In a range dominated by the iconic R 1200 GS and the high-performance S/M 1000 RR, it’s easy to forget BMW’s range is very comprehensive these days with something for (almost) everyone.
Among these models are the F 900 R and F 900 XR middleweight twins, and both machines have been updated for 2025 with a number of modifications to keep them at the sharp end of some highly competitive classes.
For this review we’re focusing on the XR, a kind of adventure sports crossover that sits alongside the likes of Triumph’s Tiger Sport 800 and Yamaha’s Tracer 9 in the revived sports tourer category, but XR is itself a development of the naked roadster ‘R’ – and both receive similar modifications and parts in this round of updates. Both models get lighter wheels, completely new and fully-adjustable upside-down forks, slimmer rear ends, bold new colours and graphics, plus a 900g lighter battery.
Both bikes share the same 895cc parallel twin powerplant and steel 'shell' frame, as well as many of the cycle parts. That engine produces 105bhp in the latest Euro5+ trim, with 92Nm of torque, but 2025 sees the addition of a new Dynamic riding mode as part of the standard package, while Akrapovic now supplies a factory option silencer to reduce the weight by a further 1.2kg.
Where the 900s differ is in their final setup and detail tweaks. The F 900 R is three kilos lighter and has a more aggressive riding position, while the XR has a new, 30mm higher screen, heated grips and the adaptive Headlight Pro.
Prices for the XR start at £10,890 (or €13,990 in Ireland), which is in line with the key competition, but our test bike came in at over 25% more thanks to the addition of the £650 Sport livery and the optional Comfort and Dynamic packs, which add almost £1700 between them and give access to features like keyless ignition, cruise control, pannier mounts, quickshifter and the taller windscreen.
Where the twin-cam motor might give away a little to its rivals in terms of top end power, it is a terrifically punchy motor which is defined by its mid-range and which feels right at home in the XR. You spend much of the time in the lower rpm and mid-range – crunching miles on the motorway and sweeping A-roads or pulling hard up an Alpine pass. And in an XR context, the motor is simply fun, efficient and strong.
The F 900 XR sits tall on long-travel suspension (170mm front and 172mm rear) and immediately feels bigger and calmer than the roadster upon which it is based. Among the updates, BMW has increased the height of the manually adjustable screen by 30mm, which can easily be operated one-handed on the move.
Handguards now come as standard and with heated grips and optional cruise control, it’s a happy spot to sit for several hours at a time. We didn’t get any prolonged motorway miles to test outright comfort but initial impressions are promising. We did hit a small rain shower, and the new larger screen managed to deflect most of the rain from my upper body (that said, I’m on the short side, and taller riders may prefer an even larger screen).
The dash and switchgear are class leading. Admittedly, once you have ticked a few boxes on the XR's configurator it becomes pricier than the competition, but onboard it oozes quality and every time I throw a leg over a BMW and see that familiar navigation wheel it is like walking into a welcome at my local pub.
Compared to the previous generation model, the XR benefits from a pair of lighter 17” rims and the lighter battery. The longer front forks are now fully adjustable and, with optional ESA rear suspension system installed, the shock is electronically controlled.
You can electronically change the pre-load to accommodate for luggage, pillion, or both. It is a slightly unusual situation to have a semi-active rear and conventional front end, but it seems to work. You can certainly feel the difference in rear damping between the modes, and Dynamic offers a genuinely taut and responsive ride, while Rain and Road mode are plush and comfortable – but, as noted, that all-important front-end feel stays constant.
I was rather surprised by the handling of the XR as in many ways it feels long and stable – bigger than it is – but equally it steers sweetly and is more than happy to rip up a mountain pass. The brakes are strong too. The engine's only slight blemishes are its lack of top-end excitement when compared to similar bikes on sale today.
Its closest competition is the Yamaha Tracer 9 and new Triumph Tiger Sport 800. When riding the XR in isolation, it’s hard to accurately place it in such a tight and competitive pack, but the XR's quality feel, superb dash, fantastic torque and low-end punch will win over many riders.
It perhaps lacks a little excitement and top-end power compared to the competition, and there's the question of how it will perform when fully loaded with luggage and pillion. Will 105bhp be enough, or is 117bhp from the Yamaha or 113bhp from the Triumph more tempting?
BMW has not reinvented the wheel with the F 900 XR, but simply tweaked it to make it competitive as the competition grows stronger. It isn’t a drastic step forward, but BMW has made its middleweight sports tourer more appealing with a higher basic specification, a taller screen and hand guards as standard.
Its TFT dash, switchgear, build quality and overall level of finish are high while lighter wheels and adjustable forks also sharpen the XR’s handling. The base price is attractive but, again, that is somewhat misleading given that most owners will want to add many of the features found in the optional packs.
2025 BMW F 900 XR specification
Price: From £10,890 (€13,990 in Ireland)
Engine: 895cc parallel twin, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
Power: 105bhp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6750rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain final drive
Frame: Steel shell frame
Suspension: (F) 43mm USD forks, fully adjustable with 170mm travel (R) RSU monoshock with 120mm travel and optional electronic adjustment
Wheels: Cast aluminium, (F) 17 x 3.5”/ (R) 17 x 5.5”
Tyres: (F) 120/70 x 17, (R) 180/55 x 17
Brakes: (F) Twin 320mm disc, Brembo radial calipers, (R) 265mm disc. Cornering ABS
Weight: 222kg (wet)
Seat height: 820mm
Fuel tank: 15.5 litres
Fuel consumption: 56mpg (claimed)
Service intervals: 6,000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 36 months unlimited mileage
Contact: www.bmw-motorrad.com
Words: Adam Child
Pictures: Jamie Morris/BMW Motorrad
