BMW F 900 XR 2022 — Specifications

When Munich decides to democratize its sporty recipe, the result is quite formidable. The S 1000 XR had paved the way for the sport-GT, but its large displacement and price closed the door to many candidates. The BMW F 900 XR therefore arrives in 2020 with a clear proposition: the same trail-sport DNA, served in a noticeably more digestible medium displacement.

The silhouette speaks for itself. Where the larger XR imposed its mass, the 900 displays more taut lines, a leaner rear, a contained musculature. It weighs in at 219 kg fully fueled, which remains honest for a machine so equipped. The steel perimeter frame shares its philosophy with that of the F 750/850 GS, as does the aluminum swingarm. However, the 43 mm inverted fork and the radial four-piston calipers clearly betray the sporty intentions. The seat height adjusts between 775 and 870 mm depending on the chosen configuration, which opens the cockpit to a wide spectrum of body types. The high handlebar installs a high riding position, almost dominating the road, typical of the genre.

Under the 15.5-liter plastic fuel tank, the 895 cm3 parallel-twin is the centerpiece of the package. BMW has worked on the block derived from the F 850 GS: 2 mm wider bore, forged pistons, redesigned cylinder heads, compression ratio increased to 13.1:1. As a result, 105 horsepower at 8500 rpm and 92.2 Nm at 6500 rpm. The torque curve is more generous across the range than that of its predecessor, and this is where the engine really convinces: it pulls from the midrange, without waiting for the top of the rev counter to express itself. The six-speed gearbox manages all of this with correct fluidity, for a consumption announced at 4.2 liters per hundred. The maximum speed of 199.6 km/h says everything about the positioning, clearly oriented towards fast roads rather than the track. A restricted version to 35 kW is available for A2 license holders.

At €11,290 for the 2022 version, the BMW F 900 XR positions itself in the same price range as the Yamaha Tracer 900 and the Triumph Tiger 900. This is the entry price, and this is where the shoe pinches slightly. The 6.5-inch color TFT screen is standard, as is Bluetooth connectivity, and the Road and Rain riding modes as well. But the list of options is dizzying. The electronic adjustable ESA suspension, the adaptive cornering light, the bidirectional shifter, the cruise control, the heated grips, the center stand, the USB socket: each piece of equipment is paid for separately. For those who want to accessorize their machine with a BMW F 900 XR top case or BMW F 900 XR panniers, you will also need to budget for accessories accordingly. The Pro pack unlocks cornering ABS, DTC, MSR and two additional modes, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro, the latter allowing for fine-tuning of each assistant to the point of partially deactivating them.

The BMW F 900 XR test reveals a consistent, well-built motorcycle with a real road character. It targets the intermediate rider who wants to leave the roadster without embracing the weight of a large trail, someone who does highway kilometers without giving up the pleasures of a winding road. Faced with the Tracer, the BMW plays the card of technology and the prestige of the brand; faced with the Tiger, it focuses on finish and ergonomics. Neither one nor the other is really worried about the other, each having its faithful. On the BMW F 900 XR used market, the 2020, 2021 and 2022 models are exchanged at still supported prices, a sign that depreciation remains contained. It is often the mark of a machine that keeps its promises over time.