Motorbike review: BMW S 1000 XR

Equipped with panniers - also housing useful, high-quality zip-up inner bags making it easy to carry equipment into hotel bedrooms - I put it to the test on a longer ride as temperatures began to fall, demanding more luggage, more creature comforts.

Heading out from London through the Surrey Hills, the heavily-laden panniers and top box made little impression on the 163HP bike, which, without luggage, weighs in at 228 kgs. Response from the throttle was still instantaneous, the handling still highly sure-footed - especially for such a tall bike - the ride pliant reasonably forgiving.

Not for nothing have legions of motorcyclists turned to adventure style motorcycles - or indeed to BMW which specialised not only in motorcycles, but also in a wide range of high quality Motorrad clothing and accessories - for their riding pleasure.

Thanks to the attention to detail, it is evident that this machine is an accomplished year-round performer. If you can put up with the weather.

In cooler air the screen - and heated grips - provide the rider with just the right amount of protection, while, on slippier roads, the traction system provides extra reassurance. Only while parking in tricky conditions - or manoeuvring in tight city traffic - did I occasionally find the bike’s height a slight issue.

The rest of the time this was one fine, tremendously enjoyable bike - a bike which urges you to find the long way round to your destination, for the sheer fun of it.

Kitting the S 1000 XR out for longer rides isn’t cheap, however. The pannier fastenings cost £145, while the grid for the top box is £130. The top box itself is around £397, while two panniers will set you back a hefty £719. If you want the extremely useful three inner bags, they will cost a further £226, so that’s around £1,617 all-in, just for the luggage.

It’s just as well – at that price – that the luggage works superbly. Using the same key as the ignition switch, it was simplicity itself to attach either top box or panniers to the bike, and to lock them securely in place with the turn of the key. The panniers opened wide, allowing the nicely-made inner bags to slip in and out easily, with an extra, elastic retaining strap for security. It really is far easier to pre-pack the lightweight inner bags in the comfort of your home, or hotel room, than trying to cram individual objects, or perhaps carrier bags, into the panniers at the roadside or in a car park.

No danger, either, of messing up your clean hotel linen when unpacking, as the inner bags remain clean, and dry.

So there you have it; the quintessential all-rounder. Great in summer for short blasts and entertaining days out. And impressive as a long-distance carry-all, too.

Details: BMW S 1000 XR

Price as tested: £15,990

Top speed: over 155mph

Tank capacity: 20-litres

Seat height: 840mm

Weight: 228 kgs

Max HP: 163

Max torque: 83 ft-lb

Emissions: 154 g/km