One is a sportbike in a tourer body, the other is a tourer in sportbike body.

I actually prefer the looks of the RS, plus it has that torquey boxer engine and shaft drive, so the choice between the two would be easy for me.

Owned both and frankly, the RS was a much nicer bike to live with! The XR is tall, top heavy and lack the low down grunt that makes the boxer so attractive. Then the shaft drive makes life so much easier! I undertook a 6000km tour on the XR and surprisingly found the cupped seat very comfortable. Wind protection from the screen a little better than on the RS but both generated quite a bit of buffeting. Fuel consumption on the open road was similar and I found the exhaust note of the XR pleasant.

Wow the two bikes I'm contemplating and ur video comes up, amazing.

I had to like this on the video editing alone. 👏🏾 It provides some great content as well, so thanks. 👍🏾

Great show 🤩🤩🤩 And super timing, between you 2 guys. Great work 👍

Fantastic and well presented analysis and comparo!...well done Mat and Mat, could not agree more with you guys😉 Thank you!

This was fab! More of Mat & Mat please, cause this is the kind of inner conversation we motorcyclist often have with ourselves

I was always a fan of the K series 1300 r and s models which BMW gave up on , if they made these bikes with today’s RS electronics I’m sure they would still be the best sport touring bike

Having owned a GS, R1200R, S1000R and most recently the 2021 XR I would rank the XR as my favorite. It’s the perfect blend of comfort, handling and insane top end speed. Great video!

Very nicely done sir! Quite enjoyable format indeed.

Nicely and uniquely done!

These twin brothers are doing very good reviews! Bravo!

Thanks i really needed that vid! Been going back-and-forth forth for a while on these two. Looking to uapgtafe from my 40th Anniv 750GS. Cheers from Daytona Beach, Florida!

Very entertaining and informative.

Pretty amazing format of self discussion. Very modern way of exposing your line of thoughts :D. Quite interested at the RS with my 29" inseam and love for the sporty look.

Superb video chaps, must have been difficult to get the timings on the interaction. Well done 👍🏻

Thanks for Sharing.

I had the ‘R’ and then I test-rode the XR. I sold the R a week later and ride my new XR with a smile on my face every time I am on it. My girlfriend / pillion loves it also.

Realistically, I can fit in one long ride a year so neither want nor need a sports or tall tourer. The rest of the time I’m doing day rides on tight/twisty and open/flowing backroads so the R1250R suits me perfectly. It does everything I need with a lot of fun. “The forgotten naked”.

Brilliant! It's amazing how the both of you seem to have such similar opinions. I'll hang on to me 1250R for a while longer!

Excellent discussion! I've demo'd both (on a much shorter distance than you, of course) and came away with very similar impressions. The RS is a wonderful classic sport-touring bike that will take you wherever you please (on pavement or hard gravel), at a moment's notice. The XR will do exactly the same (and a little more dirt if necessary), but that 4 cylinder, will not only make your left foot work more, but it will also make you feel more alive every km along the way. In other words, both will get you there, but the XR will may you grin, giggle, and laugh doing it. And squirm a little in that seat if you keep it stock.

great review - must have taken ages to put together!

Thanks for this. I had exactly this choice to make, coming from a BMW F800GT I'd narrowed it down to these two. I tested the 1250rs first thinking this would be the one for me, a bigger, smoother more powerful version of my current bike in effect. But the S1000XR blew me away within a few minutes of riding it and I went back and bought one they had in exactly the spec I wanted just delivered. Much more exciting in the twisties and the riding position was a lot more comfy on the motorway getting there. They chucked in panniers too, quite happy.

I'm on a gen 1 2019 gen 1 and I agree with the engine loose bolt sounds 😀

The XR is obviously a more modern concept of the sport touring bike in every sense. Once we agree that “modern” also means “better” or advanced which in some occasions is not…But still, the sporty spirit on the XR is much more evident with the in line four engine than what you get with the twin boxer engine and the XR can have a Chain that doesn’t require maintenance, as bye BMW information if you choose the pack M for that model! Brilliant video. I had a blast watching. Well done !! 👌🏻 Thanks 🙏🏼

RS . Done with chain services on 4000 mile trips . Single sided swing arm makes tire changes quick at home with my tire machine. RS is easier to service for home capable mechanic. XR looks to transformer robot like.

