2019 S1000RR Test: BMW’s Superbike to Daft Punk Style
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 2: Highly assisted steering
It is in the last section made up of a succession of closed bends and a chicane that the BMW appears to us to be more agile than the previous model. By revising the geometry and the weight of its sports car (193.5 kg in "our" M version), the Germans intend to compete with the references in the field: CBR1000RR and R1 among the Japanese for example.
The size of the S1000RR 2019 is also less imposing than the old ones: BMW had the good idea to exhibit the previous models. MNC thus notes that the knees are less apart because they are now wedged above the new and smaller frame..
The tank, which is always well rounded, offers good points of support, without hindering mobility. Site notes in passing that its capacity drops by one liter in 2019, or 16.5 liters. Enough to travel 260 km without running out of fuel … or attacking !
Another crucial detail for a sports car: the footrests offer a very convincing grip, even when heavily sprayed with water. In the same vein, the "ride-by-wire" and the finely calibrated injection allow a smooth piloting.
It is always in the slow portion that MNC appreciates the new braking the most: the front calipers (Hayes, American supplier also retained on the new R1250GS and R1250RT) bite their 320 m discs promptly but without brutality, which is precious during braking on the angle. The touch at the lever is very satisfactory, as for the power, it is obviously largely sufficient in the wet !
Le Journal moto du Net can thus grip without the slightest hesitation and with precision the front brake lever while passing over the still dark – wet plates! – of the route. By deliberately pulling the front brake a little too brutally at the end of the two main straight lines, MNC observes that the ABS interventions are very discreet..
On braking more measured but still marked, the bike remains firmly planted on its two wheels, perfectly in line: an advantage of coupled braking (from front to rear) perhaps, but without any doubt the proof of the excellent behavior of the Bridge W01 in the wet !
In the dry, on the other hand, we perceive a floating logic on heavy braking and when setting on the angle. But it is the limits of the front tire that are reached here, certainly not those of the S1000RR whose electronically controlled suspensions (DDC, included in the Dynamic pack) shine in these difficult conditions..
Lighter and more compact
Whether during accelerations far from constant or on sometimes late and sometimes exaggerated braking, in the chicane negotiated in first or in the break crossed at full speed, the fork and the shock absorber ensure a resistance of road exciting circuit.
However, when he got on his machine for the first time, Site was surprised by the very rigid attitude of the suspensions. This is not the case once launched on the track: mass transfers are generally limited and the bumps in the Portuguese asphalt are carefully absorbed..
The quickshifter also allows you to focus on your trajectories. On the one hand, the selector requires only measured pressure to activate the gear change which, on the other hand, takes place as quickly as smoothly. The balance of the machine is therefore never disturbed.
Unlike two of its colleagues, Le Journal moto du Net did not encounter any gear change problems during its three driving sessions (one hour in all). There is hardly that by chaining the first three reports out of the pits that slight jolts are felt.
If the use in town of this assistant for upshifting and lowering gears therefore remains to be validated, its use on the circuit as well as on small roads is fully approved by MNC. Delicate attention from the Germans: the two fixing points on the original selector allow the box to be reversed !
Future owners might be happy to learn that the makeover of their S1000RR from road to racetrack is also made easier by integrating the brake light with the turn signals – rear, yeah. It is therefore sufficient to remove the license plate holder and the mirrors – which house the indicators … !
Next step to give your bike a World Superbike look: replace the LED headlights with stickers! Small error, however, on the part of the engineers: the handlebars tubes are directly welded to the pretty openwork tee … A slipping animal may cost a little more..
Always practical level, MNC notes that the new BMW now offers a clutch lever adjustable in spacing. To facilitate handling, it also has a turning radius that is far from ridiculous … for a sports car placed in its natural environment: large curves and large pits. !
The instrumentation goes 100% digital and colorful. The "Race" displays are particularly interesting because they focus on the essential data: the gear indicator light engaged, the DTC value, the speed and the engine speed which occupies most of the panel. The times, the angle of the bike or the braking power can also be displayed on the dashboard.
