One is a sportbike in a tourer body, the other is a tourer in sportbike body.

RIP Mat, you are missed

I actually prefer the looks of the RS, plus it has that torquey boxer engine and shaft drive, so the choice between the two would be easy for me.

We own both of these, mine is the 2022 RS and my wife has the 2022 XR. We now live in the south of France so tour Europe on them. In everyday riding there is nothing to choose between them. The XR has more power and will go faster but neither of us tour faster than 200 kmh anyway, so it is irrelevant.  The XR uses about 10% more fuel at the same speeds as the RS.
The XR has much more wind noise than the RS but a shorter screen sorts that one out.

I am literally making this decision right now and torn. Just sold my 1200rs and ordering new bike tomorrow. It’s the chain that’s swaying me away from the XR right now

Owned both and frankly, the RS was a much nicer bike to live with! The XR is tall, top heavy and lack the low down grunt that makes the boxer so attractive. Then the shaft drive makes life so much easier!

I undertook a 6000km tour on the XR and surprisingly found the cupped seat very comfortable. Wind protection from the screen a little better than on the RS but both generated quite a bit of buffeting.

Fuel consumption on the open road was similar and I found the exhaust note of the XR pleasant.

RS for me as for daily bike and this is the bike I have 😊

Love my RS. Don’t need to ring it out. Shaft drive. Great do anything bike.

Having owned a GS, R1200R, S1000R and most recently the 2021 XR I would rank the XR as my favorite.  It’s the perfect blend of comfort, handling and insane top end speed.  Great video!

I had to like this on the video editing alone. 👏🏾 It provides some great content as well, so thanks. 👍🏾

Wow the two bikes I'm contemplating and ur video comes up, amazing.

I was always a fan of the K series 1300 r and s models which BMW gave up on , if they made these bikes with today’s RS electronics I’m sure they would still be the best sport touring bike

This was fab! More of Mat & Mat please, cause this is the kind of inner conversation we motorcyclist often have with ourselves

These twin brothers are doing very good reviews! Bravo!

The previous model of the XR is actually more sporty and accelerates faster from low revs than the last model, so if the noise and slight vibrations are acceptable for you (the models from 2017 onwards have far less vibrations), then it’s worth looking at one.

Great show 🤩🤩🤩 And super timing, between you 2 guys. Great work 👍

The sound of the XR does it for me, love it!

I had the ‘R’ and then I test-rode the XR. I sold the R a week later and ride my new XR with a smile on my face every time I am on it. My girlfriend / pillion loves it also.

RS . Done with chain services on 4000 mile trips . Single sided swing arm makes tire changes quick at home with my tire machine.  RS is easier to service for home capable mechanic.
XR looks to transformer robot  like.

The XR deserves a category of it's own alongside the Multi, Like the olden days, Hyper Sport Tourer Category.