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BMW S 1000 RR

Road Racer

BMW S 1000 RR Race – quick review

(June 2023)

BMW's flagship sports bike now comes in several variants, and this one manages to reveal a surprising dual personality that suits track and road use

This may a sound like a big call, but you’re looking at one of the world’s best sports bike lines, that started with the first BMW S 1000 RR (below) back in 2008 – yep, 15 years ago.

BMW S 1000 RR

Back then, BMW was taking on the might of Ducati and the big four Japanese makers by launching a new product in a viciously competitive sports bike sector.
While it was being launched, many of us journos felt that the maker could be excused if its first attempt was good but not quite there. How wrong we all were – it was ‘right’ straight out of the blocks.

That model has since been superceded, but we’d still rate it as a good ride and a future collectible. Back in the day, it claimed a heady 144kW (193hp) of power at 13,000rpm and 112Nm of torque at 9750.

What you’re looking at here is much the same concept – a fuel-injected inline four with all the fruit – further developed across a couple of generations. It’s a premium variant, called the S 1000 RR Race.

BMW S 1000 RR

Power has lifted to a claimed 154kW (206hp) while torque remains much the same. However the nature of the delivery rightly claims to be more flexible thanks to a variable cam timing, or ShiftCam in BMW-speak. The package claims to weigh 197kg wet.

BMW S 1000 RR

As for the transmission, it’s a six-speed with slick electronic two-way power shifter.
Increasingly performance motorcycles are as much about their electronics as their physical attributes, and this is no exception. The S scores a multi-dimensional traction control and Race ABS, plus assorted customisation features when it comes to performance delivery and safety nets.

Plus, the suspension at both ends has electronic damping adjustment, with ranges for road and track use.

Incredibly, for a track-focussed machine, you also score some very road-friendly practical touches, such as cruise control and heated handgrips. Yep, two features you’d normally expect to see on a touring bike.

BMW S 1000 RR

Helping to control all of this is a number of function switches on the handlebars, plus a rotary ‘mouse’ on the left. It’s all accessed via a sharp and bright TFT screen that also acts as the instrument binnacle.

BMW S 1000 RR

Our example came with an Akrapovic muffler, which added a snarl to the usual raspy exhaust note.

BMW S 1000 RR

All up, the S 1000 RR impresses as something that’s both civilised (though you'd think twice about touring on it) and brutally quick – something that would be very much at home on a racetrack.

It’s about as good as sports bikes get, albeit at a substantial price. As tested, we’re talking $34,400.

See our future Collectible story on the first-generation S 1000 RR

BMW S 1000 RR

BMW S 1000 RR Race

Good
Fast
Handles
Some creature comforts

Not so good
Not cheap

SPECS:
BMW S 1000 RR Race 2023

ENGINE: 
TYPE: Liquid-cooled, four-valves-per-cylinder, inline four with ShiftCam
CAPACITY: 999cc 
BORE & STROKE: 80 x 49.7mm 
COMPRESSION RATIO: 13.3:1 
FUEL SYSTEM: EFI

TRANSMISSION: 
TYPE: Six-speed, constant-mesh,  
FINAL DRIVE: Chain

CHASSIS & RUNNING GEAR: 
FRAME TYPE: Aluminium composite
FRONT SUSPENSION: USD telescopic fork, 45mm, electronic adjustment
REAR SUSPENSION: Monoshock, electronic adjustment  
FRONT BRAKE: 320mm disc with four-piston calipers 
REAR BRAKE: 220mm disc with single-piston caliper

DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES: 
WET WEIGHT: 197kg wet
SEAT HEIGHT: 824mm 
WHEELBASE: 1457mm
FUEL CAPACITY: 16.5lt

TYRES:
FRONT: 120/70-ZR17
REAR: 190/55-ZR17

PERFORMANCE: 
POWER: 154kW (206hp) @ 13,750rpm 
TORQUE: 113Nm @ 11,000rpm

OTHER STUFF:
PRICE @$34,400 on road as ridden