BMW F900XR Buy a used BMW F900XR
On paper Beemer’s parallel twin has a just-so balance of all the things that matter. And it very nearly nails the delivery…
There’s a primary route for the Snowdonia 360, and it’s chock full of every type of road and endless stop-andstare vistas (and, crucially, plenty of tempting tea-andcake opportunities). But there’s also a secondary route that takes you right up to the magnificence of Snowdon, and it includes the Llanberis Pass. ‘Epic’ is overused, but there’s no other way to describe the view down this steep-sided rock-strewn valley, or the squirm of tarmac that threads its way through. It’s a must-ride section. We reach the Pass early on the second day of our Welsh adventure, and the blue skies that will arrive later are still loitering somewhere the other side of Anglesey. Wispy cloud clings to mountain tops and there’s fine mizzle (you know, that misty drizzle) on our visors. If anything it adds to the landscape, but it also means wet roads. It matters not on the BMW which is happy delivering much reassurance and faith. Part of it comes from the unflappable feel of the front end, part from the compact chassis’ manageability, and part from the suckered-down grip of superb Michelin Pilot Road 5 tyres. In tight hairpins where the physically larger Tracer feels like it’s tip-toeing the F900XR skips confidently. When the Tiger’s less controlled suspension and sketchy rubber let it run wide, the BMW hugs tight, clean lines. ‘On these roads in these conditions I really like the BMW,’ reckons Andy. ‘For me, it’s the most comfortable and confidence-inspiring ride. The only downside is that the distance between the seat and footpegs feels a bit too compact for my six-foot-something. I’d need to get the high-seat option. There is a high-seat option, isn’t there?’
There’s two actually: a high option taking the perch from 825mm to 840mm, and an extra high at a lofty 870mm. There’s a comfort option (840) as well, not to mention a low seat (795) and a suspension lowering kit. How pleasingly BMW.
Despite its modest scale the two-height screen (altered with a super-neat lever) is impressively effective, and though not as protective as the Tracer’s sizeable shield it suffers none of its wind noise issues. The TFT display is handsdown the best here and the switchgear feels functional and robust. The mirrors show what’s behind. There are riding modes, though the connection between ride-by-wire twistgrip, 895cc parallel twin and the rear tyre is so good that there’s no need to select the calmer mode on the morning’s soggy surfaces. And when the sun eventually rocks up and the roads dry, we’re reminded how eager the motor is. The dry-sump unit delivers its peak torque at 6500rpm, just like the Triumph, but there’s 12% more and it feels freer-revving and more flexible. At 103bhp it falls shy of the Yam’s power and hasn’t the Japanese triple’s elastic gear-holding drive, but on ever-changing roads it doesn’t really matter. The XR’S punch is plenty, especially as its gearing is quite snappy. This bike has the accessory quickshifter (Gearshift Assistant Pro in Beemer-speak, £350) for clutchless
‘XR is the most inspiring when you stumble out in a morning’
changing in both directions; it’s very light and easy on up-shifts, but I find it notchier than the Yamaha on down-shifts.
This example is also festooned with other niceties. Add the Touring Pack, keyless ride, tyre pressure gubbins, heated grips, pannier mounts and more, and the reasonably-priced £10,350 base bike becomes £12,350. Not cheap, but still decent value.
We’re unanimous in thinking the XR is the nicest to ogle at. ‘It’s the one with the best design,’ reckons Andy. ‘The Tracer is great to ride but not to look at, and the Tiger looks like they’ve just bolted extra bits on as they realised it needed them. The XR is the most inspiring when you stumble out in a morning.’
The winner, then? If your name’s Paul Lang then ‘yes’, as it’s the bike he wants to take home. Andy’s less sure. For him and I the BMW’S compact riding position with minimal wriggle room doesn’t promise the long-ride comfort of the larger and more spacious Yamaha. On long, smooth, straight roads at constant speed the twin isn’t quite as smooth as the triple either. And, for me, there’s also a little sparkle missing in the F900XR. Yes, it’s brisk, capable, finely appointed and very well mannered, but romping across deserted Welsh hilltops it hasn’t the hint of playfulness and excitement you get from the Yam. The XR’S not quite as much fun… and even the finest all-round good-guy still needs to be that.
It’s been around four years now and so there are plenty of good used examples to tempt. From £6500. Finish seems a bit hit and miss. Check for » paint coming off the fork lowers and furry corrosion on fasteners and chassis parts. Clutches on early bikes were grabby – it » should have been sorted (some were replaced under warranty). There was an ECU update to sort cold running too.