VOL. 52 ISSUE 12 MARCH 24, 2015 P49
performance envelopes, engineers
turned their focus to electron-
ics to provide more manageable
delivery of all that abundance. The
result is an advanced technologi-
cal platform that better utilizes the
performance of the S 1000 RR,
rendering a motorcycle that works
extremely well when pushed ag-
gressively, over a range of surfac-
es and riding situations. This trans-
lates into an exceptional degree of
safety on the street. The advances
made in traction control, ABS, and
multi-mode engine mapping (not
to mention optional stability con-
trol with banking sensor) carries
over to the real world, providing
rider confidence by making the
most of that very small—and thus,
critical—contact patch of rubber on
the front and rear tires over what is
often unpredictable and compro-
mised road surfaces. It all works
to keep that power under control,
with minimal tire slippage—whether
under acceleration or under brak-
ing, upright or leaned over.
As testament to the safety as-
pect provided by this evolving tech-
nology, consider that Keith Code's
California Superbike School is
reporting that since switching over
to the S 1000 RR as their exclusive
class machine they've seen a 30%
reduction in student crashes. That
says a great deal about how much
electronics are reshaping the
relationship between rider, bike,
and road.
(Left) The Double R looks fast even
standing still. (Below) Rock solid
stability under braking is where the
BMW shines.