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As I used to be driving alongside, I considered Muhammad Ali’s often-quoted saying “Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee.” Which was his personal description of his combating model. These phrases actually sum up BMW’s newest four-cylinder racetrack cruise missile. The brand new S 1000 RR’s superb electronics present the composure to drift round a monitor, whereas the engine’s uncooked brute energy delivers the sting.
It was simply greater than a decade in the past that we right here at Cycle World acquired our first actually huge dose of driving bikes outfitted with digital driving aids. Within the August 2011 problem of the journal, we pitted the Aprilia RSV4 Manufacturing unit, BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati 1198, and Kawasaki ZX-10R towards one another in “Digital Warfare.” It was an eye-opener. As the primary actual era of bikes as such outfitted, it was a studying curve for us, whereas we tried to wrap our heads round if this was know-how we actually wanted.
“Confidence breeds velocity. Traction builds confidence.” That was the opening line to that story that I penned, and rings much more true at this time than again then. It ought to now not be a secret that we will all profit from at this time’s digital rider aids. All these years in the past, these programs have been of their infancy, however the writing was on the wall, the digital age had arrived.
Until you’re a A-plus pro-level rider, managing traction on 200-plus horsepower trackbikes is unquestionably made simpler by trendy engine administration. Working example, the brand-new 2023 BMW S 1000 RR, which has obtained a number of updates and new additions that have been conceived to make the rider higher in a position to extract extra efficiency with out compromising security. That provides as much as faster lap occasions at trackdays, and extra assured driving on the road. However the brand new RR will get a number of different adjustments designed to work in live performance with them to make this one of the best normal RR thus far.
For 2023, the S 1000 RR will get upgrades to the chassis and suspension, will get new M-style aero winglets, and a few new digital help programs to additional improve the suite of rider aids. Many of those upgrades have trickled down from the homologation-special M 1000 RR, passing know-how down by way of the lineup that was beforehand unavailable with out spending a big sum of money.
Engine
Let’s begin on the coronary heart of this beast, as a result of the RR’s potent engine is actually what makes this bike so particular. When the S 1000 RR first got here out again in 2009, it despatched shock waves by way of the category. And whereas peak energy output hasn’t grown in leaps and bounds since, emissions laws have, that means that even to take care of that roughly 180 rear-wheel horsepower, BMW has needed to pull out all of its technological know-how simply to remain degree with the previous. However one of many advantages of launching out of the gate with huge energy again in 2009 is that the engine has been on a decade-long refinement cycle, and actually hasn’t wanted a complete overhaul.
Though the bottom structure retains the identical 80.0 x 49.7mm bore and stroke measurements and 999cc displacement as again in 2009, the compression ratio has crept as much as 13.3:1 from 13.0:1. Over time the throttle our bodies have grown from 45 to 48mm, and the valve practice now has BMW’s ShiftCam variable consumption cam management. Clearly there may be much more to it than that, however the latest M 1000 RR that we placed on the Cycle World dyno produced 179.2 hp at 13,960 rpm, and 76.3 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 9,480 rpm on the rear wheel, and has similar claimed-crankshaft horsepower as this new S 1000 RR. Curiously, our 2011 mannequin from that take a look at made 179.5 hp at 12,760 rpm and 79.1 lb.-ft. at 10,610 rpm.
Modifications for 2023 embrace a brand new airbox with shorter variable-intake funnels borrowed from the M 1000 RR and are optimized for top-end efficiency above 11,900 when they’re decreased in size to extend consumption velocity. The cylinder head’s consumption ports have been revised and in addition aligned with the M’s head. Not like the milled ports on the M, the S will get forged surfaces. Included in our bike’s Premium Bundle was the Akrapovič M titanium exhaust silencer (you’ve acquired to listen to it!). Though it doesn’t sound like a lot, final-drive gearing is altered with an additional tooth on the rear sprocket as much as 46 from 45. Energy passes by way of a moist slipper clutch and six-speed transmission.
Electronics
Like different features of the S 1000 RR, the electronics bundle has advanced over time, benefiting from the march of know-how and boosted by data gained in Superbike racing across the globe. It’s additionally maybe probably the most intimidating side of the bike, till you sit down and educate your self how you can navigate the menus, and learn the way varied programs react when driving.
Earlier than we get into specifics, let’s do a fast rundown of what digital programs the S 1000 RR has on it. Normal options embrace: Integral ABS (with Race ABS, ABS Professional), Dynamic Brake Management, Dynamic ESA, Dynamic Traction Management, Hill Begin Management, Gear Shift Help Professional, trip modes, Torque Management Help, and an Digital Immobilizer. If the client intends to trip on monitor, there are some extra and new options which can be included within the elective Premium Bundle ($3,890), resembling: Journey Modes Professional, Dynamic Damping Management, Pit Lane Limiter, and Launch Management, whereas heated grips and cruise management are additionally within the pack.
