BMW S1000RR Review – reality or video game?

Testing a sport bike these days is almost mandatory to be on the track, as they are practically made exclusively with that in mind. Therefore, we were at the Spanish circuit of Almeria, at the invitation of BMW, to test the new S1000RR.

Sport bikes used to be at the top of the market, but the golden age of bikes that exceed 300 km/h is long gone. The approach of the brands themselves has changed, and with a greater variety across the range of different manufacturers, the comfortable sport bike for road use, but with good performance on the track, is a species on the verge of extinction.

REINFORCED HEART

The engine of the S1000RR is the same as the one that equips the BMW M1000R, which we tested in the previous edition. We thus have an inline 4-cylinder block, which has 210 hp and 113 Nm of power and maximum torque respectively, and despite operating at its full potential above 8,000 rpm, it presents an impressive linearity and smoothness for an engine with over 200 hp, even at higher revs – when we could expect something rough and aggressive. For someone who doesn’t feel as confident in taming so much power, the S1000RR allows for riding at lower revs without losing liveliness. This liveliness becomes more evident as we feel more comfortable at the controls of this super sport bike. However, for the more experienced – or simply courageous – it is absolutely fascinating how the S1000RR travels through the entire rev range with seemingly little effort, even with all the restrictions imposed by the EURO 5 standards. And the sound… is fantastic when equipped with the Akrapovic exhaust. This sound helps us understand the potential of this four-cylinder engine, which seemingly has no end. While on one hand it may seem like we should shift gears at 8,000 rpm, once we pass that rev range, we go all the way to the red line with the feeling that we will never exhaust the potential of this engine. TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING

If it is true that the engine is an excellent piece of engineering, it is also a fact that all the technology involved in the S1000RR is a fundamental aid for us to explore its full potential. Starting with what is visible, the introduction of aerodynamic supports – or wings – is responsible for a downward force of 17.1 kg at 300 km/h, which may seem like a very high speed, but which we easily reach on the track with the S1000RR. This allows for greater stability at high speeds but also during braking, an area where this new BMW shines intensely.

In the electronics chapter, in addition to the 6.5-inch TFT with excellent visibility, there is much hidden under the fairings. Various driving modes, quickshift, ABS PRO with curve functionality and traction control, are some of the aids that make riding the BMW S1000RR extremely enjoyable and we can even say, easy. At the limit, we have assisted slip control on braking, which allows us to slide the rear wheel in a controlled manner, and Dynamic Traction Control, which allows us to slide the rear wheel on acceleration with almost absolute control, without having to reduce the intensity of the throttle. All these aids make us feel like a true World Superbike rider, especially when riding on slick tires, highly grippy to the asphalt and seemingly limitless, whether in braking, cornering or acceleration. We realize we are not riders when the riders from the Endurance World Championship team pass us, as if they had given us a 125 cc to handle…

PRECISE GEOMETRY

The front suspension and monoshock are not electronic, and the truth is that BMW was bold in not allowing electronic adjustment of the suspensions on its motorcycle, at a time when almost all brands do so. Still, this could only be a reason for criticism if things didn’t work well, which is not the case. The reading of the asphalt by the wheel and what is happening at the front at all times is very clear, whether braking or accelerating. Even with a more aggressive entry into a curve or a more abrupt movement of the throttle, the sensations are very clear. And unbalancing this motorcycle or pushing it to the limit is indeed a complicated challenge, in all departments, especially in braking. The M brakes are absolutely fantastic. No matter how much they are requested, they always respond exemplarily, with great precision and power. And in the most exaggerated braking situations, the suspensions have shown to be up to the task of the entire braking power of the M package. At the rear, the sensations transmitted by the shock absorber are equally good, considering that it also has to deal with 210 hp when we twist the throttle. We can have a very accurate perception of the sliding of the rear wheel and all the bumps in the asphalt, no matter how small. In a motorcycle with so much power and such a sporty character, the awareness of what is happening beneath us is extremely important, and BMW paid close attention to that.

A VIDEO GAME, BUT REAL

Riding this BMW S1000RR was an almost surreal experience due to the ease with which everything happened. At no point did we feel that the bike was taking control of us. No matter how abruptly we twisted the throttle, squeezed the right lever with all our might, and tried to push this bike to its limit, it felt like we were playing a computer game where all the assists were on and we never crashed. It’s just accelerate, brake, and turn, without having to worry about anything else. And all this while maintaining a very vivid sense of everything that’s happening. How did BMW manage to combine these two sensations? Well, I don’t know, but the truth is that the new S1000RR is eager to challenge the competition and has very strong arguments to do so.

BMW S1000RR

ENGINE 4-CYLINDER INLINE

DISPLACEMENT 999 CC

POWER 154 KW (210 HP) @ 13,750 RPM

TORQUE 113 NM @11,100 RPM

TRANSMISSION 6 SPEEDS

FRAME CAST ALUMINUM, ENGINE AS A STRESS MEMBER

DEPOSIT 16.5 LITERS

FRONT SUSPENSION INVERTED TELESCOPIC FORK, 120 MM TRAVEL

REAR SUSPENSION CENTRAL MONOSHOCK, 118 MM TRAVEL

FRONT BRAKE TWIN 320 MM DISCS, 4-PISTON NISSIN CALIPERS

REAR BRAKE 220 MM DISC

FRONT TIRE 120/70 ZR17

REAR TIRE 190/55 ZR17

WHEELBASE 1,457 MM

SEAT HEIGHT 832 MM

WEIGHT 197 KG

MSRP (FROM) €21,430