Tag Archives: s 1000 rr

Triumph Rocket 3 botches tablecloth trick

A decade ago, BMW’s S 1000 RR pulled off the old tablecoth trick, ripping it right from under the crockery, cutlery and glassware, but now Triumph has botched the same trick with their Rocket 3.

We’re not sure what they are trying to proved by failing at the same trick.

However, the title of their video and the accompanying text gives us a clue:

With the world’s largest production motorcycle engine, and the highest torque of any production motorcycle you can buy, Triumph Motorcycle’s Rocket 3 R takes on the iconic tablecloth trick, with a twist…

Old trick

Now here is how BMW perfected the tablecloth trick in 2010.

And in 2016, Mythbusters had a go.

Obviously Triumph is trying to show what a brute the Rocket 3 is.

The original 2.3-litre Triumph Rocket III has now become the 2.5-litre Rocket 3 with the biggest capacity and most torque of any production bike in the world.

The Rocket III had the biggest capacity engine of any production motorcycle with a 2294cc triple, delivering 221Nm of torque and 109kW of power.

Now, the TFC Rocket 3  has 134kW of power and 225Nm of torque, while the base R and GT models will have slightly less output at 221Nm of torque at 4000rpm and 124kW of power at 6000rpm.

This is not the first time Triumph has made a humorous video using the Rocket.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Recall delays BMW S 1000 RR delivery

Riders who have ordered a new BMW S 1000 RR will have a bit of a wait as the company finds a fix for a recall over an oil leak before delivery.

We published the recall notice last month, but riders tell us they are still waiting on the delivery of bikes from Germany.

BMW Motorrad Australia Nick Raman confirms the delay in fulfilling orders.

Delivery delay

“BMW AG is in the final stages of testing the repair solution,” he says.

“Based on the successful conclusion of the tests and approval of the repair solution, parts will be produced and distributed to markets.

“Anticipated timing for the first parts to be available in Australia is late December 2019 to early January, 2020.”

The recall notice was over oil leaks from cracks in the rubber hose of the BMW S 1000 RR’s oil cooler.

The official notice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the oil leak may spray on to the rear wheel of the motorcycle “increasing the risk of an accident or serious injury to the rider and other road users”.

Owners should contact an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer, or call the BMW Group Australia Customer Interaction Centre on freecall 1800 813 299 to arrange for inspection and replacement of the oil cooler, where required.

The recall on oil leaks affects 77 bikes, plus the delivery of an unknown number of bikes on order.

The full list of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) is included at the end of this article.

Consumers can also contact BMW Australia via the BMW Motorrad Australia Website.

Even though manufacturers and importers contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle recalls as a service to all riders.

In Australia, recall notices are issued by the manufacturer and the Department of Infrastructure through a voluntary industry code under the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

While any recall is not good news for the manufacturer, it shows that they are largely diligent in fixing problems.

Despite hundreds of recalls by various automotive manufacturers, only the Takata airbag recall has ever been mandatory.  All others have been issued by the manufacturer.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

• Australia

• USA

• New Zealand

• Canada

VINs of vehicles affected by oil leaksBMW S 1000 RR less flab oil leaks

Chassis VIN
ZG32254 WB10E2106LZG32254
ZG32334 WB10E2104LZG32334
ZG32339 WB10E2103LZG32339
ZG32333 WB10E2102LZG32333
ZG32335 WB10E2106LZG32335
ZG32331 WB10E2109LZG32331
ZG32590 WB10E2100LZG32590
ZJ91984 WB10E210XLZJ91984
ZG32347 WB10E2102LZG32347
ZG32546 WB10E2108LZG32546
ZG32555 WB10E2109LZG32555
ZG32559 WB10E2106LZG32559
ZG32574 WB10E2102LZG32574
ZG32570 WB10E2105LZG32570
ZG32575 WB10E2104LZG32575
ZG32578 WB10E210XLZG32578
ZJ91654 WB10E2100LZJ91654
ZJ91653 WB10E2109LZJ91653
ZJ91872 WB10E210XLZJ91872
ZJ91939 WB10E2105LZJ91939
ZG32307 WB10E2101LZG32307
ZG32384 WB10E2108LZG32384
ZG32556 WB10E2100LZG32556
ZG32551 WB10E2101LZG32551
ZG32548 WB10E2101LZG32548
ZG32552 WB10E2103LZG32552
ZG32554 WB10E2107LZG32554
ZG32549 WB10E2103LZG32549
ZG32547 WB10E210XLZG32547
ZG32550 WB10E210XLZG32550
ZG32582 WB10E2101LZG32582
ZG32558 WB10E2104LZG32558
ZG32579 WB10E2101LZG32579
ZG32580 WB10E2108LZG32580
ZG32572 WB10E2109LZG32572
ZG32576 WB10E2106LZG32576
ZG32562 WB10E2106LZG32562
ZG32569 WB10E2109LZG32569
ZG32564 WB10E210XLZG32564
ZG32589 WB10E2104LZG32589
ZJ91873 WB10E2101LZJ91873
ZG32314 WB10E2109LZG32314
ZG32313 WB10E2107LZG32313
ZG32338 WB10E2101LZG32338
ZG32341 WB10E2101LZG32341
ZG32340 WB10E210XLZG32340
ZG32364 WB10E2102LZG32364
ZJ91657 WB10E2106LZJ91657
ZJ91656 WB10E2104LZJ91656
ZJ91981 WB10E2104LZJ91981
ZJ91982 WB10E2106LZJ91982
ZJ91983 WB10E2108LZJ91983
ZG32315 WB10E2100LZG32315
ZG32342 WB10E2103LZG32342
ZG32336 WB10E2108LZG32336
ZG32337 WB10E210XLZG32337
ZG32330 WB10E2107LZG32330
ZG32332 WB10E2100LZG32332
ZG32573 WB10E2100LZG32573
ZG32561 WB10E2104LZG32561
ZG32565 WB10E2101LZG32565
ZG32568 WB10E2107LZG32568
ZG32577 WB10E2108LZG32577
ZG32566 WB10E2103LZG32566
ZG32560 WB10E2102LZG32560
ZG32563 WB10E2108LZG32563
ZG32567 WB10E2105LZG32567
ZG32571 WB10E2107LZG32571
ZG32581 WB10E210XLZG32581
ZG32257 WB10E2101LZG32257
ZG32553 WB10E2105LZG32553
ZG32557 WB10E2102LZG32557
ZG32583 WB10E2103LZG32583
ZJ91655 WB10E2102LZJ91655
ZJ91766 WB10E2100LZJ91766
ZJ91767 WB10E2102LZJ91767
ZJ91765 WB10E2109LZJ91765

