Lemmy... dude... absolutely excellent review. Just discovered your channel today and I'm blown away by the production value. Intelligent and spot on stuff. Can't wait to work my way through your library. Also especially love that you aren't some petite little metro boy racer so I can listen to what you have to say about ergos. :)
I've test ridden the bike myself. And I can honestly agree with his assessment of the bike. I also have the pro shifter on my RT and it works so much better on the XR. Using the clutch lever is needed for first gear and once coming to a stop, other than that the shifter is just flawless.
those suspenders hanging down like that were making me nervous as hell. picturing them getting wrapped up in a wheel or hooked on a peg or something.....shudder
Enjoyed the review... and I've watched almost all s1000xr reviews. As an owner of the XR, I noticed the buzzing bars everyone talked about when I took it off the crate but now with almost 7000 Kms on it, the buzz seems to no longer be noticeable. Loving this bike! Commuting, sport riding, long touring day... all just as enjoyable. The smooth torque and power are beautiful and simply a pleasure to ride.
I'm a bit surprised not hearing a single remark on the very noticable handlebar vibration on this bike...I've heard that in every single review! You should point out the flaws as well on this otherwise fantastic bike ;)
+Steve Hogue They all put in a massive amount of effort to put out the reviews, so the compliments are greatly appreciated. Thanks for watching! -DrewZilla
Looked at these, I ended up going with the Caponord Rally though, and have to say I'm glad I did, I love it and it left about 5k in my pocket and 123hp on a bike in this weight category is plenty honestly
great review Lemmy, I'm going out on Demo Days with BMW and going to test ride the S1000XR so I will check out your points on the bike you talked about.
I miss the days of Hwy 39 going all the way to Angeles Crest. Last time I did that was on my brand new 1979 RD400. I hear they are working on rebuilding it.
I *just* test rode it at an yearly event organized by Morton's BMW in Frederick's Virginia. I got the notification for this review between test rides! This bike is fantastic. I can say that even as a 2015 S1000RR owner. I would love to have the XR for daily commuting and the RR for the weekends. Heck, you can take the XR out during the weekends too if you are going on a long trip. People often mention that the handle bars are buzz-y but I didn't notice it very much, may have something to do with how different people grip the handle bars. I also tried the R but unless you love the looks, XR does everything better. This will be my next bike purchase.
Best review I have ever seen on this bike. Bmw sales of this will increase just from this video. This is my dream bike but I would have to sell my car to justify owning this $20k+ machine after tax, luggage,, and a few other additions.
Man o Man, that bike has some fantastic features. The smooth as butter transmission alone is enough to send shock waves through a man's wallet and the wife screaming "the last bike - again!"
I've watched and read a ton of reviews of this new bike and kudos Lemmy, this one is the best--thanks! I dove into the early adopter deep end as soon as this bike came out, so with a few K miles on it, I can heartily agree with all the praise for the engine, quick shifter, and tech on this bike. There's instant torque everywhere you ask for it, and as pointed it, all the electronics enable me to be much more graceful and safe rider than I otherwise could hope for. Although it's good looking, it's not as pretty as the Multistrada but the precision of the in-line 4 seems much more refined than the Testastretta. The unprotected oil cooler and radiator is the first thing I addressed with the R&G parts, great call on that. But I do have a few more suggestions for improvement. The biggest issue is the 'buzzy' feel, which frankly doesn't bother me after a few weeks of getting used to it, but some riders I've talked to really can't tolerate it. One owner I met said his hands went numb after 2 hours on the bike, and you feel it through the seat also, particularly around 5k RPM. BMW apparently did nothing to dampen it --but there are some hacks out there (filling the handlebars, bar end weights, etc). The handlebars are quite wide but they allow for really comfortable and precise handling, as I found up in the Santa Cruz mountain twisties. The downside is that whereas here in CA we can lane split, sometimes I have to hold back where I see other riders with a narrower profile filtering through if there isn't a wide opening. The 'sport bike' wind screen is fine for easy rural and urban riding, but on the highway, it's brutal even in the 'up' position. Givi says they are coming out with one 13 cm taller, and I can't wait for that one. The luggage attachment frames are super-ugly. Look at what the Multistrada gets: the pannier attachments are essentially hidden on the passenger grab rails. Also the ridiculous giant fender on the back detracts from the bike's character, IMO, but it can be easily removed entirely without affecting the light and license plate cluster. The seat is a nice shape, but thin, which you feel after a couple hours. I'm probably going to have Corbin or Sargent take care of that. Unlike the Ducati, the OEM lights are weak, so I replaced those with LED bulbs, and added some Denali on the forks for extra measure. Ducati has the turning signals built in, which is a nice touch I wish I could replicate. There's a legal Akrapovic available, but it's a grand, and the stock exhaust has a really nice note already, as you pointed out. The physical controls are fantastic, even with the 'Apollo 11' era LCD panel. What I found delightful was that if you get the BMW Nav V kit, a lot of additional data flows through the interface to the GPS screen itself, and more than makes up for the stock screen. The damn thing is so much fun to ride, and so peppy you tell yourself 'hot damn!' every time you swing a leg over, so the glitches are worth dealing with to me. Thanks again. P.S. By the way, for someone looking for a similar bike for a lot less cash, check out the Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT which has finally come to the US. It lacks some of the over-the-top goodies BMW serves up for one low price they include the center stand, luggage and the works. I'd look at that before the Caponord.
