BMW

Bikes used and abused by the gang, some for weeks some for years, with our views on the good, the bad and the downright ugly (these are only our opinions and we are happy you may not agree). Got a bike and you want to help us help others send in your photo and some words on whats what and we’ll look to add it.

* Motorrad BMW Demo Day – May 2026 at Reading BMW. Test rides undertaken escorted by BMW Tutors and limited to 45mins riding time within a set route and within speed limits, groups of 10 bikes and in single file. All bikes set to ‘ROAD’ mode for all settings

** Motorrad BMW Demo Day – late May 2026 in very hot conditions at Dick Lovett BMW Bristol Test rides undertaken escorted by BMW Tutors and limited to 40mins riding time within a set route and within speed limits, groups of 10 bikes and in single file. All bikes set to ‘ROAD’ mode for all settings, route was a mixer of town, A roads. dual carriage way and some country type tight and twisty roads.

F 650

This bike has ultimate sentimental value to Babee Gee as it was his late fathers and so in a sense what it rides like doesn’t matter. The connection to something that a lost one cherished is greater than any how fast was it, how’d it handle etc and this is the same in this case so everything else doesn’t matter.

Pro’s – Babee Gee’s Dad’s bike

Cons – Babee Gee’s Dad is no longer with us to ride it R.I.P

Rating – Sentimental Priceless

For more information click Here

F900R

Had the loan of a F900r for a couple of days and not a bad little bike for what it is. The twin cylinder 105BHP engine has quiet a nice sound to it in stock format and is easy to ride. This particular came in the Misano blue ( which Bulby loves) and a £100 option and BMW 3 stage excellent heated grips, however other than that the bike didn’t have any goodies that you come to find on a lot of the bikes from BMW, so it was manual changes to the smooth gearbox and even the great BMW TFT screen had less features with only the standard display being available (no sport setting) and only Road or Rain Mode ( why would you want to reduce power on a bike which doesn’t have loads). Starting price is from £8700 at the time of this and that will increase dramatically when you start to add the list of factory options, click on the link below and build your own on BMW’s configurator, when we did this the bike came in at an eye watering £11600!!. This would make an ideal commuter or Sunday fun bike and good for an inexperienced rider making their way onto a bigger bike anything more than that and the better choices from BMW would be the boxer engine 1250r or the 160BHP, insane 1000R

Pro’s – Easy to ride, light , good build quality, Looks

Cons – Lack of power, lack of electronics, wind protection. Cost. Tank range

Rating –8/10

For more information click Here

GS 450 (2026)

Review to follow

Looks & Design

Comfort & Ergonomics

Performance & Ride Quality

Final Thoughts

Pro’s –

Cons –

Rating – /10

For more information click Here

R1250 GS Adventure (2019)

The GS 1250 Adventure takes everything to the next level when you want to be the next Ewan and Charlie and head off into the sunset to travel the world. With its wire spoked wheels (19inch front) seen here in a beautiful gold colour and with a massive 30 litre fuel tank which will keep you going for as long as your body can take it. This really is a bike which has been designed to go anywhere and that’s why with the brilliant BMW boxer engine, a whole host of different options it’s no surprise this bike has been so popular and is the market leader in this class. Starting price is around the £18k mark however in realistic terms most bikes with options will tip the scales around a wallet busting £23k mark.

If you are after an all-out adventure bike, then the BMW GS1250 Adventure is hard to beat as long as you can live with the image.

Pro’s – Colour Scheme (the HP is stunning}, Capability, TFT screen, riding position, Extra’s

Cons – Quick-shifter and blipper (wasted on this bike with this engine). Engine (vibey) Price (fully loaded the bike comes in at a whooping £23k)

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

R1250 GS (2020)

Love them or loath the R 1250 GS family of bikes are truly capable machines and while the Adventure version is really designed for those who want to go off exploring the standard 1259 GS is more suited to commuting and touring in comfort. The bike comes with a more standard road set up and cast wheels which make it a superb two up tourer and nearly 18kg lighter than its big brother. Range is reduced due to the fuel tank being reduced to 20 litres, but this makes it more usable for the everyday rider. Seat height can be lowered to 800mm meaning although it’s a big heavy bike with the low seat and low centre of gravity of the boxer engine it makes it a suitable option for the shorter rider. Engine power is exactly the same as the adventure with a 136bhp and a top speed of 125mph (according to BMW).

