Few people will dispute that BMW builds motorcycles that are as obsessively engineered and as engaging to ride as its cars are to drive. However, there’s a good chance many folks will dispute the notion that BMW builds legitimate superbikes. And it’s true that, for many years, the Bavarians seemed perfectly content to leave the stupid-fast crotch rocket market to the Italians and the Japanese (as well as the occasional interlopers from Britain, the U.S. and elsewhere).
That changed in the spring of 2008, which was when the BMW S 1000 RR entered production for homologation in the World Superbike series. Sales to the public began about a year later, and critical acclaim and brisk sales followed soon thereafter. But rather than resting on its laurels, BMW has decided to update the S 1000 RR for 2012, and the result is a bike that’s even more capable and sophisticated.
The 999cc inline-four is still rated at 193hp, though the torque curve has been optimized for improved throttle response. The throttle itself has also been redesigned to make it easier to modulate, which is particularly useful when the rider has selected one of the four performance modes: Rain (which limits the engine to 163hp), Sport, Race and Slick. The ABS and traction control systems have been revised to work in even better harmony with the rider’s intentions. Lastly, the air intake (which is routed through the steering head) has been redesigned to increase flow to the engine.
Chassis-wise, both the front and rear suspension geometries have been changed, as have the spring rates. The new forged and milled fork bridge features a smaller offset, and a new mechanical steering damper offers more than 10 levels of adjustment. As for the instrumentation, the cluster has been redesigned to be more legible, and now features a “best lap in-progress” readout and an adjustable speed alarm. Finally, the S 1000 RR is now offered in a variety of color combinations: Racing Red with Alpine White, Bluefire (which looks an awful lot like the E46 M3’s Interlagos Blue), Sapphire Black Metallic, and traditional BMW Motorrad Motorsport red, white and blue.
BMW hasn’t announced pricing information for the updated S 1000 RR, but the original was arguably one of the best values in the superbike world. If the updated model more or less holds the line on cost, the likes of Ducati, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, MV Agusta and Honda should be very, very worried.
