control, or optional Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) that also works when the bike’s banked over.

Optional extras aplenty with BMW offering ‘touring’ and ‘dynamic’ packages that add things like sat-nav and heated seats, handles, etc. (Touring) or all the higher-spec ABS, power mode and TC electronics (Dynamic). BMW’s clutchless gearshift — Shift Assist Pro — is also available.