Ever since the first S1000RR was launched in 2009 we’ve been counting down the days until BMW decided to put flat bars on one and rip off the fairings. It’s been a long wait but finally the naked S1000RR has been revealed, and it’s lost an R.
The S1000R is more than a back-room project by bored engineers at BMW Motorrad, it’s a serious assault on the hyper naked market aimed squarely in the direction of the latest Aprilia Tuono V4 and KTM’s rip snorting new 1290 Superduke.
It’ll need to be pretty special to go toe to toe with its European competition and the specifications prove it has a fighting chance.
At the heart of the S 1000 R is the same 1000 cc inline four cylinder engine that powers the RR. BMW have re-tuned the engine to make 160 bhp, but before you start thinking it has been castrated, the S 1000 R now makes this power at 2000 rpm lower in the range and has 7 ft-lbs more torque than the RR up to 7,500 rpm.
What this means is far more useable power just where it’s needed, ideal for a naked machine of this type. Add that to a fully fueled weight of 207kg and you’ll realise this is going to be a bit of a weapon.
The riding aids that were synonymous with the RR have been retained and developed and the S 1000 R boasts ASC (Automatic stability control) as standard which adjusts depending on what riding mode is chosen.
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is available as an option which incorporates a lean-angle sensor for safe and dynamic acceleration which is currently state-of-the-art for a production bike.
Make no mistake, this S 1000 R is packed with updates and clever electronics that are sure to make it the most refined naked on both the road and on track.
The styling is sure to divide opinion but we urge you to give it a chance, the looks are growing on us already.