+RevZilla I put the DM micros low on the forks, which are purely for round the clock visibility of the bike to cars. They're small and sleek so they look good and do their job. Briefly I experimented with DX Xtremes on the engine guards, because there's no bike specific mounting kit for the XR yet...but that just didn't work...the engine vibrates too much and they looked really out of place on that bike. When you hack up a GS like that, it actually adds to it's character, but this bike is tight so it all needs to click a bit better. Clearwater claims they are close to launching a specific mount kit for that bike so I'm going to wait and see what they bring out. Higher cost than the Denalis but they will integrate with the 'wonder wheel' control and I believe the CAN bus. Other adds include: the new 'split' Sound Bomb (easier to tuck inside the fairing than the big unit), some handsome Woodcraft protection for the stator and crank case (the RR stuff works), and LED turn signals (again BMW behind the Ducati on the farkle.)
+John Wyss I think the DMs are perfect for fender mounting, but of course the bigger Denalis are a bit bulky. However, Denali did just announce a nice universal fork mount at the AIM Expo in Orlando, so I could see mounting a set of D4s between the fork uppers just below the lower triple clamp. The Clearwaters' wonder wheel integration seems pretty cool though! -DrewZilla EDIT: Those Denali Fork Mounts: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes
One thing not related to the bike. You have something dangling from the left handside from you (I think that is the over the shoulder straps). While its far enough from moving parts from our angle of view, if it gets loose and gets caught around the tire or the chain it can seriously hurt you. Please be careful, drive safe and keep up the great videos :)
+Serdar Aytemiz Yeah, those were just the pant suspenders. They weren't hanging down too low, so Lemmy wasn't too concerned about them. You're right, though, that if they did somehow come loose, it could be an issue. Thanks for the feedback! Stay safe! -DrewZilla
definitely one of the best bike reviews i;ve seen on youtube. i liked how you named (on screen) the gear Lemmy was wearing, it would have been good if you had done the same during the modifications part of the video.
+deadlyrasberry You're right! Here are a few links to some modifications. Hope this helps! -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-sra5119-aluminum-top-case-rack-bmw-s1000xr-2015 *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-d4-flood-spot-hybrid-led-lighting-kit *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rg-racing-radiator-guard-bmw-s1000xr-2015-2016 *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rg-racing-oil-cooler-guard-bmw-s1000rr-s1000r-s1000xr
Great job on the review Lemmy. I had a couple of questions: Did BMW fix the issue with the excessive vibration through the handlebars at highway cruising? Any neck strain at high speeds (> 70 mph)? Is the bike stable at high speeds (>130 mph)?
Lemmy....outstanding!! Nicely done. Feels than the Goldwing? lol. Lemmy, next reviews, talk about the ergos and how you fit. ie, your height and inseam. How you feel flat footing the bike. Slow speed maneuvers. Anything on 2 wheels is fine at speed, its the traffic lights that cause problems. Excellent job.
Great "write up" Thanks. How about discussing BMW's reliability issues on their newer (less than 10 year old new design) bikes like they had with the F series. I personally experienced piston failure, final drive failure, front belt pulley, etc etc. The lights where useless for series night riding, the genuine panniers terrible and I had to take BMW to caught to get them to honour statutory warrantee. Think long and had before you by a new design BMW,
Lenny's ans Spurge's reviews are top notch... I would love to watch longer reviews... it is so fun to watch, but over too fast... we still want to see the Revzilla Geek Motorscooter race... ya'll are not getting out of that one... ;-)
If you can do BMW R ninet and BMW R1200GS adventure lc would be very appreciate. The review is very good, however, you haven't mention any flaw of this bike at all, like vibration at high speed, etc. Thank you
Been shopping around for over a year trying to figure out which bike might be a good fit. Don't want to get a first bike that I'm going to ditch. The Ducati Supersport S doesn't seem like it's going to carry that much, and although I don't like ADV style at all they seem to check off the utility boxes. I don't intend to get offroad much or at all though. Is there some way to get a sport bike to hold Givi cases , like a custom subframe without throwing off geometry? The 1200RS is about as close as I've found but I don't love it because it's too funky and expensive really for what it is. The F 800 GT is shunned as entry level and doesn't get the electronics it deserves... I really want that dynamic suspension. I figure I could put a bigger windshield on a S1000R/RR if I could get bags and adjusted ergos on it. It's really an every day, do all, commute, light sport, enjoyment, touring machine that I want. I don't need old school, naked, adv, scooter, or 800lbs. I just want it to be as well executed as my old 3 series car and thusly perfectly enjoyable and usable. It does not seem many motorcycles out there are designed to fill this hole in the market at all because all of them have some major snag that I run into when investigating... what would be an alternate way of going about this without resigning to an ADV bike? On the bright side it took me so long Klim came out with the Kodiak and Apex, I know which schuberth helmet I want, and I've had time to checkout all the dainese gloves and boots, as well as compile a huge list of mods I would like to make. I like customizing things! I think the F800GT would be a good starting point if I could get them to hook the electronics in from the dynamic ESA and get an alternator that can handle extra power needed from auxiliary lighting and radio. If I could get the comfort, stability, and practicality/luggage of the RS on the S1000RR I would probably go with it despite it's a crazy bike for a first one. It looks way better than the RS. I don't think they've updated the K1300S since I graduated high school lol
Allright. I know this is an older video but I have a legitimate question. Over the next year, I want to get a Sport-Tour/ADV bike for some long distance riding. I'm leaning towards the ADV segment for the exact reason everyone seems to be going towards ADVs. I want something that can work a little bit off road but mainly on asphalt and that has more rugged looks and personality than a Sport-Touring bike. I've narrowed it down to BMW because I just identify with the brand, to be honnest. I could be tempted to give KTM a try but here I am. Basically my question is this: -A lot more road time than off-road. I got into moto-camping so down the line, I can see myself getting into more and more off-road situations. Need big top and side cases. -I need something that I can ride for 600-700 miles in one day if I have to, and do so in relative comfort and luxury. That means wind protection and all that good stuff. -Outright performance and speed is secondary. I'm just trying to decide if an S1000XR would do the trick here, or do I just do like everyone else and just get a 1200/1250GS I'm looking at the used market, maybe 2-3 years old. XR's are WAY cheaper than the equivalent GS which is attractive. I'm looking to add rather than replace, of course, as my Hammer S is just too awesome to part with but you can see how I need something else for long distances. Thoughts, anyone? What would I sacrifice with an XR compared to a GS, in order to save 5-6k?
I'm kinda in the same situation as you. I'm actively shopping for something that I could possibly take off roding in the future but mostly ride on the street. For me I think the XR better compares with the Multistrada. I feel the GS is more of a off-road focus machine and better competes with the Triumph Tiger or KTM SAR. Out of all the bikes mentioned here the XR is my favorite. I think I'm probably going to wait 6 months before I make a purchase to see if they refresh the line. I'm hoping since they just did with the S1000rr the XR will be fine for the 2020 models. I know your post is 2 months old so I'm curious if you purchased something?
@@agisler87 I didn't buy anything yet, no. I'm looking to buy in the next 12-18 months, as I need more room to store these toys so I need to move house first ;)
Beautiful video, still can't figure out how you guys are getting all these angles edited together like that without getting caught! My only guess is you're repeating the same words on the same road multiple times and patching it together... go RevZilla!
Lemmy, you mention that you would add the Denali D4 lights. Where or how can you mount them on the XR? I haven't seen any mounts that would work. Thanks for the review!
+twalk Denali now has fork mounts for inverted forks, so I'd mound them on the inverted fork uppers. Hope this helps! -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-d4-flood-spot-hybrid-led-lighting-kit *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes
With all of that auto shifting why not just go all the way put a handlebar mounted pushbutton shifter and a fully automatic mode. As an amputee a bike like that is very attractive as I can drive it home from the dealership without adding an aftermarket power shifters. Honda has seen the light and is leading the market with their dct equipped bikes.
Awsome review! I just bought 1. Question for other XR owners, would you buy the extended warranty, 2 years for $800? I'm concerned about all of the electronics. I had my 2004 RT and 8 years and never needed it.
David Cardinal if you are worried about suspension ... I'm telling you now.. like cars don't expect warranty to cover your failing electronic suspension
Hwy 39 Azusa! Crystal Lake Cafe! I ride there all the time! This really seems like my kind of bike, but so does a Versys 1000 LT or a R1200RS. How's the buzz on the S1000XR?
+turbo311 Lemmy's used to the vibration of Harleys and other chopped up bikes, so he really didn't notice a buzz. We know that others have experienced buzzing in the midrange though. -DrewZilla
The radiator location totally disqualifies this as an adventure bike. Take a rock hit there, and you won't be going far afterwards. The bike has no armor or guards for protection in and offroad spill, commonly experienced by adventure riders. Where are the cargo panniers and top box? Extra high ground clearance? Deep suspension? Nope... This is a road bike.... Love tyhe new shifting system. My old R1150GS ADV has harsh clunky shifting. Well, it's okay because it's a two wheeled truck.
+DARIVS ARCHITECTVS I'm pretty sure Lemmy mentions this pretty early in the review, so we agree with you! The S1000XR is an adventure bike like the Ducati Multistrada is an adventure bike. That is to say, it is only if your "adventures" stay on-road. -DrewZilla
dacosta1972 It appears your definition of adventure bike is a lot more encompassing than most people's. Adventure bikes typically have features that allow for capable off road riding and the larger ones often include larger than average cargo carrying capacity and range. It's not a term that negates the capability of having adventures on the road, it's a term commonly used as a sub-classification of motorcycles apart from those designed solely for the road or for dirt alone. They aren't dirt bikes, and they aren't cruisers. They are somewhere in between. Hence, they have their own name. Using it in that sense certainly does not mean you cannot have an adventure on the road with your Harley. You use it to describe a specific family of motorcycles.
After dropping my Triumph Spd Trp R off for service today, I was killing time waiting for my ride home. On a lark, I took one of these out. HOLYSHITSNACKS. That's the word for it. This thing is fast, more agile than I would have expected for such a tall bike, WAY more comfortable riding position than I have on the triple, and (this hurts to admit) a very satisfying sound. I was holding out for the new Tiger Explorer to swap to a more pampering ride. But now...well, shit...
