BMW is all set to broaden its range and hopes to attract new customers to the blue and white roundel brand with its new trio of reasonably priced, entry-level bikes. Dubbed the X series, the three models, the Xchallenge, Xcountry and Xmoto are of similar basic design, but do differ enough differences in style and specification to cater for a variety of tastes and riding styles. After sampling them in and around the Algarve region in Portugal our verdict is that they're functional and generally easy to live with and should suit their target customers well - even if they're a bit short of that all-important excitement factor.
Cheapest and lowest spec in the line up is the distinctly-styled Xcountry model. Aping the look of the 60s 'cramblers', the bike is powered by an updated version of the proven single-cylinder 650cc motor first fitted to the original F650 roadster way back in 1994. With minor modifications to the alternator and cylinder head, another 3bhp has been coaxed from it to bring maximum power up to 53bhp, which isn't much, but its character does suit the bike well.
With a pretty punchy and flexible delivery from the single-potter, there's some decent response from the throttle at more sensible revs. And if you're trundling along at a modest, legal pace, you won't have to keep swapping cogs to either up or maintain the pace. Keep it pinned in the highest of its five gears and you'll see around 100mph on the clock, though things do get a bit asthmatic once you're above 80mph and it feels a bit cruel to cane it too near the limit for too long. It can get a bit of vibey at times too, though that never feels obtrusive and simply adds to the character of the bike. In short, as long as you're not trying to break any speed records, the Bee-Em's engine helps it to feel at home in a variety of environments and helps to make the bike a realistic everyday and easy to live with all-rounder.
The Xcountry's chassis isn't over racy either, and though it handles competently, pushing things really hard just feels a bit daft really " it's just not that sort of bike. It's got a plush, stable and very manageable ride that can only be described as friendly, with an emphasis on comfort rather than speed. With the lowest seat height, soft suspension, and progressive brakes this bike feels more competent than it does exciting. But whether you want to commute, tour or even sample a little bit of off-roading on it, the Xcountry is more than able to assist. It'll make a particularly good first proper bike, and could well be a hit with the ladies.
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A lot more focused, and a fair bit more thrilling, is the Xchallenge version of the bike. Designed specifically for dirt riding, the enduro-styled model shares the same engine as the Xcountry, with slightly lower gearing and longer travel suspension to cope with the tougher terrain. I'm no expert at off-road riding, but the Xchallenge helped me (as did the special Pirelli Scorpion competition tyres BMW fitted to it) to tackle the trails in the hills in the Algarve with a fair bit of confidence and allowed me have a right old laugh on the forest roads high in the mountains above Faro.
Only its nose-bleed tall seat height gave me cause for concern initially. Though by reducing the pressure of the pneumatic rear suspension, the bike was lowered enough to quell those qualms. Besides, there is a 40mm lower seat option available (one of many accessories available for all three bikes) if that's not enough. The Xchallenge does ride well enough on the road, but it certainly wouldn't be my first choice from the three to do that, primarily because of the tall seat which as well as being too lofty to make the bike practical, also becomes a pain in the arse after just an hour or so.
For sportier road riding the Xmoto is the best option. It's the most expensive of the X series and features the highest specification components. It has the same engine and frame as its two brothers, but its firmer, fully adjustable suspension and stronger brakes allowed me to really enjoy the tight and twisting roads where I rode the bike. It's very easy to master at speed thanks to its light weight that makes it all the more manageable, even when the pace is higher. And its funky supermoto styling, complete with attractive alloy wheels give it an eye-catching style. As long as you choose just the right sort of route then you'll have fun on this bike. Trying it on a motorway would not be a sensible option at all and you'd soon tire of its lack of pace.
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My overall verdict on the X bikes has to be favourable, but I do think that they'll be chosen more by die-hard Bee-Em fans who like the reputation of the marque. The German firm is clearly hedging its bets a little by only bringing 100 Xchallenges and Xmotos, and 250 Xcountrys into the UK which will be available in early March. That's obviously a bit of an experiment to check out their popularity before possibly committing to bigger numbers. Anything as focused as the Xchallenge might be difficult to sell in the UK as there aren't too many places to use it off road. And with legislation threatening to reduce the number of venues still further, its appeal could he hindered further.
The Xmoto is a laugh and I can see it becoming a bit of a cult bike with the city commuter set, especially in places like London where there's cred in riding a BMW. But as the number of bikes being imported to the UK clearly shows, it'll probably be the Xcountry that proves most popular. And as long as you appreciate the bike for what it is; a stylish and modest performing all-rounder, then it could turn out to be a bike that's well liked.