The "Multi-controler" dial makes its arrival on the S1000RR … The handling of this control developed on BMW GTs is so intuitive that it makes it unnecessary to develop a smartphone application (as is the case with some competitors) allowing you to adjust the bike, its modes, its suspensions, etc..
She says "M" like an emblem
The left-hand stalk can also include the "cruise-control" command, which is very useful for manually restraining and regulating the machine around 80 or 130 km / h. Cruise control – license savior? – is included in the Dynamic pack with electronic DDC suspensions and heated grips (three levels via a button on the right).
To cut the road, the owners will take care to mount a higher bubble: the original one protects the head and shoulders of the rider, but the latter must curl up on his tank. Likewise, backpackers will not last long on the MNC tested saddle marked with the prestigious "M"…
The mention "Motosport" arrives at BMW Motorrad via a pack including the "Pro" modes, the tricolor paint (color United red and only for the standard S1000RR), the carbon rims, a lighter lithium-ion battery and a kit allowing to adjust the attitude of the motorcycle and the swingarm axis.
Small regret, very subjective, concerning this great novelty for 2019: the abandonment of the asymmetrical look which certainly did not please everyone, but had the merit of distinguishing the BMW from the competition … "This allowed us to save 340 gr. headlight level on the old model ", reminds us Edgar Heinrich, design director at BMW Motorrad. With its LEDs, the S1000RR 2019 falls into line.
Displayed from 19,200 euros, the S1000RR raises the bill to 23,830 euros in its "Full Options" version with Dynamic pack at 1,100 euros and M pack at 3,050 euros. That is an increase of 299 euros compared to the S1000RR "FO" that MNC opposed last year to the reasonable Aprilia RSV4 RF (21,049 €) and the expensive Ducati Panigale V4 S (27,990 €).
By opting for the Dynamic and Race pack (pro modes, light battery and forged rims for 1505 euros), the customer lowers the painful to 21,805 euros. It won’t encourage him much more to – have fun with – playing with the limits of his machine. Limits that MNC unfortunately could not – try to – fathom during this too wet baptism in Estoril.
All the more reason to organize a little duel this summer! Against whom to measure this brand new BMW: against the best Japanese (the Yamaha R1 according to the Motorcycle Journal of the Net), the new Panigale V4 R or the inflated RSV4 1100? And if it was up to you, dear Moto-nautes, to decide…
Related articles
-
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…
-
2019 S1000RR Test: BMW’s Superbike to Daft Punk Style Stronger, Lighter, Faster. This is how BMW Motorrad defines its 2019 S1000RR: the third generation…
-
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…
-
2019 Yamaha YZF-R3 review: the call of the big R With only 109 registrations in 2018, to say that the Yamaha YZF-R3 did not find its audience in France…
-
2019 Versys 1000 test: (r) evolutions for the Kawasaki GT Maxitrail The Versys 1000 undergoes a new stylistic evolution in 2019. Launched in 2012 and…
-
2020 BMW S1000XR test: hyper sporty without having the RR The BMW S1000XR is skin, bones and muscles new in 2020 : launched in 2015 and updated in 2017,…
-
2019 Versys 1000 test: (r) evolutions for the Kawasaki GT Maxitrail The Versys 1000 undergoes a new stylistic evolution in 2019. Launched in 2012 and…
-
2019 Tuono V4 1100 Factory test: electrostimulation for the Aprilia roadster The Tuono V4 1100 is undergoing a new evolution in 2019: its…
-
2019 CBR650R review: the new Honda has no shortage of R ! The Honda CBR650F, launched in 2014, gave way five years later to the 2019 CBR650R with more…
-
Z900RS test: the new neo-retro Kawasaki Zed, zen and zealous Kawasaki is back in the neo-retro segment with a brand new motorcycle: the Z900RS! Site was…