With a whole list of options to make the journey even easier this bike is a class act and

Pro’s – TFT screen, Riding position and comfort, Options

Cons – Quick-shifter and blipper (wasted on this bike with this engine). Engine (vibey) Overall look. Lacks the capability of its big Adventure brother. Price fully loaded

Rating – 8.5/10

For more information click Here

GSA 1300 (2024)

*So Bulby took the big and quite frankly some what intimidating GSA out and surprisingly for its size it was very controllable, this particular bike was the low version which added confidence. The pick up on tick over of the throttle seems somewhat delayed but once on the move this didn’t hinder the bike and with the oodles of torque from the 1300 boxer end its an easy if lazy bike to ride pulling strongly in any gear at any speed. However for all the good there was some bad, the bike hit 2 false neutrals while out on the test and the quick shift was pretty lumpy accept for under strong throttle (could be Bulby or this particular bike). Other things to note BMW please ditch the stupid ‘On’ button being on the right switch set and give us the simple but brilliant heated grip button back, the team as mentioned before thing this is a massive down mark as to change anything you have to enter the menu and go into the settings, this applies to the electric screen, heated grips , seats etc, it really is to complicated and bordering dangerous when on the move and have to try and scroll through menus to turn stuff on and off.

Following an icon was always going to be difficult, going in a dramatic directional change was going to really divide opinion and so BMW has found it to be. If the GS1300 wasn’t controversial enough then the GSA1300 has taken it to a completely different level with the die hard GSA1250 fans really not taking to the new bikes looks. With the Lego block side view and the already talked about X headlight this bike has really got everyone discussing it. We saw it at the launch at Bahnstormers at Alton in Hampshire and we have to say its better in the flesh and is not as angular as it appears in photo’s but it remains to be seen what it rides and evidentially sells like. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to test ride one soon.

So first one to ride the GSA 1300 was our very own ‘Wolfman’ who got the chance to ride it when his GSA 1250 was in for a service before he heads off around europe and here’s what he had to say about it:

Looks & Design

Visually, the R1300GS Adventure makes an interesting first impression. Some of the bodywork, especially around the luggage mounting points, appears more streamlined, and that’s a positive. However, the overall design feels unfinished—almost like the final detailing phase was rushed. The lines don’t quite flow as cohesively as I expected from a top-tier BMW. There’s no obvious separation or transition in the seat design, which gives it a slightly awkward look in profile. The materials used also give off a slightly cheaper vibe, possibly a result of weight-saving measures. Engine covers seemed oversized to me—not necessarily a flaw, but they stood out in a way that didn’t quite sit right aesthetically. Of course, looks are subjective, but it didn’t give me that premium GS presence I’m used to.

Comfort & Ergonomics

This is where my opinion solidified. My personal GS 1250 is lowered, so hopping onto the stock-height 1300 Adventure was a bit of a shock—it felt very tall at a standstill. For someone of my stature or setup preference, this bike would need lowering straight away. That said, the high stance does translate into a commanding ride position once you’re moving. Controls and handlebars felt familiar—very similar to my modified GS 1250. They’re ergonomically sound and positioned closer to the rider, which I appreciate.

However, the seat was a letdown. Within an hour, I was flashing back to my time on a Yamaha Tracer, and not in a good way. The seat feels hard, with edges that start cutting into you during longer rides. It didn’t improve over the course of a 200-mile trip. In fact, by the time I returned to my GS 1250, it was a relief. For me, long-distance comfort is essential, and the 1300’s seat is a dealbreaker.

Performance & Ride Quality

This is where the R1300GS Adventure earns back some points. I tested the bike in Rain, Road, and Dynamic modes, and in all settings it felt lively, agile, and more responsive than the 1250. It corners brilliantly and gives a sense of sportiness I wasn’t expecting. The gearbox is smooth—almost Japanese-bike smooth—which is high praise. It’s not 100% perfect, but it’s a noticeable improvement over the 1250. The overall handling, especially when cornering, is tight and confidence-inspiring.

Final Thoughts

The version I rode wasn’t fully spec’d—no fancy centre stand or upper-tier add-ons—so that may have coloured the experience somewhat. But even with that in mind, my overall impression is clear: the R1300GS Adventure just doesn’t quite meet the all-rounder standard I’ve come to expect from the GS line. Yes, it’s sportier and sharper in some ways, but for me, long-distance comfort, finish quality, and that solid, refined GS feel matter more. I’m happy with my decision to stick with the GS 1250 Adventure—it still feels like the right choice.

