The idea of taking a superbike and making it more comfortable is not something new. We all like the idea of trying to use a high-performance motorcycle more regularly, but no matter which way you look at it, sports bikes don’t usually work particularly well in the real world. This gave rise to the naked sports bike back in the 90s, which effectively replaced what was considered the “standard” motorcycle.Naked bikes work great in cities and canyon roads, but also fall short on longer rides where a little wind protection goes a long way to improve comfort. This is where the “tall sports bike” steps in. These modern crossover motorcycles offer superbike performance blended with the comfort of a more traditional sport touring bike, and the commanding riding position usually associated with an ADV. A Couple Of Equally Good Tall Sports Bikes To Consider Ducati The original Multistrada can be credited for starting the tall sports bike trend way back in the early 00s. That old V-twin was every bit as quirky as the other Ducati sports bikes of the time, so while comfortable, most riders didn’t exactly trust it that much. The modern V4 is a completely different animal. Since the Granturismo engine was introduced, these bikes have proven to be exceptionally reliable.SuzukiWhile the European bikes dominate this space, the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ offers pretty much every conceivable bell and whistle, for a price. For all the features that come with the bike, it offers great value to the right buyer, but it just seems a little expensive compared to the bike in question. The BMW S 1000 XR Makes Sense Outside The Track MSRP: $18,825 BMW MotorradThe S 1000 XR offers the kind of versatility that modern customers are demanding from motorcycles, and it is easy to see why the bike is so popular. Not only does it undercut the European competitors, but it also undercuts some of the Japanese bikes. Naturally, there are certain items left off the model in an effort to keep the pricing this competitive, but it still gets several great comfort features that complement its potent inline-four. A Reworked Superbike Engine Supplies The Power Power: 170 Horsepower BMWBMW arrived in the elite superbike game fairly late, with the S 1000 RR only coming out towards the end of the 00s. It was a game-changing superbike that offered more electronic safety features than any bike that had ever come before it. These safety features are what make potent motorcycles like the S 1000 XR usable in the real world. The XR simply built on the foundation set by the original BMW superbike. More Power Than You Need BMWThe modern S 1000 RR has over 200 horsepower, or 30 more than the XR. This incredible inline-four has been reworked to offer a little more midrange grunt to go along with what is still more top-end power than you will ever need for street riding. The added midrange gives us access to more of the power at road legal, making it a genuinely fun bike to ride in the real world without breaking the law. Its smooth power delivery also means the bike will stay comfortable for extended highway runs, but it does have a strange vibration at around 80 MPH. It is one of those things that may annoy you if that is your normal cruising speed, but it is not particularly noticeable below that speed. The S 1000 XR Still Offers Track Potential BMW With a sporty, lightweight aluminum chassis and electronic suspension, the S 1000 XR offers sublime handling. It is not the lightest bike in its class, but if you spring for some lightweight options, you can get it down to around 500 pounds. Even without the “added lightness”, the bike has more than enough power to compensate for any perceived weight disadvantage. Suffice to say it will handle the odd track day, but if you want the ultimate track toy, then the M 1000 XR might be worth a look. The usual selection of modern features is also present, including cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, ride modes, and a pretty big TFT dash. Conspicuous in their absence are cruise control and the quickshifter. If you want them, you will need to add the “Premium Package” for just over $2k. Two Bikes For The Price Of One BMW Cruise control and quickshifters have become fairly common today, especially in this price range, so it is pretty frustrating that BMW leaves these nice-to-have features off, but you still get two bikes in one. It is a bike that offers genuine superbike levels of performance, yet it also comes with wind-protection and a comfort-oriented electronic suspension that points towards some serious sport touring potential.On the face of it, the S 1000 XR looks like a screaming good deal, but like pretty much any bike on the market, it is a little more nuanced than that. It is a degree more sporty than the average modern sport touring bike, and if you are after a plush mile-muncher, it isn’t exactly that. It obviously isn’t a superbike either. It is a bit of both, and like any motorcycle trying to be all things to all people, it is a little compromised. If you don’t mind a touring bike that favors the sporty side, the S 1000 XR is well worth considering. Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications