BMW to Launch New 2024 BMW M 1000 XR
The two bikes in the BMW M Series—the M 1000 R/RR—have upheld the company’s automotive M brand’s dedication to supreme design and performance. Soon, the M motorcycles will receive a new sibling: the 2024 BMW M 1000 XR.
Touted by the manufacturer as the most powerful crossover motorcycle available, the M XR (to use the bike’s official abbreviation) promises to bring you the best of two worlds. BMW claims the new bike will be a speedster on the track while offering the necessary comfort and stability for long-distance touring.
Based on the current S 1000 RR/XR sport bike models, the M XR aims to marry race-worthy performance with the capability to tackle country roads at speed. Let’s take a look at what this new motorcycle has eaten.
The Heart of M
The rumbling heart of the M XR is derived from the engine we’ve seen on its M 1000 RR sibling. The M XR sports a 999cc liquid-cooled, four-valve, DOHC, in-line four powerplant.
BMW claims the engine is capable of doling out 201 ponies at 12,750 rpm (beating the 2024 S 1000 XR by 31 hp). In torque, we’re promised 83 lb-ft at 11,000 rpm.
Compared to the engine on the S 1000 R, the M XR has more horsepower and torque available at revs above 10,000 rpm, which supersport riders should appreciate. That gives the bike more acceleration power, with the manufacturer stating the M XR can go from zero to 124 mph in 7.4 seconds.
The bike also features BMW’s ShiftCam technology, which varies valve timing and valve lift. The system should provide additional torque at low and medium speeds, while also providing more peak power.
In the transmission department, we find a six-speed gearbox with an anti-hopping clutch. Not that you necessarily need the clutch in all situations, as the bike comes standard with the BMW Shift Assistant Pro, which offers clutchless up- and downshifting.
As one more highlight, BMW has redesigned the air intakes in the same vein as on the M RR/R. Their channel geometry aims to bring the optimal amount of air to the engine in all riding situations.
Flexibility in Frame
Surrounding the powerplant is an S 1000 XR-derived aluminum bridge frame, with the engine acting as an integrated element. Dubbed the Flex Frame, this chassis configuration—consisting of a main frame, rear frame, and the swingarm—has a very narrow design to keep the rider’s knees close to the bike for a more relaxed riding posture.
The standard seat height is 33.5 inches, which is almost an inch taller than on the other M models. That said, BMW offers a lower seat option (32.3 inches), alongside an even taller one (34.3 inches).
To provide a smooth ride, the M XR is equipped with a 45mm inverted telescopic fork with closed cartridge inserts. The front suspension featured an adjustable steering damper, as well as 10 tuning levels for damping rebound and compression.
A central rear shock sucks up bumps on the butt end of the bike, offering the same kind of rebound and compression damping adjustability. Both the front and rear shocks have 5.4 inches of travel.
For bringing the speedy bike to a halt, we get two floating 320mm brake discs in the front, with four-piston fixed calipers. In the rear lives a single 265mm disc with one caliper. The brake system also features a Brake Slide Assist function, which limits brake pressure at the rear wheel to allow the motorcycle to brake drift into corners with constant slide.
The Electronics Package
If you know the M 1000 RR, the M XR’s instrument cluster will be already familiar to you. The new bike shares its sibling’s 6.5-inch color TFT display with custom screens for different situations, such as the Pure Ride screen for road riding and three Core options for the track.
The display allows the rider to take control of the M XR’s respectable electronics package. The bike comes with four standard ride modes—Road, Race, Rain, and Dynamic—that provide fixed settings for altering the level of dynamic traction and wheelie control.
For even more control, you can opt to unlock three additional Race Pro modes. The Race Pro 1-3 modes allow free fine-tuning of the DTC system.
The bike also comes with three throttle maps linked to the various ride modes. The Rain mode offers soft throttle response with reduced torque, the Road and Dynamic modes increase the throttle response while keeping torque in check, and the Race mode unleashes maximum torque.
As with DTC, the Race Pro 1-3 modes allow for free adjustment of the throttle maps.
Another standard electronic feature on the bike is the Dynamic Damping Control (DDC), which is also tied to the ride modes to provide a smooth riding experience in their titular conditions. As with the previous features, the Race Pro modes allow for more intricate fine-tuning.
The M XR comes standard with BMW’s Hill Start Control (HSC) Pro functionality. Unlike the basic HSC system found in the M 1000 RR, the Pro version enables customizing the feature’s settings.
If you’re planning to put in some serious track hours on the M XR, you can pitch in to unlock the M GPS Laptrigger and GPS Datalogger features. The Laptrigger features a data set covering 300 tracks all around the globe.
Finally, the M XR provides standard electronic cruise control and heated grips for that extra convenience and comfort.
A Sporty Beast
In look, the M XR is appropriately sport and aggressive. The narrow and compact design isn’t there just for looks, though, but it also aims to improve handling.
As a standout feature, the motorcycle features BMW’s M winglets on the front side panels. They provide up to 40.7 pounds of additional front wheel load at 174 mph to help keep the wheel safely on the road surface at these extreme speeds.
The motorcycle is available in two colorways. The standard bike sports a Light White/M Motorsport paint job with suitably sport red and blue graphics. Meanwhile, the M Competition package turn the white colors into menacing Blackstorm Metallic.
In addition to a new colorway, the M Competition package comes with carbon parts, such as wheels, rear fender, chain guard, side panels, and front wheel cover. It also includes a fully adjustable rider footrests, passenger footrests, and the aforementioned M GPS Laptrigger.
The standard 2024 BMW M 1000 XR will retail for an MSRP of $24,295, making it the most affordable M Series machine (the M R sells for $26,945 and the M RR for $38,740). According to BMW, the bike will be available in spring to summer 2024.