Back in May, BMW Motorrad India released a teaser revealing that the India launch of the F 900 twins and the S 1000 XR was imminent. The F 900 R and XR were launched back in May and we now have word that the S 1000 XR will debut here later this month.
The new S 1000 XR was first unveiled at EICMA 2019 and we got to experience it at the international press ride in Spain (click here for the review). For 2020, the S 1000 XR features the engine from the new S 1000 RR and is also better equipped than its predecessor. BMW says the new bike is 10kg lighter, and this is while accounting for all the equipment that used to be optional extras on the old bike but is now part of the standard equipment. The bike's inline-four engine produces 165hp at 11,000rpm and 114Nm of torque at 9,250rpm, with a tweaked gearbox that now features longer fourth, fifth and sixth gear ratios. The new S 1000 XR also comes equipped with an anti-hopping clutch, engine drag torque control (MSR) and electronically controlled suspension damping as standard.
BMW’s litre-class sports tourer also packs a rather comprehensive electronics package. It includes Dynamic ESA, Riding Modes Pro, ABS Pro, DTC, Hill Start Control Pro and four riding modes – Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro – as standard. Additionally, the 6.5-inch TFT screen has been redeveloped as well.
We expect the new S 1000 XR to cost just about as much as the previous model – between Rs 20-21 lakh (ex-showroom) – which should put it right up against the Ducati Multistrada S.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
