New BMW S 1000 RR — Lighter, faster, easier to control

(November 20, 2018) The third generation BMW S 1000 RR — the supersport bike originally launched in 2009 — made its world debut at EICMA in 2018. With a completely newly developed engine and suspension, engine output has increased 6 horsepower to 205 horsepower and weight has been reduced from 459 pounds to 434 pounds (427 pounds with the new M Package).

In addition to enhancing performance, other objectives were to make the new RR at least one second faster than its predecessor, create a more user-friendly design and ensure maximum control and handling. Whether in everyday use, on winding country roads or for high-performance race track riding, the new RR leaves nothing to be desired. Standard assistance systems such as traction and wheelie control, ABS and Hill Start Control as well as the LED lighting system and large TFT screen have reached a whole new level.

Newly developed engine with BMW ShiftCam Technology for further enhanced power in the lower and medium engine speed range and increased top-end power.

With its newly developed 4-cylinder in-line engine, now almost 9 pounds lighter than before, the new RR achieves an entirely new level of performance. For this purpose, not only was the geometry of the intake and exhaust ports further optimized, the motorcycle now also comes with BMW ShiftCam Technology — an entirely new technology for BMW motorcycles which varies the valve timings and valve strokes on the intake side.

A revised intake passage and a new exhaust system that is almost 3 pounds lighter also contribute to increased overall performance. Rideability and sprint capability benefit from a substantially increased torque across a wide engine speed range.

BMW Motorrad developers left no stone unturned when refining the bike’s suspension. To achieve significant weight reduction, the engine in the new RR now has more of a load-bearing function than in the previous generation model. The requirement in designing the new main frame, in addition to improving ergonomics, was to have the force applied directly to the engine structure via the shortest possible paths.

A significant increase in riding dynamics was achieved in the new RR based on the combination of the new riding geometry, optimized wheel load distribution and a substantial weight optimization. The new Full Floater Pro kinematics in the rear wheel suspension also contributes significantly to the perceptible increase in suspension performance. All in all, riders of the new RR will benefit from further improved handling, increased traction and even more transparent feedback in all riding states up to the threshold range. In short: the new RR noticeably raises the bar on the suspension side while at the same time becoming more user-friendly and controllable.

The next generation of the electronic suspension DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) is also available for the new RR as an option. Specially developed for the RR, Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) requires no compromises in terms of suspension set-up. This is largely made by possible by new valve and control technology. Additionally, a shim package is available for selective adaptation when required for ambitious race track riding.

Four ride modes are standard and three more are available as part of the “Ride Modes Pro” option.

For ideal adaptation to varied road conditions, the new RR is fitted with four standard ride modes: “Rain”, “Road”, “Dynamic” and “Race”. For those who wish to delve deeper into the world of race tracks and motor racing, the “Ride Modes Pro” option offers three additional ride modes (Race Pro 1-3) that are freely programmable.

These enable individual adaptation of the most diverse control functions such as Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), ABS and wheelie detection as well as the throttle curve (torque adjustment) and Engine Brake to suit the rider’s own skill level and riding style. Other features that come with the " Ride Modes Pro” option are Launch Control for perfect race starts and the configurable Pit Lane Limiter for exact adherence to speeds in the pit lane. Ultra-fast shifting up and down without the clutch is enabled by HP Shift Assist Pro, which comes as a standard feature.