Look at BMW Motorrad’s lineup, and you’ll realize just how vast the German giant’s lineup is. From entry-level roadsters and electric scooters to massive six-cylinder touring bikes, there is something for everyone. Moreso, not only is the lineup vast, but all of these are great at what they intend to do as well.
That comes at a cost, though. You see, it is easy to overlook a few bikes in such a vast lineup. That doesn’t mean these are bad bikes; it just means they go about their business more quietly than their peers. We’re talking about one such motorcycle here, belonging to BMW’s touring lineup.
BMW Is Fairly New To The Premium Motorcycle Segment
There was a time when we all knew BMW for its hypercars first, motorcycles second. But in the past 10-15 years, BMW Motorrad has truly leveled up its game. It has slowly innovated and stepped into newer segments, building motorcycles that compete with much more celebrated names with ease. Yes, BMW made its first two-wheeler in 1932, but it didn’t start properly innovating until the 2000s.
Take the superbike segment, for instance. BMW is technically the newest in the market with its first SBK in 2008, while all of its rivals–Honda, Ducati, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki–have been in the superbike game since the 90s. Yet, the S 1000 RR serves as the gold standard of inline-four superbikes today. It’s a similar story with the K 1600 lineup that debuted in 2011, yet it instantly made proper touring brands like Harley-Davidson and Indian sweat.
BMW’s Touring Lineup Has Several Heavy-Hitters
Speaking of tourers, BMW has a large assortment on offer. There are three kinds here. First, the traditional ones. These belong to the R 18 lineup, featuring boxer engines and old-school aesthetics. Second, we have the XR range. They are crossover-type tourers with peppy performance and sporty intentions. Finally, there are the full faired sport tourers. This mainly comprises the flagship K 1600 range, alongside the new R 1300 RT. So with such a premium lineup, it’s no surprise that the most overlooked is the cheapest BMW tourer.
The BMW That Gets Respect Everywhere It Goes
The R 1300 GS draws attention from everyone. Why? Because it is imposing to both the casual observer and the enthusiasts.
The F 900 XR Is Overlooked For A Couple Of Reasons
We’re talking about the F 900 XR. This is a crossover-type sport tourer, technically serving as a younger sibling to the popular S 1000 XR. Amidst all the popularity of the S 1000 XR and the K 1600s, there’s simply a lack of eyeballs on the F 900. It also doesn’t help that this is quite a new bike (debuted for MY2020) and there’s been only one notable update since then.
In the meantime, there have been a lot of new crossover-type bikes in this space. Triumph has the Tiger Sport 660 and Tiger Sport 800, Yamaha has the Tracer 7 and Tracer 9, and Honda has launched the NT1100 here. The XR simply gets lost in this crowd. Recent price hikes have also made it one of the more expensive bikes in the segment, sitting right between the more powerful Tracer 9 and Tiger Sport 800.
But There Is Plenty To Like On BMW’s Middleweight Sport-Tourer
While the price has risen, the overall package is still right up there with the best of the best. The XR is not the best at one particular thing, but it promises to be great at several little things. This overall blend is why it deserves your money.
Powered By A Punchy Parallel-Twin Engine
Diving deeper, the middleweight XR features a parallel-twin engine. This is an 895cc mill, armed with a 270-degree crankshaft, liquid cooling, and a spicy 13.1:1 compression ratio. All that helps produce 105 horsepower and 68 pound-feet. The latter is right on par with its rivals, but it kicks in several hundred RPM sooner in the rev band. That should mean more usable punch in a variety of conditions. You can still reach high speeds, as the top speed is around 136 miles per hour. This is electronically restricted.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
Top speed |
Claimed efficiency |
|
895cc, parallel-twin |
105 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
68 LB-FT @ 6,750 RPM |
Six-speed |
~136 MPH (restricted) |
56 MPG |
Fully Adjustable Suspension Boosts Riding Confidence
For riding dynamics, BMW has used a bridge-type steel chassis here. This joins hands with an aluminum swingarm and adjustable suspension. The latter comprises 43 mm USD forks and a monoshock, both with compression, rebound, and preload adjustments. Rounding things off are 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, which house dual 320 mm discs at the front and a single 265 mm disc at the rear.
The Curb Weight Is Well Under 500 Pounds
*MY24 shown
All those mechanical bits help keep the weight down to 476 pounds wet. Credit here goes to the recent updates, which brought lighter wheels and a new battery into the mix. That is in the ballpark of the Tiger Sport 800 but a few pounds down on the Tracer 9. The NT1100, meanwhile, is nearly 71 pounds heavier. As for other dimensions, they include:
- Wheelbase: 59.9 inches
- Front suspension travel: 6.7 inches
- Rear suspension travel: 6.8 inches
- Tank size: 4.1 gallons
The BMW That Makes Luxury Feel Logical
A 1,300cc boxer, radar brains, and sofa-grade comfort, the BMW R 1300 RT turns cross-country miles into calm, calculated luxury.
Upright Ergonomics And Likable Creature Comforts Round Things Off
Last but not least, there’s the comfort. The XR might be a crossover, but the seat height is quite accessible at 32.2 inches–almost an inch less than the Tracer 9. This is topped with mid-set footpegs and a tall tubular handlebar to result in an upright riding position. Adjustable brake lever, clutch lever, and windscreen ensure you can fine-tune the controls to suit your stature.
Once aboard, you’ll also appreciate the cockpit. It has a 6.5-inch TFT instrument cluster at the center, joined by a USB port on the side. This display lets you toggle through some likable features, such as traction control, stability control, brake control, cornering ABS, and ride modes. Heated grips, smartphone connectivity, and an adaptive headlight are also included as standard. Cruise control and Pro ride modes seem like a miss, though.