I've ridden it - anyone interested?!!!

[UKBIKER]

Hi everyone

I have just got back from riding the new S1000RR on the Parc Motor Castillioli circuit in Spain and as promised I will give you my first impressions.

Like most of you I have been into bikes since I was 16, (30 years ago for me!), and because of my job I have been lucky enough to ride almost all of the modern superbikes. I can honestly tell you that nothing has impressed me like this new bike - ever.

It has obviously got incredible power at 193bhp, but the way it is delivered is so impressive. The bike has 4 modes: Rain mode which reduces power to 150bhp and electronically flattens the torque curve to give a softer throttle response, then Sport, Race and Slick modes that give you the full monty 193bhp with each mode giving you a faster throttle response. The suspension can be adjusted for preload, compression and rebound damping separately and even ride height of the bike at the rear can be adjusted.

The adjustments are simple to do as your ignition key has been designed to use as the adjuster, and there are just 10 clearly defined "clicks" for each area of adjustment. However, if like me you very rarely mess about with your suspension don't worry as the manual gives very clear and simple guidance on how to set it to an optimum "average" setting.

The brakes are utterly incredible with or without ABS, and stopped the bike from high speed with such power and control it really was amazing. However with the Race ABS and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) options fitted, it took things to a new level. The instructors took us to a strip of smooth concrete about 100 metres long. They switched the ABS and DTC off and gave the bike full power. You can imagine what happened next! The rear tyre just lit up and he was able to change up through the box until he hit 4th gear with the rear wheel just spinning and smoking.

Then with the DTC and ABS activated the same test - what a difference! Even if you have experienced BMW's ASC (Anti-Skid Control) option this system is so much more sophisticated. It reacts so fast to changes in grip you are able to keep the throttle open and it constantly compensates and adjusts many times per second so that you get maximum drive with no scary moments. It even offers different levels of traction depending what mode the bike is in - for example in "RAIN" mode you get maximum reduction in wheelspin and stops wheelies completely. In "RACE" mode it allows a certain amount of drift and wheelie capability when exiting corners!

One of the instructors was able to show us this in practice by simulating entering a hairpin bend or roundabout, leaning the bike over until his knee was on the ground and then in first gear giving it a big handful. Normally this would result in a huge highside or at the very least the back end would simply spin out and throw the rider off. The DTC simply allowed the rear tyre to grip and as we all stood there open-mouthed he was able to exit the corner in total safety. Imagine having this confidence on the road to exit a wet roundabout with no scary moments!

This level of sophistication has only previously been seen on full on racing machines and whilst I personally am no track riding expert I can see how this transforms into probably the biggest advance in safety for a road rider since the introduction of BMW's first ABS system over 20 years ago.

Even if you ignore the power, the handling, the race ABS, the DTC and all the clever electronics, the bike just looks utterly gorgeous. They had all the competitor bikes there, the GSXR, ZX10, Fireblade, and R1 and the S1000RR made all of them look 10 years old. The display bike they had there had all the optional carbon fibre panels and the stubby little Akrapovic silencer which looks fantastic.

Alpha Racing who run the BMW World Superbike team were there and for those of you who don't feel 193 bhp is enough, Alpha have a range of genuine race parts such as suspension units, forged wheels, discs and a full titanium exhaust system that weighed 3.4 kilos including the end can!

BMW confirmed to us that the bike will be launched in the UK with two other benefits in the areas of finance and insurance. Firstly there will be a special finance package on our BMW Select finance, which results in a monthly payment of £193 over 23 months with a £3500 deposit. Regarding insurance, the underwriters at Devitt who are BMW Insurance in the UK have agreed to put the bike in the same group as the K1300S, which will mean much cheaper premiums than the Japanese superbikes.

The press get their hands on it in November at Portamao circuit in Portugal, and the first roadtests should appear in the December / January issues of all the bike mags. The bike will be on show at the Milan bike show and the NEC (uk) show in late November, then launched at dealers 5th December.

When you work with motorcycles everyday it is difficult sometimes to get excited about a new model. All I can say It's been a long time since a bike has had me whooping and cheering whilst riding it, and if a fat 40-something with little track experience like me can end up pulling third gear power wheelies with total confidence then it's got to be a bit special.

