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More BMW reviews in the August 2015 paper version of the UK magazine Bike, which is also available as an iPad app (at a cost, of course). There are two comparison reviews. The first is between 4 naked superbikes: Aprilia Tuono 1100, BMW S1000R, Kawasaki Z1000, and Suzuki GSX-S1000. The verdict (in part): "It would be easy to skim-read this test, flick straight to the verdict page, see the BMW S1000R wins - which it does - and assume shallow testers prefer the bike with the most gadgets. Wrong. Replace this fancy Sport model with the entry-level S1000R and it would still win. Easily. Forget the semi-active suspension, the quickshifter and the smarter rider aids for a moment. The BMW still has the best engine, the nicest riding position and the sharpest brakes. It still has the ability to feel at home doing any kind of riding, from daily grind to weekend blast or annual tour. ... The S1000R combines everything great about the other three. It has the civility, manners and stealthy side of the GSX-S1000. It can offer the snappy, instant response of the Z1000. And it has the sporting credentials and trackday potential of the Tuono. The BMW is the best - and best-value - supernaked you can buy."The second comparison test is between 4 BMW boxer-engined bikes: R1200RT, R1200R, R1200RS, and R1200GS. And a huge surprise, it's a BMW that wins! And another BMW that comes last. Actually with their point scoring system using 4 riders and two pillions to deliver a verdict it's the GS that wins, followed by the RS, with the RT and R in third and fourth.
Yet another American motorcycle writer, Greg Drevenstedt, has been to Ontario for a ride on the new S1000XR and has written about it on the RiderMagazine web site. Again there are the obligatory references to the Multistrada. It seems his particular bike had worse vibrations than the ones used in the other reviews.
2016 BMW S 1000 XR | First Ride Review"BMW says the S 1000 XR is designed for “those who want the dynamic performance of a sport machine, the versatility of an adventure bike and the comfort of a touring motorcycle.” That’s what street-oriented adventure bikes, or crossovers, are all about: a sportbike engine tuned for the street; an upright riding position, low-effort handling and extra suspension travel; and enough features and wind protection for extended travel. The Premium-equipped XR covers all of the bases, and should give the Ducati Multistrada 1200 DVT some serious competition."Read the full report at: http://www.ridermagazine.com/top-stories/2016-bmw-s-1000-xr-first-ride-review.htm/(Why would anyone name their bike after the Deep Vein Thrombosis that you might suffer from if you ride it for too long at a time?)
BMW has released details of model updates for the coming 2016 model year. Mainly they are cosmetic updates (paint colours), but there are a few specification changes such as ABS Pro on more models. There's also a new (pictured) R1200GS Triple Black variant in, surprise surprise, black!! Most bizarre option is probably the ones for the R NineT: "Hand-brushed naked/exposed aluminium fuel tank with smoothed welding seams" and "Hand-brushed naked/exposed aluminium fuel tank with visible welding seams".Read the press release and see all the photos including those of welded tank seams at: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-motorrad-model-facelift-measures-for-model-year-2016-special-model-bmw-r-1200-gs-tripleblack-abs&outputChannelId=6&id=T0224489EN&left_menu_item=node__6629Or go to: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/startpage.htmland click on the press release item of interest.Another first ride review from a US online magazine, Ultimate Motorcycling. This one is from the owner of a Ducati Multistrada 1200, Ron Lieback, so comparisons between the two are presumably inevitable. His main gripe seems to be that the bike was so new it still had the 9000rpm rev limiter engaged.
2016 BMW S1000XR Review | Debut Ride Test2016 BMW S1000XR Test – Ultimate Ducati Mutlistrada Killer?"After my debut 140-mile ride around Ontario’s Muskoka region, I found few negatives with the S1000XR. BMW’s entry into the world of “Adventure Sport” provides a versatile platform, one that can get you comfortably around town or a weeklong tour. If some light gravel or fire-roads come along, don’t worry – the S1000XR is more than capable."Read the rest of the review at: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2015/07/03/2016-bmw-s1000xr-review-debut-ride-test/I'm sure the S1000XR can take me to all the same places that the F650GS has taken me in the 7+ years that I've owned it. Which is limited to formed roads, although some of them you could wonder when they were formed. For real off-road adventure I don't rely on it, preferring a much smaller bike, four wheels, or two legs. Obviously I don't need the power of the XR, but since when has recreational motorcycling been restricted to need or to logic?
A review of the S1000XR by John Burns has just been posted on motorcycle.com.
2015 BMW S1000XR First Ride ReviewBMW’s new “Adventure Sport” is furiously fast, 5-star comfortable and electronically unsinkable"The highs:Best appearance ever by a Four-cylinder in an Adventure roleFeels really light and nimbleThe electronic aids are approaching seamlessnessThe sighs:Encourages you to go faster than your talent alone would allowThe Base price must be a joke, since BMW apparently produces no base modelsWe’ll have to invoke the mercy rule if BMW keeps beating up on its competitors this way"Continue reading the review at: http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/2015-bmw-s1000xr-first-ride-review.htmlAs I've mentioned elsewhere this is the only bike in BMW's current program that could possibly entice me away from my old F650GS. If only the price was more wallet-friendly. It should arrive in NZ in August or September, with prices starting at about $30,000.
Motocycle.com has a second ride review of the BMW S1000RR, written by Sean Alexander. This is part of a build-up to yet another superbike comparison test.
