All Tests – BMW S1000RR Review: German Hypersport to the Road Test – A dog (German) in a bowling game (Japanese) …

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BMW S1000RR test: German hypersport to the test

All Tests - BMW S1000RR Review: German Hypersport to the Road Test - A dog (German) in a bowling game (Japanese) ...

Salivating blend of sophistication and bestiality on the track, the S1000RR now had to convince on the road… French: deprived of 86 horses out of 193 and of some electronic aids, the BMW pales but manages to save the furniture. Test.

A dog (German) in a bowling game (Japanese)…

"192-192" (192 hp for 192 kg): this is the original code name of the BMW missile that the German manufacturer planned to launch on the Hypersport front, largely dominated by the Japanese. However, from the prototype to the production model, the S1000RR is ultimately even more impressive than expected: 193 hp for 186 kg dry !

Discovered on the Portuguese track of Portimao (read our), the first German Superbike proved to be modern and sharp … but also demanding and explosive !

Modeled on the Japanese models (inverted fork and fully adjustable single-shock absorber, perimeter frame and in-line four-cylinders: read), the S1000RR has thus paid for the luxury of surprising us by displaying an unsuspected radicality and technical mastery..

Filing dirtily between 7,000 and 13,000 rpm, the 999 cc electronically controlled (ride-by-wire) provide incredible acceleration as well as the sophisticated traction control adjustable on four levels (Rain, Sport, Race and Slick) as well as the Ultralight ABS (2.5 kg!) Help tame the track with bluffing efficiency.

As comfortable on the track as a pickpocket in the Paris metro, the German sports flagship nevertheless had to transform the test on the delicate terrain of French roads. Amputated by almost half of its Kollosale power (from 193, it goes to 107 hp) and sophisticated but expensive electronic aids (+1230 euros for the Pack Race ABS + DTC traction control and + 360 euros for the Shifter) present during of its international launch, does the S1000RR still have the means to shake Japan? Diagnostic.

A little roughness in a world of softness

Camped on its annoying crutch without a lug, the S1000RR in replica Superbike colors (an option at 480 euros) made available to us for this short test run in the Nîmes countryside is equipped with the BMW Shifter.

This optional device, resulting from the competition, causes an ignition micro-cut allowing to shift gears at full load without disengaging. Enjoyable on the track, this equipment loses part of its interest on the road and will undoubtedly be abandoned in favor of the efficient Race-ABS: the polar temperatures of this rolling, combined with the very frank attack of the 320 mm discs pinched by Brembo radial calipers, quickly highlighted the attention and skill required during emergency braking !

Easy to handle, the Bavarian sports car has a comfortable seat and a full and readable on-board console (see section). The user will simply be surprised by the absence of the mode engaged at the bottom right: BMW specifies that on the French version, the four injection maps selectable on the handlebars will not be available..

Certain that with 107 hp to manage instead of 193, this equipment seemed less essential to German engineers. But the clientele attracted by this type of motorcycle being sensitive to the technological degree of their mount, keeping it would probably not have been harmful … In fact, to unleash the S1000RR – and therefore find the choice of maps – a "plug" will be available under conditions (track license and liability waiver) from Alpha Techknik.

Working in concert with ABS, traction control is logically also absent subscribers and it is therefore with a certain restraint that were swallowed the first laps of the wheels in the pretty town of Nîmes. Well helped by its engine flexibility and its balance, the Superbike is quite comfortable in an urban environment: the turning radius is correct (for a sports car!), The precise and well calibrated electronic accelerator and the efficient mirrors..

The monster discovered in Portugal could therefore also show civility? In truth, not quite: if the S1000RR accepts without reluctance to cross the agglomerations, the pressure pronounced on the wrists and the firmness of the clutch lever quickly encourage to relieve the left hand by putting in neutral at the least stop. Unfortunately, although the gearbox is fast and precise, the operation is not always the most intuitive to perform due to the small difference between the first and the second gear….

Even more annoying, the in-line four-cylinder vibrates appreciably around 4,000 rpm, or exactly in the usual modes (90 km / h in 6th and 50 km / h in 3rd). Ignoring these basic considerations of a practical nature (after all, a Hypersport is designed for "Hypersportiver"!), The German intends to recover in the salivating virolos of the region … On the attack !

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