+Renji Mathews You have to be creative about light mounts. If you go for the big D4 lights, I recommend getting the BMW Engine Protection Bars and using the PIAA 360 Light Mounts to attach the Denali D4 Lights. If you opt for the smaller Denali Lights (D1/D2/DM), use Denali's Fender Bolt Mounts. As more accessories become available for the S1000XR, we expect other mounting options. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/piaa-360-x-4-universal-bracket-kit *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-fender-mount-kit-for-d1-d2-driving-lights *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-fender-mount-kit-for-dm-driving-lights
+Renji Mathews New accessory: I'd use these fork mounts with the D4 lights positioned between the fork legs. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes
Hi RevZilla! I can't understand the part for the lights upgrade? 11:30 Can you send me the link of that product? some hybrid lights.... All the best ☺ Ivan
Gotta love Lenny's reviews. Unfortunately, Lenny's infatuation with the power of this bike led him to either ignore or miss some of the flaws that other reviewers have noted. Worst of all is the incessant engine vibration felt in both the handle bars and foot pegs at most RPM's. Other moto-mag reviewers described it as hand-numbing and inexcusable in a bike designed to travel long distances. In fact Lenny's review implied the bike had no flaws at all. That's unlikely on any machine, particularly a parts bin model like this one. Good bike? I'm sure it is. I have two BMWs and would expect the XR to be of excellent quality. However, despite the German predilection for insisting that everything they do is perfect, their driving and riding machines are like anyone else's - some very good qualities and some bad ones. How about a more balanced review next time Lenny?
I had about 40 min on this bike. A great very comfortable sport-tourer, but I could not stand that awful high frequency buzz coming from the handlebars. A deal breaker for me.
+Joaquim Posses No, I think at that point in the day, he felt he didn't need them but didn't want to go through the hassle of removing them. It's also possible he just forgot to put them back on after a stop! -DrewZilla
Lemmy... dude... absolutely excellent review. Just discovered your channel today and I'm blown away by the production value. Intelligent and spot on stuff. Can't wait to work my way through your library.
Also especially love that you aren't some petite little metro boy racer so I can listen to what you have to say about ergos. :)
+Sociopath Mercenary Welcome! -DrewZilla
Lemmy, you may be the only guy I know who talks fast yet makes a lot of sense. Thank you for your reviews.
I've test ridden the bike myself. And I can honestly agree with his assessment of the bike. I also have the pro shifter on my RT and it works so much better on the XR. Using the clutch lever is needed for first gear and once coming to a stop, other than that the shifter is just flawless.
those suspenders hanging down like that were making me nervous as hell. picturing them getting wrapped up in a wheel or hooked on a peg or something.....shudder
Motorcycle manufacturers should pay you guys to review these bikes!! Its comprehensive and unbiased. Love it!!
Thats true!
If they get paid then they're influenced. Best being able to freely say what they want.
Enjoyed the review... and I've watched almost all s1000xr reviews.
As an owner of the XR, I noticed the buzzing bars everyone talked about when I took it off the crate but now with almost 7000 Kms on it, the buzz seems to no longer be noticeable. Loving this bike! Commuting, sport riding, long touring day... all just as enjoyable. The smooth torque and power are beautiful and simply a pleasure to ride.
I'm not even interested in adventure bikes and I'm still watching and enjoying this review because it's THAT good!
+Cristian Zoz Hey thanks! The video team puts a lot of work into these, so it's great to hear such positive feedback! -DrewZilla
Man, RevZilla always has the best and most comprehensive bike reviews on the internet.
Lemmy Fucking Rocks.
Anthony - Make that a T-Shirt!
+George Hill Haha, we'll work on that! -DrewZilla
this is the gold standard for all motorcycle reviews.
best reviews on youtube
+ja mal Absolutely agree. My only gripe is that I wish they lasted longer!
+ja mal yeah thats true
They're good, but the best reviews are Gizmag.
I just got my 2018 S1000XR and its simply the greatest bike in the world. It does EVERYTHING exceptionally well.
Tall mans sport tourer? Great vid with rolling shots and many angles. Lemmy high energy and great showmanship.
These are the best motorcycle reviews on the net. Other motorcycle news sites would do well to watch and learn.
I'm a bit surprised not hearing a single remark on the very noticable handlebar vibration on this bike...I've heard that in every single review! You should point out the flaws as well on this otherwise fantastic bike ;)
Honestly, best bike review ever. This will sell boatloads of these bikes.
+Ducati Drew Thanks! We just want to call it how we see it, good and bad! -DrewZilla
Lemmy, You and your crew simply put out the best and most informative reviews that entertain and get to the point. Excellent work.
+Steve Hogue They all put in a massive amount of effort to put out the reviews, so the compliments are greatly appreciated. Thanks for watching! -DrewZilla
Its the Best review so far on this bike 101%
Looked at these, I ended up going with the Caponord Rally though, and have to say I'm glad I did, I love it and it left about 5k in my pocket and 123hp on a bike in this weight category is plenty honestly
great review Lemmy, I'm going out on Demo Days with BMW and going to test ride the S1000XR so I will check out your points on the bike you talked about.
This is the best motorcycle review I think I've ever seen. Well done.
Again, a fantastic honest review by Lemmy, great job RevZilla! You guys should seriously consider a seperate channel for bike reviews.
I miss the days of Hwy 39 going all the way to Angeles Crest. Last time I did that was on my brand new 1979 RD400. I hear they are working on rebuilding it.
you use the clutch a lot, but, after test riding it, I love it, but the quick downshift didn't work real well at lower rpm.
lol the only time you used the quick shifter is when you were talking about it. love your reviews though!
