While most motorcycle manufacturers were just dreaming about high-performance vehicles in the early twentieth century, BMW was busy winning races. So it’s no surprise that the German motorcycle manufacturer had podium ambitions dating back to the 1930s when they were winning titles all over the world. Even while their machines were plenty fast, it wasn’t until 1997 that they could claim to have released their first prototype superbike, the K1200RS.
It was a machine that broke the self-imposed 100 horsepower limit, producing 130 hp, 87 pounds of torque, and peaking out at 152 mph. And you can see all of that DNA in the S 1000 RR, albeit in a very different package.
When the BMW S 1000 RR debuted in 2008, it was so out of character for the staid German manufacturer that it caught everyone off guard. But everyone who assumed it wouldn’t be good since it was BMW’s first true try at a superbike was mistaken. And the reasons why it’s still the top-tier track weapon after a decade or so of innovation just keep piling up.
Updated May 2023: As BMW evolves and fine-tunes its flagship sport bike, there are fresh and exciting reasons why the S 1000 RR is the bike to beat on the track and twisting roads. And, to keep our readers up to date on the latest BMW advancements, we’ll be updating this post on a regular basis.
BMW Astounds Everyone With A True Superbike
Nobody predicted it! Prior to the introduction of the S 1000 RR, BMW was producing enormous, heavy touring bikes, large, heavy adventure bikes, and some unconvincing sports bikes. Then came the S 1000 RR, which completely turned the sport bike world on its head.
The Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Yamaha YZF-R1, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, and Suzuki GSX-R1000R reigned supreme in the superbike world in the 2010s, with Ducati playing a minor role. Then came the BMW S 1000 RR, which immediately rewrote the rule book, setting new standards for power, handling, and electronics.
Limited WorldSBK Success
1000 bikes had to be constructed in order for the S 1000 RR to be homologated for racing, which BMW dutifully did. However, they failed to achieve racing success. Yes, they have won races, but a World Superbike title has remained elusive in the face of Kawasaki and Jonathan Rea’s supremacy.
But maybe more importantly, Ayrton Badovini won the FIM Superstock 1000 Championship in 2010, winning all but one event. And that was a huge accomplishment for BMW because motorbikes in the Superstock class are remarkably similar to factory bikes sold in dealerships.
Dominating the TT Races on the Isle of Man
World Superbike and MotoGP aren’t the only two-wheeled championships. In reality, BMW and the world’s oldest motorcycle race are inextricably linked, as one of their supercharged machines won the 1939 Isle of Man TT event. And it’s a racing environment that has proven beneficial to the German bikemaker.
The BMW S 1000 RR has proven to be the bike to have at the Isle of Man TT in the modern period, with victories by Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson, and, most recently, Peter Hickman. Michael Dunlop won a hat-trick of Superstock, Superbike, and Senior TT races in 2014, and the S 1000 RR won 11 of the 15 1000cc races on the Island up through the 2019 event. Following the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 TT Races due to the Covid epidemic, Peter Hickman duplicated Michael Dunlop’s 2014 triumph hat-trick on the S 1000 RR in 2022.
Introducing Cutting-Edge Technology to the Superbike Class
It goes without saying that BMW is well-known for its technological expertise. Their contemporary models are equipped with cutting-edge technologies like as rider modes, numerous rider assists such as corner ABS and traction control, and even creature comforts such as heated grips.
This was also true when the S 1000 RR entered full-scale manufacturing in 2010. BMW equipped it with ABS and traction control, a first for a street-legal superbike. It was also the first motorcycle in production with a quick shifter.
The Most Advanced Version Yet Is The Current S 1000 RR
The S 1000 RR has steadily improved over the years, and the latest iteration is the most advanced ever. The key distinction is BMW’s variable valve timing mechanism, known as ShiftCam. Simply put, the inlet camshaft has two distinct profile cam lobes for each intake valve, which affects both valve timing and valve lift/duration. A servo motor rotates the camshaft back and forth on its rotational axis, activating one or both of the lobes.
