The sun comes up, the briefing begins, waivers are signed, and the curiosity begins to grow, until the anticipation is killing me. “OK, OK, I ‘m happy now, can we ride them?”

After a short ’do not pass me’ reminder from our ride leader, my riding buddy and I set our bikes in 'sport' mode and off we go. Within seconds we are picking our lines, testing 3 and 4 gear, using a HP shift assist ($450)clutch pull-less, seam-less up-shift …awesome! Throttle response is immediate, braking superb, aerodynamics make me feel thin (I’m not). Position is as expected for a sport bike, yet very balanced. The center of gravity is low and reassuring and I felt it immediately, even just taking it off the side stand. There is a confidence you feel from that that makes me feel more comfortable getting my body off the side.

By the second lap, I am really feeling it….now I am no racer, but the bike is so smooth, with a perfect tone, with awe-inspiring and confidence building power delivery, I couldn’t wait til the next section of track. As I turned it up a little, at least for me, I could feel slight, I dunno…, ‘signals’ from the bike in its handling. I learned that this is where it began to help correct my amateur errant skills, allowing me to ride to a new level even with my miscues. After three runs around the track it was time to go, and I left feeling this bike opens up a whole new world for street and track, the possibilities seemed endless.

It’s only been a few hours since spending 1 hour on the track in Florida’s Palm Beach Raceway, but I still feel cheated. Cheated how, you ask? Because I only had one hour astride the new BMW S1000RR. Each lap, simply put, made you want another, and another and another…. This all coming from a rider who is not traditionally a sport bike or track guy. Sure I’ve done a number of track days, but I normally get my jollies from longer distance sport touring. But yet here I am in a rush to get down on paper my thoughts on the new BMW phenom race bike. What is happening is exactly what BMW hoped would happen, they got my attention (and everyone else’s'), big time. To be more precise, they are on a mission to get the attention of the younger set sport bike rider, who ride the 4 main Japanese sport bikes that offer race performance at a value price. They are also walking the walk by already establishing the most successful rookie season of a team in Superbike Racing. Heck, next year they will have two teams. Serious? You bet your *ss. It’s not often that WOW is the most frequently used word at an event, but as dealer after dealer came off the track, that’s what you were hearing. While I do, as a dealer, have a vested interest in the launch and success of BMW’s S1000RR, I honestly can say I haven’t had that much fun on a bike in a long, long time.

It’s so technologically advanced, that I won’t even attempt a technical review; I’ll let the specs and techs do that. I will share some initial thoughts.

The S1000RR leaves nothing on the table, but what’s really cool, is it will leave something on the table if you want it too, or when it’s powerful brain determines from the input its receiving from rider and conditions, that it can compensate and maximize rider benefits like maximized power, smooth delivery of that power, traction control, wheel lift , lean angles, and ABS. What’s great it allows the rider to leave nothing on the table, regardless of skill level.

There is simply too many USP’s (unique selling points) to list here, but the bike, in a nutshell, is like having 4 bikes in 1. A powerful, lightweight, competitively priced, technological marvel, it is aimed directly at its Japanese counterparts. Marketed toward a younger demographic, this is not ‘your Dad’s BMW motorcycle’, or an ‘old man’s bike, but it most certainly will be for some of us older guys, once they ride one. But conquest sales from Kawasaki ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Yamaha YZF-R1, and Honda CBR-1000RR, is the clear, deliberate goal. BMW knows exactly who they want this bike to talk to, what those rider’s want, and then they far exceeded the requirements in every way.

So how is it 4 bikes in 1 you ask? Essentially, at the touch of your fingertips, you have four distinct modes pre-programmed, but that can be customized in certain ways. Settings on the fly are: Rain, Sport, Race, and Slick. The beauty of this bike is the combination of value price, cutting edge technology, light weight, and big horsepower. When equipped with ABS and DTC traction control (spin control), as most will, they work in conjunction depending on the setting, to monitor all aspects of your ride and continually process riding conditions and rider input. It measures wheel speed, track conditions, wheel spin, throttle input, braking input front and rear, and even lean angle! With each setting your adjustments are made automatically, even changing the fuel mix map through its BMW KP fuel map (bike brains on steroids) talking to the ‘drive by wire’ throttle system called E-gas. This basically means throttle response get more sensitive as you move from Rain to Slick. This is partially caused by automatically adjustable fuel injectors.