Throughout the new Journey Modes Professional tier, there are some new extensions that have been created to additional improve the monitor rider’s expertise. First up is Slide Management that’s related to the DTC system. Principally Slide Management permits powerslides exiting corners on the throttle. Two drift angles are saved within the system, and when the slip angle arrives at these presets (relying on the TC setting), the DTC system intervenes to maintain the slide from snapping out too far sideways.
On the braking facet, there are a number of new programs. The primary which is tied to the engine drag torque management (MSR)—digital engine-braking management—referred to as Brake Slide Help, which permits the rider to step out and slide the rear finish of the bike into the nook. Just like the model for corner-exit acceleration, this method permits preset drift angles decided by a steering-angle sensor and rear-wheel slip, after which permits the predetermined angles to be achieved earlier than intervention (MSR determines the angle of slip). Moreover, there are just a few different new settings, the ABS Professional now has a “Slick” tire setting that has an much more aggressive algorithm for the lean-sensitive ABS on monitor. Lastly, there’s a new Stoppie function that may enable the ABS to allow rear-wheel elevate in a managed method because the bike is decelerating aggressively.
We’ll discuss extra concerning the semi-active suspension beneath, however there are some extra issues you could learn about when it comes to trip modes. The usual mannequin trim comes with 4 modes, together with: Rain, smooth throttle response and decreased torque; Street, direct throttle response and decreased torque in decrease gears; Dynamic, direct response and most torque in all gears; Race, direct response and max torque in all gears. Improve to Journey Modes Professional and there are three extra modes, Race Professional 1 by way of 3, that enable whole customization of all parameters together with energy, throttle response, engine-braking, wheelie, DTC, DDC, and ABS settings. Most significantly, in these latter modes, the rider can then use the left-handlebar-mounted DTC change to vary these settings on the fly.
You’ve in all probability gathered by now that with so many digital options to select from, {that a} well-designed interface is important to navigate the menus. The big 6.5-inch full-color TFT show not solely helps you do exactly that, nevertheless it additionally offers you the choice to select from 4 completely different layouts with varied displayed data relying in your choice. For road driving you may choose an choice that shows regular information just like the odometer, tripmeter, and gadgets like that. For the monitor you may want a bigger tachometer and lap timer to be seen. There ought to be an choice for nearly any state of affairs, and if you wish to completely geek out, you may show an nearly overwhelming quantity of information to evaluate later.
Chassis
As talked about, the S 1000 RR additionally has some fairly huge adjustments to the chassis. The aluminum bridge “Flex Body” has been additional developed to optimize lateral flexibility for higher compliance over tough surfaces. The body is constructed with 4 gravity die-cast items which can be welded collectively after which use the engine as a confused member. New openings within the facet spars create the specified flex that engineers have been searching for.
Extra apparent adjustments come within the type of revised chassis geometry. Rake has been mellowed out barely altering from 23.1 levels to a slacker 23.6, whereas path has elevated from 3.7 inches to 4.0. Together with all of these adjustments comes a 0.7-inch longer wheelbase that now measures 57.4 inches. One other cool function for monitor riders and racers is that the body will get the M Chassis Package, which permits the swingarm pivot to be adjusted for various geometry choices.
The swingarm itself is constituted of gravity-cast aluminum and permits the shock peak to be altered. Different adjustments have been made to make removing of the rear wheel simpler. The rear wheel’s axle bushing on the caliper facet is mounted so it received’t fall out throughout a wheel change, whereas the rear brake pads and brake anchor plate are chamfered for higher wheel ingress.
Suspension is supplied by a 45mm upside-down Marzocchi fork within the entrance, and a linked monoshock of the identical make on the rear; each are absolutely adjustable. Our bikes on the press launch have been fitted with the elective Dynamic Damping Management (DDC) that’s a part of the Premium Bundle. The system takes info from the chosen trip mode and determines the perfect compression and rebound settings for the chosen selection. With that very same bundle nonetheless is Journey Modes Professional, which additionally permits you to go in and alter damping settings within the Race Professional modes. Preload remains to be set manually. Wheel journey measures 4.7 inches entrance and 4.6 inches on the rear.
We’ve already gone into the digital features of the RR’s braking system, however from a {hardware} standpoint, the bike makes use of a pair blue-anodized, radial-mount Nissin four-piston calipers up entrance biting down on 320mm rotors, whereas a single-piston Brembo caliper and 220mm disc reside out again. Our bike was fitted with normal brake and clutch levers, however there are some actually trick billet-aluminum levers accessible within the M Billet Bundle ($475).