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Oil leaks prompt BMW S 1000 RR recall

Oil leaks from cracks in the rubber hose of the BMW S 1000 RR’s oil cooler have prompted an Australian recall on the 2019 model.

The official notice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the oil leak may spray on to the rear wheel of the motorcycle “increasing the risk of an accident or serious injury to the rider and other road users”.

Owners should contact an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer, or call the BMW Group Australia Customer Interaction Centre on freecall 1800 813 299 to arrange for inspection and replacement of the oil cooler, where required.

The recall on oil leaks affects 77 bikes. The full list of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) is included at the end of this article.

BMW Motorrad Australia has only made one other recall this year for the Indian-made G 310 motorcycles and new C 400 scooters last month over a problem with rusty brakes.

Consumers can also contact BMW Australia via the BMW Motorrad Australia Website.

Even though manufacturers and importers contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle recalls as a service to all riders.

In Australia, recall notices are issued by the manufacturer and the Department of Infrastructure through a voluntary industry code under the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

While any recall is not good news for the manufacturer, it shows that they are largely diligent in fixing problems.

Despite hundreds of recalls by various automotive manufacturers, only the Takata airbag recall has ever been mandatory.  All others have been issued by the manufacturer.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

• Australia

• USA

• New Zealand

• Canada

VINs of vehicles affected by oil leaksBMW S 1000 RR less flab oil leaks

Chassis VIN
ZG32254 WB10E2106LZG32254
ZG32334 WB10E2104LZG32334
ZG32339 WB10E2103LZG32339
ZG32333 WB10E2102LZG32333
ZG32335 WB10E2106LZG32335
ZG32331 WB10E2109LZG32331
ZG32590 WB10E2100LZG32590
ZJ91984 WB10E210XLZJ91984
ZG32347 WB10E2102LZG32347
ZG32546 WB10E2108LZG32546
ZG32555 WB10E2109LZG32555
ZG32559 WB10E2106LZG32559
ZG32574 WB10E2102LZG32574
ZG32570 WB10E2105LZG32570
ZG32575 WB10E2104LZG32575
ZG32578 WB10E210XLZG32578
ZJ91654 WB10E2100LZJ91654
ZJ91653 WB10E2109LZJ91653
ZJ91872 WB10E210XLZJ91872
ZJ91939 WB10E2105LZJ91939
ZG32307 WB10E2101LZG32307
ZG32384 WB10E2108LZG32384
ZG32556 WB10E2100LZG32556
ZG32551 WB10E2101LZG32551
ZG32548 WB10E2101LZG32548
ZG32552 WB10E2103LZG32552
ZG32554 WB10E2107LZG32554
ZG32549 WB10E2103LZG32549
ZG32547 WB10E210XLZG32547
ZG32550 WB10E210XLZG32550
ZG32582 WB10E2101LZG32582
ZG32558 WB10E2104LZG32558
ZG32579 WB10E2101LZG32579
ZG32580 WB10E2108LZG32580
ZG32572 WB10E2109LZG32572
ZG32576 WB10E2106LZG32576
ZG32562 WB10E2106LZG32562
ZG32569 WB10E2109LZG32569
ZG32564 WB10E210XLZG32564
ZG32589 WB10E2104LZG32589
ZJ91873 WB10E2101LZJ91873
ZG32314 WB10E2109LZG32314
ZG32313 WB10E2107LZG32313
ZG32338 WB10E2101LZG32338
ZG32341 WB10E2101LZG32341
ZG32340 WB10E210XLZG32340
ZG32364 WB10E2102LZG32364
ZJ91657 WB10E2106LZJ91657
ZJ91656 WB10E2104LZJ91656
ZJ91981 WB10E2104LZJ91981
ZJ91982 WB10E2106LZJ91982
ZJ91983 WB10E2108LZJ91983
ZG32315 WB10E2100LZG32315
ZG32342 WB10E2103LZG32342
ZG32336 WB10E2108LZG32336
ZG32337 WB10E210XLZG32337
ZG32330 WB10E2107LZG32330
ZG32332 WB10E2100LZG32332
ZG32573 WB10E2100LZG32573
ZG32561 WB10E2104LZG32561
ZG32565 WB10E2101LZG32565
ZG32568 WB10E2107LZG32568
ZG32577 WB10E2108LZG32577
ZG32566 WB10E2103LZG32566
ZG32560 WB10E2102LZG32560
ZG32563 WB10E2108LZG32563
ZG32567 WB10E2105LZG32567
ZG32571 WB10E2107LZG32571
ZG32581 WB10E210XLZG32581
ZG32257 WB10E2101LZG32257
ZG32553 WB10E2105LZG32553
ZG32557 WB10E2102LZG32557
ZG32583 WB10E2103LZG32583
ZJ91655 WB10E2102LZJ91655
ZJ91766 WB10E2100LZJ91766
ZJ91767 WB10E2102LZJ91767
ZJ91765 WB10E2109LZJ91765

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Is BMW planning supercharged M bikes?

