BMW S1000RR ‘Test’ / MotoGeo Review

BMW has never been a brand that’s interested me much. To be honest, I’ve always found their motorbikes a bit disappointing. So when I was asked to test the BMW S1000RR, my expectations were not high. Not because they makes a bad bike – oh no, everyone who’s ever owned one seems to harp on about how reliable they are and what great machines they make. But because BMW make some awesomely high performance cars, and when you compare the same brand to the motorcycle market, you’d better have brought your slippers and a pipe as it’s always been Captain Sensible on the 2-wheeled side and fairly dull.

That is, until now. The powers that be realized that no fresh young blood were buying BMWs, and its demographic was just getting older. BMW decided that enough was enough, and went to work to change all that. More than 5 years ago, the BMW Superbike team sprung into production with a select few brilliant engineers and designed parts, engine configurations, a traction control system and ultimately a prototype that now has become the S1000RR – and BMW’s finest sportbike to date.

However, BMW’s creation of a unique Superbike for the street can only be taken seriously if it can also perform on the racetrack against the best manufacturers in the business. And it did: BMW went up against the almighty Japanese and the passionate Italians, head-to-head on some of the best racetracks across the globe. The World Superbike Championship (www.worldsbk.com) is a fierce championship that takes no prisoners. In its first year of racing, the S1000RR stuck it right up there with the best of them while in the hands of hard-chargers Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus.

I kept my eye on the race results last season and was impressed by the speed and competitiveness of the BMW. The European press launch also shot out positive vibes, but I wasn’t convinced. I needed to ride it myself.

Finally my chance came at the U.S. launch, held at the Palm Beach International Raceway in Florida. And it was the perfect setting – good weather, and a fun race track with all types of corners and a long back straight.

We’d been educated the previous evening about the unique high-revving engine, vast options in the traction control and ABS system, how clever the machine was and how it helped you become a better and safer rider. Again, even though it all sounded quite impressive and technologically advanced, it also sounded like the technology was taking over for the rider – and I didn’t like the sound of that.

As I flung my leg over for the first time, the S1000RR felt comfortable and had a simple and clutter-free cockpit. The buttons to change modes are super easy, and so is the system to make changes. At last, an easy system you can use while you’ve got your helmet and gloves on.

So here we go. On the first ride aboard the brand new S1000RR, we were told to select “Rain” mode, which virtually takes over and stops the rider from making any serious cock ups by restricting throttle opening, power and lean angle. It’s the safest mode of all. You just couldn’t crash in a mode like this; it’s moron-proof. I rode it and it definitely worked. It restricted just about all rider inputs and left me feeling like a passenger rather than a rider.

Not for me, next please. Next up was “Sport” mode. Again, restricted throttle, angle and traction, and although it unleashes its power when straight up and virtually safe, it left me feeling restrained. The bike won’t even wheelie. “Race” mode was next, and this was the first mode that made the machine feel like it had some bite. It allowed you to feel the rear tire and gave you a connection with the machine. However, as soon as the rear tire spun for a nanosecond, or the front wheel came off the ground, the traction control instantly kicked in and your fun ended prematurely. As I skipped through the modes with frustration that a computer was taking over from my own inputs, I noticed that it did however prove that the DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) system does work. Riders of less experience or skill level will benefit and be able to stop most stupid mistakes from happening.

The final two modes are “Slick” and “ABS off.” Both lit the touch paper to the explosive speed and wheel-spinning madness that the BMW S1000RR contains. Both modes allowed you access to a whole different motorcycle. Now yes, that’s what I was looking for.

With my hand movements having an effect with the rear tire, I felt an important connection and more in control. The S1000RR felt great underneath me and with a good power-sliding drive onto the back straight, you could top out just past 180mph. The corner made you stop, the engine felt like it had heaps more to give. And braking, shifting down the gears and letting the slipper clutch do its thing was all effortless.

Brakes, slipper-clutch, chassis feel and suspension were all superb, as was the riding position, all giving the rider an easy time and the ability to fully enjoy the experience. My only issues were difficulty shifting back to second gear at a rapid rate. A bit more care was needed on the final shift. Up the box was a different story altogether: it was as good as any box I’ve felt, made even sweeter by the almost perfect quick shifter. Now that’s technology I like.

Lap after lap, session after session, I played around with the S1000RR and found a very interesting character in the German build. No doubt, this is a damn fine sportbike. The WSB championship told us that. But sat here, priced competitively among the Japanese best, BMW has delivered much more. It’s a wonder how it did it – so much for so little, and without using cheap or inferior parts, either.

BMW has done what it set out to achieve: Build a competitive Superbike and make it appealing to a younger audience. I can tell you, absolutely and for sure, that this is a quality sportbike. It’s competitive on all levels and it comes with DTC to help us stop crashing.

If your Dad’s reading this, he’ll be shaking his head is dismay upon learning that BMW has now bikes on both sides of the generation gap. But if you’re a sportbike man, take note: BMW motorcycles no longer mean early nights and comfy footwear. They mean fast, furious, action and adventure into 2wheeled bliss. BMW motorcycles have opened a whole new door for themselves, and a new and ambitious younger generation waits.

www.bmw-motorrad.com