I will keep you updated with any new information as we get it.

[avboden]

i hate you...so much right now!

Thanks for the info!! What do you do for a living that you got to ride one?!?!


"The press get their hands on it in November at Portamao circuit in Portugal, and the first roadtests should appear in the December / January issues of all the bike mags. The bike will be on show at the Milan bike show and the NEC (uk) show in late November, then launched at dealers 5th December."

Awesome!

[UKBIKER]

Dealer staff - BMW organised the track session plus two days of classroom training for all European dealers. When we were there, it was us (UK) plus Austrians, Russians and the Irish. I'm pretty sure there were a couple of guys from the US there as well observing the whole event. The only crash of the day was a Russian guy who braked so hard he went into a stoppie that didn't stop, and the bike literally stood on its nose and did a forward roll. Track session stopped for 40 minutes, and apparently he broke his arm. Those brakes really are soooooo powerful!

[Scorch]

When I saw the bike on Tuesday night (on a plinth, unfortunately), there was a fantastic quote from Troy Corser on the screen behind the bike.
I can't remember the exact wording, but he said that he'd had a ride on one of the street versions, and was astonished to find that it was barely slower than his race bike.

I'm not really in the market for a superbike, but this is one amazing machine!

[avboden]

Originally Posted by UKBIKER

Dealer staff - BMW organised the track session plus two days of classroom training for all European dealers. When we were there, it was us (UK) plus Austrians, Russians and the Irish. I'm pretty sure there were a couple of guys from the US there as well observing the whole event. The only crash of the day was a Russian guy who braked so hard he went into a stoppie that didn't stop, and the bike literally stood on its nose and did a forward roll. Track session stopped for 40 minutes, and apparently he broke his arm. Those brakes really are soooooo powerful!

so i'm assuming ABS was turned off?

[UKBIKER]

Hi Andrew - unbelieveably the bikes they had there for us to use on the track had no ABS or DTC fitted, so it was easy to stand the bike on its nose as the surface was so grippy. To be honest, I wouldn't order one without all three factory options fitted, and in the UK where we have something like 350 pre-sold units, 95% are in 'Sport' spec which is the name BMW UK have given to the bike with all the options.

The engine by the way is a little peaky in that it just dislocates your arms up to 9000rpm, then tears them off completely above 11000!!!

[H-2 CHARLIE]

Hey Uk BIKER i cant get everything but would you get the tri-color and shifter ? or green paint , pipe and shifter ?...love the motorsport paint get a pipe in a year and ditch the cat = header back pipe

[Superduper]

Black paint pipe and shifter

[kismetcapitan]

what I'm hoping is that the bike will have more power down low than the competition. The problem with bikes like the GSX-R or RSV4 is that they are weak down low, then suddenly go into warp speed. This isn't all that fun.

The electronics package is why I've held out for the S1000RR. I could have scratched the superbike itch with a ABS Fireblade or the crossplane R1 (and did try the 1098R, but although the traction control is good, NO ABS + insane brakes = scary unless the roads are hot and bone dry).

I also believe the stock exhaust won't live too long on my bike.

[96ss#80]

Originally Posted by kismetcapitan

what I'm hoping is that the bike will have more power down low than the competition. The problem with bikes like the GSX-R or RSV4 is that they are weak down low, then suddenly go into warp speed. This isn't all that fun.

The electronics package is why I've held out for the S1000RR. I could have scratched the superbike itch with a ABS Fireblade or the crossplane R1 (and did try the 1098R, but although the traction control is good, NO ABS + insane brakes = scary unless the roads are hot and bone dry).

I also believe the stock exhaust won't live too long on my bike.

