Test rode BMW's new S1000r today

I rode one on Monday afternoon but actually quite liked it.

My thoughts on the looks have changed somewhat since I've done some photoshopping and removed the mirrors, tidied the tail and painted it , you can't make it look pretty but you damn sure can make it look mean believe me, I actually quite like it now I can see past the 'standard look'

Engine was really smooth and tractable, torque throughout the rev range, quick shifter was slick, suspension very good when pushed and the fueling probably perfect , or at least 9.5 out of 10

Bad points for me, well probably just the wind protection at high speed and possibly need to bring the bars back a touch and the pegs down and back a smidge. All of which can be fixed relatively easily.

It's no Vtwin but tbh it's probably the best L4 engine I've ridden since the 2010 Blade I had for pure grunt and usable torque, like I said it ain't pretty but I honestly think you'll be able to do some superb mods to that bike and make it look a right nasty looking thing.... In a good way.

I'd happily have one and give it a go tbh, but were all different eh

 

I had one over 2 days in 2012.. really found it boring if im honest. Ok they are quick but its no sense of theatre that my T9 gave. No one gave it a second glance and it left no really impression on me at all.

 

That was the s1000rr though I presume?

The single R is the new naked version, still rather 'challenged' in its looks but definitely a bike you can make mean looking, not pretty.

For me much more of a fun bike than the RR as they've got all the torque down the bottom end and also managed to program some extra fuel droplets in to the map so it burbles and bangs on the overrun nicely

 

Sorry yes it was the RR.

 

I love naked bikes, thats why i own my Speed R and my radical project is going to be as naked as possible.

I've been looking at the new crop of super nakeds, the S1000R, The KTM1290 and the Monster 1200 and while they all look great at a glance none of them have that 'wow factor' that would tempt me away from the Trumpet. Only the Aprilia Tuono V4 really tempts me but even that i think its a bit ugly. Now the weather is getting a bit better i may have to get a few test rides booked but honestly i doubt i will be swapping for a while, at least until the long rumored Speed Triple 1200 shows its face anyway...

 

I have the tuono v4, agree it's not the best looker from the front, but looks ace everywhere else and time you trick it up its awesome and that v4 sound is amazing. Thought I'd miss the sound of the 1098 on overrun but this is just as good!
Not that ugly!

 

Oh the noise that engine makes is epic, there was a RSV4 at Portimao last year running an Austin Racing system and it sounded like a full on GP bike! There's no doubt about it they are an awesome machine, the looks just don't do anything for me i'm afraid. Its the nose fairing i think, it just doesn't look naked enough if you know what i mean?

 

Sound plays a big part for me....ive got an rsv4 factory with Austin pipe as well as my hyper and it sounds beautiful. Almost like to open it up just to hear it...! ktm 1290's sounded ok til I saw a video of a 1290 with an Austin pipe on you tube being opened up....that really is something else...

 

Big fan of the Tuono V4/RSV4 engine character and noise, my only draw back at present is the fact the Mrs is getting back in to wanting to come out on the back and cant afford both the Multi & a V4.

Still, i suspect she'll change her mind when i fit the Mivv and Decat as it'll be pointed her direction, 100+ miles of that with no DB killer might just do the trick

 

TBH ive looked at the Tuono V4 and thought about doing a swap with mine....but if I did then itd be too close to the hyper as a bike (ie sit up...) Its bloke logic here but owning 2 bikes keeps me from buying more .What ive got it the 2 styles of bike that I love, so, if I were to look at something like a new z1000 for example id look and think "its nice but its almost like my hyper" from a seating point of view. Works the other way as well....in fowlers yesterday (its only a mile away from my house) so its nice to go and window shop...looked at a GSX-r 1000 but its the same as my RSV4 so therefore I think "yeah - its nice" but im happy with the RSV. Had I have not written off my mates r6 last year id have my ktm660 supermoto now which I lost to finance the repairs, so it was only from necessity to get a second bike again that I got the hyper....

 

Mind you saying that im in work at the moment staring at the dyno readout pinned to the partition wall above my desk from last weeks trip to cjs tuning which is making me smile as I have to go out on it later to my old mans house...roll on 2pm....

 

I thought it was just me that thought the BMW S1000R wasn't up to much as the salesman looked at me when I told him I was disappointed after the test ride. My impressions were: Mirrors a complete waste of time can't see what's behind as they vibrate, clutch lever doesn't bite until fully released, fly by wire throttle too much movement before engine kicks in. Clutch changing down was hideous as it made a sound as though the cable was caught somewhere. Engine was way too buzzy even at 70mph on the dual carriageway - needs another two gears! Didn't think the bike was very quick, just sounded as though your'e going a 110mph all the time but when you look down your'e doing actually 65mph!! I got back on my 2003 GSXR1000K3 and thought how brilliant this bike is and it's 11 years old and valued as a trade in at £2200! The salesman isn't going to be getting my bike and £10,500 he must be on acid!

 

Makes a mockery of what the baron said then.....

 

I dont think the Baron will be worrying about the S1000R anymore as he's the lucky B**tard thats just won the competition to ride KTM'S 1290R Superduke for the summer!

 

Jeez....what a fix...

 

I liked the S1000R I found it ok upto about 90mph
Agree about the mirrors ,next to useless.
But loved the adaptive suspension ,it as three riding modes wet,road and race
I had it in road as the roads were wet,
I thought it was very responsive loved the grunt low down,
But a little expensive I think it's very close to the price of an 899
So no contest it would be the 899 every time for me,

 

Sat on an 1199 today at riders in bristol....I've gotta say it felt way lighter than my rsv4.