2014 BMW S 1000 R – First Look Review

November 5, 2013

Though detuned compared to the S 1000 RR, the all-new 2014 BMW S 1000 R still makes 160 horsepower and weighs just 456 pounds.

The emperor has lost his clothes. After quickly climbing to the top of the liter-class sportbike heap with its 193-horsepower, in-line four S 1000 RR, which debuted for 2010, BMW has unveiled a naked version called the S 1000 R. Less bodywork, an upright handlebar and more low-to-midrange grunt (but less top-end power) make the S 1000 R well-suited for the street.

The upright handlebar should enhance comfort, but the footpegs are still high and far back. — The upright handlebar and repositioned footpegs should enhance comfort relative to the RR.

The RR’s 999c in-line four has been modified with redesigned cylinder head ducts, modified cam profiles and a new BMS-X engine management system enables BMW’s E-gas throttle-by-wire. Redline has been reduced by 2,000 rpm, and maximum horsepower has been lowered to 160 at 11,000 rpm. Peak torque is the same as the RR, but the 83 lb-ft maximum is reached at 9,250 rpm instead of 9,750 rpm. Up to 7,500 rpm, the S 1000 R makes about 7 lb-ft more torque than the S 1000 RR. That much giddyup on a bike that weighs a claimed 456 pounds wet should provide enough excitement to wake the dead.

As with many high-performance motorcycles today, the S 1000 R is equipped with electronic riding aids, including two riding modes (Rain and Road) and ASC (Automatic Stability Control, aka traction control). The riding modes use different power and torque curves, and they apply different levels of Race ABS and ASC intervention. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), incorporating two additional riding modes (Dynamic and Dynamic Pro) and making use of a lean-angle sensor, is optional.

Radial-mount Brembo calipers and Race ABS are standard.

Based on that of the S 1000 RR, the S 1000 R uses an aluminum alloy perimeter frame with the engine as a stressed member and slightly different geometry (a steering damper is standard equipment). The R is equipped with a male-slider fork and single rear shock, both fully adjustable, and triple disc brakes with radial-mount 4-piston front calipers and standard, partially integral Race ABS. Optional Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) provides electronic control of suspension damping that continuously adapts to riding conditions.

In terms of both performance and styling, the BMW S 1000 RR will be in good company with such bonkers naked bikes as the Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS. Dual headlights are housed within a sleek bikini fairing that’s topped with a micro windscreen, and small bits of painted bodywork on the sides and below cover some of the less attractive parts of the engine. Exhaust gasses exit through a stubby silencer on the right side. A large analog tachometer is paired with an LCD display that includes gear position, riding mode and a lap timer, and a programmable shift light is mounted prominently at the top.

The 2014 BMW S 1000 R will be available in three colors: Racing Red Non-metallic, Frozen Dark Blue Metallic and Light White Non-metallic. The options and accessories list is as deep as a summer’s day is long. Pricing and availability are TBD.

For more information, visit bmwmotorcycles.com.

RELATED: 2010 BMW S 1000 RR Road Test

The 2014 BMW S 1000 R has a tapered aluminum handlebar with a forged triple clamp.	Flyscreen helps conceal the instrument panel and might part the wind a bit; a larger accessory screen is available.
Single stubby muffler on the right side keeps weight low and centered.	An analog tach is paired with a feature-rich LCD display and a programmable shift light.
A small amount of bodywork conceals the radiators and has gills like the fully faired S 1000 RR.	The 2014 BMW S 1000 R in Racing Red Non-metallic.
The 2014 BMW S 1000 R in Frozen Dark Blue Metallic.	The 2014 BMW S 1000 R in Light White Non-metallic.