Wow ! with this insight we should really get him to write more reviews 🙂

Pro’s – Lighter and more powerful than the GSA 1250, more sporty than its predecessor * Equipment levels, this bike had lane detect in the mirrors, electric screen, heat grips/seat Radar

Cons – Looks, Price * Gear change, Switch gear

Rating – 8/10

For more information click Here

GS1300 ASA (2026)

*Juicey was on the 1300 ASA and before riding it was anti the automatic assistance, he likes the mechanical feel of the gears and the control that gives him on the bike. Interesting feedback for the GS was very very good, surprisingly when currently he is on the raw 2019 XR, when the only drawback the Auto-box.’Its not smooth, its clunky, I was expecting it to be like an auto car where you hardly notice it change, its a great bike and it would be a 10/120 with a manual gearbox’ was the feedback

Pro’s – Everything else

Cons – ASA

Rating – 8/10

Fore more information click Here

GS1300 (2024 Trophy & 719)

Wow! So BMW really set tongues wagging when it released the GS 1300, More powerful, smaller, faster and with that headlight, it really got the GS owners and other bike owners talking. Now having ridden both a GSA1250 and GS 1250 this bike has the same familiar feel as those bikes but with a more refined riding experience on a more compact package. The wide bars and low centre of gravity of the boxer engine really make this bike turn in really easily, the seating position and comfort of the saddle (Heated) are pretty much perfect. Wind protection from the electric screen ( fitted to this bike) is also very good for me at 5ft 8. This bike is a lot closer now to the XR and the sportier feel will I’m sure temp some owners of their other models to join the GS club. This mile muncher comes with all the hi tech of other BM models with the companies excellent TFT dash, quick shifter, blipper etc however now with the option to have luggage with elec power charging, lights and even centrally locked. Things I didn’t like is the on switch has been moved to the right bar but that has meant the heated grips now have to be turned on through the menu which is a bit fiddley and other than that the only other downside is the price, fully loaded with all the tech and luggage is around the £25k mark which although it’s a lot of bike it’s very serious money, that said it really is that good….

Pro’s – Just brilliant!

Cons – Price, Heated grips control through the on board menu, Some GS Owners Snobbery

Rating – 9.9/10

For more information click Here

K1300s

Owned by Asti the K1300s was an absolute rocket ship that BMW built to challenge the likes of Suzuki’s Hayabusa, Honda’s Blackbird and Kawasaki’s ZZR1400, with a 1293 cc 4 cylinder 175bhp engine the BM may have not had as much power as some of its competition however it could really get it planted down. The original model built from 2004 had the 1200 engine and could be found in both this intercontinental mile muncher or a quirky naked version known as the K1300r, the engine increase came in from 2009. This is one very fast bike that with the small rigid panniers and comfy seat can tour all day long on, added to this the shaft drive which takes away the pain of chain adjustment and lubrication during long trips and this bike makes a great choice for bikers wanting to tourand able to go quickly. Standard features on the bike , like a lot of BM’s were heated grips, cruise control, quick shifter and with the tele lever front end really did provide an alternative to the Japanese big CC super-sport tourers

Pro’s – Super fast, 0-62mph in a claimed 2.8 secs (claimed), luggage, heated grips, quick shifter, shaft drive

Cons – Looks, weight , it’s heavy at 228kg and long making it slower to turn. Tele -lever takes getting used to

Rating – 8.5/10

For more information click Here

K1600GT

The K1600gt, what a bike, the super, creamy smooth 6 cylinder engine was totally unexpected. You can sit on this bike and rev the engine and yes watch the rev counter and listen because that’s the only way you know this engine is working harder it is really that smooth. Power, it has bundles and will see the wrong side of 3 figures without you even noticing.

Added to this the plush seat and every extra possible including reverse gear, electric screen, radio, heated grips, quick-shifter etc etc the list goes on. This bike was such a surprise as we thought we’d hate it but we don’t.

