BMW S 1000 XR Gen 1 (2015-2016) Maintenance Schedule

This is the complete maintenance schedule for the BMW S 1000 XR Gen 1, released in 2015 (see official press release) for the 2015-2016 model years. It’s also known informally as the “S1000XR” (i.e. with no spaces).

Here are all the models of BMW S 1000 XR:

The BMW S 1000 XR is BMW’s adventure sport touring bike, something in the same vein as the Ducati Multistrada or Yamaha Tracer 9 GT.

BMW makes a few bikes that are comfortable long-distance road-oriented bikes, but the S 1000 XR is the fastest of them all.

The BMW S 1000 XR is powered by a 999 cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine that’s derived from that in the S 1000 RR, and also found in the S 1000 R of the same generation. In this first generation, the engine makes a peak of 118 kW (160 PS / 158 hp) at 11000 rpm, with peak torque of 112 Nm (83 lb-ft) at 9250 rpm.

BMW upgraded the S 1000 XR in 2017 with the 2017-2019 Gen 2 BMW S 1000 XR.

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Service Intervals for the BMW S 1000 XR

Overall, the Gen 1 BMW S 1000 XR has 6 000 mile / 10 000 km / annual service intervals, like many liquid-cooled BMW motorcycles, including the S 1000 R. This means you change the oil every 10 000 km or year, whichever comes first.

At every annual service interval (regardless of distance), do the standard annual service — this means a lot of checks for leaks, smooth operation, and correct fluid levels, as well as functioning safety equipment (brakes, lights, etc.).

Every 18 000 miles / 30 000 km, do a major service, including replacing the spark plugs, checking the valve clearances, checking engine timing, and changing the fork oil.

Also make sure you keep the brake fluid fresh — it should be replaced at least every two years, or more often if you use your S 1000 XR aggressively.

What you need to service the Gen 1 BMW S 1000 XR — Consumables and Special Tools

For the BMW S 1000 XR from 2015-2016, the manual recommends the following specific consumables.

Consider whether you also need any motorcycle maintenance tools — things like an oil catch pan, a paddock stand, and so on.

PartBMW S 1000 XR 1st gen 2015-2016
Engine oilPer the manual for all S bikes, 3.5L of SAE 5W-40, API SJ/JASO MA2 engine oil. Don’t use oils with additives e.g. molybdenum-based substances because they would attack the coatings on engine components. BMW Motorrad recommends BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Ultimate 5W-40 oil.
Oil filterAll BMW S bikes use a BMW/Mahle oil filter, part number 11 42 7 721 779. Available from Amazon. You can also use a Hiflofiltro HF160RC as a drop-in replacement that you can tighten or remove with a normal wrench.
Engine coolantBMW recommends BMW Antifreeze/Coolant, with minimum 50% mixed with pure demineralised (not tap, not mineral) water. It’s based on ethylene glycol, as are nearly all coolants. BMW says to never use coolants with nitrites or amines, those that “heal” the radiator, or a number of other solutions.
Spark plugsNGK LMAR9D-J. This is what the manual requires (and note it’s a different spark plug to later years).
Air filterYou can get the stock air filter, but riders love the maintenance-free Sprint P08 air filter for the BMW S 1000 XR (Part number PM93S).
Brake padsUse the standard brake pads by Brembo, which you can order from your dealer. Or use EBC double hardened brake pads, a double set of FA630HH for the front, and FA363HH for the rear. (Note — the front brake pads are different than those on some later models)
Brake fluidYou can use many that meet the spec but why not use BMW DOT 4 (you can also use Castrol DOT 4).
BMW S 1000 XR (2015-2016) consumables

BMW S 1000 XR Gen 1 (2015-2016) Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the BMW S 1000 XR as per the manual on page 200, but made more clear so that you can understand what needs to happen more easily, and without all the repetition (it’s the same every 30 000 km / 18 000 mi).

Simplified, the maintenance for the BMW S 1000 XR involves:

  • A standard service every 12 months (irrespective of distance)
  • Oil change every 10,000 kms or 12 months, whichever is earlier, and
  • Changing the brake fluid every 1-2 years
  • A series of other periodic checks
  • Valve service intervals of 30000 km/18000 mi, at which point you check the timing and change the spark plugs.

The running in check is omitted (you’ve done it by now)

km x 1000102030405060
mi x 100061218243036Every
BMW Service standard scope (see below)Year
Change engine oil and filter (BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Ultimate 5W-40 oil, BMW/Mahle oil filter, part number 11 42 7 721 779)XXXXXXYear
Check valve clearancesXX
Check valve timingXX
Replace spark plugs (NGK LMAR9D-J)XX
Replace air filter (Sprint PM93S)XXXXXX
Change fork oilXX
Change brake fluid in the entire system (BMW DOT 4)2 years
Maintenance schedule for the BMW S 1000 XR (2015-2016)

BMW Motorrad Service, standard scope (BMW S 1000 XR)

The maintenance items to do as part of the “BMW Service” are listed below.

[D] Some of the below tests, including those that need the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system or re-setting the service due date, require BMW-specific equipment.

