The S1000R was released in 2014. BMW knew it had to enter the naked market when sport bikers in the 600cc+ class were, not showing up as often. A dedicated litre sports bike track rider is apparently less common these days than the rest of the motorcycle market (although admittedly this includes scooters and those delivering your takeaway orders so, the stats don’t always show the full picture). The S1000R was a great bike, those modifying them can no doubt attest to it being quite an animal when it wants to be. It had 158bhp, did around 160mph with its 999cc 16 valve inline 4 cylinder engine. It was smooth and it did a good job just like when BMW rode in with it’s S1000RR back in 2010 shocking the market with a very capable litre sports bike (also now updated with the edition of the M1000RR to the range!)
The BMW M1000R steps in aimed at those thinking 158bhp was no longer enough and at the price of £19, 480 it’s aiming right at the Ducati Streetfighter V4S, a bike developed by Damien Basse and highly requested after seeing the idea back in 2009. The M1000R has around 207hp at 13,750rpm just before its 14600rpm redline area, permitting a top speed of near 174mph. It has a four-cylinder engine consisting of ShiftCam technology. ShiftCam technology controls the valve and cam movements allowing for smooth performance during high and low revs. It does this by changing the valve lift at lower revs increasing pressure in the chambers allowing the bike to have torque at low revs, something we did enjoy at the lower rev range. The low-rpm cam lobe has less timing advance and duration, reducing the period when the inlet valves open before the exhaust valves have closed). Less unburned intake charge to escape into the exhaust, improving efficiency and reducing emissions. Now the bike still did have a ‘weaker’ spot (can you call it weak on a 1000cc 207hp naked bike?) but by 4000rpm the tone changed and more power kicked in, this is a similar story all the way up to redline. It certainly made a nice tone with the Akrapovic exhaust (of course the test ride bike had the competition package on it, why not!).
To aid the steady acceleration, this bike comes with M Winglets to build aerodynamic downforce while riding it. We didn’t notice on the street during town riding but it’ll be working at some level all the time (at 30mph, probably just adding a few grams of downforce!)
Three exciting packages up for grabs with this bike:
- M Carbon Package – M Carbon front and rear fenders, M Carbon passenger seat cover, M Carbon chain guard, M airbox cover and many more.
- M Billet Package- M folding hand brake lever, M Rider Footrest System and M Folding clutch lever and more.
- M Competition Package at a cost of £5500.00- includes both above packages, M Endurance chain, Passenger Kit, Metallic paintwork and graphics and so on…
A stylish, bold motorbike suitable for casual riding or race use coming in two colours: Blackstorm Metallic black and white. It’s cutting-edge look with a featured M brake to control overtaking with a steady resistance threshold allowing for smooth acceleration. Better protection for the M as a higher windscreen has been designed providing the rider extra reassurance on the roads.
Another addition to the M1000R is the shorter number plate holder. This has been designed to reduce the bulkiness of the bike along with integrated the brake light and indicator lights.
Also, the bike is designed with new handlebar end mirrors to compliment the cutting-edge appearance. An extremely durable BMW due to its lightweight, exclusive M Carbon Wheels. If you choose to have the M Competition package, this consists of great value carbon-fibre parts and those special M Carbon Wheels.
You can find exclusive M Start-up functions to entertain yourself by various animation modes, offering- Road, Race, Race Pro 1-3 or Dynamic. The suspension is easily controlled via these modes customising a firm impressive ride. This is done by an easy to read 6.5inch TFT display.
Now, in comparison with the S1000R, a certainly more powerful and flexible ride. Although, the tyres can take time to warm in order to feel a noticeable difference along with those new Winglets. Both bikes have four-piston radial monobloc calipers and a radial master cylinder making the lever robust. However, the noticeable difference between the two bikes is while riding laps, the M has harsher acceleration at the higher gears.
Price-wise, the M1000R starts cheaper (£19,480) at first glance than all the Ducati Streetfighter range including V4(£21,095), V4S(£22,895) and definitely the V4 SP2(£30,595) and MV Augusta Brutale 1000RR(£29,300) but, more expensive than an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory(£17,100). However things get confusing when you add the competition package, it adds £5,500 otherwise you’ll miss out on;
- M GPS-Laptrigger
- M Billet Package
- Pillion Seat Cover
- M Passenger Seat
- Black storm metallic/M Motorsport
- Carbon Package
- Pillion Package
- M Carbon Wheels.
Adding the package takes it up to £24,756 bringing the V4S, with wings a near identical horse power rating delivered by a V4 into consideration. Just be mindful of those accessories, we made a lovely one on the Ducati configurator and it went flying over the £40,000 border.
The winner probably comes down to you as a rider and no doubt a lot of emotions, where will you head? Bavaria or Italia.
Note: We test rode a publicly available bike from BMW (no factory team setting us up for a potentially different riding impression), a fresh downpour had just hit as we arrived, so we used Rain mode and then Road as we entered a sunnier area near the Welsh border.
Bike: 2023 BMW M1000R
Tyres: Battlax Racing Street RS11 200/55ZR17 / Battlax Racing Street RS11 120/70ZR17
Brake lines: Goodridge braided.
Forks: Marzocchi
Front Sprocket: 17, M1000RR also fits Renthal 475U-525 with 17 tooth as standard.
Rear Sprocket: 47 Tooth stock, it's 525 pitch as per the chain and and front sprocket but Renthal haven't confirmed anything else as of yet.
Chain: 525(BMW only list an 'M ENDURANCE CHAIN' with no specs as an option) but the M1000RR is listed with Renthal R4 525 122L SRS Road Chain.
Right now BMW are offering £999 deposit, £399 a month for 48 months PCP and 4000mile a year allowance. At £550 a month on an APR of 4.9% you could own the bike after the same time with a loan(unlimited mileage of course).
Rider: Brett Moore
Writer: Amy Clark
