Suspension duties are taken care of by a
43mm USD fork up front (with the XR gaining
more travel over the R model) while out back
the rear shock connects to a double-sided
swingarm and features compression and
rebound dampening. BMW’s fully adjustable
electronic suspension system is also available
as an ex-works option for both bikes.
Styling wise, BMW has done a cracker job in
mimicking the larger premium models in the
range with the two new middleweights.
Interestingly, part of the new bikes’ style
comes down to a new sub-frame which BMW
has formed out of steel rather than aluminium,
with the new subframe helping keep the
rear end of both bikes slim and strong.
No word yet on when in 2020 we’ll see these
two new middleweight contenders arrive on
our shores or what price we can expect to
pay, but we’ll update you as soon as either
are announced by BMW Motorrad NZ.
While both have their own sense of
style, there are clear design cues taken
from the R1250R and S1000XR.
KIWI RIDER 17