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BMW S 1000 XR adventure sport tourer

BMW S 1000 RX
BMW S 1000 XR

BMW has unveiled it S 1000 XR adventure sport touring bike based on the S 1000 R.

The bike, unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, is the fourth version of the inline four model after the S 1000 RR, HP4 and S 1000 R.

BMW S 1000 RX
BMW S 1000 RX

The S 1000 XR is now a more direct competitor than the R 1200 GS for the more roads-oriented  17-inch-wheeled Ducati Multistrada which has now been updated with Desmodromic Valve Timing.

The BMW is powered by the same inline four as the other models but with 118kW of power and 112Nm of torque as in the S 1000 R. It comes with traction and stability controls, ABS Pro which senses lean angles and optional electronic suspension adjustment.

It is expected to arrive in Australian in mid-2015.

 

BMW also unveiled an updated F 800 R with more power and attitude. It arrives in Australia in February.

Power is up marginally from 64kW to 66kW but with lower first and second ratios for more aggressive acceleration off the mark. Torque remains at 86Nm.

BMW F 800 R - BMW S 1000 RX
BMW F 800 R

The twin-cylinder roadster also has new bodywork, colours, upside down forks, radial front callipers, new tapered aluminium handlebars and, thankfully, a symmetrical headlight instead of the cockeyed arrangement. Hopefully that will flow through to the rest of the F 800 range.

Ergonomics have been improved with a 10mm lower seat at 790mm combined with the new bars and footpads. Stability control and ESA are optional extras.

The two new models follow on from the three that premiered at Intermot in Cologne the month before: the more powerful S 1000 RR, and water-cooled R 1200 R and RS.

BMW also announced its third-quarter results showing a record 29,239 bikes sold in the quarter compared with 28,213 in 2013, up 3.6%. So far this year, BMW has sold 100,217 bikes (7.6%), exceeding the 100,000 mark for the first time. Motorrad revenue for the quarter was €370 million ($A530m), up 14.2% from €324m ($A464m).