I *just* test rode it at an yearly event organized by Morton's BMW in Frederick's Virginia.
I got the notification for this review between test rides!
This bike is fantastic. I can say that even as a 2015 S1000RR owner. I would love to have the XR for daily commuting and the RR for the weekends. Heck, you can take the XR out during the weekends too if you are going on a long trip.
People often mention that the handle bars are buzz-y but I didn't notice it very much, may have something to do with how different people grip the handle bars.
I also tried the R but unless you love the looks, XR does everything better.
This will be my next bike purchase.
Best review I have ever seen on this bike. Bmw sales of this will increase just from this video. This is my dream bike but I would have to sell my car to justify owning this $20k+ machine after tax, luggage,, and a few other additions.
Man o Man, that bike has some fantastic features. The smooth as butter transmission alone is enough to send shock waves through a man's wallet and the wife screaming "the last bike - again!"
I've watched and read a ton of reviews of this new bike and kudos Lemmy, this one is the best--thanks! I dove into the early adopter deep end as soon as this bike came out, so with a few K miles on it, I can heartily agree with all the praise for the engine, quick shifter, and tech on this bike. There's instant torque everywhere you ask for it, and as pointed it, all the electronics enable me to be much more graceful and safe rider than I otherwise could hope for. Although it's good looking, it's not as pretty as the Multistrada but the precision of the in-line 4 seems much more refined than the Testastretta.
The unprotected oil cooler and radiator is the first thing I addressed with the R&G parts, great call on that. But I do have a few more suggestions for improvement. The biggest issue is the 'buzzy' feel, which frankly doesn't bother me after a few weeks of getting used to it, but some riders I've talked to really can't tolerate it. One owner I met said his hands went numb after 2 hours on the bike, and you feel it through the seat also, particularly around 5k RPM. BMW apparently did nothing to dampen it --but there are some hacks out there (filling the handlebars, bar end weights, etc). The handlebars are quite wide but they allow for really comfortable and precise handling, as I found up in the Santa Cruz mountain twisties. The downside is that whereas here in CA we can lane split, sometimes I have to hold back where I see other riders with a narrower profile filtering through if there isn't a wide opening.
The 'sport bike' wind screen is fine for easy rural and urban riding, but on the highway, it's brutal even in the 'up' position. Givi says they are coming out with one 13 cm taller, and I can't wait for that one. The luggage attachment frames are super-ugly. Look at what the Multistrada gets: the pannier attachments are essentially hidden on the passenger grab rails. Also the ridiculous giant fender on the back detracts from the bike's character, IMO, but it can be easily removed entirely without affecting the light and license plate cluster. The seat is a nice shape, but thin, which you feel after a couple hours. I'm probably going to have Corbin or Sargent take care of that.
Unlike the Ducati, the OEM lights are weak, so I replaced those with LED bulbs, and added some Denali on the forks for extra measure. Ducati has the turning signals built in, which is a nice touch I wish I could replicate. There's a legal Akrapovic available, but it's a grand, and the stock exhaust has a really nice note already, as you pointed out.
The physical controls are fantastic, even with the 'Apollo 11' era LCD panel. What I found delightful was that if you get the BMW Nav V kit, a lot of additional data flows through the interface to the GPS screen itself, and more than makes up for the stock screen.
The damn thing is so much fun to ride, and so peppy you tell yourself 'hot damn!' every time you swing a leg over, so the glitches are worth dealing with to me. Thanks again.
P.S. By the way, for someone looking for a similar bike for a lot less cash, check out the Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT which has finally come to the US. It lacks some of the over-the-top goodies BMW serves up for one low price they include the center stand, luggage and the works. I'd look at that before the Caponord.
+John Wyss Curious, which Denali lights did you mount, and which fork mounts did you use? How have you like them? -DrewZilla
+RevZilla I put the DM micros low on the forks, which are purely for round the clock visibility of the bike to cars. They're small and sleek so they look good and do their job. Briefly I experimented with DX Xtremes on the engine guards, because there's no bike specific mounting kit for the XR yet...but that just didn't work...the engine vibrates too much and they looked really out of place on that bike. When you hack up a GS like that, it actually adds to it's character, but this bike is tight so it all needs to click a bit better.
Clearwater claims they are close to launching a specific mount kit for that bike so I'm going to wait and see what they bring out. Higher cost than the Denalis but they will integrate with the 'wonder wheel' control and I believe the CAN bus.
Other adds include: the new 'split' Sound Bomb (easier to tuck inside the fairing than the big unit), some handsome Woodcraft protection for the stator and crank case (the RR stuff works), and LED turn signals (again BMW behind the Ducati on the farkle.)
+John Wyss I think the DMs are perfect for fender mounting, but of course the bigger Denalis are a bit bulky. However, Denali did just announce a nice universal fork mount at the AIM Expo in Orlando, so I could see mounting a set of D4s between the fork uppers just below the lower triple clamp. The Clearwaters' wonder wheel integration seems pretty cool though! -DrewZilla
EDIT: Those Denali Fork Mounts: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes
Great review. Comprehensive, unbiased - the way all reviews should be. And...that scenery! I need to have another holiday in California...