I am literally making this decision right now and torn. Just sold my 1200rs and ordering new bike tomorrow. It’s the chain that’s swaying me away from the XR right now

I would need a ladder to get up on an XR. That's why I settled on the RS. What am I saying "settled on", I walked into the showroom and fell in love. Imperial blue, no chain. smooth as silk and engine braking. Total Boxer convert here! PS-that was a cleve review!

I've been deciding between both also. And I am leaning towards the 1000 XR

Love my RS. Don’t need to ring it out. Shaft drive. Great do anything bike.

Man, I've wanted an XR for a long time. But after riding my 1250 GSA for a season, I'm in love with the shaft-drive and boxer engine. I too think I'd go for the roadster, but it is a tough choice.

We own both of these, mine is the 2022 RS and my wife has the 2022 XR. We now live in the south of France so tour Europe on them. In everyday riding there is nothing to choose between them. The XR has more power and will go faster but neither of us tour faster than 200 kmh anyway, so it is irrelevant. The XR uses about 10% more fuel at the same speeds as the RS. The XR has much more wind noise than the RS but a shorter screen sorts that one out.

I test rode the XR and the RS and like Matt it was close, then rode the 1250R, for me that was the sweet spot and that's what I bought.

Rs footage Northern Spain??? when is the video featuring the best roads in Spain due out. we found a few more amazing roads this summer, keep the great work

The sound of the XR does it for me, love it!

Excellent presentation. I actually had to make that call after 36 000 kms on a GS with the shiftcam boxer, I was seriously eyeing the XR everytime I was at the BMW dealer for a service. Contrary to many people, I was never totally convinced by the boxer. Of course it has got phenomenal torque and the engine breaking is strong which is a valuable help when you ride downhill on mountain passes, for exemple. But I found the engine too loud and full of mechanical noise, also I found it vibrated a lot. I did some research on the XR, mostly on Italian, Austrian and German sites, I live in continental Europe, and very often there were very positive comments on another inline-four powered touring bike, the Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx. I test drove one, was inmediately under the spell because the engine is soooo smooth coming from a boxer and for an inline-four it’s a quite torquey unit. I bought a second-hand one and have never looked back. The gearbox was also way better than the one on the GS. The Ninja fits my body perfectly, I find it nearly as practical as the GS but way more fun. As far as the shift drive is concerned, obviously it’s a big advantage for long-distance trips. My solution, I got a Regina Endurance chain which needs way less attention than a normal chain (actually it was first introduced as an option exclusively for the XR, BMW branded I think, before being offered on the market) and obviously it helps that I don’t usually ride alone, so you’ve got always a pair of friendly hands to help you, should you have to take care of the chain. The riding position is sporty but for me at least it’s more comfortable than the upright position on the GS, I used to get a lot of buffeting which I don’t get on the Ninja albeit at the cost of a little less wind protection but not to the extent of being unconfortable. Cheers

Such nice looking roads to ride on so flat and straight where i am

I have a BMR1250R , TE model 2021. Riding it for 3 years (summers) now.

Funny enough, this comparison is one I often have with myself as i appreciate both for different qualities as a potential long distance touring bike down the road. For the RS, I imagine it’d have lower maintenance and running costs with higher mpg, not having to replace and maintain a chain, two less spark plugs to buy, and for out on tour, probably offer a more cushy ride. For the XR, my knees would greatly thank me as my biggest problem I face while touring on my current sport naked is knee soreness as I’m a taller guy at 6’2, and I also just love the looks of the bike much more. Having a more standard engine type also means I don’t have these cylinder heads always in front of me so it’s easy enough to move my legs around and stretch out while riding. I’ve also never had a supersport so that rush of power associated with those type of bikes is something I’d love to try and experience at some point. I guess ultimately, the RS is the more practical and long distance friendly option, but the XR tickles the more rowdy side of me and speaks to me on a more emotional level.

RS for me as for daily bike and this is the bike I have 😊

I absolutely love the torque and exhaust drone of the boxer engine but hate banging my shins on its cylinders when I’m paddling one about. My F900XR however feels light and comfy. It doesn’t give my knackered shoulders any grief and as I’m in my seventies, it will probably take me to the end of my motorcycling years.

Great fun, .

