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BMW unveil new S1000 RR Superbike!

The WSB racer’s DNA is unmistakable

The New BMW S 1000 RR

BMW recently launched their new 4-cylinder, 1000 cc Superbike at the legendary Monza circuit in Italy. On paper the bike looks almost as good as it does in the flesh, boasting figures like an engine output of 142 kW with a dry weight 183 kg. And typically BMW, it offers new technology that the company call ‘Race ABS’ and ‘DTC’ (Dynamic Traction Control), systems that offer a new benchmark in terms of riding dynamics, safety and innovation.

The decision to present this unique performer in Monza was by no coincidence. For since the beginning of this year Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport has been playing an active role in the World Superbike Championship, the new S 1000 RR setting the foundation for the production-based racing machines ridden by BMW Motorrad’s two works riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus. And obviously the Royal Park in Monza was the ideal place for a presentation of this calibre.

Electronics that enhance safety and handling
The new S 1000 RR also excels through features and qualities typical of BMW such as a long running life, superior quality of production and optimum environmental compatibility thanks to the use of the most advanced exhaust management with two fully controlled three-way catalytic converters also able to fulfil future standards and requirements.

Active safety when braking is significantly enhanced by ‘Race ABS’ developed especially for the S 1000 RR as an option from the factory. Another significant feature contributing to active safety is ‘DTC’, or ‘Dynamic Traction Control’. This too, is available as a factory option. The DTC has different settings for conditions such as wet roads (“Rain”), regular road conditions (“Sport”), a race track with supersport tyres (“Race”), or a race track with slicks (“Slick”). In addition to this, the rider also has the choice of various engine characteristics and set-ups available at the touch of a button.

Advanced engine with Formula One technology

The water-cooled four-cylinder inline power unit develops 142 kW at 13,000 rpm and can rev up to a maximum speed of 14,200 rpm. Maximum torque of 112 Nm is developed at 9,750 rpm.

Just like BMW ’s Formula One engines, each cylinder’s two intake and exhaust valves are made of extra-light titanium and operated by very small and equally light single cam followers. In conjunction with the short sprocket driving the camshaft via an intermediate gear, this ensures supreme revving qualities at the highest speeds as well as exact maintenance of valve timing combined with very compact dimensions.
The small and compact engine only weighs 59.8 kg and helps to keep the motorcycle slim and slender.

Innovative exhaust system with butterfly valves for power and performance
Made completely of stainless steel, the exhaust system featured by the S 1000 RR works according to the 4-in-2-in-1 principle with four individual manifolds of equal length first merging into two pipes beneath the engine block and then extending into a large-volume pre-silencer. From there the exhaust emissions flow through a very short and dynamically designed rear-end silencer to the outside.

A homogeneous power and torque curve ensuring optimum rideability is acknowledged as the requirement for sporting performance on the road and fast lap times on the track. This is why the exhaust system featured on the S 1000 RR comes with two fully controlled interference pipe butterflies housed in two connection pipes for the two outer and two inner manifolds, in the immediate vicinity of the exhaust ducts. As a function of various parameters such as engine speed and the position of the throttle butterfly, an adjuster opens or closes these flaps, allowing exhaust gas to flow freely between the two manifolds or, respectively, interrupting the flow of gas. This coordinates the sequence of oscillations in the exhaust gas mass flow, reducing exhaust gas counter-pressure at the decisive point (like on a racing muffler) and increasing the cylinder charge accordingly.

Lightest Superbike with ABS.
The new S 1000 RR offers the highest standard of technology also on its suspension and running gear. Weighing just 206.5 kg or 455.3 lb in road trim and with a full tank, BMW ’s new supersports is by far the lightest machine of its calibre displacing 999 cc and featuring ABS brakes.

One of the features that ensure this light weight is the aluminium bridge frame integrating the engine tilted to the front at an angle of 32° as a load bearing element for optimum torsional stiffness with minimum weight. At the front there’s a 46mm upside-down fork, while a torsionally stiff aluminium swing arm holds the rear wheel in position.

Optimum riding position for riders of different sizes
Developing the S 1000 RR, BMW Motorrad has given particular attention to the ergonomics of the machine, providing ideal qualities for both small and tall. The tank section is as slender as on a 600-cc machine, giving the rider the assurance of excellent control and handling at all times.

In the process of developing the S 1000 RR, BMW Motorrad focused not only on a lightweight structure, but also on minimum dimensions as an absolutely essential requirement. Cylinder bore of 80 millimetres or 3.15", for example, the largest bore in this segment, and the resulting width of the cylinder head, called for particularly attention on the part of the engineers in order to make the front silhouette of the S 1000 RR extremely slim and slender, on the one hand, while providing an efficient flow of cooling air, on the other.

Technical challenges of this kind as well as a development period of just four years made the S 1000 RR the ideal project for consistent, all-out use of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) technology as well as the most advanced calculation methods, for example for the machine’s aerodynamics.

Overview of technical highlights:
• Best-in-class performance and supreme riding dynamics in the supersports segment.
• Engine output 142 kW (193 hp) at 13,000 rpm, peak torque 112 Nm (82.5 lb-ft) at 9,750 rpm.
• Weighing 206.5 kg (455.3lb) in road trim and with a full tank, this is the lightest supersports in the 1000-cc class with ABS.
• Best power-to-weight ratio in this class of just 1.05 and, respectively, 1.06 kg
(2.31 and, respectively, 2.34 lb) per horsepower without/with Race ABS.
• Optional Race ABS for outstanding brake performance and safety. Weight of the entire system just 2.5 kg (5.51 lb), while other systems of a similar kind weigh up to 10 kg.
• Optional DTC Dynamic Traction Control in conjunction with Race ABS for optimum performance and maximum active safety when accelerating.
• Only supersports machine with Race ABS and DTC Dynamic Traction Control.
• Various riding modes available at the touch of a button for wet surfaces, regular road requirements, race tracks with sports tyres and race tracks with slicks.
• All-round set-up, coordination and balance of Race ABS, DTC Dynamic Traction Control and engine management for all four riding modes.
• High-speed, extra-sturdy valve drive with individual cam followers and titanium valves following the example of BMW ’s Formula 1 engines.
• Innovative exhaust system with a small and short rear-end muffl er, pre-silencer and electronically controlled interference pipe fl aps as well as a fully controlled exhaust gas manifold and two fully controlled three-way catalytic converters.
• Optimum gas dosage combined with maximum functional reliability ensured by E-gas (ride-by-wire), incorporating two Bowden cables
(opening and closing cable) leading to the throttle butterfl y adjuster.
• Fulfilment of all environmental standards with the potential to meet future emission requirements ensured by two fully controlled catalytic converters and digital motor electronics.
• Damper elements with a wide range of adjustment on the spring base, the inbound and rebound stroke, as well as the greatest damping reserves, particularly for racing.
• New, clearly defi ned, simple and straightforward options to adjust the suspension and running gear.
• Aluminium tank unique in this segment for further reduction of overall weight.
• Supreme handling combined with best-in-class high speed and braking stability.
• Multi-functional instrument cluster with racing features such as a laptimer. The rider is able to set all functions directly from the ends of the handlebar.
• New generation of switches with optimised ergonomics.
• Supreme aerodynamics and sporting ergonomics ideal for both the tall and short rider.
• Optional HP Gearshift Assistant for shifting up without operating the clutch and without the slightest interruption of torque and pulling power.
• Wide range of equipment, special features and options tailored to the S 1000 RR and naturally offering full BMW quality.