Add to that the somewhat evil stare it projects from the 2 halo ring headlights and servicing costs in line with other BMW’s it begins to question why you wouldn’t want one…..oh yes. the price , starting at a whooping £19k and loaded with a lot of the toys this bike had, an eye watering £25k this bike only then makes sense if the other types of bike you are looking at are Honda’s Goldwing or some sort of Harley

Pro’s – Pretty much everything. Super smooth 1600 engine. Available Equipment

Cons – Electric screen is still to low when on the highest setting for bigger riders. Price

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

M1000R (2023)

Following from BMW’s first ‘M’ bike the M1000RR comes the hyper naked version of their S1000R, the amazing M1000R. Wow, oh wow, what a bike this is, based on the standard bike but looking like it’s swallowed a bottle of steroids the M-thou sports some large wings on the front, Bulby ‘s not keen on wings for road bikes as he things it’s OTT and not really required but they do really make this bike standard particularly when you look at it head on. The real headline of this bike is the 210hp motor, a full 45hp over the standard bike and catapult’s into the hyper-naked class currently home of Ducati’s Streetfighter V4 and Kawasaki’s H2. Not having ridden the others in this class we’d still have the M-thou as it looks better than the Kawasaki as the green team’s styling department needs sacking (in our opinion) and it has the feel of better long term reliability and build quality over the streetfighter (again only our opinion based on having owned recent other Ducati’s.

This bike comes in 2 versions, the bike in these pictures is the standard M-thou with a price tag of approx £20k, if money is no problem BMW also do a competition version (like their M cars) at a cool £25k it does have a beautiful dark grey paint scheme which blends those wings in nicely but does have a menacing/intimidating look and feel to it.

The bike we rode was limited to 8500rpm as it was brand new and still running in but even up to this point the power is insane, it pulls hard from low down and with a full rev range available to you this bike will want to be looking sky wards a lot as you pin the throttle. This bike is so fast but with that it’s also smooth, not fussy or difficult as you might expect from a bike with this much power, if you want to potter through some 30mph limits the bike does it easily and if it wasn’t for all the M badges that catch your eye you’d be forgiven for thinking you were riding a standard S1000R. Would we have one if the money was there, absolutely, go find out for yourself and grab a test ride, you won’t stop smiling.

Pro’s – Power, it’s a proper 210hp naked monster, smooth but amazing power delivery, comfortable, great road manners,

Cons – Price – £20k for the standard bike, £25k for the Competition, Winglets

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

M1000XR (2024)

The much anticipated BMW M1000xr is now in the showrooms so we took advantage of the very nice people at Bahnstormers in Alton and took out their demo model. This is not the more expensive carbon laden one but does look good cloaked in the M sport livery however due to the bike having very few miles on it we were limited to just how much we could give it.

As with the other 2 bikes in the M range the XR comes complete with winglets designed to give downforce when you apply the power from the +200bhp powered engine taken from the RR as well as a whole host of M range goodies that make this a £+22k machine.

First impressions riding it however were a little underwhelming, yes this is one mighty powerful bike, however the power is very linear and with the low down lack of torque meant that we didn’t really to get to experience what an animal this bike is lightly to be on full chat. The ride is hard ( as you’d expect) however on the less that perfect surface roads this gave the bike a nervous/twitching feeling.

Were we blown away by this bike the answer has to be no, with all of us saying that for day to day riding the GS1300 ( that we had at the same time) would be the better bike given it’s road manners and torque from the boxer engine, oh and don’t forget the luggage situation which on the MXR is in our opinion a massive mistake by BMW,

Pro’s – Looks, Over 200bhp, M stuff

Cons – Doesn’t sound or feel particularly fast, Low down torque, Luggage, Winglets, Price

Rating – 8/10

For more information click Here

NineT Scrambler

The Scrambler is a real kool looking bike which perfectly suits the style of the 1250 boxer engine. The retro styling is very en-vogue at the moment and the Scrambler is a perfect Sunday afternoon ride to the pub type of bike. from the singled sided twin exhaust to the round headlight and single gauge this bike oozes retro appeal.

When coming from the rev happy 1000Xr you really have to adapt your riding style with the 1250 boxer engine, this engine is really torquey so suits the select a high gear and twist the throttle rather than the chasing up and down the box that you find yourself doing on the in-line 4.

There are some down sides to looking so kool though, the single gauge while formative is cluttered and we’d prefer the twin gauges of some of the other 9T variants which includes a rev counter, the seat is also like sitting on a plank and after 10mins started to cause a numb bum.