Last year I was in the market for a more of a tourer as I now ride a S1000RR. I didn't want to sell the RR and the R seemed to similar so I test rode an XR, absolutely hated the riding position. Moved on to a GS that day and fell in love.

I'm running the 1250RS at the moment. The reason I went for this was the shaft drive. Having gone over the mountains in the snow on a Speed Triple 1050 and riding into Benidorm with 4 other bikes, all you could hear where chains screaming out for some TLC. But you're right about the 1250R being a better ride. I had the 1250R while the big service was done to the RS and I noticed straight away it (1250R) is much more fun to ride. I blame the front axle on the RS being kicked out at the bottom of the forks. On the R, the axle is central and just gives a much more flickable, fun ride. Great video. Oh and your also right about getting out of corners quicker than the XR. My last tour there where 3 XR's and yep!!! Cheers...

I've loved the RS since the 80s. 140+ mph .. getaway speeds. The only thing I worry about these days are all of the electronics. I wish boxers were still made with owner service+maintenance in mind. Side of the road repairs.

The previous model of the XR is actually more sporty and accelerates faster from low revs than the last model, so if the noise and slight vibrations are acceptable for you (the models from 2017 onwards have far less vibrations), then it’s worth looking at one.

The sportiest sports tourer I’ve ridden was the 2019 Kawasaki h2 sxse+, and while it was awesome, I traded it in for the 2023 r1250rs se, and while the h2 had better suspension as it’s skyhook vs BMWs own semi active (which is definitely a close second for comfort), and while the h2 has 200hp and a freaking supercharger, the bmw has a very noticeable amount more torque even with 60+hp less, (so much lower top speed) the h2 even when you fully open the throttle accelerates like no other, and hits top speed easier but it does so, so much smoother, like I never felt like it was trying to accelerate from underneath me and leave me behind, 1st gear and full throttle (with wheelie control on) on the bmw my eyeballs always get sucked into the back of my head, and it constantly pulls hard from 2000rpm up to 8000rpm. Plus the bmw is shaft drive too, so nearly maintenance free.

I love both the boxer and in line 4 engines. So, I have had bikes with each type of engine. 1. Rine T+S1000R, then , 2 R1250RS+S100R 2021 3. Now have the 2022 R125-RT+S100R.

I have an R1250RS and used to own an a 2017 XR. I still have an RS but not the XR. I liked the upright seating position of the XR but the seat was terrible. If you like sitting up straight you can add bar risers to the RS.The only way to avoid pretty severe engine vibration on the XR was to operate at low RPM, where it required a downshift to get going. I installed BMWs rubber handlebar mounts and heavy bar-end weights but it didn't help. The cable operated clutch was much heavier than the hydraulic clutch of the RS. Good thing the XR had a very good quick shifter, but riding in stop-and-go traffic where lots of clutch work was needed, is easier on the RS. Steering is lighter on the XR but it's also less stable than the RS in a crosswind, or when riding through the turbulence from a large truck. If you live in a windy place or need to spend hours on a highway, the RS is a less tiring place to be. On an extended trip with the XR you need to cary a huge socket wrench for chain adjustment and chain cleaning and lubing supplies, adding weight and potential mess to your luggage. The shaft drive of the RS is a huge advantage. The RS has much lower fuel consumption and can go farther on a tank of gas. I hear the XR's transmission has been changed so the engine turns slower at highway speed to keep it below the buzzy RPM range. This sounds like an improvement but I would expect it will further increase need for frequent downshifts. I'd be interested to see a top gear roll-on acceleration comparison between the two bikes. I bet the RS will win.

For me RS wins. Don't like SUVs don't like adventure style bikes. I've ridden GS, regular and adventure but prefer more sporty riding position. They are great bikes but not my cup of tea. Recently rode Kawasaki Z1000SX and it was great. RS looks great would like to try it on the road.

The more I look at other bike options the more satisfied I feel with my 1250RS. I bought it slightly used with Shad hard bags and bar riser. Aftermarket Aeroflow touring screen. I think it’s much more comfortable long distance than the cramped XR.

This is exactly the issue I’m having, I have to ride both and decide!

