We spent Friday last week at Sydney Motorsport Park with Steve Brouggy and his team at MEGA helping celebrate 30 years in business, which we will publish a feature on ASAP. One of the highlights of the day was testing the BMW M 1000 RR. Check out our on board lap…
With further development of the M RR, BMW Motorrad has set a new milestone in the field of superbikes homologated for racing. The new M RR is powered by the familiar water-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine designed for racing purposes, especially the Superbike World Championship.
As before, its peak output is 156kW@14,500rpm. The chassis of the new M RR also relies on the aluminium bridge frame as its centrepiece, supplemented by an upside-down fork and central suspension strut with Full Floater Pro kinematics.
The new M 1000 RR is offered in two versions: the M RR basic variant in the basic paint finish Lightwhite non-metallic and the M RR M Competition in the basic paint finish Blackstorm metallic.
The increased potential of the new M RR results above all from the colossal advancement in the critical area of aerodynamics. In particular, a newly designed fairing made of exposed visible carbon fibre with a higher windscreen increases the top speed significantly in conjunction with optimised airflow around the rider. For the first time, this fairing also comes with a particularly light yet rigid front fairing support made of carbon fibre.
The top speed of the new M RR has increased from 306 to 314km/h compared with the previous model. In the course of aerodynamic development, the M winglets were also completely revised. They now generate significantly more aerodynamic downforce, both in an upright riding position and when banking. The rider gains even more confidence with regard to the front wheel to achieve even greater lean angles or higher cornering speeds while also benefiting from a reduced wheelie tendency.
Another central point in optimising the entire aerodynamics was the area of the front wheel. Here, for the first time in the history of BMW Motorrad, brake cooling air ducts made of visible carbon fibre are used. They are integrated into the new front mudguard, which has been optimised for improved airflow around the fork legs and brake callipers.
New M Carbon wheels stand out on the new M RR thanks to their new clear lacquer coat. New tapes in M design on the wheel rims underline the high-grade technical character and the racing claim of the new M RR. As an alternative to the M Carbon wheels, the new M RR can now also be ordered with forged wheels ex works.
A newly designed rear section makes the current M RR look even lighter, sportier and more dynamic. The short number plate holder and the ergonomically designed M Endurance seat also represent new features. Thanks to a modified wiring harness with LWS connector, the now shorter number plate holder with light units can be dismantled even faster and more easily.
Highlights of the new BMW M RR and M RR M Competition
- M RR 4-cylinder developed for racing purposes
- Output of 156kW (212hp) at 14,500rpm and maximum torque of 113Nm at 11,000 rpm
- 2-ring forged pistons
- Fully CNC machined intake ports and BMW ShiftCam technology to vary valve timing and lift
- Titanium valves, optimised camshafts and narrow and lightweight cam followers
- Longer and 85g lighter Pankl titanium connecting rods for reduced friction and weight compared with S 1000 RR
- Anti-hopping clutch without self-boosting (optimised for race starts)
- Enhanced intake system with shorter intake funnels compared with the S 1000 RR for optimised charge exchange at high engine speeds
- Lightweight exhaust system with titanium manifold, front silencer and rear silencer
- NEW: Drastically optimised aerodynamics with more downforce even at lean angles, while at the same time increasing top speed from 306 to 314km/h
- NEW: New fairing in visible carbon fibre with new fairing front carrier made of carbon fibre and new visible carbon fibre M winglets
- NEW: New visible carbon fibre front mudguard with integrated brake ducts
- NEW: M Aero Wheel Covers made from visible carbon fibre
- NEW: M Carbon wheels with new surface and M Design Tapes
- NEW: Forged wheels optionally available ex works
- NEW: Redesigned rear section
- NEW: Ergonomic M Endurance seat
- NEW: Short number plate holder
- NEW: Modified wiring harness with LWS connector for even easier removal of number plate holder with light units
- Riding modes “Rain”, “Road”, “Dynamic”, “Race” and “Race Pro1-3” as well as the latest generation of Dynamic Traction Control DTC and DTC wheelie function with 6-axis sensor box
- Two adjustable throttle characteristics available for optimum response
- “Engine Brake” with triple adjustability of engine drag torque in “Race Pro” mode
- Shift Assistant Pro for fast upshifts and downshifts without using the clutch
- Launch Control for perfect race starts and Pit Lane Limiter for keeping to the given speed precisely in the pit lane
- Hill Start Control Pro for comfortably starting off on inclines
- M Brakes: Maximum braking performance on the racetrack
- Instrument cluster with large, perfectly readable 6.5-inch TFT display, start-up animation with M logo and OBD interface for M GPS Datalogger and M GPS Laptrigger
- Lightweight M battery, rear USB charging socket, powerful LED light units, electronic cruise control and heated grips
- M Competition package with M GPS Laptrigger and activation code, M milled parts package, M Carbon package, natural anodised swinging arm 220g lighter than the basic variant or that of the S 1000 RR, DLC-coated M Endurance chain and pillion package including hump cover