On the day of the test the weather was horrible so it was difficult to really see how the Scrambler handles on the road to any degree however it did handle the lying water well but did seem quite hard when finding lurking potholes. Now the Scrambler name does give a nod to off road riding but ( and this applies to the competition) we wouldn’t really recommend taking this bike off road, yes it has tyres that look slightly trial based but other than that this is a £10k bike with a big , wide boxer engine.

As with a lot of the BMW ranges you are buying a premium brand so there is a premium cost but this bike does come with good equipment which includes heated grips and cruise control, one thing it doesn’t have ( on this particular bike) is BMW’s excellent Quick Shifter and blipper but there is an argument that says this engine doesn’t suit it quick-shifter anyway.

The 9T scrambler is a beautiful looking bike in a competitive market with the likes of Ducati and Triumph also having bikes with the same moniker, if you can live with the hard seat a great addition to anybody’s garage.

Pro’s – Look and Style, Torquey tried and tested Engine

Cons – Hard Seat, Single Gauge, Price

Rating – 8.5/10

For more information click Here

Fore a mini review click Here

NineT (Other Variants)

Not a bike any of the team have owned but have had a number of test rides on and it is a bike which the whole team love even though it is limited to really a sunny Sunday afternoon Hoon machine. The clever thing that BMW have done with the NineT is make it so personal, you can have a version that is naked, off road, cafe racer, street racer etc etc . All bikes use the tried and tested BMW boxer engine however different exhaust setups offer slightly different power outputs. This bike really is anything you want from a bike ( with the exception of a touring version, if you want that buy a GS) with various different gauges, seats and numerous other items that you can add to really make it unique. Do yourself a favour and on the next sunny day get yourself down to BMW and test ride a NineT, you won’t be disappointed.

Pro’s – Various models and numerous options, Paint schemes, Quality feel

Cons – Not really for everyday so would be really a second bike, expensive, to much choice

Rating – 8/10 ( dependant on variant)

For more information click Here

R1300 R (2026)

* 1st up for the day was Juicey and not out of choice (thanks Bulby) on the new naked R1300R, and boy did he hate it, ‘the worst bike I’ve ridden, I had cramp after 10 mins, the engine feels agricultural, there is nothing I like about this bike’. Interestingly someone else who rode it absolutely loved it and so I guess that’s the thing different people look for different things in a bike. Even though this has the same engine as the GS1300 ASA he rode late that day which he loved so many other things come into play. Sadly due to someone crashing the RS which we were due to test we’ll have to wait for a comparison of that against the GS and the R but for us this is a deffo No and begs the question why would you choose it over the S1000r, Bulby rode a F900 twin and with a little more power he reckons in this guise is a better engine

Pro’s – Looks, Tech

Cons – This blue colour, Riding position, engine/gearbox set up, everything

Rating – 3/10

For more information click Here

R 1300RS ASA (2026)

** So the bike ridden here was the ASA version (automatic gearbox) by Bulby

Looks & Design: Unlike some of their other new bikes BMW have really knocked it out of the park when it comes to the look of the RS, no longer a bit ‘Old Man’ it’s now sporty, sleek and looks like it means business which now having ridden it, it clearly does. They’ve also nailed the colours with this grey bike, a triple black, an all metallic blue which is very striking as well as the Motor sport colours seen on the earlier bikes. What still aggrieves us is the Grey bike seen here is the 719 version which is a mighty £2000 over the base blue bike and if you want the M-sport colours that’s a whole £3000, now we understand it’s not just paint you are paying for but come on BMW and also on that note why if I want to purchase a bike your configurator tells me I can’t have certain things if I’m choosing a certain bike for example if I want the M-sport it won’t let me prep it for luggage

Comfort & Ergonomics: Interestingly when we sat on this bike at the Bike show if had a real like your balls where squashed into the tank however riding it now there wasn’t that feeling at all now this maybe that they have changed something or the way it was on a stand but have to say from the off this bike was comfortable and well laid out with what felt a good seat nice peg position if there did feel a little pressure on the wrists. Mirrors are well positioned and on this bike bike it had a relatively small screen. This is a really nice place to be, the TFT screen is not on the scale of the RT’s and even felt a bit smaller than that on the XR but it does exactly everything you need it to do. One thing to note was that after a 40minute ride Bulby did say his right hand had gone a bit numb, now it is difficult to know if this was just this bike or an issue with the design but riding an S1000XR/R is something that is quite common.