I have a Gen 1 2016 XR. I would say take a test ride...the vibration issue was hit or miss, if a good deal was found on a used one. Purchased used in 2019 with only 1,900 miles on it and no bar end weights. After a couple thousand miles was heading to get the annual service done in 2020. Headed off the interstate exit ramp, I downshifted and for the next minute it did the high frequency vibration thing. Lol...said 'o crap' in my helmet and this must be what the talk about vibration was all about. It lasted about a minute and my hands, butt and feet went numb then it eventually cleared up. Since then it's thankfully been 14,000 miles of vibration-free riding.

Great choice of co-presenter. You have quite a bit to learn from him.

I bought the RS and it’s the best for me for comfort and just love boxer engine plus its torque, no need to constantly shifting and just ride it on low rpm

Gotta say… I’m laughing!! lol thank you for the additional guest commentator on the show!!

so if you had to choose between the RS and the Guzzi V100 which would you go with?

9:38 I identify so much with your view on BMW boxer engines... I'm 51 years old now... and like you, I've always though of BMW boxer engines like the type of engine old man would ride. I have some bikes, including 2 non-boxer BMWs; An 2021 S1000XR and a K1300R. Still don't feel any appeal for the boxer although... I'm the old man now. 😂

😂😂I must say the resemblance between you and Bob is remarkable! Like you, Matt, I cut my teeth on sportbikes like 80’s VFs, early 900 Ninjas, an SRAD and a bunch of Fireblades, I always viewed boxer bikes as bikes for old men. However, after an initial ride on a 1200 GS in the mid 2000’s I’m on my 3rd GS 15+ years later. I also own a VFR which I still prefer for spirited 1 up sport-touring, but for 2 up touring, with loaded vario boxes and miles to munch, nothing beats a boxer. Sorry XR 🤷‍♂️! Ride safe (both of you) 😉👍🏍🇿🇦

I have the 2019 XR model and ride about 25 to 30 000 kms a year. The XR makes the rider smile every ride. On the RS the quickshiter does work like the gearbox on my Massey Ferguson agricultural tractor and the body position gives a lot of pressure on the wrist.

No mention of the M endurance chain. If you're only fair weather riding, with no maintenance should be good for at least 25k.

Thanks for the good review of these bikes. I currently have the second season S1000XR 2022 the year before that I drove the BMW R1200R 2018 I also had it from new and I would rather not buy this model because the boxer is not as great as here what some describe as for me my XR is much better in corners more precise neat it drives very well the engine is incredibly flexible and smooth it is a pleasure to drive it great protection against the wind, less noticeable higher speeds compared to the R1200R in the boxer at 4000 5000 rpm you have to change the gear in the XR starts a great ride you can of course drive legally and that's nice too, it has extra lights! I rarely drive at night, but when it happened, it was a new model and LEDs with MEGA lighting; I haven't noticed instability above 200km/h, I don't understand people who write that they are afraid of a license on XR, it's absurd, you can lose your license on any motorcycle. When buying the XR, I was thinking about the R1250RS, but the rider's position and weaker protection against the wind, the weight of the motorcycle and handling prevailed in favor of the XR, for some the problem is the chain, for me not, because it is maintenance-free. When it comes to sitting in XR, I don't know how far you want to move on these seats because I read that it's a problem, it's possible to change the position a little without any problems, moreover, they write that it sticks in the legs, that's how it was when I picked up a new motorcycle, it was for the first two or three rides it was a little noticeable at the moment the seat adjusted and is very comfortable much better than in R and RS. XR and RS are two different motorcycles with different drive units, each of us has different feelings and requirements and should match the motorcycle for himself and choose the best one for him, you can criticize almost everything, but you should ride a bit and then judge, bad rating after short rides . In a moment there will be an M1000XR with a shift cam with a lot of power over 200KM and the GS1300 will surely be super great motorcycles. If I had to give up my XR, it would only be on the M1000XR GS1300 or R1250RT.

I've ridden both chain & shaft bikes over long distance, I don't know why you would want to stuff around with a floppy sloppy chain until you've had enough & go do the chain adjustment, adjustments & lube messy crap over a shaft, that does it for me, will never own a big bike with chain again, you shouldn't be riding a bike on the road that the slight extra handling performance of a chain gives you but then in the rain & you don't have that jerk from the slack, you can argue what is better handling overall.

