2015 BMW S 1000 RR
FIRST RIDE
P52
hopping clutch that mates the
six-speed box with those 199
horses. The bike tested was
fitted with the optional "Shift
Assist," which provides clutch-
less, full power upshifts, as well
as clutchless downshifts. The
downshifts take some getting
used to, the natural inclination
being to blip the throttle and
go to the clutch. However, the
optional system does all that
for you, smoother, faster, and
more succinctly. The electron-
ics automatically blip the throttle
and smooth out even the most
aggressive downshifts from
speed (in this case decelerat-
ing from sixth gear on the front
straight into the second-gear
first turn) with absolute aplomb.
By the end of a full day of this,
it becomes second nature; just
shut the throttle completely and
gently tap the gear shifter. It
does all the rest, allowing you to
concentrate on braking points
and getting set up for turn-in.
For serious track day fans, the
gearshift lever has a secondary
mount forged in at the factory
that allows switching the bike
over to a reverse race pattern in
The available paint schemes for 2015.