Performance & Ride Quality: With great dollops torque from the boxer engine, 149Nm and with power being pushed to 145hp this is a rapid bike that will get you across countries at speed and in comfort. The fact that this was a demo tour under strict conditions didn’t allow to play with the set up however talking with the instructors it became apparent that in road and rain setting this bikes geometrics are set to offer stability at speed while in Dynamic it is tuned to give a more sporty feel with a quicker turning response by shortening the wheel base. The big problem with this bike is the ASA gearbox, now in manual mode it is actually very very good and extremely smooth however switching into auto means it does whatever it wants with holding 4th for long periods on this ride and then sudden gear changes when you don’t want them.

Final Thoughts: Bulby’s sees the RS1300 Se as a possible replacement for his S1000XR next time he comes to change and now having rid one that hasn’t changed, The engine is smooth and torquey so you can be lazy with your gear changes where on the XR you are hunting revs to go fast but as with the RT the real problem is the ASA gearbox, in manual it’s very smooth but most of these bikes are likely to be built with this gearbox which is even more pointless on something you want to be sporty. Go for the manual and it actually starts of cheaper that the XR however as previously mentioned who wants the basic bike and if you did get a deal on one it’ll be because the dealers are finding it hard to move on and so it’ll effect your resale value to. Make no mistake this is a very very good bike that’s also pretty and if you were happy with the very base model it starts at under £14000 however in Bulby building his version in blue ( as the photo of the bike in the showroom) he some how has managed to get that price up to £25000, deep breath and take our money!

Pro’s – Looks, Tech and spec, Torque from 1300 Boxer engine

Cons – ASA Gearbox in auto seems to make changes when it chooses and not always at the best time.

Rating – 9.5/10 (manual gearbox would probably be 10)

For more information click Here

R1300 RT (2026)

** The first of the 2 R1300’s Bulby rode on the demo day at Bristol

Looks & Design: As with any bikes looks it is really each to their own, the Triple Black bike ridden by Wolfman looked a bit menacing, even more so if the screen was changed out for a dark tint one however in the blue it is more striking and I quite like the RT lettering on the side. Its a very clever and in general well designed bike as are most BMW’s however it’s not a bike that is beautiful, maybe the looks will grow on you and we’re sure if you own one you’d be happy with it, like any parent, they love their child no matter what they look like

Comfort & Ergonomics: Interestingly when I got on the bike and set off my first impression was that my legs were pushed up and I immediately started to get leg cramps to the point I thought I don’t know if I can ride this. Wolfman had also mention that the bike felt cramped for his legs when he had the loan bike, which isn’t great for a bike who’s whole remit is to be a tourer that you can sit in the saddle for hours . However very quickly this was a distant memory and the bike became more and more comfortable the longer I rode it. The seat was ok, not particularly plush like the old RT1250 but good enough not to be an issue. The arm hand position is very good and the mirrors are very clear and vibration free although with the low down position it takes a little getting used to. One thing I don’t like on this and a number of the newer BM’s is the re-siting of the power on/off button to the right hand handle bar switching which means that there is no longer a heated grip switch and instead you have to go into the menu to change, this feels like a step backwards and a safety issue as on the move you have to try and scroll while riding. The RT comes with a whole host of options and is well equipped, this bike was the top of the range R1300RT LE ASA ( at a whooping £25k) but was lacking some of the extra’s like the stereo and lane change warning system.

Final Thoughts: This is a very interesting bike, at first you look at it and think well it isn’t pretty then as you ride it it makes more and more sense if your thing is big distances probably 2 up you’re going to end up loving it and getting used to the looks. Bulby even started to get feelings for it after a 40minute ride as it clearly is a very good bike. Taking a look at what bikes BMW had available in stock they were all with the ASA gearbox which in our opinion makes it a worse bike, yes you’ll never stall it as it’s like a big twist and go but why pay the extra when the normal bike comes with BMW’s excellent quick shifter and blipper and there in lies another of this bikes problems, price. Nobody wants a basic bike and tbh the dash will having a massive 10inch screen has big blank plastic areas for speakers and buttons that do what exactly, so to fully load this bike you are looking at a very hefty £26/27K

Pro’s – Tech

Cons – Looks divide opinion, Price fully loaded, ASA Gearbox in auto seems to make changes when it chooses and not always at the best time. Unless fully loaded feels cheap in places with blanks for speakers and the phone pocket on the take by the handlebars

Rating – 9/10 (manual gearbox would probably be 9.5 with only the price meaning its not a 10)

For more information click Here

R18 1st Edition (2022)

The R18 is the type of bike the TTW crew tend to steer clear of as they feel cruiser type machines are too much of a compromise for the UK market and Bulby being given this one as a loan bike has not changed their opinions in the slightest. Trying to find good points about this bike were heard and limited to find, a low seat, reverse gear and good equipment in the form of rider modes, cruise control and heated grips however the negative things question why you’d want one, very very vibey, uncomfortable seat, the engine sticking out so making motorway pegs impossible, no fuel gauge, buffeting from the screen so bad your eyeballs vibrate in their sockets we really couldn’t find a lot to love about this bike, if you have to have a BMW and you must have a cruiser then yes this is the bike for you but otherwise look elsewhere

Pro’s – Low seat, cruise control, heated grips, reverse gear

Cons – to quiet, uncomfortable, very vibey making everything numb, buffeting from screen, price, nearly everything

Rating – 4/10

For more information click Here

For a closer look click Here

S1000R Sport (Klaus) & Msport (K2) (2017-2019)

Klaus as this S1000r sport is known is truly a remarkable bike, with the same power train as found in the XR and with the same levels of equipment this truly is an awesome do anything bike. Seen here with the semi rigid, Hepco Becker luggage system it is ideal if the XR is a little to tall for you. In Bulby’s own words ‘ this is truly the best bike I have ever owned’ and because of this he’s gone and brought another one, this time in the form of a 2018 Msport version, called Klaus 2 or K2 for short. This bike is going to be used for what it was intended so no luggage , single seat….hooning around at weekends only

Pro’s – Everything

Con’s – Wind protection from the standard fly screen (well it is a naked) The 2020 version didn’t get the TFT screen. After a bike this good what can you buy next

Rating – 9.5/10

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S1000R Sport (2022)

The 2022 S1000r sport is an interesting bike, with all the ingredients to make a brilliant bike how can it not be a hit, simple it’s compared to its predecessor. The 2022 bike uses the same engine found in the latest XR which in turn is derived from the RR but like the XR it has to live up to what’s gone before. Sadly in Bulbys opinion (he’s ridden or owned both) it fails. Yes, this is a very good bike, the BMW TFT screen is excellent, the extra’s on this bike are great with blipper, quick shifter, heated grips cruise etc but it lacks what the previous bike had, character, the bug eyed front, the popping and banging as you shifted up and down, all gone for a euro friendly, sanitised bike that is more refined but nowhere near as much fun. Buy it not having owned the previous bike and you’ll be very happy but if you know what it’s like to sample the rawness of the original, you’ll be left wanting.

Pro’s – TFT, Blipper and Quick shifter

Cons – Look, Sound, Colour scheme

Rating – 8/10

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S1000RR Sport (2020)

Wow, in the motorad colours this bike looks the dogs danglers, it really does stand out and look every bit the amazing sports bike it is however riding it the RR doesn’t quite live up to the Hype its motorsport paint job would have you believe. Yes it’s fast, very fast, with 3 figures coming up on the brilliant TFT display very quickly, the new engine with the variable cam thingy has 207BHP which is more than bikes racing in super-bike series on the TV would have had only a few years ago but in some way this new engine lacks some of the character seen on the older models (as with the new XR which uses a detuned version of this same engine). The seat is very hard and high and the riding position is very focused with a lot of weight on the wrists. DJ took one of these bikes out a few weeks prior to this with the intention of parting with some of his hard earned ( make your own mind up about that) cash and within half an hour came back and handed the keys back as he was totally underwhelmed. Starting price is on the money with what you’d expect in today’s market at around the £15900 mark for the basic RR, £16900 for the RR Sport and an eye watering £20k for the M sport in these photo’s, fully loaded up and the M sport will set you back a wallet busting £26k

Pro’s- Colour scheme (M Sport), looks, TFT and electronics package, It’s bloody fast!!

Cons- Engine lacks character compared to others ( R1, Ducati, Aprillia etc) Seat. Cost

Rating – 8.5/10

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S1000RR Sport (2022)

As great as the latest incarnation of BMW’s iconic S1000rr is to look at with its sharpen lines and chiselled front end the real impact of ownership is disappointing. A number of reliability issues and faults from new as meant the bike has spent a lot of time parked up with its owner left frustrated with stories of long delays for parts. Once it is fully functional further updates will follow but for now ownership of the sports bike is at best questionable when believing your buying into a premium brand.

