BMW M 1000 XR Long-Distance Sports Bike Lands with Revamped S Sibling in Tow

The bike, which BMW might refer to as M XR from time to time, is based on the current S 1000 XR and S 1000 RR motorcycles (the S 1000 XR was part of a refresh announcement last week as well, more on that later on). It was designed as a long-distance sports bike with tell-tale M touches that influence both looks and performance.

Just like its siblings, the ride is built around an aluminum bridge frame. Inside it sits a water-cooled 4-cylinder in-line engine derived from the RR already in use on the other motorcycles. Unlike what's happening with them, though, this one cranks out the most power.

More specifically, the engine has been tuned to deliver no less than 31 hp more than in the S 1000 XR. That accounts for a total power output of 201 hp, which can be felt best at 12,750 rpm (the engine's redline is set at 14,600 rpm). Torque levels are high as well, as they sit at 113 Nm at 11,000 rpm.

That's an insane amount of power, but it becomes even more so when you take into account how much the bike weighs. Described as the "lightest representative of this crossover segment," the bike tips the scales at 223 kg (492 pounds empty).

But that's not the best it can do. As usual, BMW is offering a competition package for the ride, and that should bring the weight down by an extra 3 kg (6.6 pounds). The package bets its money on carbon, and offers stuff like M wheels made of the stuff, as well as smaller parts - rear wheel cover, side panels, front wheel cover, inner cover and ignition lock cover.

The suspension system of the bike relies on 45 mm upside-down forks, while stopping power is ensured through M-devised brakes. As per BMW, this is the first time a set of such hardware was fitted on a long-distance sports bike.

The Germans did not say when the new M 1000 XR will become available, or for what prices. We do know it will be offered in a livery that combines the well-known M colors with shades of black.

The bike offers no less than five riding modes, thus being suitable for a variety of uses: Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race, and Race Pro. That means we should expect to see a lot of it in the coming months.

S 1000 XR

As stated earlier, the S 1000 XR the bike is based on received a series of upgrades on its own, and they are not by any means minor, as they cover everything from engine power to visual appearance.

Although it still shares the in-line 4-cylinder powerplant with the RR, the S 1000 XR benefits from a series of upgrades that take the engine's power from 165 horsepower to 170 hp. All of that is achieved at the same number of rpm as before, namely 11,000. Torque levels remain unchanged, and top at 114 Nm at 9.250 rpm.

This motorcycle has been designed as a long-distance machine as well, thus the focus fell on rider comfort with this revamp. The main change is a complete redesign of the seat. It now floats 850 mm high, 10 mm more than before, and it is also larger in terms of both width and length. If that max height is not to the riders' liking, the seat can be adjusted to three other settings.

The bike's visual appearance changed as well, even if it only mildly did so. The biggest difference can be seen at the rear, where new side panels and air intakes, "inspired by motorsport," were installed.

At the opposite end, a textured surface radiator replaces the one used until now, while the front fender, which we all knew as black, now comes in body color.

Speaking of that, the S 1000 XR will be offered in three color choices, namely Blackstorm, Gravityblue, and Lightwhite (this one only when the M package for the bike is selected).

Another thing worth mentioning about the motorcycle is that it now uses a 12 Ah battery instead of the 9 Ah deployed so far. It also comes with a series of new standard features, including keyless ride, USB charging, and the availability of E-Call for the bikes sold in the United States.

BMW did not say anything about the availability and pricing of the S 1000 XR either. We will of course keep an eye out for more details and update when something relevant becomes available.