BMW S 1000 RR Motorsport 2009 — Specifications

When BMW landed on the superbike segment in 2009, nobody expected such a knockout punch. The S 1000 RR took the sportbike world by surprise, and this Motorsport livery drives the point home with a crystal-clear message: white, blue, red — the three colors of Munich's racing department — plastered on a two-wheeled missile. It borders on a World Superbike replica. Only the sponsor stickers are missing to mistake this machine for the one battling it out in the world championship.

Beneath the tricolor fairing, the 999 cc inline four-cylinder churns out 193 horsepower at 13,000 rpm and delivers 111.8 Nm of torque at 9,750 rpm. Figures that, at the time, placed the Bavarian neck and neck with the Yamaha R1 and the Aprilia RSV4, its two most serious rivals. The engine, with its 80 mm bore, a stroke of just 49.7 mm, and a 13:1 compression ratio, is built to scream at high revs. The six-speed gearbox, assisted by a quickshifter, sends all that power to the rear wheel via a chain drive, and the 300 km/h mark is claimed without a blush. On paper, it's a track weapon that agrees to ride on open roads.

The aluminum twin-spar frame houses a 46 mm inverted fork and a mono-shock offering 120 and 130 mm of travel respectively. Nothing luxurious on paper, but the whole package is calibrated for the track first and foremost. Braking duties fall to twin 320 mm discs gripped by four-piston calipers up front and a single 220 mm disc at the rear, getting the job done with precision. Above all, BMW had the foresight to integrate a sport ABS and traction control from this very first generation, while the Japanese competition was still dragging its feet. At 204 kg wet, the S 1000 RR remained contained for a sportbike of this displacement, even if the 183 kg dry weight revealed that a few kilos could still be shed.

For those wondering about the price of a BMW S 1000 RR Motorsport 2009 in France, it came in at around 15,900 euros — a slight premium over the standard version. A sum that seems almost reasonable when you consider the level of onboard electronic equipment and the power on tap. Up against an R1 sold in the same price range but less generously equipped with rider aids, the Munich proposition held its own. The seat perched at 820 mm and the 17.5-liter tank were reminders, however, that this bike was not meant for smaller riders or grand touring enthusiasts. It's a pure sportbike, designed for the rider who wants to push the limits on track on Sunday and ride home without suffering too much.

BMW struck hard with this Motorsport. Not a mere marketing paint job, but a statement of intent: the propeller badge was now playing in the big leagues of supersport, and it fully intended to stay there.