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 3: Technical point
Engine
How to get both more power at high speeds and more torque at low and mid-range, from an engine limited to 999 cc in the "Superbike" category? Like Suzuki on their latest generation of GSX-R1000 / R, BMW used variable valve timing…
Like the flat-twin of the R1250 series, the all-in-line 4-cylinder engine receives an intake camshaft in three sliding parts (traditional exhaust camshaft) allowing simultaneous variation of the opening time and the valve lift.
At idle speed and up to 9000 rpm, the "partial load" cam moderately lifts the intake valves. After 9000 revolutions, two electromagnetic motors switch in a hundredth of a second towards the "full load" cam with a more aggressive profile.
The variable admission system is retained: from 11,700 rpm, the short cones further force the mill (with water!). "The diameter and length of the tubes have been harmonized on the new RR, as have the air box and the air intake", the engineers note in passing..
In fact, the entire engine has been revised for 2019: combustion chambers, distribution, crankcases, water and oil pumps (combined!), Cooling circuit, starter … German engine manufacturers are not little proud to have reduced the width of the block by 12 mm, to make it take 400 rpm more (14 600 max) and to compress it to 13.3: 1 (Vs 13: 1).
Despite the adoption of the ShiftCam system which weighs the engine by about one kilogram, the weight of the machine is reduced by 4 kg compared to the previous version. On the single exhaust already, the gain reached 1.3 kg. The silencer is also more compact but the pot under the engine swells a little…
And on the test bench, what does that give? Unheard of in terms of maximum power since the 2019 S1000RR develops 207 horsepower at 13,500 rpm, which is 8 hp more than the previous model. On the torque side, the maximum value is maintained at 113 Nm at 11,000 rpm, but the 100 Nm bar is now reached from 5500 rpm, instead of 8,000 previously.
"The new RR engine now offers the same level of low and mid-range torque as the current S1000R engine." As a reminder, the engine manufacturers had voluntarily restricted the 4-legged roadster maxisportif to 160 horses (then 165 since 2017) in order to reinforce the revivals on the usual modes on the road.
At the same time, average consumption would be improved by 4%: according to calculations by German scientists, their new "Zuperbaïke" would burn 6.4 l / 100km, or a maximum and theoretical autonomy of 258 km while respecting the WTMC cycle..
"Our new 999 cc 4-cylinder has the best efficiency in motorcycle and auto production today," said a senior propeller brand official. "It’s a unique engine, even Ferrari does not do as strong at equivalent displacement." And pan !
Part-cycle
It is well known: "without control, the power is nothing" … The Germans have completely redesigned the part-cycle of their sports in order to reduce the weight and size, while improving its ergonomics and pilot control…
The new aluminum frame is significantly more compact than the old one: "the two upper beams, the front section and the engine mount are now designed in such a way as to increase the load-bearing function of the engine", describes BMW Motorrad.
Lighter by 1.3 kg, the "Flex Frame" also reduces the width of the bike to between 13 and 30 mm at the thigh level: "as a result, the new RR is only about 20 mm wider than a V4 at this level ", underline the Germans, aware that their old machine passed for the big one of the Superbike band.
Likewise, the new rear buckle in aluminum tubes simultaneously saves weight and improves rider mobility. In all, the 2019 S1000RR weighs 197 kg, which is 11 kg less than its predecessor … and three more than the Honda Fireblade, the lightest Japanese inline 4-cylinder Superbike..
Site notes in passing that the license plate holder incorporates not only the indicators, but also the brake light: a good point for the pistards who just have to dismantle this appendix and disconnect a few wires in order to "transform your RR into a motorcycle. race ", familiar with the brand with the propeller.
In order to increase agility, feeling and steering precision, the engineers closed the front axle by 0.4 ° (i.e. 23.1 °) and reduced the frame by 2.6 mm (thus 93.9 mm ). At the same time, the wheelbase has been lengthened by 9 mm (now 1,441 mm) in order to optimize the grip of the rear wheel..
The weight has been redistributed: on the new S1000RR, the front wheel now supports 53.8% of the weight (compared to 52.3% previously). The rear wheel benefits from a brand new 300 gram swingarm, lighter, and reversed: as we see in World Superbike or MotoGP !
The objective with this new element is "to move the shock absorber as far as possible from the engine to remove the harmful effects of heat". In addition, the reduced linkage ratio from 1.9 to 1.6: 1 and the larger shock absorber (46 mm) allow more hydraulic flow while reducing pressure..
At the front, the diameter of the fork tubes – inverted, "naturlich" – is revised downwards: 45 mm instead of 46, which contributes to the reduction of 300 g of the entire front axle. Like the rear shock, the fork is fully adjustable: spring preload, separate hydraulic stress and rebound … or even "electronic".
The engineers have driven the weight to the end … from the wheels: the original pair of rims delivered in 2019 weighs 1.6 kg less than the previous set! And BMW Motorrad offers in its accessories catalog forged rims or even lighter carbon rims included in the Pack M…
Finally, an additional 500 grams were saved on the two front discs of 4.5 mm thick and still 320 mm in diameter. They are bitten by 4-piston radial-mounted calipers supplied by Hayes and branded BMW (ciao the Brembo, so). At the rear, the 220mm disc remains pinched by an Italian single piston caliper.
Electronic
As standard, the S1000RR 2019 incorporates four driving modes (Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race) which automatically adjust the responsiveness of the throttle control and the degree of traction control "Dynamic Traction Control" or DTC for the intimate.
By selecting the option "Pro Modes", the rider accesses three customizable settings (Race Pro 1, 2 and 3) which allows to choose the engine character and in addition three types of engine brake, to fine-tune the DTC and ABS , to play on the hydraulics of the suspensions, and incorporates an unprecedented anti-roll function allowing to ban or simply limit the rear wheels.
The "Shift Assistant Pro" system allowing up and down gears without worrying about the clutch is fitted as standard on the S1000RR 2019, as are the "Launch Control", the "Pit Lane Limiter" and the starting aid on a hill (the optional "Pro Modes" includes a deactivatable function that automatically locks the brakes when the motorcycle stops on a slope of more than 5%).
A new generation of electronic suspensions is available as an option. Unlike the old device in which the oil passed through the shock absorber through the conventional section and the electronically adjusted one, the new "Dynamic Damping Control" (DDC) integrates parallel flows supposed to improve rendering.
The ABS Pro, which takes into account the angle of the machine, is now fitted as standard on the Bavarian Superbike. With the "Pro Modes" option, the user can moderate the intervention of this ABS according to five levels. In addition, there is no risk of involuntarily putting the throttle on the braking phases thanks to "Dynamic Brake Control" (DBC).
All the information and parameters are displayed on a magnificent 6.5-inch diagonal slab. "Yes, it’s the same one that equips the R1250GS in particular", confirms a senior BMW Motorrad staff manager. "She is of Bosch origin". Professional work, certainly…
"The big advantage of this screen is that it allows you to display the characteristics of each parameter", rightly emphasizes Josef Machler, product manager for the S1000RR. "No need to know by heart the differences between modes, levels 1, 2 or 3, A, B or C …".
Finally, the S1000RR in turn integrates the wheel specific to BMW motorcycles, as well as the commodos with cruise control and optional heated grips! The first option can be used to get to the circuit by road without losing your license, the second to ride in the rain at the beginning of March, in Estoril … MNC still has shivers down your spine. !
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