BMW’s trend-setting superbike

By Réhann Coetzee

The BMW S1000 RR was designed to compete in the 2009 Superbike World Championship. Enough bikes were built to have it homologated for racing, but commercial production began in 2010.

I was fortunate enough to attend the South African launch of the BMW S1000 RR at Zwartkops Raceway in 2010. I had never been much of a superbike fan, but it was clear that BMW was changing the field with their entry into this market dominated by Japanese engines.

BMW had not been known for very fast bikes – not for many years – but the S1000 RR changed that. The S1000 RR had every piece of electronic trickery any gadget freak could wish for and, in terms of power, made the 200hp road bike seem like a possibility. it had ABS and traction control, a first for a sports bike at the time.

Riding modes controlled the measure of traction control, ABS assistance and even power output while leaning over around corners. Suspension settings were electronically controlled.

Updates through the years saw power increase marginally from the original 143kW tot 146kW and the fitment of quick-shifter with “auto blip”, enabling clutchless downshifts, as well as launch control – which we were invited to test at the launch of the 2015 version of the bike, also at Zwartkops.

That version’s power output of 146kW (199hp) coupled to a wet weight of 204kg meant serious business in the right hands. It is said to have a top speed of 303km/h and can do a 0-100km/h sprint in 2,6 seconds. A race from 0-200km/h would take 6,87 seconds.

Riding modes can make it safer for the novice rider, because unleashing 146kW can be quite frightening.

Although the S1000 RR did not quite have the success in racing that BMW – and its fans – had hoped for, it is still seen as the bike that changed what the superbike rider wants from a bike: not just horsepower, but also other technological advancements.

Technically speaking: BMW S1000 RR

Engine: 999cc, inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

Power: 146kW @ 13 500rpm / 113Nm @ 10 500rpm

Gears: 6 speed, chain

Fuel tank: 17,5 litres

Seat height: 815mm

Tyres: 120/70/17 front, 190/55/17 rear

Brakes: 4-piston 320mm double disks (front); single piston 220mm single disk (rear)

Wet weight: 204kg

Price: R255 500