Over squared motors usually mean a peaky power band. I am going to have to get used to it to. but im hoping that the traction control will give enough confidence in the rear that it will make it easier open the throttle faster

[UKBIKER]

Originally Posted by H-2 CHARLIE

Hey Uk BIKER i cant get everything but would you get the tri-color and shifter ? or green paint , pipe and shifter ?...love the motorsport paint get a pipe in a year and ditch the cat = header back pipe

Hey Charlie, it's difficult to advise you on colours as its such a personal thing. However, if it was me I would definately go Tri-colour and shifter and save up for the pipe. The Alpha Racing full system looked amazing and only weighed 3.4kg in total, but would invalidate the warranty. The Akrapovic end can looks superb, but still leaves the cat and silencer in place underneath the bike so apparently isnt any louder than stock. (We didn't get to hear one running with the Akro on.)

[Rob]

Phil - just to be clear, warranty status differs based on country that you are in. In the US I could put a trumpet on the bike as the exhaust and not invalidate the warranty.

Back on topic though - how are the ergonomics?

[UKBIKER]

Originally Posted by 96ss#80

Over squared motors usually mean a peaky power band. I am going to have to get used to it to. but im hoping that the traction control will give enough confidence in the rear that it will make it easier open the throttle faster

In my short experience on the track with the bike you would have to say yes the short stroke motor feels relatively peaky, but it is relative. Its 112nm of torque @ 9750rpm, whereas the GSXR1000 which is known to be a grunty motor is 117nm @ 10000rpm. However the S1000 has the best power to weight ratio, highest revving engine and all the trick bits the others don't have.

Just listening to the bikes going down the straight at the Castelloli circuit hitting the limiters at 14500rpm made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck! Its worth checking out YouTube and typing in Parcmotor Castelloli as the search and have a look at the lap done by a guy on a GSXR750 - its a great circuit!

[UKBIKER]

I am 5' 11" (183cm) and 15 stone, or as we say in England, a Fat F**ker. My inside leg is 30 inches. I did 6 track sessions of about 10 - 15 minutes each time and I didn't have a problem with the comfort side of things. However, to be fair we were on a track trying to go as fast as they would allow us so I guess comfort wasn't a top priority.

I would say its more like a GSXR than a Fireblade, in that a larger rider like me doesn't feel like he is riding a 250. The tank is nicely sculpted so your legs tuck in, and there are 4 slots cut into the edges of the screen that allow air to pass under the screen surface and over your shoulders. I think overall, most riders will find the bike comfortable when compared with other sports bikes.

[kismetcapitan]

from the power curves, it is definitely relative....in Rain Mode, it matches the F800 in power and torque up to 7000rpm (at which point it kind goes bananas :p)

Having used traction control on a tester 1198S and my briefly owned 1098R (the 1198S is a better version, ironically), it helps confidence enormously. Just crank up the DTC setting, then yank on the throttle all you want. With the Ducati system, a setting of 7 or 8 (maxed) allows you to pin the throttle exiting a corner with no worry of lowsiding.

With serious brakes though, ABS is good. Linked brakes is good. And a slipper clutch should NOT be some multi-thousand dollar option! Yay S1000RR for getting everything right

[UKBIKER]

With serious brakes though, ABS is good. Linked brakes is good. And a slipper clutch should NOT be some multi-thousand dollar option! Yay S1000RR for getting everything right

Too right Toby - I can vouch for the slipper clutch too as I went down too many gears approaching the hairpin and ended up in first. No drama, a bit of rear end fishtailing but that was it. It's just a fantastic bike and an amazing achievement for BMW for their first attempt at a sportsbike.

You will love it!

[96ss#80]

Originally Posted by UKBIKER

In my short experience on the track with the bike you would have to say yes the short stroke motor feels relatively peaky, but it is relative. Its 112nm of torque @ 9750rpm, whereas the GSXR1000 which is known to be a grunty motor is 117nm @ 10000rpm. However the S1000 has the best power to weight ratio, highest revving engine and all the trick bits the others don't have.

Just listening to the bikes going down the straight at the Castelloli circuit hitting the limiters at 14500rpm made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck! Its worth checking out YouTube and typing in Parcmotor Castelloli as the search and have a look at the lap done by a guy on a GSXR750 - its a great circuit!

I looked the track up seemed very nice! So are you saying that the s1000 has a better bottom end then say a 2005 gsxr 1000? I hope so but its hard to believe. I do believe the top end will be above and beyond all the other liter bikes, maybe even the busa an z14. Honestly I was expecting the low end to be kinda soft due to the short stroke.