Normal wheels are die-cast aluminum, however once you go for the M Bundle ($2,495) you may select from both solid aluminum or carbon fiber wheels (similar worth). Our testbike for this intro was fitted with the superbly completed carbon wheels, which even have the M Motorsport livery across the edges. One other piece of the M Bundle that makes an immediate influence is the light-weight M lithium battery, which knocks fairly just a few kilos off and advantages dealing with. Included within the M Bundle are the billet absolutely adjustable splined rearsets, that are tremendous trick in look and supply a ton of choices for peg placement. Those that wish to change the shift sample from one down/5 as much as reverse shift for the monitor will like that it actually takes 5 seconds and one bolt to take action.
Aerodynamics
One of many very first issues that you simply discover when seeing the brand new RR are the pair of aero winglets which have sprouted from the entrance fairing. Just like the M 1000 RR’s, from which they’re derived, the winglets are included for improved efficiency and never only a visible novelty. On the racetrack, wheelies hamper drive, and with a lot energy on faucet, taming them with electronics has been one of many solely choices, which additional reduces acceleration. However BMW has utilized the teachings discovered in World Superbike racing and transferred it to the track-oriented RR, as nicely. At velocity the winglets can generate as a lot as 22 kilos of downforce on the entrance finish and subsequently reduces the quantity of DTC/DWC that must be used.
Not solely has the entrance of the bike obtained enhancements, the tailsection has been revised and contains a new pillion-seat cowl. One other cool change is that the brand new shorter license-plate bracket, which additionally incorporates the flip indicators (that pair as much as act because the taillight and pulse underneath laborious braking) will be cleanly and rapidly unplugged and eliminated for trackdays.
Using Impression
The day earlier than our monitor classes across the Almeria Circuit in southeastern Spain on the S 1000 RR, we have been fortunate sufficient to spin just a few laps on BMW’s new M 1000 R (story coming quickly) to get familiarized. What’s ideally suited concerning the circuit is that it has a little bit of the whole lot, together with quite a lot of quick sweepers, a good chicane, cambered turns, just a few off-camber curves, and a near-kilometer-long again straight to essentially get a way of the RR’s velocity.
After pulling the tire heaters off of the Bridgestone Racing Battlax VO2 slicks BMW had mounted for the take a look at, I headed out for a handful of laps behind BMW’s Nate Kern to get reacquainted with the right racing line. With 5 classes deliberate for the day, there was loads of time to fiddle with settings, construct confidence, after which enable the electronics to do their job.
Even after my first session, wherein I used to be clearly nonetheless not even near being up to the mark, I pulled again into the pits feeling recent and relaxed. There isn’t a query that the S 1000 RR is a complete beast, offering acceleration that only some manufacturing bikes on the planet can match, however on the similar time, I used to be immediately blown away by the bike’s composure. As I began to get right into a groove and push my braking marker deeper into the right-hander off the again straight, routinely seeing round 280 kph (175-ish), I spotted how relaxed I used to be snugged in behind the tall windscreen bubble.
Every lap I’d work on selecting up the throttle sooner and trusting my DTC setting, after which simply staring on the sprint ready for the shift mild and timing my upshifts to perfection with the quickshifter. Not solely was the bike the epitome of stability at velocity (winglets at work?), however underneath laborious braking whereas making three downshifts for the nook, the RR was amazingly predictable and steady. I may vaguely really feel the ABS, set in ABS Professional Slick mode, at work at occasions with the entrance tire squirming on some minor undulations, however the bike’s rear finish adopted in line exactly with the combo of the electronics and slipper clutch working completely.
On the different finish of the spectrum at Almeria is the tight chicane that precedes the again straight by just a few corners. The nook main into the chicane is an off-camber left over an increase, which took a little bit of time to completely really feel assured by way of. The short left/proper flick by way of the chicane required so much much less effort than I anticipated, most definitely aided by the ultralightweight carbon wheels. On strategy you must let the bike run out to the proper whereas trail-braking as you exit the rise, after which flick it in. As soon as I trusted the grip throughout the chicane’s paint, I began pushing a bit tougher every lap. The bike may have cared much less, and clearly wished somebody quicker was behind the bars to problem it a bit extra.
Because the day progressed, I began messing with the settings a bit extra. I performed with DTC settings, which will be achieved on the fly within the Race Professional trip modes. I then tried a session with the ABS off, which solely messed with my head, as I had felt the ABS in motion in an earlier session. To be sincere, the ABS and its Slick setting was under no circumstances intrusive at velocity. Perhaps Canadian Superbike champ Ben Younger or former World Superbike rider Brett McCormick, who have been on monitor as nicely, can do with out, however not me. ABS again on. Mixed with the superior energy and really feel of the Nissin brakes I wasn’t going to brake any tougher or any later. As a notice, the one two locations on the monitor the place I didn’t use only a single finger on the entrance brake lever was into flip 1, and into the nook off the again straight, the place I added one other digit. No Brembo Stylemas wanted.
