Essay – BMW M1000R – M…agnificent

The BMW M acronym is well known in the automotive world, and those who see it know that it signifies performance. The German brand introduced the M1000RR in its range of super sports bikes in 2021, as the basis for the World Superbike championship, thus becoming the first ever motorcycle with the M emblem. Now, at the end of 2022, the German brand has unveiled to the world the first naked bike equipped with this coveted letter. And it was on Spanish roads – with a brief stop at the Almeria circuit – that we tried to put the full potential of this hypernaked to the test.

TEXT: JOÃO FRAGOSO PHOTOS: BMW

Following the norm that was established post-pandemic lockdown, BMW presented the M1000R online last October, reserving the end of the year for its international presentation. We Portuguese did not need to travel far to get to know it, as the presentation took place in Spanish territory, and we are grateful for that, as well as for the fantastic roads we rode with this naked bike. The following pages are not enough to describe the beautiful work that the German brand has done in designing this motorcycle. But not everything is perfect, there are always pros and cons and no bike is flawless. So, let’s find out what we can expect from this M1000R.

HEALTHY HEART

Numbers, in today’s world, are very important for the majority of users, and more than 200 hp are always welcome in any motorcycle. However, a naked bike with this power doesn’t appear every day. BMW chose to equip the M1000R with the same 4-cylinder inline engine of 210 hp that powers the S1000RR, making some changes in terms of electronics. And if it seems like a lot of power to tame, fear not. The well-known linearity of four-cylinder engines is very present in this block, and until the ShiftCam system kicks in at 8,000 rpm, we almost forget that we have two hundred horses to tame. This allows the M1000R to be very well-behaved and enjoyable to ride in the city and on roads where we ride at a more moderate pace, without much protest at low revs and high gears at low speeds. However, things change a bit on open roads. To be honest, when the variable intake system ShiftCam comes into full action is when we find it reasonable to shift gears, but if we let the M1000R breathe freely, we effectively notice a huge difference in how the power is delivered, and the engine of this naked bike seems endless. Nevertheless, it maintains its docile side, but with the addition of some rebellion and a desire to express itself in the form of power and an incredible sound from the exhaust system. This engine has shown an excellent ability to rev up without much apparent effort – even meeting the strict EURO5 regulations – while stretching up to an incredible 14,600 rpm. Under normal conditions, on public roads, it will be almost impossible to explore the entire rev range, but it’s there, ready to be used on a track day or a long autobahn in Germany.

WINGS TO NOT FLY

On the day of the BMW M1000R launch, something stood out in the images more than anything else. The aerodynamic appendages, or front wings, were the main focus of attention due to their apparent enormity and exaggerated size. But let me tell you. In person, they are not intrusive and actually offer a very aggressive and unique look to this bike. Still, more important than the appearance is their function. At 220 km/h, these M Winglets provide a downward force of 11 kg, offering greater stability to the front wheel and the whole assembly, something that was noticeable, especially during the 4 laps we did at the Almeria circuit. On the long straight, it was clear the strong desire of the M1000R to lift the front wheel, a desire countered not only by the electronics, but also by the front wings. During braking, their intervention was also noticeable, allowing for greater contact of the front with the asphalt and consequent increased stability of the assembly. And of course, to the hardware, BMW added excellent software, with cutting-edge technology that is in total harmony with all the components installed on the bike. A beautiful 6.5″ color TFT panel with excellent visibility (allows control of 5 different driving modes) DTC – or dynamic traction control – brake slide assist, anti-wheelie control, among many other functions, in order to customize all electronic aids to our liking.

Cruise control and heated grips are also standard equipment on this M1000R, but there’s a specific one that blew our minds. The quickShift, or as BMW calls it, the gear shift assistant PRO. There is little to nothing to criticize about this equipment. The smoothness at any rpm range is astounding. Seriously. We feel that no matter how hard we try, we could never shift gears as smoothly as this system does on this naked bike. And that, on twisty mountain roads like the ones we enjoyed in Almeria – as well as on the track – only enhances the driving pleasure of this motorcycle.

REFINED CHASSIS

One thing is for sure, the BMW M1000R is not at all a bike to just ride straight on long straights to explore the 210 hp. Quite the opposite. Its lack of aerodynamic protection, being a bike in the naked category, is one of the limiting factors and its chassis demands more than just straight roads. The electronically regulated suspensions offer an excellent compromise between comfort and sportiness, clearly leaning more towards the sporty side. Reading the roads, especially regarding the front wheel, is extremely precise and gives us an impressive confidence when attacking curves. This is also contributed by a wide handlebar and an ergonomic riding position, where we are positioned quite close to the front wheel for greater sensitivity to everything that is happening. However, in urban environments, with more degraded pavements, we feel that the M1000R behaves very well in absorbing bumps and irregularities, with a less positive note for the seat, which, although not hard, could be a bit wider, which would help on longer journeys. As for braking, we don’t see any latest generation Brembo pump, but rather the M emblem marked on huge blue pumps at the front. An M that could stand for “much”. Very powerful, very precise, and very reliable. The only guarantee given by BMW engineers was that the development was not done with Brembo, but the final result could not have been more satisfactory, and we know it has Nissin’s touch. In any situation, the braking system is very gradual and precise, but also very powerful right from the initial “bite”.

M WELL APPLIED

M is the acronym that has defined performance for years at the German brand, as initially referred. And equipping a motorcycle with such a strong reference could be a problem, but clearly BMW took the risk and proved to be up to the challenge. The BMW M1000R is everything we could expect from a hypernaked. Aggressive in its lines, powerful in every possible aspect, radical, but at the same time an easy and “owner-friendly” motorcycle when we want to keep the German beast asleep. The German brand managed to deliver in one motorcycle a huge versatility without losing the qualities that are characteristic of the letter M. And although it is not perfect, it is difficult to find something to criticize about this motorcycle. Perhaps that is why its price is not within reach of everyone, but it left a smile on the face of everyone who tested it.

BMW M1000R
MOTOR	4 CYLINDERS IN LINE, LIQUID COOLING
DISPLACEMENT	999 CC
POWER	154 KW (210 HP) @ 13,750 RPM
TORQUE	113 NM @11,100 RPM
GEARBOX	6 SPEEDS
FRAME	CAST ALUMINUM ALLOY, SELF-SUPPORTING ENGINE
FUEL TANK	16.5 LITERS
FRONT SUSPENSION	45 MM INVERTED TELESCOPIC FORK, 120 MM STROKE
REAR SUSPENSION	ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED CENTRAL MONOSHOCK, 117 MM STROKE
FRONT BRAKE	TWO 320 MM DISCS, 4-PISTON NISSIN RADIAL CALIPERS
REAR BRAKE	220 MM DISC
FRONT TIRE	120/70 ZR17
REAR TIRE	200/55 ZR17
WHEELBASE	1,455 MM
SEAT HEIGHT	830 MM
WEIGHT	199 KG
MSRP	(FROM) €23,350