[96ss#80]

Originally Posted by UKBIKER

I am 5' 11" (183cm) and 15 stone, or as we say in England, a Fat F**ker. My inside leg is 30 inches. I did 6 track sessions of about 10 - 15 minutes each time and I didn't have a problem with the comfort side of things. However, to be fair we were on a track trying to go as fast as they would allow us so I guess comfort wasn't a top priority.

I would say its more like a GSXR than a Fireblade, in that a larger rider like me doesn't feel like he is riding a 250. The tank is nicely sculpted so your legs tuck in, and there are 4 slots cut into the edges of the screen that allow air to pass under the screen surface and over your shoulders. I think overall, most riders will find the bike comfortable when compared with other sports bikes.

Phil this will probably make you laugh? But I have no clue how much a "stone" is can you help me out?

[Roadpizza]

I think I've been told a Stone is 14 lbs...indeed a fat f$@% by any measure...no offense intended. Just being agreeable.

[UKBIKER]

Originally Posted by 96ss#80

Phil this will probably make you laugh? But I have no clue how much a "stone" is can you help me out?

Yes guys, a stone is 14 lbs so I am about 210 - 220lbs in total. No wonder it wheelied when I moved to the back of the seat............................!

[kismetcapitan]

d'oh, I am filled with envy....

A thought - I wonder why none of the preproduction versions have ABS/DTC...could it be that they are finalizing the programming? I wonder how much the WSBK team's traction control programming (which they would have constantly tweaked for each race) makes it over into the production bike?

[96ss#80]

Originally Posted by 96ss#80

I looked the track up seemed very nice! So are you saying that the s1000 has a better bottom end then say a 2005 gsxr 1000? I hope so but its hard to believe. I do believe the top end will be above and beyond all the other liter bikes, maybe even the busa an z14. Honestly I was expecting the low end to be kinda soft due to the short stroke.

You missed this 1 UK.

[UKBIKER]

Originally Posted by kismetcapitan

d'oh, I am filled with envy....

A thought - I wonder why none of the preproduction versions have ABS/DTC...could it be that they are finalizing the programming? I wonder how much the WSBK team's traction control programming (which they would have constantly tweaked for each race) makes it over into the production bike?

Hi Toby - Just to clarify there were ABS/TCS equipped bikes there but only about 8 of them. As I said in my original post the bikes we rode on the circuit only had Shift Assistant, but they did the demonstration of the ABS/TCS on the infield with these 8 bikes.

Basically, from what I was able to tell the TCS is far more sophisticated that the ASC that is fitted to the rest of the range. Where ASC is quite crude in operation cutting in and out abruptly, TCS is much more progressive and keeps the bike moving forward with minimal disruption to the drive. The level of drive / slip is also modified based on what 'mode' the bike is set in.

Regarding the peakiness of the engine, I didn't mean to give the impression that it would neccessarily out-stomp a GSXR at low revs, just the fact that on paper the torque figures are very similar. I guess if you rode the bikes back to back there wouldn't be much in it up to 10,000 revs but then the S1000 would disappear into the distance.

[Deans BMW]

Originally Posted by kismetcapitan

d'oh, I am filled with envy....

A thought - I wonder why none of the preproduction versions have ABS/DTC...could it be that they are finalizing the programming? I wonder how much the WSBK team's traction control programming (which they would have constantly tweaked for each race) makes it over into the production bike?

To shed light on your question, consider that BMW is totally developing all of their electronics in house while the other WSBK participants are farming it out to Magnetti-Marcelli, a company with a lot of experience in race electronics and no doubt some, at least, bleed over from team to team. BMW/Alpha racing is going it alone, one of the reasons of their learning curve in WSBK this past year.

What BMW is learning and developing is directly applicable to the street version........

AND IS BEING APPLIED, much to our benefit.

[jimbo]

I am looking for data re the "cockpit" dimensions? I am 6'4" with long legs. The K1200S fits me nicely, but a Honda Fireblade feels like I am sitting on top of the tank as opposed to in the saddle. Any word on fit and sizing?