BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR – First Look

By Matt Brogan Pics by Paul Maric

BikeAdvice has this morning been given a sneak peek at BMW Motorrad’s electrifying new S 1000 RR at an event open to select media in the garage of the firm’s Southbank (Melbourne) showroom.

The Mineral Silver bike on display was nothing short of stunning in the flesh with BMW’s asymmetric family appearance obvious, but not distracting in emphasising the new comer’s distinctive and powerful presence.

The bike is being produced, among other reasons, to enter the World Superbike Championship. To enter, a manufacturer needs a production model with the right overall concept consistently applied in all areas.

The essential factors, therefore, are supreme power, a wide range of engine speed, fast revving capacity (also over a long period), optimum chassis stiffness, and perfect set-up of the engine.

After a quick look and listen this morning we can tell without doubt that the bike is certainly on the right track.

Featuring gilled fairings on one side, but not the other, as well as one round and one formed headlamp, the S 1000 RR certainly could not disown its family namesake.

Powered by a 999cc in-line, four-cylinder (water-cooled) engine, the bike produces a very impressive 142kW @ 13,000rpm and brawny 112Nm at 9,750 revs.

Following the example of BMW ’s Formula 1 engines, the two intake and exhaust valves per cylinder made of extra-light titanium are operated by very small and equally light single cam followers.

In conjunction with the short sprocket driving the camshaft via an intermediate gear, this ensures supreme revving qualities at the highest speeds as well as exact maintenance of valve timing combined with very compact dimensions. The power unit in total weighs in at only 58.9kg (without ancillaries).

Mated to a six-speed gearbox and slipper clutch the S 1000 RR also boasts a raft of electronic aids (to be sold here as an option pack that includes switchable race-spec ABS) to make track work and rainy days just as enjoyable as a dry day on a quiet country road.

The Dynamic Traction Control will offer four settings (Rain – Sport – Race – Slick) each rather self-explanatory in function.

Weighing just 206.5 kg in road trim and with a full tank, BMW ’s new 1000cc sports bike is by far the lightest machine of its calibre displacing 999cc and featuring ABS brakes.

One of the features that ensures this light weight is the aluminium bridge frame integrating the engine tilted to the front at an angle of 32° as a load bearing element for optimum torsional stiffness on minimum weight.

The front wheel runs on an upside-down fork with a fixed tube measuring an ample 46 millimetres, while a torsionally stiff swing arm made of aluminium holds the rear wheel in position. The spring and damping action required is provided by a central spring strut pivoting on a guide lever.

The rear frame section of the S 1000 RR is a welded light-alloy structure bolted to the mainframe, combining low weight with superior stability and a high standard of robust strength particularly important to riders and teams on the race track.

The exhaust system featured on the S 1000 RR is made completely of stainless steel and is designed for optimum power and performance.

It works according to the 4-2-1 principle with four individual manifolds of equal length first merging into two pipes beneath the engine block and then extending into a large-volume pre-silencer. From there the exhaust emissions flow through a very short and dynamically designed rear-end silencer.

The all-new BMW S 1000 RR will appear at three upcoming Superbike rounds before going on sale in Europe later this year.

Australian customer deliveries will commence in the first-quarter of 2010 with local pricing yet to be confirmed. The S 1000 RR will be available in four colours:

• Alpine White/Lupin Blue/Magma Red (Race Livery)
• Acid Green Metallic
• Thunder Grey Metallic
• Mineral Silver Metallic

Detailed ride and performance information will be available when BikeAdvice road tests the S 1000 RR in full early next year.

Specifications:

• Brakes (F): Twin 320mm disc (4 piston)
• Brakes (R): Single 220mm disc (1 piston)
• Clutch: Wet multi-disc (slipper)
• CO2 Emissions: TBC
• Engine: 999cc in-line four-cylinder (16 valve)
• Final Drive: O-ring chain
• Fuel Consumption: 5.8 litres per 100km (Combined)
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.5 litres
• Fuel Type: 95 – 98 RON Unleaded
• Induction: Electronic Fuel Injection
• Performance (0-100): TBC
• Performance (Top Speed): TBC
  
• Power: 142kW @ 13,000rpm
• Suspension (F): USD 46mm fork
• Suspension (R): cast aluminium swing-arm
• Torque: 112Nm @ 9,750rpm
• Transmission: Six-speed sychromesh
• Warranty: TBC
• Weight: 183kg (Dry)
• Wheel (F): Cast Aluminium 17 x 3.5-inch
• Wheel (R): Cast Aluminium 17 x 6.0-inch