BMW Motorrad has applied for trademarks for the model names M 1000 RR, M 1000 XR and M 1300 GS which hints at performance versions, possibly with superchargers.

Their car division has been using the M model code for performance models for years.

They have more power, better suspension and brakes, plus styling differences, usually including their motorsport division logos and colours.

The same could be coming to their motorcycles.

So the M 1000 RR and XR could be performance versions of their S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR.

However, the unusual name here is the M 1300 GS.

Is it a bigger-capacity performance version of their boxer-powered R 1250 GS which has only recently increased engine capacity from the R 1200 GS?

Or will it be a GS version of their K 1300 four-cylinder models that they retired a few years ago?

Will M mean superchargers?

While these trademark applications hint at performance updates with some cosmetic changes, BMW could also be considering supercharged versions.

Last month, BMW Motorrad filed a patent for a supercharger with a drawing of an S 1000 RR.

Supercharged BMW S 1000 RR patent drawing
Supercharged BMW S 1000 RR patent drawing

Perhaps that will be called the M 1000 RR!

After all, most of their M cars are turbocharged.

Supercharging and turbocharging could be the future as motorcycle manufacturers such as Kawasaki and Suzuki have also applied for patents.

Forced induction makes sense as it allows the manufacturers to get the same power from smaller-capacity engines and still meet tougher emissions regulations.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Is BMW chasing a supercharged future?

BMW Motorrad has filed a patent for a supercharger with a drawing of an S 1000 RR (above) which could challenge the supercharged Kawasaki H2R as the fastest and most powerful motorcycle in the world.

Bimota and Hesketh have also launched supercharged models in recent years and Honda is rumoured to be working on a similar project.

Hesketh introducing a Valiant Supercharger supercharged
Hesketh Valiant Supercharger

Meanwhile, Yamaha has filed a patent for a turbo and Suzuki has been considering turbocharging for several years with its Incursion concept.

Suzuki Recursion with turbocharging
Suzuki Recursion

This industry move toward forced induction is not just about setting power records, but also meeting the coming tougher emissions laws.

Now BMW has joined the charge toward cleaner and more efficient forced induction with a supercharger with an electric compressor to free air into the combustion chamber via an intercooler.

Turbo or supercharged?

blown turbo supercharged
1980s Honda CX 650TC Turbo

In the 1980s, several manufacturers played with temperamental turbo technology, but it was a difficult to control the light-switch power delivery so they had a short life.

However, modern turbos are more efficient, lighter, smaller and more reliable.

While a turbo takes its power from the exhaust gases, superchargers that power from the crankshaft.

Kawasaki H2 paint supercgarged
Supercharged Kawasaki H2R

There are advantages and disadvantages in these two technologies.

Turbochargers are quieter, smaller, more efficient, but also more complex.

Superchargers can deliver their boost at lower revs than a turbocharger and are more reliable and easier to maintain. However, they are harder on the engine.

It will be interesting to see which way the industry goes in coming years on forced induction.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Demand creates delays for BMW S 1000 RR

Supplies of the new BMW S 1000 RR have been substantially delayed thanks to a high demand for the company’s first high-performance M package.

The third generation gets a revamped engine and suspension for 2019, with more power, more technology, but less flab.

Power has been increased by 6kW (8 hp) to 152kW (207hp) and weight has been reduced from 208kg to 197kg (193.5kg with M Package).

And for the first time, BMW Motorrad offers M options and M Performance Parts for the new S 1000 RR. 

The M package includes motorsport paint, carbon fibre wheels, lightweight battery, M Chassis Kit with rear ride height adjustment and swingarm pivot, sport seat and Pro Mode.

M gear has been available for BMW cars for years, but this is the first time it has been offered on a motorcycle.

BMW S 1000 RR with M package
BMW S 1000 RR with M package

S 1000 RR M package demand

BMW Motorrad Australia spokeswoman Leanne Blanckenberg says the “strong global demand for the S 1000 RR with the M package” has resulted in a delay in supply of the standard S 1000 RR.

“BMW Motorrad has had to adapt the originally planned production and delivery schedules from our suppliers,” she says.

The production planning adaptations to the new S 1000 RR to meet the market requirements for a high M package equipment quota result in a reduced volume for the market launch in June,” she says.

In addition, longer tool and system delivery times on the supplier side are currently reducing and regulating the output on the manufacturing side.

BMW Motorrad is working in the best possible way to eliminate the bottlenecks to counter delivery delays and meet the great demand for the S 1000 RR.”

It is also believed early production models had a crankcase problem that has now been fixed.

Incentives

In Europe, buyers who have paid a deposit and face long delays are being offered a loan bike while they wait or they can keep and continue to ride their trade-in bike at an agreed price until the S 1000 RR arrives.

Some dealers are also offering customers discounts and cash rebates on BMW rider gear or bike parts.

Leanne says BMW Motorrad Australia has not yet made any decisions on incentives.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Become a motorcycle racer automatically

How would you like to experience a lap as fast as the best racer just at the touch of a button?

BMW Motorrad Facebook page says they have developed an autopilot, self-riding feature called the iRace Kit for the S 1000 RR motorcycle.

They say the software “allows less experienced riders and even those who have just received their motorcycle licences to turn in an astounding performance on the race track, with the assistance of a number of autonomous riding programs”.

April Fools

Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on how you feel – it’s yet another annual BMW April Fool’s Day joke.

