2020 BMW S 1000 RR
RIDE REVIEW
P92
You don't need to boss the new S 1000 RR
from corner to corner like the old one, but you do
need to let it know who is in charge. It's a bike
that needs to be ridden with purpose. BMW's
superbike is almost terrifyingly fast, and you need
to be on your toes to ensure things don't happen
too quickly, especially on acceleration.
Herein lies the one major flaw with the 2020
BMW S 1000 RR. And the worst part is it is abso-
lutely not BMW's fault.
Under acceleration, especially from low speed
and revs, the American-spec S 1000 RR has a ter-
rible flat spot that is cleared around the same rpm as
when the ShiftCam kicks in, a little after 6000 rpm.
This comes from the EPA putting in severe re-
strictions on the noise levels that the Beemer can
give off, and it flatly ruins what is otherwise a bril-
liantly smooth power delivery. I know this because
I rode a European-spec S 1000 RR at Jerez a few
months ago, and it was nothing short of superb,
with strong driving power from as little as 3000
rpm, right through to redline.
This folly with the U.S.-spec S 1000 RR can
likely be tuned out with an exhaust and an ECU
upgrade, but it's a real bummer for BMW, as it has
done absolutely nothing wrong. They've built a
brilliant bike, and the EPA has muzzled it.
Once you clear that flat spot, especially when
you're in the Race Pro ECU modes, the Beemer
absolutely rips. It has top-end power like a titan,
charging at the redline so fast you keep searching
for gears—and that's with standard road gearing.
It's an exceptional motor, matched to a beautifully
mapped throttle and suspension that does every-
thing for you on the fly.
Real world winner?
The EPA issues aside, the S 1000 RR of 2020 is in-
deed a stellar motorcycle. The build quality on the
M-Sport package is absolutely second to none,
and takes much of the design lust you normally
see on BMW's topline four wheelers finally into the
motorcycle realm.
I am personally a huge fan of the new aes-
A beauty shot
of the Beemer
barnstormer. Just
because.
