REVIEW: S1000RR - Oregon Mts - Images - w/ K13S Comparo

[SHIVA]

To view larger: http://bmwsuperbikes.com/Images/S1000RR-65L.jpg


I had been holding off riding the RR for just this opportunity. If you want to review a bike properly, it better be more than a demo ride. I didn't want my first RR experience to be a ride around the 'hood, now Mt. Hood, OR is totally a different story.

An opportunity presented itself to ride a Motorsports color, fully loaded S1000RR, from Portland, Oregon to Redmond, Oregon, on the way to the BMW MOA Rally, through Mt. Hood National Forest. That's about 150 miles on a gorgeous, low humidity, warm summer day on the scenic, low traffic, and curvy Route 26.

Route 26 cuts through the Oregon mountains and Mt. Hood National Forrest on roads like this:




Then as you decent into the high plains, you are cutting the land on roads like this:



Not too bad, wouldn't you say. It was on this side of Mt. Hood that we decided to stop on a side road for some pics with the young beast.

To view larger: http://bmwsuperbikes.com/Images/S1000RR-63L.jpg



Before I hopped on the RR, I turned on the ignition and set the FI mode to "Sport," as I knew "Rain" would be way too lame. Well, it turned out the "Sport" is a waste of time for any experienced sport bike rider, so, pretty soon the mode was set and left on "Race" and in Race, the RR became lively, responsive and ready to tango.

Keep in mind I'm used to riding a bike with 180 HP (Akra exhaust) and 103+ lb-ft of torque that red lines at 11,000 RPM. This mean beast, called a K1300S, with a proper 1297cc engine has a 0-60 of 2.8 seconds, that's faster than the stock RR by a few tents of a second (between .2 to .6 seconds). So, riding around, getting warmed up on the early stages of the Rte 26, the "Sport" mode made the bike feel like a 600, it was in "Race" that the RR started to gain my respect.

I don't want to repeat what others have already said about the bike, but allow me to emphasis what a forgiving and comfortable bike the RR is for long distance travel. The RR is a very focused bike, it's extremely fun to ride, and in "Rain" and "Sport" the bike is totally manageable for novice sport bike riders. I understand now why Nate Kern used to say, you can get on the RR as soon as you get your license and set it in "Rain" and start riding it comfortably. I don't think you can say that about any other Literbike. Initially this comment by N8 didn't resonate with me until I briefly played with the RR in Rain mode. (I had to try it.)

If I didn't have the K1300S I would certainly consider the RR. But having an agile, nimble and fast Hypersport with ESA II, ABS, Heated Grips, Traction, Accessory Plug, 2D Dash, Tire Pressure, Computer, Less Aggressive Riding Position that can go faster than the RR off-track, eliminates the desire and the need for the S1000RR.

If you have the K1300S, you don't need the RR, unless you want to go on the track! If track is your passion, get the RR, a bike this forgiving will make any good sport rider into a Rossi/Biaggi double-headed monster.

Also the quick-shifter on the RR feels a lot smoother than the K13. I think it's because of two reasons, 20 lb-ft less torque on the RR and possibly newer generation of the GSA (Gear Shift Assist).

Other factors to keep in mind, the RR is very hot right now and it grabs boatloads of attention. It makes you a hero just for straddling it. That is a fun-factor hard to come by and is worth the price of entry.

S1000RR - A track-focused bike, that can haul ass on public roads and be ridden all day, if you are in pretty good shape, and in various weather conditions thanks to ABS/Traction.

Talking about ABS, the brakes on the RR are the absolute best I have ever experienced. They make you go WOW! Talk about dropping an anchor.

Bravo BMW!!!

To view larger: http://bmwsuperbikes.com/Images/S1000RR-67L.jpg

[JHB1984]

bravo ... bravo ... sir this is a wonderful write up, there isn't much to say ... just perfect ... thx for that SHIVA

[SHIVA]

by the way, I'd like to suggest that BMW would rename the Modes from:

Rain
Sport
Race
Slick

to

Rain
Urban
Sport
Track

I think the current Sport mode is too mild to deserve that moniker.

[ssduc]

Nice review. My problem with the Rain mode was not necessarily the decrease in power, but rather the complete lack of responsiveness from the throttle. Very bothersome to me.

My suggestion would be:

Blizzard
Rain
Sport
Race

[SHIVA]

I like the Blizzard idea the Rain mode is certainly too tame!!!

[iehawk]

Nice review. My problem with the Rain mode was not necessarily the decrease in power, but rather the complete lack of responsiveness from the throttle. Very bothersome to me.

My suggestion would be:

Blizzard
Rain
Sport
Race

Have you ridden it in the rain and aggressively? You can get the rear wheel steps out in Rain Mode. It's not that tame.

If you're used to the K1200S/R or K1300S, yes, you're used to the near RACE mode throttle feel. Riding other liter bikes, you'll feel too that the throttle feel is between SPORT and RACE, but closer to Race.

But going through rougher roads, you'll feel that S1000RR's Race Mode is noticeably twitchier. Bumps on the road that affect your right hand will affect the throttle a bit, causing the ride to become a bit jerky. It's quite sensitive. Then going to SLICK mode, it becomes a tad more sensitive, but not as noticeable as going from SPORT to RACE.

[Eka]

There is also available HP Race Power Kit for S1000RR, which as i have understood has full power in every mode and adjust traction control and ABS in different modes:

http://www3.satzmedia-catalog.com/asp/_872/flash/pdfs/0059.pdf

With HP Race calibration kit it could be adjusted for own needs.