Like many of its previous April 1 jokes, it’s almost believable and not unachievable.

After all, BMW has developed both balancing and automated self-riding prototypes.

Self-riding BMW technology Connectride
Self-riding BMW prototype

In this year’s April 1 joke, BMW “head of autonomous racing simulation” Dr Phillip-Magnus Schalk says:

The development of the BMW Motorrad iRace Kits was based on the experience made by our Superbike world champion riders. They provided us with valuable programming data, particularly as far as the braking points were concerned. We believe that this patented BMW Motorrad system will enable the majority of S 1000 RR riders to enter a whole new world of motorcycling. It is conceivable that we might even integrate the system in other models at some point in the future.

Who knows? Maybe one day it will be reality and you can be the racer you never thought you could be!

Last year, BMW’s joke was that riders in remote areas who break a small part such as a lever, mirror or indicator lens could print new parts on a mobile printer in their top box or panniers.

BMW Motorrad iparts 3D printing parts print racer
BMW Motorrad iparts 3D printer

It is already possible to 3D-print parts and it is not inconceivable that sometime soon we will be able to print them on the run from a machine in our bike’s luggage.

The previous year they “announced” a two-wheel-drive version of its R 1200 GS Adventure would be available later in the year. Of course, it never happened, but it’s a possibility!

BMW "two-wheel-drive" GS racer
BMW “two-wheel-drive” GS

Bavarian buffoons

The Bavarian jokesters are famous for their April Fool’s Day jokes, having begun running spoof advertisements on April 1 in the early 1980s.

BMW’s marketing department says April Fool jokes are “designed to teeter on the verge of credibility” and often focus on a new and revolutionary piece of technology, but “push the idea just beyond the plausible.”

Some of their other April 1 pranks were a self-cleaning car, remote-inflatable tyres, dog-repellent bumpers, tyres that melted snow and a self-driving car that follows you when you go for a jog. The last one is now becoming reality with self-driving cars!

We don’t do April Fool’s Day jokes at Motorbike Writer, but we’re happy to report on them.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

2019 BMW S 1000 RR M Review | Motorcycle Test

2019 BMW S 1000 RR Review
Testing the ‘M Package’ at Estoril

BMW S 1000 RR Test by Steve Martin

BMW SRR Scene Estoril
2019 BMW S 1000 RR Review

With a bike in the stable as proficient and fast as the 2018 BMW S 1000 RR is, it’s quite a big ask to make one better. But that was the goal that BMW set themselves when they embarked on building their technologically advanced new litre sports bike.

BMW SRR Scene
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The 2019 S 1000 RR was not going to be a sticker kit and paint job, but rather the next evolution that would need to go on and take things to the next level, just like the original did back in 2010. A machine that would not only be at home on the racetrack, but a bike that was easier to handle day-to-day, by offering a smattering of sensible road orientated goodies as icing on the very fast cake.

BMW SRR Static
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

On top of all of that though, the aim was to grab back the title of king of the litre bikes, in a class that now has a couple of 1100s thrown in for good measure.

BMW SRR Scene
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Germans like measurements and one-second is the rounded figure that they settled on. That was their measure of how much the new bike should be faster per lap, with the same tyres and same rider, on the same day. Now that would be easy to achieve if the ’18 model was a slug, but it’s not, it’s still a cutting-edge machine. So to produce a successor that took yet another leap forward, some careful thought and new technology was required.

BMW SRR Scene
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

All aspects were looked at and by paring down the weight, improving the handling, and adding more power and torque, BMW have ticked all the boxes.

The 2019 model comes in two colours with the option to order them with different kits depending on your wicked desires, and budget. There’s a race kit, a dynamic kit and the ‘M Package’ which gives you the attributes of the other two, but adds in some extra special goodies like carbon wheels. On test we only had the chance to try the M kitted bike but, in all honesty, I wasn’t complaining.

BMW SRR Rim Carbon Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR M with carbon rims was the machine ridden by Steve

Where to start…


The Heart

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The idea of creating an in-line four-cylinder sports bike occurred back in 2007, when engineers fitted the original K46 BMW designed engine in to a Yamaha YZF-R1 chassis, kicking off the first phase of testing. As we now know that model changed history, with the strong point being its top-end horsepower, while a lack of torque is and was a known issue. Over the years usability has crept in, but 2019 S 1000 RR promises a whole new ball-game.

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The completely new engine is packed with technology aimed at increasing horsepower and torque while reducing weight.  A healthy boost of 8hp gives a substantial hit to the top end, but it’s the torque increase that has made the big difference at the seat of the pants.

BMW SRR Engine Dyno Power Torque
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

There’s now 113 Nm of torque on hand but across a much flatter and higher curve. The biggest improvement comes in the lower-mid rpm range. From 5000 rpm through to 7500 rpm the techs found a massive 20 Nm of torque over the original design.

BMW SRR Engine AirBox Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

New gains have come from a complete redesign of virtually every aspect compared to the K46. The motor is narrower, four-kilograms lighter and yet incorporates the BMW variable intake Shift Cam system. It’s not a first with bikes like Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 and even the Yamaha T-Max sporting similar technology, achieved by a different method, but if there was a bike that could use it then the BMW S 1000 RR was it.

BMW SRR Shiftcam
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The BMW system works by changing the position of its cam lobes.  Having two lobes per inlet valve side-by-side on a splined shaft.

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Just like a gearbox, the lobes slide on the shaft left to right, or vice versa, by a sort of shift drum that automatically changes from the torquey lobe to the top end lobe at 9000rpm.

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

It’s a pretty simple system when you get a close look at it and much easier to understand when you see it, rather than when you just read the blurb.

