S 1000 RR
$18,295
*Product specifications and price may vary; this is an approximate reference.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 999cc inline 4-cylinder with BMW ShiftCam |
| Displacement | 999cc |
| Power | 205 HP @ 13,000 rpm |
| Torque | 113 Nm / 83 lb-ft |
| Weight | 197 kg (434 lbs) wet |
| Seat Height | 832 mm / 32.8" |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.5L / 4.4 gal |
| Transmission | 6-speed with Gear Shift Assistant Pro (Quickshifter) |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Electronics
Rider Modes
Performance & Efficiency
- Top Speed
- 188 mph
- 0-60 mph
- 2.9 sec
Reliability & Ownership
Reliability The S 1000 RR is a high-performance machine with a solid reputation, though it is electronically complex. The ShiftCam system has proven reliable since its 2019 debut. Major valve clearance checks are required every 18,000 miles, which is generous for the class. Owners should monitor the lightweight battery levels and stay current with software updates via BMW's dealer network to ensure the sophisticated rider aids function flawlessly.
Maintenance Oil changes every 6,000 miles or annually; Valve clearance checks every 18,000 miles.
Comfort & Ergonomics
Among the liter-bike class, the BMW is surprisingly humane. The ergonomics are aggressive, yet the 'Flex Frame' design allows for a narrower profile between the legs. Heat management is significantly better than its Italian V4 rivals, and the 6.5-inch TFT display is the gold standard for visibility. While still a dedicated track tool, the inclusion of cruise control and heated grips makes it the most touring-capable superbike available.
Overview
" The Bavarian Scalpel "
When BMW first launched the S 1000 RR in 2009, it didn't just join the superbike class; it demolished the existing hierarchy. The 2024 model continues that legacy of dominance. Featuring the revolutionary ShiftCam technology, which provides a massive spread of torque regardless of RPM, the S 1000 RR bridges the gap between a high-strung race machine and a street-legal motorcycle. It is a masterpiece of German engineering that balances 205 horsepower with a chassis so communicative it makes novice riders feel like pros and pros feel like gods. With the latest aerodynamic winglets and an electronics suite that includes Slide Control and Brake Slide Assist, the S 1000 RR remains the yardstick by which all other sportbikes are measured.
WikiMoto Verdict
"The most complete, technologically advanced, and usable liter-class superbike ever built."
In-Depth Review
Engine: The ShiftCam Masterpiece
At the heart of the S 1000 RR is the 999cc inline-four featuring BMW’s ShiftCam technology. This system varies the valve timing and stroke on the intake side, effectively giving the bike two different engine profiles. Below 9,000 RPM, it is docile and surprisingly torquey for a liter-bike, making city riding and corner exits effortless. Once the cam shifts, the bike transforms into a screaming banshee, pulling relentlessly toward its 14,600 RPM redline. The power delivery is linear and predictable, avoiding the ‘light-switch’ feel of older superbikes. It produces a staggering 205 horsepower, but thanks to the refined fueling, it never feels unmanageable.
Handling: Precision Meets Aerodynamics
The 2024 model features updated geometry and the ‘Flex Frame,’ designed to offer more lateral flex when leaned over, improving feedback. On the track, the S 1000 RR tips into corners with minimal effort. The addition of M-inspired winglets is not just for show; they provide genuine downforce at high speeds, keeping the front wheel planted during hard acceleration and increasing stability under heavy braking. The Brembo-sourced ‘M’ brakes (on higher trims) or the standard Hayes calipers provide immense stopping power with a delicate, one-finger feel. The feedback through the chassis allows you to feel exactly how much grip is left in the rear tire, encouraging deeper lean angles with every lap.
Tech: The Digital Advantage
BMW leads the industry in electronics. The 6.5-inch TFT dash is crisp, lag-free, and incredibly intuitive to navigate via the multi-controller wheel on the left handlebar. The electronics suite is exhaustive: Dynamic Traction Control, Wheelie Control, and the new Brake Slide Assist, which uses steering angle sensors to allow the rider to ‘drift’ the bike into corners under braking. The ABS Pro settings are corner-sensitive, providing a massive safety net on the street. Furthermore, the Quickshifter (Gear Shift Assistant Pro) is arguably the smoothest in the industry, allowing for lightning-fast, clutchless shifts both up and down the gearbox.
Verdict: The King of the Hill
The BMW S 1000 RR is the ultimate ‘do-it-all’ superbike. While a Ducati Panigale V4 might offer more raw emotion and a Kawasaki ZX-10R might be easier for a privateer to race, the BMW offers a level of polish, technology, and sheer speed that is unrivaled as a total package. It is as comfortable on a 200-mile Sunday ride as it is setting lap records at Portimão. If you want the most advanced, capable, and refined liter-bike on the market today, the search begins and ends with the S 1000 RR.