The 'Super Tech' Superbike

BMW have upped their superbike game with the new 1000 RR. Featuring significant upgrades and more advanced electronics, the 2023 machine will have the competition worried, especially in terms of its track performance. We headed to Almeria in Spain to see if the new S 1000 R can make you ride like Scott Reading or at least make you feel like you can

- Adam Child 'Chad'

THE RR ADOPTS THE STEERING geometry, adjustable swing-arm pivot, and ride height adjustment of the M-Sport, plus a few more top-end horsepower from the excellent ShiftCam engine along with a pair of distinctive aero wings. Electronics have taken a significant step forward with a new DTC Side Control, MSR engine brake torque control system, BSA Brake Slide Assist, ABS Pro, cornering ABS for use on track with slicks fitted, and even an ABS Stoppie feature; see, the Germans can have fun. Many of these new features are due to the new steering angle sensor.

Changes in the chassis are not dramatic and essentially borrowed from the proven M 1000 RR. The S 1000 RR also gets the M chassis kit, with an adjustable swing-arm pivot point, while BMW have revised the rear shock and 45-millimetre upside down (USD) forks for 2023. As fitted to our test bike, electronic damping adjustment is an optional extra with the "Dynamic Damping Control" (DDC) package (Dynamic Package: heated grips, cruise control, dynamic damping, riding modes pro for £1,400 = Rs 1.4 lakh), altering the suspension settings to suit the selected riding mode.

Quoted weight remains the same, 197 kilograms fully fuelled for the standard bike, 195.4 kg with the optional "Race Package" that adds forged alloy wheels instead of die-cast rims, and 193.5 kg with the "M Package" option that swaps them for lightweight carbon wheels, which were fitted to our test bike (M Pack: carbon wheels, "M" colour, "M" seat for £4,480 = Rs 4.48 lakh).

The Flex Frame uses the engine as a stressed member, the wheelbase has increased and chassis dimensions are more relaxed, and the steering head angle is shallower, again very similar to the M 1000 RR. Wing appears for the first time, generating up to 17.1 kg of downforce at 300 km/h, 7.6 kg at 200 km/h, and 11.9 kg at 250 km/h.