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The cam moves lighter finger followers which tap the top of the buckets and push a set of new hollow titanium valves down, letting them do their work of sucking the air fuel mix into the combustion chamber four per cent more efficiently.

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Paring weight from the valve train has allowed BMW to up the rev limit by 400 rpm, to 14,600 rpm, reliably. And with a substantially lighter crank it now gets there in more of a hurry.

BMW SRR Crank
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Its not just a top end make over though with improvements in water and oil flow being made via completely new crankcases that utilise a lighter all in one oil/water pump. A new smaller alternator draws less engine power to run, which increases efficiency and temperature regularity throughout the motor.

BMW SRR Engine Cat PreMuffler Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The extent of forward thinking is amazing, even the Bosch throttle bodies are set up to work in a split function so that at racing level engine cylinder pairs can work separately, allowing less power at major lean angles.  Although not in use yet, the hard parts are on the bike ready to go when the software is proven.

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Electronics

You could write a large novel on the state of art Bosch system fitted to the new bike. Its functionality is much improved over the ‘18 model, a package that was already at a great level.

The M kit fitted bikes that we rode had three Race Pro maps and four standard maps – Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race.

BMW SRR Controls Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The functions are all easily adjusted through the various switch block mode buttons and the standard BMW twist toggle on the left side grip. The information is viewed on the new 6.5-inch TFT dash and it’s easy to read which is good, because there’s a lot of scope to change the parameters of your ride.

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR
Traction control

The traction control is adjustable through plus and minus seven settings in every mode, and is changeable on the run. It feels a lot like a quality race item now to the point that the race kit item might not be needed, even for the serious punter.

Wheelie Control

For the first time an independent wheelie control is fitted and is high quality. It can be turned off and is actuated by many parameters but is not affected by traction control settings.

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Throttle Response

The rider has the option to sharpen or soften the throttle connection line depending on his or her tastes. Both maps still have full power but it’s mainly the opening feeling that differs.

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR
ABS

The ABS can be dynamic working in unison with the new tiny six axis IMU or can be manually adjusted with four different settings. It is lean angle dependent which makes it much more sensitive to condition changes.

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR
Engine Brake

Four settings allow the rider to let the bike back into the corner or enter with a freer feeling which is once again a great offering and one of the most important ones when it comes to on the limit lap times.

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR
Shift Pro Assist

Standard on most bikes now allows clutch-less shifts up and down the box with auto rpm speed matching, just like MotoGP.

Hill Start

This year sees the introduction of hill start assist, which I guess could be useful.

BMW SRR Static
2019 BMW S 1000 RR
Launch Control

I didn’t use it at the launch, but if the old model is any thing to go by it will be fun to play with.

The rest of the package

There’s a lot more depth than the important items above but if you are serious at putting a new RR in your shed, I suggest you go to the dealer and have a play with the system. There’s different dash lay outs, cruise control, heated grips, connectivity, in fact that many goodies you will never be bored again.

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The Chassis

A lot of lessons have been learned by BMW Motorrad’s involvement in racing particularly over the last nine years. World Superbike races, Superstock World Championships, national championships and countless club races have been won on the old bike making it one of the most successful motorcycles over the period.

BMW SRR Steve Martin Forks
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

There was always an underlying issue though, and I know this from my seven years spent working as a development rider for the BMW factory.

BMW SRR Stripped
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The frame was always too stiff, causing chatter and lack of bump absorption when at ten-tenths, literally making the suspension work over-time. The later models were a massive improvement, but the DNA of the old frame remained, until now.

BMW SRR Stripped
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

With the complete redesign came a new chassis and swing-arm built specifically to put right the issues of the past.  The engine is now part of the equation being a stressed member, it helps tie the feel of the new RR together. BMW call the new chassis a flex-frame, with absorption being a big part of its job. Not only from road conditions but also different frequencies created from engine rpm and vibration.

BMW SRR Shifter Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The lighter alloy twin-spar frame has an all new one-piece swing arm with an underslung brace, as seen on most MotoGP bikes.

BMW SRR Swingarm Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Apart from looking neat it gives a lot more room in and around the shock, making it easier to remove or change a spring when things get serious.

BMW SRR Swingarm Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The shock is also moved away from the engine’s heat which helps to keep it cooler.

BMW SRR SubFrame Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Change of partner

Sachs fork and shock packages adorned the S 1000 RR right from the start, but this has all changed for 2019 with Marzocchi becoming their new partner. Its not just change for the sake of change though, with BMW using a shim stack front and rear that works alongside an electronic adjuster that is linked into the ECU on its Dynamic Damping Control equipped machines (like the M).

BMW SRR Shock DDC Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

It is a complete departure from the old Sachs system which used an electronic valve that opened and closed its size to alter damping. The new system is like riding around with a screwdriver attached to the clickers that can be set, or be continually adjusted in dynamic mode.

BMW SRR Fork Caps Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Brakes have moved away from Brembo to an American made Hayes caliper. It was chosen blindly by the BMW test team after a rigorous testing program. I still can’t get a believable answer as to why. A Nissin master cylinder is used to apply the pressure to those Hayes calipers. Just to keep everyone happy there’s a Brembo rear caliper.

BMW SRR Forks Brakes Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Ergonomics

You can forget that familiar feeling if you are a current owner of an S 1000 RR as this machine is completely different. The rider gets a feeling of sitting in the machine rather than on top, as I felt was the case with the old bike, and the bars are set a little wider than the previous bike.

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The new TFT dash is a master piece to look at and has really updated the cockpit to give it a modern feel. The integration of the available rider aids with the new switch blocks works well and is pretty self-explanatory.

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Heated grips are easy to find and activate, as is the cruise control. BMW have spent a lot of time making user friendliness a high priority.

