2019 S1000RR Test: BMW’s Superbike to Daft Punk
Stronger, Lighter, Faster. This is how BMW Motorrad defines its 2019 S1000RR: the third generation of the German Superbike is more powerful (207 hp), lighter (197 kg) … and faster ? Unfortunately, this remains to be proven, because the rain was invited to the press launch in Estoril (Portugal).
S1000RR 2019 test – page 1: Baptism too watered
A small 270 km / h at the end of Estoril’s straight line yet controlled by a fast curve: would the all-new S1000RR pull a hair short? No, Site is in fact tumbling down on a wet track, but the electronics are severely curtailed – excessively, fortunately? – the cavalry of his motorcycle…
This is really no good luck for MNC as for BMW: this international press launch organized on the Portuguese circuit was to highlight the leap (s) in performance achieved by the German Superbike. In 2019, she gained no less than 8 horses and lost 11 kilograms.
- MNC special file : All news 2019
- MNC special file :
- Clip Daft Punk (official) :
The German officials proudly concluded their press presentation the day before our trip: “to sum up, our bike is more powerful, lighter and faster” with a little air of Daft Punk. Stronger, Lighter, Faster … but not "Lucky", unfortunately !
On the soggy and very cool tarmac of our first session, the S1000RR set to Rain mode and paved with wet tires could not reveal its potential. With each strong acceleration, MNC sees the traction control indicator flashing for a long time out of the corner of his eye: pilots with epilepsy should not! But changing your diet or report does not change anything.
Whether we open wide on the second gear very high in the revs (red zone at 14,000 rpm for a 999 cc in-line 4-cylinder, only the GSX-R100 does a little better) or "in fourth speed "around 6000 rpm, the electronics ostensibly regulates the mechanics, especially when exiting a bend.
To improve reminders, the Journal moto du Net tries to draw inspiration from the Marc Marquez copy: clinging to the handlebars, helmet as close as possible to the inner elbow, and elbow resting on the knee … All this in order to raise the machine as quickly as possible to release the progressive flange of the DTC (Dynamic Traction Control).
At the end of the day, a little air of MM93 is – almost – there, but the speed is – still – not there! This damn weather does not help: the temperatures are cool (ten degrees on the ground, fifteen in the air), the humidity is maximum and the sun does not pierce the thick cloud layer. Only the strong wind works in our favor and very, very slowly dries the track…
By adopting the "Race Pro 3" driving mode concocted by BMW pilots, MNC can still benefit from sharper acceleration than in "Rain" mode. The latter is very cautious, and we thank him for it in difficult conditions, whether on a track in the rain or on a "gritty" road. !
Stronger and faster ?
By setting to his hand his glove each of the assistance (see our technical point on the third page), the pilot can have a more liberated machine, freed from the influence of electronics. But during our second session, a new stick slips into our carbon rims (included in the M pack, we will come back to that)…
The drying asphalt is indeed starting to abuse our tires: extremely soft, the abundantly grooved rain rubber struggles valiantly to provide grip. Here again, the electronics take particular care of their driver and ensure that the engine never races.
Site may well wring the handle, the revs are always gradual, closer to those of a Supersport than a Superbike. Sometimes even, the 4-cylinder pauses: it is as frustrating at the time, as reassuring after the fact … Then it roars even more and fervently relaunches the S1000RR in the stretches..
Difficult in its conditions to judge the health of the water mill … which stirs a lot of air! The thrust seems strong from 6000 rpm and continues to increase thereafter. After 10,000 rpm, you have to firmly grip the handlebars and stick your helmet as close as possible to the tank to isolate yourself from the winds "speed" of the bike and "real" on the circuit, which goes up the straight line of stands !
During our third and final session, the Bridgestone W01s have to surrender: the long, completely dry portions get the better of their super soft rubber. The S1000RR is reluctant to let go of 207 horsepower and 113 newton-meters again, even straight as an "i" this time around…
The engine could be fully expressed with a fitting of road tires (Bridgestone S21 in this case). But for his defense and his survival, MNC prefers to make his last rounds on wet tires because of some still very wet passages at the end of the course, slow and mainly on slopes. Gloups! Continued on next page…
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