By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer
BMW S 1000 XR (Mark 3) vs F 900 XR (MY2020)
BMW S 1000 XR vs F 900 XR: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
You'll feel the BMW S 1000 XR rush harder and snarl louder as the revs climb under your right hand. The BMW F 900 XR's twin grumbles low at a small crack of throttle. It's already pulling strongly by the middle revs.
So which one do you buy?
The S 1000 XR has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: S 1000 XR
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the S 1000 XR. The difference is harder acceleration and better suspension. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Narrow edge: S 1000 XR
Deep into a long ride, the S 1000 XR asks slightly less of your back and shoulders. A small margin, and seat fit can overrule it.
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: S 1000 XR
The S 1000 XR makes slightly more sense as a commuter. The reason: easier everyday riding. Don't read much into a gap this small.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices.
What makes each one tick
S 1000 XR
Above the midpoint of the tach, the S 1000 XR's inline-four turns ferocious while the semi-active suspension keeps the ride plush over broken pavement. There's real speed behind the throttle up top. At highway pace, a tingly buzz creeps into the bars and pegs, and it's tiring over a long day. Its exhaust keeps begging for revs.
F 900 XR
At parking-lot speed the F 900 XR tips in off a light push on the bar while holding its line calmly at highway pace. The parallel-twin's exhaust has a rumbly note, and the engine's flexible on everyday roads. The suspension swallows every bump whole.
Nils rode the F 900 XR in 2021, and in the Canary Islands in 2025 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The F 900 XR has the lower seat: 32.5 in (825 mm) vs 33.1 in (840 mm).
- The F 900 XR has the lower wet weight: 483 lb (219 kg) vs 498 lb (226 kg).
- The S 1000 XR makes more peak power: 170 hp (125 kW) vs 105 hp (77 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
Don't look for a gap on running costs: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
S 1000 XR
What owners say
Strengths
- Comprehensive electronics package as standard
- Excellent semi-active suspension for real-world comfort
- Superbike-derived engine with addictive top-end power
Trade-offs
- Noticeable high-rpm vibration through bars and footpegs
F 900 XR
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful and flexible engine
- Comfortable for long distances
- Excellent value for money
Trade-offs
- Engine lacks top-end sparkle
- Snatchy throttle response in Road mode
Known problems to check before you buy
S 1000 XR
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
F 900 XR
- Quickshifter reliability The optional quickshifter is known to malfunction, causing shifting issues.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 2-year-old S 1000 XR with a 2-year-old F 900 XR.
- S 1000 XR
- about $15,100
- F 900 XR
- about $10,200
At two years old, the BMW S 1000 XR sits around $15,100 while the BMW F 900 XR lands near $10,200. That's a $4,900 gap in the F 900 XR's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| S 1000 XR | F 900 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 498 lb (226 kg) | 483 lb (219 kg) |
| S 1000 XR | F 900 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 999 cc | 895 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | Parallel twin |
| Power | 170 hp (125 kW) | 105 hp (77 kW) |
| Torque | 84 lb-ft (114 Nm) | 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) |
| S 1000 XR | F 900 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 38 mpg (US) / 6.2 L/100 km | 56 mpg (US) / 4.2 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) |
| S 1000 XR | F 900 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 180/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| S 1000 XR | F 900 XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Standard | Option |
| Electronic Suspension | Standard | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Standard (from 2025) |
| Cornering Lights | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