BMW SRR Forks Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Ok, but what’s it really like?

Estoril in Portugal was the idealic setting to test the bike and a day blasting around the twists and curves of the ex-GP circuit was a great way to get a taste of the bike and the improvements made.

BMW SRR Steve Martin Estoril
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

We got four sessions on track with session one a great introduction run. Jurgen Fuchs (BMW test pilot) lead us for a seven-lap run around the Estoril circuit which was a great way to show us the lines and find our way around.

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The comprehensive electronics system was on a pre-set Race Pro 1 map which erred on the safe side with plenty of intervention giving me a safe feeling.

The traction control set on positive three took control of the bikes power and kept things calm and muted. We had to follow Jurgen but the first impressions were good. The engine is ultra-smooth, and the extra torque was apparent, especially at learning track mode speed.

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The throttle connection was perfect and there was no discernible feeling or glitch at around that magic 9000 rpm cam changing point. We were on the standard Bridgestone S21 tyres for this part of the day, and they were unfortunately the weak point of the bike.

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Being a 10 percent track tyre and more of a sports-touring tyre, I was unable to really get much feedback from the bike. What I could feel though was just how natural and neutral the bike felt, from an initial point of view.

The other positive was with the level of wheel-spin we were getting, I was able to give the traction system a good work out. As expected it worked extremely well and caught every near high-side moment I had, and I had a few…

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Even with the OEM tyres the RR turned on a dime and made the apex every time. There was no excuse for not liking the set up or the way it felt because if you didn’t like the way it went into a corner, you could just change it with a few tweaks on the dash.

After another session some Bridgestone soft production slicks were fitted and my face of desperation turned to one of joy. Oh my, how a little bit of grip can change things. Literally the bike was on rails with the change of tyres, and pushing closer to the limits became enjoyable.

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

I was hitting close to an indicated 299 km/h down the main straight in Estoril and loving it. The standard front brakes were certainly getting a work out and there was some fade, I guess not many people will be decelerating the stock bike again and again from 300 without race pads all that often…

The feel from the brakes was quite good though, with progression and lever feel letting me brake right to the mid-point of the turn, like I would on a superbike.

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

There’s a tight chicane about half way round the circuit, with a quick change of direction at slow speed that would have a lot of bikes feeling a little uncomfortable, but once again the Beemer was a cinch to ride and made it easy to take the line I wanted. It went through the change of direction with complete stability. This was the M package bike with those sexy carbon rims though, and they no doubt played their part with the agility of the package.

BMW SRR Rim Carbon Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR M with carbon rims was the machine ridden by Steve

The new rear end has a different layout to the old bike and a different link ratio that lets a relatively soft 6.5 kg spring be used. With the Bridgestone rear slick, I didn’t have any problem at all, no slides, no spinning and it was very stable. I would have liked to try it with a Pirelli slick, one I know well, to see what happened when it did let go, but that will have to wait until next time.

BMW SRR Steve Martin Power
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

It was a little soft in the front for very hard brakers, but a switch to the Pro 3 map, and some stiffer compression settings helped a bit. There was scope to put pre-load on the front, and I would have done that next, but time didn’t really allow for it. The chassis was very good, and an improvement in turning over the old bike was obvious.

I found that I didn’t have to worry about what the bike was doing when I was riding, just enjoy my riding and focus on my lines, and that is the sign of a good bike. Its stability is excellent, and the suspensions more conventional shim stack system was a definite improvement, especially if you plan on hitting the track.

BMW SRR Steve Martin
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The engine feels fast, and with the extra torque I found I could use a higher gear than normally one would think. I didn’t get the chance to ride it on the road at all, but if you like riding through the hills and on the track, this new RR will no doubt be a great choice.

At the end of the day the new RR is good, we all knew it was going to be from the start. It’s got all the right DNA to be a great road bike, through to a WSBK winner once sorted in race trim. It is also comfortable and user friendly with all the gizmos ever invented, and then some.

BMW SRR Scene
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

The S 1000 RR is a bike made to dominate the road going superbike scene for the next ten years, sort of like they did with the K46. Can it win a world championship in the future? Well that’s just a matter of money, but the answer is probably yes.

BMW SRR Steve Martin mono Finger
2019 BMW S 1000 RR
2019 BMW S 1000 RR Specifications
Engine
Capacity 999
Bore/stroke 80/49.7
Output 152/207
at engine speed 13,500
Torque 113
at engine speed 10,500
Type Water-cooled in-line 4-cylinder engine
Compression/fuel 13.3:1 / RON 95+ (knock control; rated output with 98 RON)
Valvetrain 16-valve, DOHC, ShiftCam Variable, 33.5mm in, 27.2mm ex
Throttle Bodies 48
Engine control BMS-O
Alternator 450
Headlamp LED low beam twin headlamp in free-form technology
LED high beam free-form surface/modular design
Power transmission – gearbox
Clutch Multi-plate anti-hop wet clutch, mechanical
Gearbox Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox
Primary ratio -1.652
Transmission ratios -2.647
2.091
1.727
1.500
-1.360
1.261
Rear wheel drive Chain
Secondary ratio -2.647
Suspension
Frame Aluminium composite bridge, self-supporting engine
Front Suspension 45mm USD forks, slide tube diameter, fully-adjustable, 120mm travel, DDC
Rear Suspension Aluminium underslung swing-arm with central spring strut, fully-adjustable, 117mm travel, DDC
Wheel castor mm 93.9
Wheelbase mm 1441
Steering head angle ° 66.9
BMW S 1000 RR
Brakes Front Twin 320mm disc, radial 4-piston fixed calipers
Rear Single 220 mm, single-piston floating caliper
ABS BMW Motorrad ABS Pro
(part integral, disengageable)
Traction control BMW Motorrad DTC
Wheels Standard: Die-cast aluminium wheels
Forged aluminium wheels as part of Race Package option
Carbon fibre wheels as part of M Package option
Tyres Front 3.50 x 17″
Rear 6.00 x 17″
Front 120/70 ZR17
Rear 190/55 ZR17
Dimensions and weights
Total length mm 2073
Total width with mirrors mm 846
Seat height mm 824
kg Standard: 197
Fuelled with Race Package option 195.4,
with M Package option 193.5
Permitted total weight kg 407
Fuel tank capacity L 16.5
Performance figures
Fuel consumption (WMTC) l/100 km 6.4
CO2 g/km 149
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 3.1
Top speed km/h 200
BMW SRR Front