One thing not related to the bike. You have something dangling from the left handside from you (I think that is the over the shoulder straps). While its far enough from moving parts from our angle of view, if it gets loose and gets caught around the tire or the chain it can seriously hurt you. Please be careful, drive safe and keep up the great videos :)
+Serdar Aytemiz Yeah, those were just the pant suspenders. They weren't hanging down too low, so Lemmy wasn't too concerned about them. You're right, though, that if they did somehow come loose, it could be an issue. Thanks for the feedback! Stay safe! -DrewZilla
Met a guy with one of these last week, the only negative he had was about the VERY poor tank range.
Saw this guy on a track before I knew of it existence, everytime it flew by I was confused. sounds great
You guys do the best reviews on the Net, bar none!
definitely one of the best bike reviews i;ve seen on youtube. i liked how you named (on screen) the gear Lemmy was wearing, it would have been good if you had done the same during the modifications part of the video.
+deadlyrasberry You're right! Here are a few links to some modifications. Hope this helps! -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-sra5119-aluminum-top-case-rack-bmw-s1000xr-2015
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-d4-flood-spot-hybrid-led-lighting-kit
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rg-racing-radiator-guard-bmw-s1000xr-2015-2016
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rg-racing-oil-cooler-guard-bmw-s1000rr-s1000r-s1000xr
Great job on the review Lemmy. I had a couple of questions:
Did BMW fix the issue with the excessive vibration through the handlebars at highway cruising?
Any neck strain at high speeds (> 70 mph)?
Is the bike stable at high speeds (>130 mph)?
I saw a guy killing nakeds, sports and supersports on a circuit with XR just like this, such an amazing machine..
Noone does reviews like you. please keep it up.
its a damn great review. but the background music is a bit to loud while the guy is explaining the bike.
.OMG! I didn't even know such a bike existed.
Excellent review and outstanding video production! Thanks
Great bike review , nice to get away from kit for a change and back on a bike with great scenery and quality video, would love to see more
Thanks guys, just bought the bike after this review!
Stephen Drake How do you like the bike so far?
I have the S1000R and I'm ready for a change. Stay safe!
Lemmy....outstanding!! Nicely done. Feels than the Goldwing? lol. Lemmy, next reviews, talk about the ergos and how you fit. ie, your height and inseam. How you feel flat footing the bike. Slow speed maneuvers. Anything on 2 wheels is fine at speed, its the traffic lights that cause problems. Excellent job.
Dear Lemmy,
Please review the new CRF1000L Africa Twin! ☺
Thank you.
+Asaph Leong Once it comes out! -DrewZilla
Asaph Leong 1000cc*
Another great review, the new Harley Softail Slim S might be a great bike to talk about. It could benefit from some mods too.
Great "write up" Thanks. How about discussing BMW's reliability issues on their newer (less than 10 year old new design) bikes like they had with the F series. I personally experienced piston failure, final drive failure, front belt pulley, etc etc. The lights where useless for series night riding, the genuine panniers terrible and I had to take BMW to caught to get them to honour statutory warrantee. Think long and had before you by a new design BMW,
Lenny's ans Spurge's reviews are top notch... I would love to watch longer reviews... it is so fun to watch, but over too fast... we still want to see the Revzilla Geek Motorscooter race... ya'll are not getting out of that one... ;-)
Nice review of the S1000XR! Good job explaining the electronic rider features that BMW included with the bike. I found it really helpful.
If you can do BMW R ninet and BMW R1200GS adventure lc would be very appreciate.
The review is very good, however, you haven't mention any flaw of this bike at all, like vibration at high speed, etc.
Thank you
Been shopping around for over a year trying to figure out which bike might be a good fit. Don't want to get a first bike that I'm going to ditch. The Ducati Supersport S doesn't seem like it's going to carry that much, and although I don't like ADV style at all they seem to check off the utility boxes. I don't intend to get offroad much or at all though. Is there some way to get a sport bike to hold Givi cases , like a custom subframe without throwing off geometry? The 1200RS is about as close as I've found but I don't love it because it's too funky and expensive really for what it is. The F 800 GT is shunned as entry level and doesn't get the electronics it deserves... I really want that dynamic suspension. I figure I could put a bigger windshield on a S1000R/RR if I could get bags and adjusted ergos on it. It's really an every day, do all, commute, light sport, enjoyment, touring machine that I want. I don't need old school, naked, adv, scooter, or 800lbs. I just want it to be as well executed as my old 3 series car and thusly perfectly enjoyable and usable. It does not seem many motorcycles out there are designed to fill this hole in the market at all because all of them have some major snag that I run into when investigating... what would be an alternate way of going about this without resigning to an ADV bike? On the bright side it took me so long Klim came out with the Kodiak and Apex, I know which schuberth helmet I want, and I've had time to checkout all the dainese gloves and boots, as well as compile a huge list of mods I would like to make. I like customizing things! I think the F800GT would be a good starting point if I could get them to hook the electronics in from the dynamic ESA and get an alternator that can handle extra power needed from auxiliary lighting and radio. If I could get the comfort, stability, and practicality/luggage of the RS on the S1000RR I would probably go with it despite it's a crazy bike for a first one. It looks way better than the RS. I don't think they've updated the K1300S since I graduated high school lol
Allright. I know this is an older video but I have a legitimate question. Over the next year, I want to get a Sport-Tour/ADV bike for some long distance riding. I'm leaning towards the ADV segment for the exact reason everyone seems to be going towards ADVs. I want something that can work a little bit off road but mainly on asphalt and that has more rugged looks and personality than a Sport-Touring bike.
