While most motorbike producers within the early twentieth century have been solely dreaming of their high-performance machines, BMW was busy profitable races. So it is no shock that the German motorbike maker had aspirations of podium glory going approach again to the 30s once they have been profitable titles everywhere in the world. And although their machines have been lots quick, it wasn’t till 1997 that you could possibly say they’d lastly launched their first, prototypical superbike, within the type of the Ok 1200 RS. It was a machine that did away with the self-imposed 100 horsepower restrict, producing 130 horsepower and 87 pound-feet of torque with a prime whack of 152 MPH. That marked a turning level within the firm’s life, paving the best way for one thing greater, badder, and iconic: the S 1000 RR.

When the RR was released in 2009, it was so out of character for the staid German firm that it took everybody unexpectedly. But if folks thought that as a result of it was BMW’s first actual try at a superbike it would not be excellent, they have been very a lot mistaken. Now, after a decade-plus of evolution, the explanation why it is nonetheless one of many top-tier monitor weapons at the moment simply carry on piling up. Here are 10 of them.

UPDATE: 2024/03/29 11:26 EST BY UTKARSH SOOD

BMW continues to evolve and fine-tune their flagship sports activities bike. There are new and thrilling explanation why the S 1000 RR is the bike to beat on the monitor and twisty roads. To preserve our readers up to the mark on all the newest BMW developments, we now have up to date this text with detailed specs together with particular options for the sports activities bike.

In order to provide the latest data potential, the information used to finish this text was sourced immediately from the producer’s web site alongside authoritative websites.

1 BMW Surprises The World With A True Superbike

The S 1000 RR Was Launched In 2009

Prior to the RR, BMW was constructing giant, heavy touring bikes, journey bikes, and a few less-than-convincing sporty bikes. At the time, the kings of the superbikes have been the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, the Yamaha YZF-R1, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, and the Suzuki GSX-R1000R (all Japanese producers) with an occasional cameo by Ducati. Then, when the BMW S 1000 RR arrived in 2009, it immediately re-wrote the rule ebook, setting new benchmarks for energy, dealing with, and electronics.

2 Designed To Kill

With Functional Touches

Every physique panel on the BMW S 1000 RR has a exact aerodynamic goal with out including pointless weight within the course of as a result of, let’s face it, kind follows perform. Starting on the entrance, the ventilated entrance fender directs airflow over the entrance forks and into the radiator grill, the place it’s additional directed into laminar move by the remaining bodywork. The biplane winglets present 37.7 kilos of down thrust (at 186 MPH) to maintain the entrance wheel connected to the asphalt when touring at close to peak velocity. The dead-short, clip-on handlebars that power you into the jockey place are additionally fairly useful for a correct tucked place.

Notable Design Cues

• Dynamic wedge form
• Asymmetrical facet panels
• Biplane winglets
• Light and sporty rear finish

3 Dominating The Isle Of Man TT Races

Ushering Unparalleled Track Dominance For BMW S 1000 RR

World Superbike and MotoGP aren’t the one top-notch motorbike races. In reality, BMW and the world’s oldest motorbike race go hand in hand, because it was one in all their supercharged bikes that was victorious on the 1939 Isle of Man TT race. And it is a racing setting that proved to be fertile for the German bikemaker lately too.

In the trendy period of racing, the BMW S 1000 RR has confirmed itself to be the bike to have on the Isle of Man TT, scoring wins in the hands of Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson, and most recently, Peter Hickman. In 2014, Michael Dunlop took a hat-trick of victories within the Superstock, Superbike, and Senior TT races, and as much as the 2019 operating of the occasion, the gained 11 of the 15 1000cc races on the Island. After the Covid pandemic precipitated the 2020 and 2021 TT Races to be canceled, Peter Hickman then repeated Michael Dunlop’s 2014 victory hat-trick in 2022.

4 Introducing New Technology To The Superbike Class

Class-Leading Features On Offer

It’s no secret that BMW is well-known for its technological prowess. Their present fashions are loaded with a heavy dose of options like rider modes, cornering ABS, traction management and creature comforts like heated grips. Such was additionally the case when the S 1000 RR went into full-scale manufacturing in 2010. BMW fitted it with ABS and traction control–the latter being one of many firsts for a road-going superbike.

As for 2024, the bike has acquired upgraded electronics, making it one of the crucial specked-up bikes in its class. You can additional improve it with the pre-built packages that embrace the wonderful “M” package deal with carbon goodies and the “Race” package deal for monitor aficionados. If you actually wish to go loopy, there are “Carbon” and “M Billet” packages finishing the racing enhancements with some wonderful bodywork components.