  • [D] Perform the brief vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnosis system
  • Visually inspect the brake pipes, brake hoses and connections
  • Check the front brake pads and brake discs for wear
  • Check the rear brake pads and brake disc for wear
  • Check the front wheel brake fluid level
  • Check the rear wheel brake fluid level
  • Check the steering-head bearing
  • Check coolant level (top up if necessary with BMW coolant) *
  • Check the fastening of the clutch lever assembly
  • Check the clutch cable and clutch lever play
  • Lubricate the clutch control
  • Check and lubricate the chain drive
  • Check the rear wheel sprocket and engine sprocket
  • Check the tyre pressure and tread depth
  • Check side stand for ease of movement
  • Check the lighting and signal equipment
  • Check that engine start suppression works
  • Final inspection and check for road safety
  • [D] Service service date and remaining system with the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
  • Check charging state of battery
  • [D] Record the BMW service in on-board literature

* BMW manuals never specify replacing the coolant, but the service manuals recommend changing it every 4 years.

Chain Maintenance

Since you have to regularly check and adjust the slack of the BMW S 1000 XR, it makes sense to include the guidelines on how to do so below.

The BMW S 1000 XR is a motorcycle people use in all kinds of conditions, including rain and dust, so it’s likely that the chain will be subject to particular abuse, especially considering the high-power engine.

Keep your XR’s chain lubed with a high-quality chain lubricant, like Motul chain lubricant. Do this particularly after washing the motorcycle e.g. after riding through rain / mud.

To check the chain sag (slack), put the motorcycle on its side stand, with no luggage, on a flat surface. Turn the rear wheel until the position with the lowest chain sag is reached.

Use a screwdriver to push the chain up and down, and a ruler to measure the total deflection of the chain. It’s best to measure this in a few parts.

Target chain slack for the S 1000 XR: 45-50 mm (1.8-2.0 inches)

2015-2016 BMW S 1000 XR chain tension adjustment
2015-2016 BMW S 1000 XR chain tension adjustment

If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to adjust it. To do so:

  1. Loosen the axle nut.
  2. Loosen the lock nuts on the left and right.
  3. Adjust the chain tension screws on the left and right.
  4. Make sure the indicator markings are the same on left and right, so the chain is balanced.
  5. Keep checking chain tension
  6. Tighten lock nuts to 19 Nm / 14 lb-ft
  7. Tighten the axle nut to 100 Nm / 74 lb-ft with thread-locking compound.

Re-check the chain sag once you’re done to make sure tightening didn’t knock it out of spec.

BMW S 1000 XR Tire size and pressures

The following are tire sizes and tire pressures for the BMW S 1000 XR. The original models were fitted Pirelli Diablo Rossi II tyres, but of course you can fit sport/sport touring tyres that you like.

Of course adjust the pressures according to conditions, your weight, and style of riding.

Wheel/TireSizePressure (cold)
Front120/70 ZR 17 (58)36 psi / 2.5 bar
Rear190/55 ZR 17 (75)42 psi / 2.9 bar
BMW S 1000 XR Tire size and pressure

About the Gen 1 BMW S 1000 XR (2015-2016)

1st gen 2015 BMW S 1000 XR red riding at lean

The BMW S 1000 XR has been an interesting foray for BMW.

Firstly, when BMW released the first generation S 1000 RR superbike in 2009, the Bavarian company really surprised the world. It was the first motorcycle BMW had produced that mimicked something out of Japan — an inline water-cooled four-cylinder ending with dual overhead cams and 16 valves, powering a bike through a chain drive and on a conventional suspension setup. The result was amazing and has been a favourite of the liter-bike class ever since.

Since then, BMW has steadily expanded its 1000 platform. First, there was the 2014 BMW S 1000 R, a naked roadster based on the same engine (though re-tuned for a naked chassis), and now the S 1000 XR, an adventure sport tourer.

The BMW S 1000 XR is a sportbike in a comfortable, all-day package. The high handlebars, windscreen, and ample convenient features (like a centre stand and hand guards) make it a motorcycle that you can really stay on all day.

It’s intended to compete with other high-end sport tourers like the Ducati Multistrada 1200 DVT, though it’s almost entirely unique in having a four cylinder platform. In that regard its only competition is the Kawasaki Versys 1000, a bike that’s significantly less sporty (both in absolute power, as well as feel), though undoubtedly a very capable tourer too.

But with 118 kW (158 hp / 160 PS ) on tap from an inline four that’s easy to rev, the S 1000 XR has a fiery personality. This isn’t a sedate tourer – it’s a genuinely fast bike, and one that’s easy to pilot because of its well-balanced design.

The BMW S 1000 XR handles easily at low and high speeds. It’s got easily balanced weight, a wide spread of torque, and gearing that make it feel pleasantly unstallable. In fact, this is one of the only negatives you can throw against it, if you want — it’s so easy to ride, that people complain that the BMW S 1000 XR rides itself.

In terms of maintenance, the BMW S 1000 XR is similar to other large sport tourers. You have to keep the chain lubed and clean (though you can get the M Endurance chain for less maintenance for the S 1000 XR as well — open question as to whether it can be fitted to the early models).

Every 30 000 km (18 000 mi) there’s a major service that means you have to check the valves, the timing, replace all the spark plugs, and change the fork oil. That’s the big service and it’s not cheap. But luckily, it’s quite infrequent.

Servicing the S 1000 XR means removing a few panels, but luckily it’s not something you have to do too often. BMW doesn’t mandate changing the coolant, but you only should have to every four years or so if you choose to (similar to other motorcycles).

Otherwise, the S 1000 platform is quite reliable, and your XR’s engine is likely to last a long time.

Manual for the Gen 1 BMW S 1000 XR (2015-2016)

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the S 1000 XR from 2016, also consulting parts fiches for specific part numbers.

You can download the original manual from BMW’s website here.

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