I've narrowed it down to BMW because I just identify with the brand, to be honnest. I could be tempted to give KTM a try but here I am. Basically my question is this:
-A lot more road time than off-road. I got into moto-camping so down the line, I can see myself getting into more and more off-road situations. Need big top and side cases.
-I need something that I can ride for 600-700 miles in one day if I have to, and do so in relative comfort and luxury. That means wind protection and all that good stuff.
-Outright performance and speed is secondary.
I'm just trying to decide if an S1000XR would do the trick here, or do I just do like everyone else and just get a 1200/1250GS
I'm looking at the used market, maybe 2-3 years old. XR's are WAY cheaper than the equivalent GS which is attractive. I'm looking to add rather than replace, of course, as my Hammer S is just too awesome to part with but you can see how I need something else for long distances.
Thoughts, anyone? What would I sacrifice with an XR compared to a GS, in order to save 5-6k?
I'm kinda in the same situation as you. I'm actively shopping for something that I could possibly take off roding in the future but mostly ride on the street.
For me I think the XR better compares with the Multistrada. I feel the GS is more of a off-road focus machine and better competes with the Triumph Tiger or KTM SAR.
Out of all the bikes mentioned here the XR is my favorite. I think I'm probably going to wait 6 months before I make a purchase to see if they refresh the line. I'm hoping since they just did with the S1000rr the XR will be fine for the 2020 models.
I know your post is 2 months old so I'm curious if you purchased something?
@@agisler87 I didn't buy anything yet, no. I'm looking to buy in the next 12-18 months, as I need more room to store these toys so I need to move house first ;)
Lemmy, what about the vibration? It seems to be the number one complaint about this bike. Did you experience it? How bad was it if so?
Best question I have heard so far. I did an extended demo ride and it is a real issue.
For a "cruiser" guy, Lemmy sure does get around the corners... fast! #whoosh!
Thanks Lemmy for another excellent review! I want this bike and I want to ride those roads, shame the latter is a long way from bonny Scotland!!!
Great bike. I would add either Denali or Clearwater Darla lights for sure as maybe an Akropovic exhaust, done. How is engine vibration?
Lemmy didn't notice much vibration, but a lot of other riders have mentioned experiencing a lot of vibration through the bars. -DrewZilla
Beautiful video, still can't figure out how you guys are getting all these angles edited together like that without getting caught! My only guess is you're repeating the same words on the same road multiple times and patching it together... go RevZilla!
Carmelo Santini they overlap the audio to the front angle. simple trick.
nicely done. Good looking production values in the presentation as well.
Lemmy, you mention that you would add the Denali D4 lights. Where or how can you mount them on the XR? I haven't seen any mounts that would work. Thanks for the review!
+twalk Denali now has fork mounts for inverted forks, so I'd mound them on the inverted fork uppers. Hope this helps! -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-d4-flood-spot-hybrid-led-lighting-kit
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes
Thanks!
With all of that auto shifting why not just go all the way put a handlebar mounted pushbutton shifter and a fully automatic mode. As an amputee a bike like that is very attractive as I can drive it home from the dealership without adding an aftermarket power shifters. Honda has seen the light and is leading the market with their dct equipped bikes.
Lemmy! Great review man, would like to hear any thoughts, if you could, on how the S1000 XR compares to the R1200 GS :). Keep up the great work!!
Thanks for the awesome review! Keep on like that Revzilla
Awsome review! I just bought 1. Question for other XR owners, would you buy the extended warranty, 2 years for $800? I'm concerned about all of the electronics. I had my 2004 RT and 8 years and never needed it.
David Cardinal if you are worried about suspension ... I'm telling you now.. like cars don't expect warranty to cover your failing electronic suspension
I have to say that i am kinda worried about the radiators behind the front wheel, given that the fender is so small :S
Great video, and of course very well rounded review.
Want! if i owned one i would be looking for ways to remove the front and have a 'two in one' bike. i did this with the FZ6, good times.
This review is superbly well put together. Well done!
My dad owns this bike, but I've only rode bitch on it so far and even so it feels AWESOME
Excellent review video. Lenny does an outstanding job.
Beautiful, just one question sr? Which is the best Turing bike for you?
+RevZilla It's time for Antony to do a ride review guy's!!!!
Definitely will add this bike to my Wishlist. It looks great and performance well. Very nice review Lemmy!
Did they fix the vibration problem in the handle bars, other reviews stated this was a huge downfall. You did not mention it one time?
+David Gucci I guess coming from Harley choppers, the vibration wasn't so evident. For some, it may be an issue. -DrewZilla
Hwy 39 Azusa! Crystal Lake Cafe! I ride there all the time! This really seems like my kind of bike, but so does a Versys 1000 LT or a R1200RS. How's the buzz on the S1000XR?
+turbo311 Lemmy's used to the vibration of Harleys and other chopped up bikes, so he really didn't notice a buzz. We know that others have experienced buzzing in the midrange though. -DrewZilla
Nice Review guys all point coverd.
glad to see you made it out of crystal lake ok. I was looking for a Jason Vorhees appearance
Awesome bike, and super review, you guys are the best thanks keep it up.
Wow!
Excellent Review! The Best of TH-cam!