I have the RS, and I would describe it's speed as "sneaky fast" Because of that torque, you sometimes have to look at the speedometer to realize how fast your accelerating. It's silky, and never breathless. Everything has a life expectancy. I just don't know if I'll ever get rid of it.

It's just like BBQ... I'm a Texas BBQ guy, and an inline-4 kinda guy! I've owned a ST-1300 and a SV-650... for short periods of time. Heck, even owned the FJ-09 w/ a fabulous triple. Still went back to the inline-4 w/ a 2023 S1000XR MSport. Enjoy your Carolina BBQ and twins, just not for me ;-)

The main advantage of the RS is the shaft drive. I'm skeptical of BMW's claims on the "maintenance free" M-Endurance chain. The RS also has a monster amount of torque, which makes it easier to ride in normal, everyday situations. The boxer will also get better gas mileage, which is a consideration on a tourer. The 2023 RS will have a factory handlebar option, which, for most people, eliminates the main issue with the bike. The RS is almost perfect.

The RS would do for me, I like the torque more than high rev power. How would you rank the RS vs the KTM in terms of agility ? ✌️

I have the 1200 RS (£8,999 BMW Approved - Top of Range SE 2016 with 13k, Nav 5, Topbox and Panniers, 2 year Warranty/EU Breakdown cover). 160bhp would scare me, and the XR (and GS) is too big and tall for me (subjective, I am 59 yrs old). I have a tall Screen (no wind noise or buffeting), bar-risers and a high seat, so can stretch out - but still flat-foot @ 5’10” and 250-300 mile comfy - even with a re-built and bolted Pelvis. I recently tried a 1250 and the engine was much faster, QS better (but I don’t use), and Dash much better - obv a better bike. When my 2 year Approved Warranty runs out in 12 months time I will imm get an Approved 1250 RS. BTW, when in the middle of nowhere in the Pyrenees in Oct this year I filled her up with DIESEL (!!), and the BMW Approved EU Breakdown Cover had me on my way within 2 hours for a local cost of € 22 - Impressive…. 10k trouble-free miles in 11 months and going. I’m sure both bikes are equally good……..all subjective.

The lower R/H fairing on the RS seems to be gaffer-taped up in some shots - what did you hit and what broke?

Can’t you get straight bars for the RS that bring the riding position mire upright?

I own the r1200rs but am desperate to try the XR and would have been my first choice if budget wasn’t an issue. Not having a chain is nice for long touring but it’s still a more leant forward position on the RS and long days in the saddle leave neck \ shoulder pain from that body position

I demoed the XR in the summer (I was buying my first bike after 9 years without one) ready for purchase in November. I ruled it out straight away. It was uncomfortable, I didn’t like the idea of having a chain, and I thought the performance was a quick way to lose a licence. I never ever, considered the RS. It’s a poor relation to the other R1250s, the GSA and the RT. So my initial choice, because my wife loved it, was the GSA. However, the salesman pointed out that if commuting 600 miles over 3 days a week, the weather protection of the RT was the decider. So I bought an RT. Initially, I wanted a brand new one, but due to the current “crisis of stupidity” BMW Motorrad are not producing new bikes. They’re trying to sell stock. As I wanted a particular spec, which included the Radar Cruise (ACC) I had to buy second hand. Now, I’ll get to the point. After covering just over 1500 miles since 9th Nov 2022, I can say that I’m back into my riding. On Thursday, I was in my way back from my London commute, knowing I needed to fuel up before going home. I’ve been riding in ECO mode, getting around 63mpg. So I banged it into Dynamic mode, and my God, what a difference. It was like a rocket ship! My point is, neither of these bikes can hold up to the RT’s versatility. You can carry a mountain of luggage in the RT’s (bigger) pannier and top box. You can take the panniers off, and bung it in dynamic and you can throw it about in a way that belies a bike of its size and heft. I threw it around on Thursday, having got my bike brain and skills memory back, and I came back with the same smile as in an AMG E63S, except, I got 50mph back! The one area where these both destroy the RT is in filtering. On an RT, you better have good judgement and compliant drivers. Compliant drivers seem to be in greater abundance on the A1 (at least until Barnet) than on the M1. Thus, filtering an RT becomes a bit of a physical chore, especially when the retards on bikes start trying to gain position by hustling. If you want something that is comfortable, practical and eats miles, buy an RT!

