BMW S1000RR: The powerhouse that changed the superbike game..
WhenBMWin 2014 the renewedS1000RRintroduced, it was immediately clear that the world of superbikes would never be the same again. This machine not only brought brute power to the road with 193 hp and a dry weight of just 178 kg, but also unprecedented technological refinement.
With an arsenal of electronics - including Dynamic Traction Control, multiple riding modes, and a quickshifter - BMW sent a clear message: this was no ordinary superbike, this was a technological leap that would redefine the industry standard.
About 10 years ago already, this 2014 model of the S1000RR rolled off the production line with the highest power-to-weight ratio known at that time. This resulted in stunning acceleration and top speeds. While competitors struggled to achieve this balance, it deliveredBMWa motorcycle that was both powerful and light as well as agile.
While riding, you experience the feeling of a light 600cc, but with a powerful 1000cc 4-in-line engine. It is angled at 32° in the frame. This is how it achieved:
- A lower center of gravity for better agility and stability;
- A more compact design for better geometry and a more compact bike;
But also a significantly improved airflow! The facts don't lie that BMW had raised the standard considerably. And that despite not having much experience in the sports field. The German team, of course, started in 2009 with the S1000RR line, which was immediately well received.
Of course, we have already done that before"Game-Changers"had;
- For example theYamaha YZF-R1 in 1998, at that time blood quickly, and no electronics. For many, that should still be the case.
- The Ninja ZX-10R from 2004was also such a bomb on wheels. While everyone was improving, Kawasaki was ahead of the market.
- Some time ago, there came the Honda CBR900RR Fireblade. In 1992, this Japanese bike was light, incredibly powerful, and became the new benchmark in the superbike world.
- In Hamamatsu, 1985, a motorcycle called: Suzuki GSX-R750 rolling off the production line. Often called by many as the first "real" supersport motorcycle.
In this respect, BMW, which has been well-known in the motorcycle world for quite some time, was rather late in entering this supersport market. The supersport market was already becoming significantly less popular in 2009, but BMW had a clear mission.
Participate in theWorld Superbike Championship. To participate, as a manufacturer you must comply with certain rules if you want to compete alongside the major manufacturers. For example, you must produce 1,000 street motorcycles that share characteristics with the developed Superbike model.
That said, there was the S1000RR. Only instead of quickly developing a motorcycle to compete in the championship, BMW had a product that completely changed the market.
This development brought BMW from 2009 to 2012, after which small updates were made to make the already well-handling bike even better. It remained unchanged until 2014. I n 2015 BMW did it again.
Once again, our neighboring country managed to build a spectacular motorcycle.
Thus, the new model received significantly improved electronics. New driving modes and improvements to the DTC system. Lighter weight and a new design, while retaining the recognizable asymmetrical look. You either love it or you don't.
A blipper function was added to the quickshifter and waseventhought about ergonomics! There was some attention to the sitting posture while not compromising on performance. Touring & Racing join forces? If we would expect it anywhere, it would be at BMW.
It certainly won't be a GS experience, but for many super sport riders, the coffee break might be extended by 1 hour.... No changes have been made to the tank capacity, so whether it will be an extra 1 hour remains to be seen....
Then, about 4 years later, the modern era for motorcycles arrived. Of course, they were always modern in terms of tech, but now LED lights also came factory-installed on motorcycles. Much fuss, what we all found beautiful, striking, or unsightly was gone!
Two symmetrical headlights? What are we supposed to do with that.. In any case, it attracted a lot of attention with the new platform and the new options.
It was truly a completely new bike with a new design. Something we were all secretly waiting for. A TFT display, more tuning for Traction Control, and much more. You could fully customize the engine to your liking, and the engine performance was significantly improved as well.
The BMW was unstoppable on the straightaway, and you didn’t see them again in the corners either. Grip, grip, and more grip. With the refined technology in mind, you suddenly drive much faster than you would expect as an amateur driver.
This was also the time when they could somewhat keep up in the WSBK.
In 2021, the big man arrived
Van der Mark
turn on at BMW. After much tinkering, development, and improvement, we regularly saw the S1000 appear at the front.
In 2023, a new street version was released again. Available in various colors and options. As crazy as you want to make it yourself.
This is how you order one at Dusseldorp starting from €23,000, whether you go for an M-Package or M1000rr, the price quickly adds up. In addition, an Anniversary Edition was released that you can already purchase between 45 and 50K. Let's see if we dare to ride it around Assen with that.
NowToprak Razgatlıoğlujoined the German team and is immediately at the top of the championship, we can safely conclude that BMW has made a significant step forward. The street bikes also come with a prominent front wing to maintain those racing characteristics. But just like BMW came out with those crazy lights in 2009, you either love it or you don't.
We can certainly make a comparison with the automotive industry, where BMW is always innovative. In the beginning, we all often have an opinion, but over time it definitely grows on us and we often even find it beautiful.
As a result, the effect of a product can be more beautiful than just optical pleasure. We are all curious about what BMW will develop now, about ten years later, in the field of supersport motorcycles. They are immensely popular for both racing and street versions; now let's just hope the market remains interesting for them as well.