OK. Blah blah blah..…it means all this monitoring results in the smoothest, most efficient, maximized, power translation to the tire, the tarmac. Horsepower, torque, traction, fuel delivery, wheelie sensors, crash sensor, the first lightweight race ABS, partially integrated when applying front brake, to independent rear braking with no ABS, all depending on your setting and your conditions. Wait there’s more, most of which I can barely explain. But to me, the beauty is in the fact that these systems were a non- intrusive mistake fixer. Poor input is corrected to assure the most powerful, efficient, competitive, throttle, brake, and traction performance experience possible, with regard to the setting you choose. It measures and controls wheelie lift and certain lean angles, senses rear wheel spin, programmable RPM, redline, and shift light indicators. Making it even more fun was the HP shifter. Forget the clutch pull; get on the throttle and up shift, smooth as silk, no clunks, chatter, grating, and no loss of lower. It’s instantaneous. Once you ride the s1000rr with this option, you’ll never want to be without it. Wait! There’s more...the slipper clutch prevents hops, skips, lifts, and lock ups.

Settings can be changed on the fly….then throttle on as hard as you want, downshift at higher speed/RPMs and brake as hard as you like. Make a boo-boo on the track or street? Bad line? Come in a little hot? This can turn bad real quick for the less experienced, or even the expert for that matter. Regardless of your riding skill level, the system turns into your best friend. But remember, you may not be that good, but it makes you good! That’s the beauty of these non intrusive corrections. Lesser skilled riders’ will barely notice, but skilled riders will notice and appreciate the level to which they can push their skills a level higher. Safety and performance. It doesn’t compromise one for the other. The Holy Grail. It is fuel injected, with two injectors per cylinder, and depending on the setting, the injection is modified to ideal delivery.

A few undeniable facts and small details add up to huge results. The bike and all of its components are light. The entire power train weighing just 132 pounds. The 4-2-1 exhaust weighs in at 23 pounds. An ultra light aluminum fuel tank, aluminum sheet swing arm, upside down 46mm forks (largest in class) with a 10 click adjustment, cast aluminum 10 spoke 17 inch high strength wheels, weighing in dry at 403 lbs., 449 fueled no abs, and only 455 fueled WITH abs. What you’re beginning to realize is this is the most powerful bike in its class and the most innovative product BMW has ever built. High strength aluminums and alloys are pushed by 193 HP and 80 ft/lbs torque, conservatively measured. The speed and response is intoxicating.

Even the gap between the asymmetrical headlights adds to performance. It creates positive air pressure near intakes that translate to power. Everything has a purpose, and the suspensions compression, rebound dampening and preload can be adjusted by the bikes key, yes the ignition key. On the track they limited our top speeds but I can tell you, tucked down on the straights at 140 MPH, I was amazed at the complete and total lack of buffeting or wind vibration. How is that possible I asked later? Simple, two exit ports on either side of the windshield smooth airflow through and to the side. Amazing. The front end can be adjusted to accommodate rider’s height and weight and the Brembo brakes have two calipers with four pistons each, which come in real handy when that straightaway comes up quickly!

BMW already has a line of S1000RR riding gear; full suits, leathers, boots, gloves, and lifestyle items. They have partnered with Kushitani for another line of jackets, textile and leather. An impressive set of accessories and bolt ons is already available. Akropovic exhausts, adjustable foot pegs, carbon fiber everything, tank bags, tail bags, tinted and taller shields, tail bags, plate relocators and LED blinkers are on the way….

This bike is a must have for a sport enthusiasts. The press is raving, even the normally conservative ones. It’s a must have alright, and it’s a bike that you will want. Worried about first run issues? Forget it. This bike has been tested for hundreds of thousands of miles without a blip. It’s flawless. The bike is coming off the most successful season a rookie team has had in the Superbike series. The proof is absolutely in the pudding. The reaction at the NY Intl Motorcycle Show was overwhelming and positive.

Consider that it has the BMW standard 3 years 36,000 miles warranty, that alone blows away the competition. I honestly believe this is one of, if not the, most impressive machine to ever come off a production line. Four colors, thunder gray, mineral silver, acid green, and red/white/blue race colors. Pick up the phone and call us, ride in and see us, email us. Get your order in today. Reserve a demo now!

The last thing I ask is if this bike is not for you, but you know someone who is new to know BMW has a superbike, tell them that at $13800, this bike can be theirs and they will outperform anything in the same class. They need to hear about it, help spread the word. The buzz is already reaching levels unseen in quite awhile in the street/racing world. This bike is a grand slam. Call NOW to reserve a demo ride! Thanks! Cliff