Since we were dead tired, we woke up a bit late to get a taste of the S1000RR… it was a rush all the way back home running on fumes while Jeo and Geck took the DUKE and beat me to my house five minutes earlier. After I had a change of pants, we made our way to Sepang International Circuit and we managed to arrive at SIC about 45 minutes later…  There were quite a number of media people there along with bikers for Open Track Day hence the testing of S1000RR managed to gain the hype.

Since we were late, we made our way straight to registration and headed for the briefing. Briefly we were told not to meddle with the mode as it determines the behaviour of the S1000RR. We were also told not to overtake the person in front and the instructor will observe the rest thru the speed whether he should slow down or speed up.

Right after the briefing, I collected the riding gear thanks to Azman Baharuddin of Israq Adventure and I headed straight to Pit 33… where ten S1000RR were waiting to be tested. It was a beauty to behold to say the least. With BMW, they have always implement two different headlights into their design making it easy to identify BMW bikes compared to the rest. It was not a mere design but a part of  function over design of its optimum aerodynamics develops to provide optimum streamlining and power increase due to impact pressure at the air inlet… as it’s the case with S1000RR.

Ten S1000RR were prepared for us to test it out on the scorching tarmac of Sepang International Circuit. The stance of the bike brought chill up my veins. I was all pumped out with adrenaline and sweat to test it out. To have a chance to ride the S1000RR on track is a dream come true. S1000RR boasts a whopping 193hp and 83lb/ft of torque making it the the most powerful 1000cc production bike on the market. Weighing at 183kg dry and 204kg fully fueled makes it the best power-to-weight ratio in 1ltr segment.

The most prominent feature of the S1000RR would be the four different ABS mode available; rain, sport, race and slick. Rider have four different ABS modes to choose from and I thought I was lucky to get it set at Race mode by the BMW officer at the track… You just can’t imagine how I felt as during the briefing we were told not to mess with the setting and no freaking way we’re gonna get to test the Race mode… I was disappointed not with the S1000RR but we’ll get to that later on.

Getting on the S1000RR, we were given 6 laps each of SIC’s half track (full track would be better though) with a strict reminder no overtaking at any cost. The instructor led us out of the pit with me on the third bike and with that I was stuck behind this particular media rep who took the bike on a stroll rather than testing its full potential. I was raring to throttle up at least for one lap but it was not possible as the person ahead of me was riding it as if it’s an old C70 rather than a 1000cc superbike. Thanks to you, this was my personal record of the slowest ride I’ve ever experienced in my whole life. Enough about that.

Metzeler tyres provide all the traction needed to get you through tight corners and straights without feeling a tinge of worry. It was that good… and no surprise there as Metzeler has been manufacturing tyres for bikes since 1863 and being a German company, perfection can never be compromised. Power output is superb while stopping power is more than enough to stop you from colliding as I did just that to get the bugger in front of me to speed up… that’s the least I can say about it. As for the performance, I just need to test the bike again if by any chance BMW Malaysia would present me this opportunity.

S1000RR made its debut in the SBK back in April 2009 with Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus of BMW Motorrad Motorsport and to date has managed to be in the fifth place of manufacturer’s standing. Good enough considering it’s been less than a year of S1000RR being a contender in the SBK. Priced at RM108,800.00 (OTR without insurance), I’d say to date this is the best 1ltr bike to purchase as it’s a tad cheaper than the R1 and offers a whole lot more features than the latter. With the S1000RR, BMW is looking forward to break the Japanese makes domination of the 1000cc segment. Damn it… I really need to get some cash to get this!

text: Hage’  pix: Syafril Ismail & CK  video: Jeo

S1000RR Technical Specification:

Engine

Type:                              Water-/oil-cooled 4-stroke in-line four-cylinder-engine, two overhead camshafts, four titanvalves per cylinder
Bore x stroke:               80 mm x 49.7 mm
Capacity:                        999 cc
Rated output:                 142 kW (193 hp) at 13,000 rpm
Max. torque:                  112 Nm at 9,750 rpm
Compression ratio:      13.0 : 1

Mixture control/engine management:

Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management including knock sensor (BMS-K+)

Emission control:

2 closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter, emission standard EU-4, electronically controlled interference

pipe valves and controlled acoustic valve

Performance/fuel consumption

Maximum speed:   over 200 km/h

Fuel consumption per 100km at constant 90km/h:    5.7 l

Fuel consumption per 100km at constant 120km/h:  5.9 l

Fuel type: Unleaded super and premium, octane number 95-98 (RON) (knock sensor; rated output at 98 RON)

Electrical system

Alternator:  Three-phase alternator 350 W
Battery:         14 V / 10 Ah, maintenance-free

Power transmission

Clutch:         Multiple-disc clutch in oil bath, anti hopping clutch, mechanically operated
Gearbox:     Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox, spur toothing
Drive:           Chain

Chassis/brakes

Frame:        Bridge-type frame, cast aluminium, load-bearing engine

Front wheel location/suspension:   Upside-down telescopic fork Ø 46 mm, rebound and compression adjustable

Rear wheel location/suspension:     Cast aluminium dual swing arm, continuously adjustable rear

inbound-rebound damping,high & low speed

Suspension travel front/rear:             120 mm/130 mm

Wheelbase:                                              1,432 mm

Castor:                                                       95.9 mm

Steering head angle:                             66,1 °

Wheels:                                                    Cast aluminium wheels

Rim (front):                                             3.50 x 17″

Rim (rear):                                              6.00 x 17″

Tyres (front):                                          120/70 ZR 17

Tyres (rear):                                            190/55 ZR 17

Brake (front):                                         Dual disc brake, floating brake discs,diameter 320 mm, 4-piston fixed calipers, 5 mm thickness

Brake (rear):                                           Single disc brake, one-piston floating caliper, diameter 220 mm, 5 mm thickness

ABS Optional extra:                             4 mode Race-ABS adjustment, can be switched off, Rain, Sport, Race, Slick

Dimensions/weights

Length:                                                                   2,056 mm

Width (incl. mirrors):                                         826 mm

Height (excl. mirrors):                                        1,138 mm

Seat height,unladen weight:                              820 mm

Inner leg curve,unladen weight:                       1,810 mm

Unladen weight,road ready,fully fuelled 1):   204 kg (206.5 kg incl. Race-ABS)

Dry weight 2):                                                         183 kg

Permitted total weight:                                         405 kg

Payload (with standard equipment):               202 kg

Usable tank volume:                                             17.5 ltr

Reserve approx:                                                     4.0 ltr

Technical data relate to the unladen weight (DIN)

1) According to guideline 93/93/EWG with all fluids, fuelled with at least 90% of usable tank volume
2) Unladen weight without fluids