But seriously - good review, thanks. I have owned a GS, an RT, an XR and I had about 4 hrs on the RS over a number of rides (I was volunteer staff on a demo day...). I really wanted to like the RS - it is the best looking boxer, and the style promised much....alas, I was very disappointed. It steered like a truck. My RT steered much quicker. It turns out that the RS has a more raked out steering head angle then the RT...why? And, of course, the other issue - the ergos. All the bent over BS of a sport bike without the performance. That's why 80% of RS owners put risers on....and why there are three different models of riser available.... The GS is the Mothership's most popular boxer for a reason....they are sooo comfortable, have a magic carpet ride and plenty of grunt where it counts.. The XR is manic, but a hoot in the twisties. As a tourer? Ahh, no thanks. Too much work for the real world - gutless where it counts. Hard to beat a "Adv" twin with 143 NM - question is, does Sir like them horizontal or vertical....a 17 inch front would be the icing on the cake...

Så fornøyd med shiftcam boxermotoren til Bmw. Enormt med bunndrag, passer meg bra på Nord Norske veier. Har en R1250R, passer til mitt bruk. Inline four frister ikke så mye, når man først har kjørt en boxermotor 😎🇳🇴

I see I am not the only one arguing with myself 😂 Only difference is you come to agree 😅 Nice review, although won’t make me turn away from my 1250GSA because of its all around every day qualities (about which U both agree 😉)

Wanted to like the XR but couldn't deal with the seat.Loving my RS.

How do you guys do that?😮😮

Nice video. What about comparing the weight of each bike?

Even though I still don't like how it looks, my R1250R (not the RS) is the best bike I have ever had.

So I had a 16 r1200rt, had a 18 k1600b, have a 21 s1000xr and I'm debating whether to keep the the xr... Or go to a GS or go back to the RT ... The k1600gt is on the list but I don't like the mx and weight of the big 1600. Decisions.

The Boxer is much better than the XR .More torque means quicker on the mountain roads i love .

Hi Matt, must be getting cold sleeping in the campervan ! 2 dog night ?

I think my RT is the way to go for all day riding. It has more comfort overall similar performance and if you carry a rider on the back its much for comfortable for them. The XR is really a fun ride though.

A touring bike needs a decent fuel range... So for me here in OZ there can be no other choice but the RS because the range on the XR is terrible. I have however decided 18 months ago to go all out and get the "Ultimate" tourer, an R1200GS Rallye Beat that on a pensioners budget.

maybe put other two BMW tourers F900XR and K1600 into this party to make a quad-competition

To quiet the XR use Motul racing oil. 300V. Quiets right away.

🔥🔥🔥🔥...💪💪💪

I'd have the rs. Why would you buy a xr which only protects half of your body esp if doing long distance in an English winter?

Super discussion though… what happened to Donovan ? He was a good egg.

Or a Moto Guzzi V100?

I bought RS for shaft drive 😊

I had both (still have one) - loved the RS is like a diesel car, nice and torquee - could feel more road with the front wheel. 20 000 kms later they stole it… Then i got myself the XR (2017)and immediately I was more of a hooligan on the road because of the inline 4 🤣 but I like the sit up position. 50 000 kms later I traded up. Now I have the 2022 XR M spec- seat is horrible but again - because I’m a hooligan on the road I love the XR. RS snappy because of the torque XR needs revs Spot on review! Keep it up!

*the screens are the best in the business* yep…makes it hard to purchase a KTM Ducati or Triumph heh ?

With the RS having shiftcam you would think they could have given it about 150 hp, the HP2 from a decade ago was 142 hp then. I have had a gen 1 XR since 2015 with 66,000 miles and it does almost everything I need from a bike.

Did I miss a comparison of the price of each bike ? Here in the UK the list price for the basic models shows that the XR is almost £2k or almost 13 % more than the RS. I’m not convinced though that these bikes are competing with each other, especially if the comments on this video are anything to go by.

Price wise you’re probably better serviced with a Tracer GT9 or a Kawasaki Versys 1000.

For me it's obviously a decision between the two engines. End of story. One is an aeroplane engine, the other a motorcycle engine.

RS for me please! Oh... I already own one 😊🤣

I like the RS therefore I’d get the R and put a screen on it