The radiator location totally disqualifies this as an adventure bike. Take a rock hit there, and you won't be going far afterwards. The bike has no armor or guards for protection in and offroad spill, commonly experienced by adventure riders. Where are the cargo panniers and top box? Extra high ground clearance? Deep suspension? Nope... This is a road bike.... Love tyhe new shifting system. My old R1150GS ADV has harsh clunky shifting. Well, it's okay because it's a two wheeled truck.
+DARIVS ARCHITECTVS I'm pretty sure Lemmy mentions this pretty early in the review, so we agree with you! The S1000XR is an adventure bike like the Ducati Multistrada is an adventure bike. That is to say, it is only if your "adventures" stay on-road. -DrewZilla
+DARIVS ARCHITECTVS Aren't all motorbikes "adventure" bikes? You don't need to be told what bike to own to have a great adventure.
dacosta1972 It appears your definition of adventure bike is a lot more encompassing than most people's. Adventure bikes typically have features that allow for capable off road riding and the larger ones often include larger than average cargo carrying capacity and range. It's not a term that negates the capability of having adventures on the road, it's a term commonly used as a sub-classification of motorcycles apart from those designed solely for the road or for dirt alone. They aren't dirt bikes, and they aren't cruisers. They are somewhere in between. Hence, they have their own name. Using it in that sense certainly does not mean you cannot have an adventure on the road with your Harley. You use it to describe a specific family of motorcycles.
RevZilla Yup! I agree with you too, Great review, Lemmy. BTW I always like buying stuff from you guys. Keep up the great work!
+dacosta1972 You just had to be "that guy"...
Lemmy, I'd like to see a test on the S1000RR (BMW) Great test on the XR!
+Bill Schafer I think Lemmy would like that too! We'll keep it in mind for the future! -DrewZilla
After dropping my Triumph Spd Trp R off for service today, I was killing time waiting for my ride home. On a lark, I took one of these out. HOLYSHITSNACKS. That's the word for it. This thing is fast, more agile than I would have expected for such a tall bike, WAY more comfortable riding position than I have on the triple, and (this hurts to admit) a very satisfying sound.
I was holding out for the new Tiger Explorer to swap to a more pampering ride. But now...well, shit...
Another great review from Lemmy at Revzilla. I really wanna see Lemmy review the Honda Valkyrie F6C.
Great review Lemmy! You recommended the Denali D4 lights for the XR. What about mounting options? What is your recommendation?
+Renji Mathews You have to be creative about light mounts. If you go for the big D4 lights, I recommend getting the BMW Engine Protection Bars and using the PIAA 360 Light Mounts to attach the Denali D4 Lights. If you opt for the smaller Denali Lights (D1/D2/DM), use Denali's Fender Bolt Mounts. As more accessories become available for the S1000XR, we expect other mounting options. -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/piaa-360-x-4-universal-bracket-kit
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-fender-mount-kit-for-d1-d2-driving-lights
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-fender-mount-kit-for-dm-driving-lights
+Renji Mathews New accessory: I'd use these fork mounts with the D4 lights positioned between the fork legs. -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/denali-inverted-fork-tube-auxiliary-light-mount-for-50-60mm-diameter-tubes
+RevZilla Thanks for the info! Ordering a set today.
Best of the Best reviews! thanks Lemmy
Great review as always! Thanks Lemmy!
Fantastic review. Cheers guys!
Hi RevZilla!
I can't understand the part for the lights upgrade? 11:30
Can you send me the link of that product?
some hybrid lights....
All the best ☺
Ivan
Gotta love Lenny's reviews. Unfortunately, Lenny's infatuation with the power of this bike led him to either ignore or miss some of the flaws that other reviewers have noted. Worst of all is the incessant engine vibration felt in both the handle bars and foot pegs at most RPM's. Other moto-mag reviewers described it as hand-numbing and inexcusable in a bike designed to travel long distances. In fact Lenny's review implied the bike had no flaws at all. That's unlikely on any machine, particularly a parts bin model like this one. Good bike? I'm sure it is. I have two BMWs and would expect the XR to be of excellent quality. However, despite the German predilection for insisting that everything they do is perfect, their driving and riding machines are like anyone else's - some very good qualities and some bad ones. How about a more balanced review next time Lenny?
This was wholesome af, thank you for this
Ok all the BMW's are done....how about a Ducati Multistrada review?
I had about 40 min on this bike. A great very comfortable sport-tourer, but I could not stand that awful high frequency buzz coming from the handlebars. A deal breaker for me.
Lemmy every bike you review I want to buy.
Nice bike but the exposed radiator seems a rather stupid error from BMW.
At last i am having this exactly the same bike tomorrow
Excellent review, do you have guys one for the DVT Multistrada S1200 2015?
+artbrana Not yet, but that's a possibility for the future! -DrewZilla
Another great review, wow a bike MY SIZE. THX Guys
Thank you for explaining everything and bunny hop my aprilia dorsoduro wheelies to easy i do not try to.
My Rukka AirRider pants rises a bit when i sit on the bike. Is that why Lemmy took the suspenders away to ride?
+Joaquim Posses No, I think at that point in the day, he felt he didn't need them but didn't want to go through the hassle of removing them. It's also possible he just forgot to put them back on after a stop! -DrewZilla
Hey spot on review. You might have just sold it to me.
Great motorcycle and review; top notch!