I
t might be a little unfair to every-
thing else I rode in 2025 to give
my favorite
award to Toprak's
torpedo, but then, how often do
you get to ride the current World
Champion's race bike?
I got three laps on the factory
BMW M 1000 RR at Cremona in
Italy. It is, quite simply, the best
sporting motorcycle I have ever
ridden.
With well north of 230 rear-
wheel horsepower, matched to
the best suspension and brakes
that the BMW factory could throw
at it, Toprak's bike was impossible
to fault at the pace I was prepared
to push it. I was acutely aware
that if I crashed it, I'd better make
a run for it, and fast.
The M 1000 RR turned with the
speed of a 250 but had a motor
that sounded like a V8 from be
-
hind the handlebars. It was mind-
meltingly
fast, but it was also so
easy to ride I could have used it
as a commuter.
Watching what Toprak did on
that bike this year, then getting to
ride it, gave me a glimpse into not
just how finely tuned a weapon
it is, but just how good Toprak
himself is.
What an experience those
three laps were.
RENNIE
SCAYSBROOK
FAVORITE: TOPRAK
RAZGATLIOGLU'S ROKIT
BMW MOTORRAD
WORLDSBK M 1000 RR
VOLUME 62 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 16, 2025 P171
