Looking at all the new bikes being released for 2014 you’d think that the naked bike is replacing the supersport as the next high-performance motorcycle. It would make sense when taking into account the outrageous insurance premiums we pay for that sporty bodywork.
Take, for example, the 2014 BMW S1000R. BMW stripped one R from the S1000RR supersport, and a bunch of the bodywork, but the performance and handling have remained mostly intact. I say mostly because as is usually the case when a manufacturer introduces a naked bike based on one of its existing supersport machines, the engine is retuned for more midrange power, which means less peak horsepower.
BMW has done this with the R, reducing the 999 cc inline four’s output to 160 hp from the 193 in the RR. Peak horsepower arrives at 11,000 rpm, 2,000 revs lower than on the RR, and peak torque is the same, at 83 lb-ft, though it peaks 500 rpm lower at 9,250, with more than 60 lb-ft available from 3,000 rpm, compared to about 45 lb-ft at the same rpm for the RR.
That’s all that has been done to the engine, however, as gear ratios are the same as on the RR, as is the final drive ratio. The maker claims engineers were looking to “provide punchy response all the way through the rpm range.” As if the RR weren’t “punchy” enough.
All of the racy RR electronics are available on the naked R, including adjustable DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), ASC (Automatic Stability Control), Race ABS, and selectable Ride modes, including Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Plus.
Also available as an option is DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) electronically adjustable, active suspension that uses sensors and adapts to the riding conditions. It was first used in the HP4 and works in conjunction with the ride modes.
Chassis specs have been tweaked to “increase traction and stability.” In other words, handling will be a tiny bit more relaxed. Rake has been increased by .8 degrees to 24.4, trail has been increased by 5 mm to 98.5 and wheelbase has been stretched by 22 mm to 1,439 mm. A steering damper is standard. Wet weight is 207 kg, half a kilo more than the Race-ABS-equipped RR.
The S1000R will be available early next year for an MSRP of $14,700. It’ll also be at all the Canadian MMIC shows. Oh, and CMG will be attending the launch in early December.
GALLERY
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