NEW METAL 2015... BMW S1000XR

From the company that invented the ADV bike with its original GS comes BMW’s new S1000XR, which was shown back in November at the EICMA show. Put simply, the new 2015 BMW S1000XR is an ADV-look sport-tourer powered by a detuned version of the S1000RR’s potent inline-four. According to BMW, the engine in the new S1000XR puts out 160 hp and 83 pound-feet of torque, which peaks at 9,250 rpm.

For optimum tractability and smooth, shudder-free throttle response from as low as 2,000 rpm, the BMW engine has vastly revised valve timing and reshaped intake ports. It remains a substantially oversquare engine, with an 80mm bore and the same 49.7mm stroke common to all S1000 models. Inlet and exhaust valves have come down in size by 2mm, and the engine breathes through 48mm throttle bodies. A high-compression ratio of 12:1 means that European premium gasoline, with a Research Octane Number of 95, is required.

The chassis of the S1000XR is a completely new design with peripheral aluminum spars, and the engine—which has multiple bolt-on points—serves as a major stiffening element for the bike. Thanks to 25.5 degrees of rake and 4.6 inches of trail, the S1000XR has agile steering geometry, slightly “stronger” than the geometry of the S1000R. The swingarm, a conventional two-sided design, is 2.6 inches longer than the S1000’s, while the wheelbase of the new BMW spans a substantial 61 inches. That’s 4.3 inches more than the S1000R’s, and the seat height is a very reasonable 33.1 inches.

Suspension is by Sachs, front and rear. The inverted fork has 46mm sliders, and the single shock is link-actuated. According to BMW, there are 5.9 inches of front travel and 5.5 inches out back. Street tires, size 120/70-17 inches front and 190/55-17 inches rear, underscore the S1000XR’s tarmac intentions. Brakes, by Brembo, feature a pair of 320mm rotors and radial-mount calipers in front. In back, a 265mm rotor teams with a two-piston caliper.

BMW says the new S1000XR, in wet, ready-to-ride form, weighs 503 pounds. Moreover, its electronics suite, which is oriented toward improv­ing both safety and comfort, features ABS, traction control, and the semi-active suspension of the optional ESA system.

Clearly, BMW has decided to go right after Ducati’s tarmac-oriented Multistrada, and the other non-dirty adventure-touring bikes on the market. Has the street-oriented ADV segment spelled the end of the sport-touring bike as we know it?