The advantage of this is that you get the best of both worlds: strong low-end torque and strong top-end power. Both the engine and the chassis have dropped weight: the engine, including the exhaust system, is 24 pounds lighter, while the chassis has lost 2.8 pounds, bringing the total weight of the bike to 434 pounds.
One of the best handling bikes around.
BMW spent a lot of effort developing the aluminum twin-spar frame, calculating how much flex occurs when the bike is leaned over in the corners. This is required to keep the tires in good touch with the road surface and is generally associated with pure racing bikes, such as those used in MotoGP.
The Marzocchi suspension is not only fully adjustable, but it also has semi-active damping adjustment, which alters the suspension every 11 milliseconds based on sensor and throttle position data. Furthermore, the S 1000 RR’s broad power distribution from the ShiftCam-equipped engine makes it quite easy to ride swiftly.
Superbike with Advanced Electronics Package
It’s impossible to discuss superbikes without mentioning the technology that goes into them. While not every manufacturer competes in road racing, those that do prefer to create cutting-edge innovations for their teams and racers. Some of that technology eventually makes its way into mass-produced street versions of those sport motorcycles, allowing us to think we’re the next Marc Marquez while heading to the closest cafe.
The S 1000 RR’s electronics package was one of the most extensive in the class when it was introduced in 2009, with ABS, traction control, three riding modes (and a fourth that could be unlocked by plugging in a ‘dongle,’ and a quick shifter. All of the above, as well as ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control, hill-start control, self-canceling indicators, semi-active suspension, full-color TFT dash, up-and-down quick-shifter and ShiftCam variable valve timing, adjustable engine braking, wheelie control, and launch control, are now standard on current models. The S 1000 RR is a technical marvel.
Exceptionally Comfortable And User-Friendly
Let’s not kid ourselves: while BMW offers a plethora of sports touring options, this isn’t one of them. This contraption was designed with one goal in mind: to go fast on a racetrack. But, being BMW, they couldn’t simply leave it at that. They made no sacrifices to comfort or usability, even including heated grips, cruise control, and a passenger package. And BMW’s fiddling is far from over.
It’s lighter and more compact than other superbikes, but it’s also incredibly comfortable, thanks in part to a well-padded seat and the amount of work BMW put into the overall ergonomics. Furthermore, while it is one of the most powerful superbikes available today, the level of electrical complexity means that it is also extremely easy to ride, though you will need to be highly skillful if you want to take it anywhere near its full capacity.
A BMW that provides good value for money
BMW, like Triumph, Harley-Davidson, and Ducati, is a premium brand with premium motorcycles and premium prices. Unless you’re searching for a G 310 R or G 310 GS, which are excellent small-capacity starting bikes, you’re unlikely to find anything under $8,000. But it doesn’t mean you’re not getting good value for your money.
The S 1000 RR costs around the same as the Honda CBR1000RR – a few dollars less than $18,000 – but the aforementioned BMW specification places it on par with far more expensive superbikes like the Yamaha R1M ($26,999) and the Ducati Panigale V4S ($31,595).
BMW Upgrades The S 1000 RR With An ‘M’ Badge
BMW, not satisfied with just any old superbike, began the next stage in the RR evolution. In 2020, they eventually introduced the higher-spec and lighter M 1000 RR variant, which is still intended as a racing platform but is also road legal. The M 1000 RR is the first BMW motorcycle to wear the ‘M’ prefix, which was previously reserved for BMW cars. It has a reworked engine, chassis, exhaust, and brakes, as well as aerodynamic winglets on the front of the fairing.
It was practically born in a wind tunnel and developed on a racetrack, and it makes considerable use of carbon fiber. However, the base model costs $32,995, and the price only gets higher from there. However, for those riders who desire absolute peak performance and have unlimited funds, BMW’s S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR aim to give speed and racing goods.
