I've got a test ride on the R1200RS tomorrow. Had my eye on this for a while and the S and SE is well appointed for the price. If the comfort is up there then its definitely on my short list. Had some soul searching in terms of power difference, though when I rationalised it I have paid for ponies that rarely use to the limit.
I did back to back demo rides of the S1000XR and R1200RS. Did 50 miles on each, over exactly the same route. RS first, XR immediately after. I'm totally convinced: the S1000 engine is just awful on a bike like this. It loves to be revved and caned. At 8k rpm, it reminds you it has 50% more revs to go. All power, less torque. It never 'hits' you from down low. High frequency vibes buzz through the bars all the time. The tank is wide as it is with most IL4s, and the seat cups your arse giving you no space for movement. Great for keeping you in place, but not so good on your nads or if you want space to move following a long day in the saddle. It has a short wheel base, which combined with the frantic engine does not allow for a relaxed cruise or big mile munching. You are aware of the tall front end, and the 17" wheel... strangely it reminds you of a shopping trolley with undersized wheels. The gearbox is perhaps the highpoint: it was superb, especially with the GSA-Pro giving you on demand pops and bangs on the downshifts. Surprisingly, I felt like I made much quicker progress on my GS, where the torque and drive meant you arrived at corners with the same pace, but drove our harder and faster... the XR is trying to be too many things to people, imho. It definitely lacks the space and comfort of the GS, and I don't think it's realistically any quicker in the real world. Sure, it has 35hp more, but it comes at the expense of low down drive, stability, and only makes it known at 10k rpm... really? In comparison, the new RS was actually faster! The fueling of the LC Boxer is even better compared to my 2015 GS. It is silky smooth with few vibes. The gearbox is better than the GS, but not as refined as the less torquey XR. But the RS rolles beautifully from left to right, and it allows you to maintain immense speed through any given corner... far faster than the XR, due to it's low CoG and longer wheelbase. It is superbly stable. But all in all, the RS feels quite anodyne... it lacks the character and verve of the GS. A modern day VFR really. It will be a great mile muncher, offers great comfort for the shorter rider, and would also be a great commuter. Not for me though - the GS is all that plus far more.
Really loved the RS today, so much so I have a deposit down on the SE. Soo many toys and goes a lot better than the paper specs would have you believe. The first bike I think I have sat on where the seat comfort was a non issue. ever! I've PX'd the multi though that was a bit hit and miss. The dealer network is brimming with part ex Multi's currently that it took some considerable ringing around to get it accepted. I have an ABS model which apparently is easier to shift. There was a 2014 PP there which they had to decline PX on as they could not off load it to the dealer network. Should arrive in mid July so need to gut my Multi in the meantime to flog bits off.
Took out the XR today and I was very impressed. Yes it has a slight (as expected, it's an IL4) buzz and the seat does lock you in but these are minor gripes in the grand scheme of things. The quickshifter was stunning and the power delivery was silky smooth, it has plenty of torque for me - my 899 felt gutless after a few hours on the XR. It's definitely a license looser on twisty b-roads, i found myself encouraged to drive a lot faster than my 899, I think this is partly due to the sublime suspension which negates any poor quality road services. The exhaust note is sublime with plenty of gargling and popping. I can see how you could easily pick faults in the XR having come from a Multi, but having driven both in the last few weeks the XR definitely gets my vote. Either way they are both great bikes.
Time for a bit of a thread resurrection. I've just been out with some pals, two of whom have XRs. I had a chance to ride one of them - the first time I've had a go on one since I had my DVT full Termi system and 42T rear cog fitted. Some key points: The DVT has much sharper pick up when rolling on the throttle compared to the XR, which takes longer to "spool up". Once the revs are up the XR is very rapid. XR quickshifter is hilarious. Both bikes maxed out (for a bit) were inseparable up to about 115 on this particular closed private road. Urgh - mid range buzzing through the bars on the XR was horrible. XR is geared much lower than the DVT hence feeling like needing to drop a gear on the DVT. The XR felt a bit harsher than the DVT (standard model with normal suspension). Not sure what settings the XR was on but the DVT felt the plusher of the two. XR felt quite "busy" whereas the DVT feels much more relaxed. My pal who rode my DVT was very enthusiastic about the mid-range grunt. Both are excellent bikes. As a v-twin sort of rider I couldn't have the much more buzzy XR, but completely see how others who are more 4-cylinder types rave about it.
I think the quick shifter really help sells the XR, something I expect to be on the next version of the DVT
I'm riding the XR next week, so will see what happens. I do however remember my switch from four cylinders to two - CB400/F to my first Ducati, a Pantah 500. I couldn't believe how slow the Pantah felt, despite having 40% more power. "Bloody Italian liars" I thought. Until I looked at the speedo. I've been on V-twins ever since
I owned the XR and totally agree with what Tobers states, the XR will tour but it's not as refined as the dvt by a long shot, it's very busy and geared to pull at any speeds very rapidly, the shifter is a lot of FUN, build quality is good and they have not had any problems, the esa suspension is harsh and very basic with only 2 settings tbh its a gimmick, a non ESA bike would be much better and easier to set up as a single rider, They suffer with vibes but now several companies do replacement heavier bar ends that have resolved the issue. Hard decision for anyone testing both bikes.
