Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1108417
2019 BMW S 1000 RR FIRST REVIEW FIRST REVIEW P66 VOL. 56 ISSUE 16 APRIL 23, 2019 P66 where I could use Road and even Dynamic riding modes on. It picks up engine speed noticeably faster than the older bike, which wasn't exactly a sluggard, but still had more internal inertia to overcome under acceleration. But BMW's engineers have controlled this extra zest very well. Not only is the extra zip in throttle re- sponse decidedly user-friendly rather than intimidating, but it's also a factor in the way the new bike is so easy-steering, with a reduced gyroscopic effect on the handling—and that's further magnified by the carbon wheels fitted to the M-bike I was rid- ing. Yet it's also very flexible, pulling seamlessly from as low as 4000 rpm upwards all the way to the rev-limiter, with no steps in the power delivery—not even when the variable intake system sees the air-scoops lift off the throttle bodies. Knowing when this would happen, I was looking out for it but couldn't spot it, and the same for the milliseconds of transition for the SlideCam system—all entirely undetectable. It just works! And the so-called "electronic throttle grip," an electromo- tive throttle actuator, delivers a pleasant reduction in the force required to operate the throttle butterflies, while at the same time providing full controllability of the engine, especially in the damp conditions. The new BMW's accelera- tion is genuinely awe-inspiring. I can't say, however, that I experienced how well it hooks up the rear tire out of turns in the dry, beyond noting that the Rain mode's TC/traction con- trol settings worked very well. This was verified by the way the orange light on the dash- board flickered for about 90% of a damp Estoril lap, including at high speed down the main straight! I'll just have to ask nicely and try to get another ride this summer on what is very definitely a significant step forward in superbike design. Its electronics programs seem readily accessible and quite user-friendly. There are lots of neat parts on this series pro- duction superbike, like the one- piece cast aluminum swingarm, or the heel guards on the footrests made from recycled carbon fiber (they should be green, not black!), that care- fully shaped tank welded up in BMW's Berlin factory, and much else. And when no less an authority than the fastest man ever around the Isle of Man's TT Course (on a BMW, naturally) Peter Hickman says this new bike is a significant step forward from the old one, you have to believe it is. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2019 BMW S 1000 RR ($20,000 STANDARD / $25,000 M PACKAGE) ENGINE: ..........Water-cooled, 4-stroke, inline, 4 cylinder VALVE DRIVE: ............DOHC, 4-valves-per-cylinder, valve activation via individual rocker arms and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam DISPLACEMENT: ........................................................ 999cc BORE / STROKE: .................................... 80mm / 49.7mm OUTPUT: ..............................152kW/207hp @13,500 rpm TORQUE: ...........................................113Nm @ 10,500 rpm THROTTLE VALVE DIAMETER: .................................. 48mm ENGINE CONTROL: .....................................................BMS-O EMISSION CONTROL: ....................Closed-loop three-way catalytic converter TRANSMISSION: .........................6-speed, constant mesh CLUTCH: ...........Self-reinforcing multi-plate anti-hopping wet clutch REAR WHEEL DRIVE: ....................................................Chain FRONT SUSPENSION: ........ USD telescopic fork, 45mm, fully adjustable, DDC option: damping electronically adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: .......Aluminum underslung double- sided swingarm w/central spring strut, fully adjust- able; DDC option: damping electronically adjustable FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ............................................. 4.7 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ................................................4.6 in. FRONT BRAKE: ......... Twin 320mm disc, floating, radial 4-piston fixed calipers; BMW Motorrad ABS Pro REAR BRAKE: ....... Single 220mm disc, 1-piston floating caliper; BMW Motorrad ABS Pro TRACTION CONTROL: .......................BMW Motorrad DTC WHEELS: .... Die-cast aluminum wheels, carbon fiber M Package option FRONT WHEEL: .................................................3.50 x 17 in. REAR WHEEL: ...................................................6.00 x 17 in. FRONT TIRE: ....................................................120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: ...................................................... 190/55 ZR17 WHEELBASE: ..............................................................56.7 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ............................................................32.4 in. WEIGHT (WET, CLAIMED): ............. 434.3 lbs. (standard) / 430.8 lbs. w/Race Package option / 427.6 lbs. w/M Package option FUEL CAPACITY: ........................................................4.4 gal. The new BMW's acceleration is genuinely awe-inspiring.