2019 BMW S 1000 RR

 

BMW SRR Rear
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Source: MCNews.com.au

Interview | Peter Hickman on the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Peter Hickman on the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR

With Steve Martin


Peter Hickman knows a thing or two about BMW’s S 1000 RR, having raced and won the very prestigious IOM TT last year on the Smiths Racing BMW, and smashing the outright Mountain Course lap record along the way.

Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman with some TT silverware and celebrating his amazing 135.452 mph lap

He’s also pretty darn good on the short circuits too was the fastest BMW rider in British Superbike, and is known as a rider that can give good feedback and input back to the team. That, in my opinion, is why BMW gave him the opportunity to try out the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR as early as last year. When Hicky speaks, people listen, and that’s why we wanted to hear his thoughts on the new 2019 S 1000 RR.

Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman – BSB 2018 at Snetterton

Peter Hickman Interview

Steve Martin: Firstly, the 2018 model was a pretty impressive machine and one you’ve had great success on, but nothing’s perfect, what do you think its weak points were?

Peter Hickman: “Like you say everything has its weak points. The BMW has always been strong in a straight line, both with engine power and on the brakes.

“For me its weak point was always the chassis, it was very rigid, so the slightest of changes to either the chassis, air/track temperature, or even tyres made big differences to the bike. This made it hard to get set up. It was also a bike that never finished the corners so well.”

Peter Hickman on his way to victory at the 2018 Isle of Man Senior TT
Peter Hickman on his way to victory at the 2018 Isle of Man Senior TT

Steve: You’ve cut some laps now on the new road bike, what’s your initial impression

Peter Hickman: “I rode a pre-production model last year and I loved it. Coming to Estoril has just cemented that feeling for me really. The bike is so easy to ride for a start, yet has more power and BMW have engineered more flex into the chassis, so overall, it’s everything I was asking for!”

Macau GP Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman at the 2018 Macau GP

Steve: The two bikes look completely different but what about the feel, what’s the biggest difference between the two.

Peter Hickman: “Where to start? It still feels like a BMW, which I think is great. Ergonomically it’s very different however, you sit in the bike more than the old S 1000 RR. I’m a tall rider and the bike is very small, but even with these two facts I fit on the bike no problem.

“This bike gives a very positive feeling for me, when I ask it to do something it does it. As a racer riding ‘normal’ road bike this was very impressive, they usually feel all soft and sloppy, I didn’t get that feeling from the new RR.”

Ulster Grand Prix Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman at the 2018 Ulster Grand Prix

Steve: Has the 2019 given riders and teams more scope to cut lap times especially in a more standard guise.

Peter Hickman: “Absolutely it has, especially as a road or superstock race bike. I really think with what BMW have brought to the table it’s going to take all racing to another level.”

Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman – 2018 Senior TT winner

Steve: I’ve heard from inside BMW that on the same day, same tyres, same rider, the new bike’s about a second quicker in street trim what do you think?

Peter Hickman: “Interesting you should ask, because I was the rider who did this test! Ha! It was at Cartagena last year, Pirelli slicks on both bikes. I managed a 1m38.8sec lap on the 2018 S 1000 RR, I did a five-lap run, came into the pits and jumped straight onto the new bike without talking to anyone and did the same five-lap run.

“When I came back in they asked me what I thought, I felt that the new bike was easier to ride but I wasn’t sure there would be a major difference in lap times. Turns out I did a 1m37.4 on the new bike! Which is a huge difference! And to put that into perspective the best time I’ve done on my 2018 Superbike last year was a low 1m33, so four seconds on a road bike is impressive!”

Peter Hickman at Ballaugh Bridge
Peter Hickman at Ballaugh Bridge – TT 2018

Steve: Electronics on the road RR were always good but how close is the latest system to the race versions”

Peter Hickman: “They’ve worked hard on this. They’ve made it much more adaptable like a race bike. For example, the traction control and anti-wheelie control run on separate systems now, which means you can have traction control out of the corner without hindering performance on the final part of the exit because it thinks it’s doing a wheelie when it isn’t.

“I need more laps to play more and understand but so far, I found it easy to use and really rider friendly, something most road bikes struggle with!”

Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman – Senior TT Winner 2018

Steve: Hicky thanks for your time, now go win some races.

Ulster Grand Prix Peter Hickman Superstock
Peter Hickman – Ulster Grand Prix 2018

Source: MCNews.com.au

Interview | BMW S 1000 RR Engineer Claudio De Martino

Chief Engineer of the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR

With Steve Martin


BMW S RR Design
BMW Motorrad Design

Claudio De Martino reminds me Patrick Swayze in the movie ghost, where he is moulding clay adding passion and love in the background, making sure all is good. As chief engineer he’s definitely one of the ideas men behind the S 1000 RR project and like everyone involved he knows how to punt one of the new S 1000 RR machines pretty damn fast. We caught up with him at the Estoril launch of the new 2019 model for a chat.