As a lot as I’m old-school and luxuriate in establishing a motorbike’s suspension and fine-tuning it to perfection, I’ve to say that simply driving the factor and barely placing a thought towards that’s type of good. BMW’s take a look at riders put base settings on my bike, that I shared with one other rider all through the day, that neither certainly one of us ever touched. In actuality, as soon as the preload is within the ballpark, the DDC does the remaining, and I’ve to say that I didn’t have a single grievance. It’s simply one other function that enables the rider to deal with the driving and never having to micromanage suspension settings.
Later within the day as the superb Bridgestone slicks began to point out indicators that they’d served their helpful obligation, I used to be in a position to lastly get a way of the Slide Management in motion. Exiting the right-hander onto the again straight in second gear and with the DTC at -2 (settings vary from -7 to +7), with the tire getting a bit shabby, I spent the session working up the heart to essentially whack the throttle open on the apex and see if I acquired catapulted into the orchards adjoining to the monitor, or not. I didn’t, and acquired a pleasant sensation that Kern had described because the rear tire stepping out only a contact and catching a berm that retains it from stepping out an excessive amount of and easily drives ahead. As a man who spends numerous time off-road, I want I’d have had the arrogance to try this earlier within the day. So enjoyable.
Conclusion
So flashing again to the assertion: “Confidence breeds velocity. Traction builds confidence,” I’m a lot extra satisfied of this now than once I wrote the “Digital Warfare” story greater than a decade in the past. Again in 2011, I used to be driving on monitor on a much more frequent foundation, and even examined every World Superbike on the finish of the season at Portimão together with Leon Haslam’s S 1000 RR. However after a silly five-year hiatus from Cycle World driving primarily enduros and streetbikes, getting again on monitor on a liter-class sportbike ought to have been a re-babtism of fireplace. It wasn’t in any respect. I’m undoubtedly in want of much more monitor time to really feel something like I did 5 – 6 years in the past, however I truthfully didn’t assume that the BMW was going to be really easy to trip.
All through the day at Almeria, I believed lengthy and laborious about what the rear tire was doing, what the entrance tire was coping with, and if there was any likelihood that I used to be presently able to beating the programs in the event that they have been all disabled. You possibly can simply guess that I’m going to say, no. I could also be monitor rusty, however I even have spun laps on racetracks around the globe for greater than 25 years. I’m not saying that any ol’ Joe can leap on a 200-plus horsepower S 1000 RR and really feel assured and relaxed straight away, however for skilled riders it’s one hell of a wonderful bike that gives a degree of refinement, efficiency, and velocity that breeds confidence far faster than I may have imagined. Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee? Most undoubtedly.
2023 BMW S 1000 RR Specs
| MSRP: | $17,895 / $23,425 (as examined) |
|---|---|
| Engine: | DOHC, liquid-cooled inline-four; 16 valves |
| Displacement: | 999cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | 80.0 x 49.7mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 13.3:1 |
| Transmission/Remaining Drive: | 6-speed/chain |
| Claimed Horsepower: | 205.0 hp @ 13,500 rpm |
| Claimed Torque: | 83.0 lb.-ft. @ 11,000 rpm |
| Gas System: | Digital gas injection w/ 48mm throttle our bodies |
| Clutch: | Moist, multi-disc back-torque-limiting; cable operation |
| Engine Administration/Ignition: | Journey-by-wire/TCI |
| Body: | Twin-spar aluminum |
| Entrance Suspension: | 45mm Marzocchi inverted fork, absolutely adjustable; 4.7 in. journey / DDC |
| Rear Suspension: | Marzocchi shock, absolutely adjustable; 4.6 in. journey / DDC |
| Entrance Brake: | Nissin 4-piston Monoblock calipers, twin 320mm discs w/ ABS |
| Rear Brake: | Nissin 1-piston slide-pin caliper, 220mm disc w/ ABS |
| Wheels: Entrance/Rear: | Forged aluminum; 17 x 3.50 in. / 17 x 6.00 in. / M Carbon Fiber |
| Tires: Entrance/Rear: | 120/70ZR-17 / 190/55ZR-17 (200/55ZR-17 M wheel) |
| Rake/Path: | 23.6°/4.0 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 57.3 in. |
| Floor Clearance: | 4.7 in. |
| Seat Top: | 32.8 in. |
| Gas Capability: | 4.4 gal. |
| Claimed Moist Weight: | 434 lb. (427 lb. M Bundle) |
| Contact: | bmwmotorcycles.com |
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