2024 S 1000 RR Highlights

• Class-leading engine
• Robust electronics suite for each racing and public street driving
• Biplane winglets
• Easily race-ready by way of pre-made tools packages
• 188 MPH prime velocity

5 It Is The Most Powerful S 1000 RR Till Date

With A 200 Horsepower+ Inline Four

The S 1000 RR has undergone regular growth all through its life and the latest version is the most powerful yet. The engine comes ripe with BMW’s now-common variable valve timing system, referred to as ShiftCam. Simply, the inlet camshaft has two totally different profile cam lobes for every consumption valve which alter each the valve timing and the elevate length of the valves. A servo motor strikes the camshaft again and ahead on its rotational axis, bringing one or the opposite of the lobes into motion. The good thing about that is you get the perfect of each worlds: good low-down torque and equally good top-end energy. In addition, the engine, together with the exhaust system, is 24 kilos lighter and the chassis has misplaced 2.8 kilos of weight over the predecessor.

Engine Specifications

6 Among The Best Handling Sports Bikes

Thanks To Solid Underpinnings

BMW spent a variety of growth time on the aluminum body, calculating the quantity of flex when the bike is leaned over within the corners. This is important to permit the tires to keep up good contact with the street floor and is one thing usually solely related to pure racing bikes. Its top-of-the-line suspension affords 4.7 inches and 4.6 inches of journey on the entrance and rear respectively, and options semi-active damping adjustment. This permits the system to make modifications to the suspension each 11 milliseconds, primarily based on data from sensors and the throttle place. Don’t fear, you may also have full mechanical management, too.

Chassis And Suspension Specifications

7 Sophisticated Electronics Package

It’s A “Superbike” For A Reason

You cannot discuss superbikes with out mentioning the expertise that goes into them. And although not each producer participates in street racing, those who do are likely to develop bleeding-edge applied sciences for his or her groups and racers. Some of that expertise then finds its approach into mass-produced avenue variations of these sports activities bikes, which in flip lets us faux we’re the next Marc Marquez whereas going to satisfy a buddy on the nearest café.

When it was launched in 2009, the electronics package deal on the S 1000 RR was one of the crucial complete within the class, that includes ABS, traction management, three driving modes (and a fourth that may very well be unlocked by plugging in a ‘dongle’), and a quickshifter. The present fashions now characteristic all of the above in addition to ride-by-wire throttle, hill-start management, semi-active suspension, full-color TFT sprint, up-and-down quickshifter, adjustable engine braking, wheelie management, and launch management. The S 1000 RR is a technical tour-de-force.

Notable Features

• BMW Motorrad ABS
• ABS PRO
• DTC (Dynamic Traction Control)
• HSC (Hill Start Control)
• 4 driving modes (Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race)
• Shift Assistant Pro
• 6.5-inch TFT-Display
• M Chassis Kit
• M GPS Laptrigger

8 Remarkably Comfortable And User-Friendly

All For A 434-Pound Curb Weight

Let’s not child ourselves, whereas BMW has loads of sports touring options, this is not one in all them. This machine was created for one easy cause and that was to go quick at a racetrack. But BMW being who they’re, could not simply depart it at that. They made no concessions to consolation and on a regular basis usability, going as far as including heated grips, cruise management, and even a passenger package deal.

Additionally, it is usually remarkably extra snug than its rivals, thanks partially to a well-padded seat and the quantity of labor BMW has completed on the general ergonomics. Whilst it is without doubt one of the strongest superbikes accessible at the moment, the extent of digital sophistication implies that it is usually very simple to trip. Skilled riders may flip all that off to go bonkers, in fact.

BMW S 1000 RR Dimensions

9 A BMW That Offers Value For Money

Remarkably Cheaper Than Yamaha And Ducati Cometitors

Much like Triumph, Harley-Davidson, and Ducati, BMW is a premium model, with premium bikes at matching prices. Unless you are seeking to get your self a G 310 R or G 310 GS (great small-capacity beginner bikes), you are not more likely to discover something of their secure below $8,000. But that does not imply you do not get nice worth on your hard-earned money. The S 1000 RR may cost a tad bit greater than the Honda CBR1000RR – just a few {dollars} over $18,000 – however the aforementioned specification places it consistent with rather more costly superbikes, such because the Yamaha R1M ($27,399) and the Ducati Panigale V4S ($32,195).

BMW S 1000 RR Pricing

10 BMW Evolves The S 1000 RR With The ‘M’ Badge

For Those Who Want More

In 2020, BMW unveiled a higher-spec and lighter M 1000 RR mannequin for its premium buyer base. It was the primary BMW motorbike to hold the ‘M’ prefix, beforehand solely seen on BMW vehicles. As for modifications, the M 1000 RR has a modified engine, chassis, exhaust, and brakes, together with greater aerodynamic winglets than the S.

It makes intensive use of carbon fiber, was virtually born in a wind tunnel, and was additional developed on a racetrack. However, the base model has a price tag of $33,345, which is a substantial further quantity over the usual bike. So except you are a rider that craves an absolute peak of efficiency with a great deal of cash, the M 1000 RR is the one for you. For everybody else, the S is each bit sufficient!