BMW’s XR gets M-ore: Prototype M1000XR confirmed by Motorrad

Full specs and pricing have been revealed – check our 2024 BMW M1000XR page for the latest.

• We’ve ridden it: BMW M1000XR review

BMW have confirmed that the third bike in their M series, the M1000XR will be making its debut later this year, after the prototype was spotted being ridden by Peter Hickman on the Isle of Man last week.

Essentially an M-spec version of the ‘superbike on stilts’ BMW S1000XR, details confirm that the prototype M1000XR features the 999cc ShiftCam engine used within the current generation BMW S1000RR superbike, bringing it into line with both the BMW M1000R and BMW M1000RR and promising a peak power output of over 200bhp, to make it the most powerful bike in the adventure-sports class.

Helping keep the front wheel down, the M XR also benefits from similar aerodynamic winglets to those fitted on its naked stablemate, the M1000R, whilst also having the same level of top-spec electronic controls.

So expect five riding modes, traction control and BMW’s Brake Slide Control too. BMW also say that suspension enhancement has also been a key area within the M XR’s development, so it’s likely that it will feature a variation of the M1000R’s DDC active suspension, too. 

Eagle-eyed fans were able to snap further images of the prototype when it was ‘carelessly’ left in the packed TT paddock last week. These shots also show a revised tail unit and the inclusion of the anodised blue M brake calipers.

The bike also wore a smattering of carbon-fibre parts indicating that it had been fitted with the optional M Competition Package, meaning carbon-fibre mudguards, chainguard, tank protectors, as well as carbon-fibre wheels. BMW are claiming a fully fuelled figure of 223kg for the M1000XR prototype, which is identical to that of the current S1000XR, although the Competition Package promises to reduce that by 1.6kg.

In spite of BMW’s repeated use of the word ‘prototype’ in their press release confirming the model, the M1000XR spotted on the Isle of Man looks to be fairly well resolved so it’s likely that what we see here will be the bike that’ll be hitting showrooms, most likely in early 2024.

And given that the M1000R is around £6400 more expensive than its non-M counterpart, expect the new M1000XR to be around the £22,000 mark – not cheap, but still a few grand less than it’s nearest rival, Ducati’s Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak.

After acknowledging the bike’s existence, BMW Motorrad Product Manager, Dominik Blass said: “We have developed the M1000XR, M XR for short, based on the current S1000XR, S1000RR and M1000RR, as a long distance sports bike with high long-range capability and supersports riding dynamics for the road as well as the race track.”

BMW say they will release further details about the new model in the coming months.