2015 BMW S1000RR Second Ride ReviewA Quick Blast on a Quicker Bike
Overall score was 88.75/100Read the full review at: http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/2015-bmw-s1000rr-second-ride-review.html
The BMW S1000RR is not the only bike tested in the July 2015 issue of British magazine Bike. There is a short first ride of the new R1200RS, and a lengthy test of the new S1000XR. The verdict on the S1000XR: One of those bikes that makes you question how any road rider could want anything else. Blindingly fast, comfortable and practical with a quietly brilliant array of electronics, the XR is one of BMW's finest. No wonder there's already a waiting list to buy one. 5 stars.
Superbike comparisons are apparently the theme of the month. The British magazine Bike has a track and road comparison test of 5 superbikes in the July 2015 issue, including the BMW S1000RR, Kawasaki H2 (turbo), Ducati 1299 Panigale, Yamaha R1 and Honda CBR1000RR. Unfortunately the review is not available online. Their track tester and tame racing rider is James Haydon, ex GP, WSB and BSB racer.Fastest lap time was the R1, 0.01s ahead of the BMW.One of the reviewers summed up the BMW on road test: "Even if you think the bike's ugly, a test ride will sell it to you. It gives the confidence of the Fireblade [Honda] but with a better engine, suspension and gearshift. And more modern dash, and a better noise. It feels like BMW took a Fireblade and gave it Viagra."
The motorcycle-usa web site has published a comparison, with videos, of 6 superbikes in a 'superbike smackdown' track test. The BMW S1000RR is included in the comparison, but does not win this round.
2015 Superbike Smackdown X Track"Lighter, faster, smaller. A decade ago these were the principals of sportbike design. It was the heyday of engineering – an era when three-year product cycles weren’t the average, they were the norm… Or was it? While today’s top Superbike brands aren’t as anxious to unveil full wheel-to-wheel overhauls, they are still keen on showcasing cutting-edge electronics and mechanical innovation, making the exhilarating performance of this class more accessible to a larger riding audience. So after a three-year hiatus MotoUSA presents the 10th edition of our 2015 Superbike Smackdown Shootout from Willow Springs Raceway."Read the 'smackdown' results and watch the videos, and see which bike won and which placing the BMW achieved, at:http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/06/article/2015-superbike-shootout-x-track/
The Stuff web site has a review by Paul Owen of the local version of the F800R.
BMW's F800R gets better looks, more kit and a lower sticker"The winking face has been banished from the 2015 BMW F800R streetbike, replaced by a large single-headlight fascia that could have been inspired by a Transformer (the changelings in the movies rather than the large electrical box in your street).This cosmetic enhancement is just one component of BMW's strategy to bless the sensible parallel-twin with more charisma."Read the rest of the review at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bikes/69067773/bmws-f800r-gets-better-looks-more-kit-and-a-lower-sticker
BMW is showing off a concept scrambler-type bike based on the R Nine T, complete with surfboard carrier.
BMW Scrambler Concept Bike Revealed in Biarritz, FranceRead the story and see the photos on the motorcycle.com web site at: http://blog.motorcycle.com/2015/06/11/manufacturers/bmw/bmws-scrambler-concept-bike-revealed-in-biarritz-france/There's also a BMW Press release about this, which can be found at: http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/individual/news/2011/news.jsp?id=4325
Motorcyclist Online has a comparison test of 4 quite different, some would say incomparable, bikes suitable for touring: BMW R1200RT, Honda CTX1300, Suzuki Burgman 650, and Yamaha Super Ténéré. Not surprisingly it difficult to find a recommendation that would suit everyone.
Touring 4 Ways: BMW R1200RT vs. Honda CTX1300 Deluxe vs. Suzuki Burgman 650 ABS vs. Yamaha Super Ténéré ES"Motorcycling has been taken to task by our elders who remind us that a sport-touring motorcycle was just a motorcycle with a duffel bag on the seat and an extra set of spark plugs under the sidecover. Today’s technologically sophisticated two-wheelers are specialized almost beyond recognition, but they maintain an important linkage to the past: With the right attitude and a sense of adventure, you can travel, tour, escape on just about anything. Even a scooter."Read the rest of the test and the conclusions at: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/touring-comparison-baggers-adv-adventure-touring-sport-touring-scooters-bmw-r1200rt-honda-ctz1300
UltimateMotorcycling has a review of BMW Airflow apparel – jacket, pants, gloves and boots – although it's not exactly the right time of year here to ride with vented apparel.
BMW AirFlow Apparel Review – Jacket, Pants, Gloves, Boots"The BMW AirFlow suit is fully committed to warm weather, although it is not all mesh. Its strategically placed AirTex mesh panels are wide open and have no provision for closure. The flow of air feels almost as strong as with a full mesh suit, yet the wearer gets the protective benefit of heavier Polyamide/Polyurethane fabric in the solid areas of its construction."Read the review at: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2015/06/05/bmw-airflow-apparel-review-airflow-3-boots-and-airflow-gloves/
in reply to: New Member #18720Welcome to the forum and to the club.There are regular rides organized in the Auckland area, with details posted in the forum and in the club magazine. Many have a gravel road option, but mostly they use sealed roads.
in reply to: Sare parts websites #18714Thanks for the reminder, Bruce. I've now added Beemer Boneyard and Nippy Normans to the link page on 'my' site. ;D
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