The longer its gone the better its got and the issues first experienced have settled down a bit, the owner of this bike ‘Darren’ is still not super happy and has even told us recently that if a RSV4 factory came up again like his last one the RR would be for the chop. Sad as it really does look the part with it’s alien looking headlights but lets see what happens next

Pro’s – Looks

Cons – Reliability

Rating – 7.5/10

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S1000XR (2019)

BMW have taken the engine found in the S1000RR road bike, de-tuned it and wrapped in sports touring clothes to give you the S1000xr and in turn made the boys favourite bike (Ever). With all the tricks that you find on the S1000r of blipper, quickshifter, heated grip, cruise, rider modes etc and with the same 165bhp power output this bike was designed to take on the opposition in the sports tourer/adventure bike section with the Ducati Multistrada firmly in it’s sites. The engine is an absolute peach and really the choice comes down to whether you prefer a twin or an in-line four, the choice is yours but having ridden both we think the S1000xr really does leave the Ducati in it’s wake.

Pro’s – Equipment, engine, reliability…….. everything

Cons – Vibrations

Rating – 9.5/10

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S1000XR TE- (2020 )

This is really a bike that divides opinion, even within the crew. Riders of the gen 1 bikes seem to prefer their machines, the popping of the exhaust, the brutal acceleration, the way you can throw the bike about saying the MK 2 (or Mk3 as it is really as the Mk1 XR had a mild facelift midway through it’s life) really isn’t worth the £4/5k to part ex their bikes for. And the final part of that is mostly likely true, however this bike is much more refined, lighter, sharper and very much improved. A truly brilliant all round sports/adventure/tourer (call it what you will) the more you ride this bike the more it makes sense. Yes the engine has lost some of it’s character with no popping or banging that while addictive is also an annoyance when you want to go unnoticed. As the miles click by the power and performance of this bike really do excel and I honestly believe it will make you a faster rider as the control is excellent. The TFT is brilliant offering great information at the touch of a button but also the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity etc. There are some niggles though, the seat, on this bike is the low seat which for Bulby is a must (he’s vertically challenged) with various reports complaining about how uncomfortable it can be and with any XR there have been reports that some bikes are still experiencing the handle bar vibrations found in the MK1’s. If you can live with that or are lucky enough to get a bike that doesn’t suffer from the vibes you will open up a whole new world of excitement and fun.

Pro’s – Creamy smooth, super quick, TFT dash, Keyless,

Cons – Engine has lost some character (no popping, linear) Beak is flimsey looking. Only 2 paint options. Cost of TE fully loaded

Rating – 9/10

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S1000XR TE M-Sport (2023)

Review to follow: The basic bike hasn’t changed since the launch of the MK2 S1000Xr since its launch in 2020 other than changes in paint colours and decals. One thing that has come to light with the first few rides, it feels like BMW have changed the seat in some way, unlike the 2020 bike which pushed your bits forward onto the tank the 2023 bike doesn’t do this so much and it feels like your sat flatter.

Pro’s – M Sport colour scheme, Standard equipment

Cons – Needs revving to really get it going, needs more torque below 6k rpm.

Rating – 9.5/10

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S1000XR (2024 Mark 3)

New for 2024 is the latest version of BMW’s sports tourer the S1000XR, this is the 3rd generation of this model and on first inspection it looks exactly the same as the Mark 2 which BMW introduced in 2020. However there are some subtle changes over the out going Mk2 bike and not just in revised liveries, mainly a small power hike in engine performance from 165bhp to 170 bhp.

Now in regard to the paint schemes we like them (particularly the white M sport in the photo and the black with white XR logo) however looking closer there are some things BMW are doing which when you think it’s a premium brand they shouldn’t, look closely and the front side panels are now not painted and just black plastic, also in the coin tray on the tank it used to come with like a small rubber mate in the bottom, not any longer, we can only think they are doing this to save on costs.

So far we are yet to ride one to see what difference the engine changes make but as soon as we do we’ll give you further updates

Pro’s – New coloured nose, Extra 5BHP

Cons – Graphics, Colour choice, None painted Side Panels

Rating – 9/10

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