Claudio De Martino Interview

Steve Martin: Thanks Claudio for taking the time to talk to us, first of all how long did it take to develop this bike?

Claudio – “So, we have different phases, and the complete phase for developing is 46 months, but the previous phase is to define for example the configuration of the engine, which way the counter-shaft rotates, how many cylinders and so on. This is before you define it, and then 46 months from that point to production.”

BMW S RR Design
BMW Motorrad Design

Steve: When you were looking at this bike, basically the engine is a clean slate, a clean sheet, was there any time that you guys considered making it a big bang style motor.

Claudio – “Yes, we considered, but we are BMW and we always have the highest peak power, and with the big bang it’s not possible to do peak power, so we decided to stay on the screamer.”

Steve: Why not a counter rotating crank then?

Claudio – “Because we avoid additional excess, this part also has weight and will cost some horsepower, and so we decided to have maximum horsepower, and the result is only possible with a screaming four, and normal rotating crankshaft.”

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: When you sat down what was the target going to be? How much faster did it need to be than the 2018 bike?

Claudio – “It’s important to have big and strong goals which everyone can keep in mind, and we said of course our bike the 2017 and 2018 was a benchmark, and we said one second faster on the lap, easier to ride, feeling comfortable. But one second was the major goal and every decision we had to make we asked ourselves, is it supporting our goal, makes us faster, makes us lighter. So, a major goal was going that one second faster.

“How did we reach? We checked every part, somebody said OK, to be one second faster we had to be more than 10kg lighter, if we have to be 10kg lighter to reach our goal, what do we have to change, and at least it was everything.”

BMW SRR Intake AirBox
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: There’s a lot of new technology put into this bike, especially with the valve train.

Claudio – “The valve train is also helping us to make the compromise from more horsepower at high revs and of course a good torque curve, in mid-range and at low rpm. So sometimes it’s easy to have more peak power, but you lose a lot of torque and we have now this combination and for me, I liked always to explain for the rider its necessary to know what he gets when he opens the throttle.

“This is the same if you open at 5500rpm, 7000, 9000, 11000, you always get more than 100Nm [of torque] and it’s easy for you to control. You don’t have any area where there’s a big jump of the torque curve and you get a big surprise or trouble.”

BMW SRR Engine Dyno Power Torque
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: You’ve changed a lot of different partners this year, gone away from Brembo brakes, which you’ve had in the past, you’ve got Hayes brakes on the front now, and you’ve also got the Marzocchi suspension – you’ve gone away from the Sachs, what was the reasoning behind that?

Claudio – “At the beginning we wrote down on a letter, what we’d like to have for the next model, so this was a new spec for each part, we went to different suppliers asked them can you deliver this, they said yes OK we can do it.

“Then there was a big shoot out where we compared the parts, with experienced riders. They didn’t know what was mounted, they only thought about the feeling, and at least we took the one who supported our goals the most. In this case with choosing the suppliers we’re quite happy with this.”

BMW SRR Forks Brakes Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: I guess the big difference in this suspension, compared to the old electronic suspension, the old one had car valves in it, but this has a conventional shim stack in there. How does that work and why the change?

Claudio – “Exactly, the big change is the car valve was the first generation, we put a lot of currency into the car valve to find out function, but when we reviewed the system, we said what does a racer need? He needs good feeling for the bike, and the conventional parts, they give very good feel, or a known feeling, so we thought to combine these two technologies, and at least we have separated conventional part and an additional electronic part.

“On the race track, more than 90 per cent you work on the conventional part, and that’s what you feel, and the confidence for the bike. On the road, with a passenger, there the electronics increase. So, on the race track it’s nearly conventional. And of course, every specialist, can open this system, can adapt it to your weight, your riding style and it will be fine for the customer.”

BMW SRR Shock DDC Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: I guess that’s the other thing about this bike, you don’t need special tools to work on it. You can adjust everything from the dash. So, the TFT dash must have taken a long time to sort that out.

Claudio – “Yea it’s new technology and it offers a lot of possibilities, you have to have good heads who can write down what must be the requirements, and after all we have a lot of experience with these systems now, so it offers a wide range for personal adjustment and this is in combination with the dash and with the menu, it’s outstanding.”

BMW SRR Dash Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: Let’s talk about the frame, when I was involved developing the old frame, we had lots of special frames before the current unit was chosen, what was the process this time around.

BMW SRR Stripped
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Claudio – “So, the frame is also a result of reviewing the old bike, everybody knows the shape with the stable connection between steering head and swing pivot. We put some material in the engine, but it’s also four kilogram lighter – the engine, so the engine took more rigidity and more stability.

“The frame when you look the shape, you have the shortest way the direct connection to the mounting points in the front, and in the rear, we call it a doughnut, it’s a very stable, one part hollow casted, which is also fixed four times to the engine, in between these areas. They take also some work for the flex, but we can define the flex by the thickness of the material.

“So, there was some areas to play, also there was some simulation testing and then we defined the shape, the thickness, and it also offers us the possibility to move the knees very narrow. With the old shape of the frame, it was not possible to have this feeling like a V4, we liked to have it like one of our competitors and we would push the knees inside, inside. This frame will help us to reach that.”

BMW SRR Stripped
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: This bike is obviously made to win WSBK and be competitive in near standard form for the track day competitors, what about the road guys out there? Some of your competitors are bringing out 1100cc versions, are you planning anything like that, or have you thought about it how this bike can compete with an 1100cc.

Claudio – We have BMW shift cam, it’s our secret weapon.

BMW SRR Engine Cutaway Details
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Steve: Thanks Claudio.

BMW SRR Scene
2019 BMW S 1000 RR

Source: MCNews.com.au