There is a fierce arms race going on in the Supernaked category and the BMW M 1000 R 2023 is the latest high-tech device to enter the battlefield. Equipped with the latest generation S 1000 RR superbike shift cam inline 4 and its latest electronic auxiliaries, the M 1000 R joins the exclusive 200 hp club and has the same nobility as the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR moto-rockets.

Despite its generous 165 horsepower, BMW’s S 1000 R is seen as the smarter, street-oriented choice in today’s segment of power-hungry 1-litre naked models, and is often seen as a race car. It looks like it was made for a truck proving ground. The M 1000 R proudly wears his M branding, combining superbike-derived aerodynamics, electronics and of course a newly developed engine with the easy-to-handle S 1000 R chassis. Question remains: Will the performance upgrades of the M-marked M 1000 R negate the roadability of the base bike?

We teamed up with Let’s Ride Trackdays to lap his 4.68-mile road course at Buttonwillow Raceway Park before embarking on Road His mission to find the answer. It’s part of every sporty naked bike’s daily routine, so let’s get on with the Fast Facts.

Our tester bragged about the $4.995 M Competition Package that comes with a bunch of optional quick parts. Aside from the special Black Storm Metallic/M Motorsport paint job, there are a few parts that really improve the performance of the M-Single-R, so I want to highlight that before starting this review. First, the lightweight M carbon fiber wheels save 3.7 pounds compared to the alloy variant, reduce rotating mass and increase the rear tire width to 200. Next, a 0.2 inch thicker 320mm front brake rotor provides more power. Speedy pizzazz is emphasized by all lightweight carbon fiber parts such as fenders, airbox cover, chain, sprocket guard and tank cover. M billet parts offer numerous ergonomic customization options including anodized aluminum forward controls, shifters, brake pedals and levers (all adjustable), passenger pegs and more. A seat cover for the passenger seat is also available for a clean look. Finally the GPS Lap Timer is unlocked.

Ah, but performance wise it’s more than that. There was also a $1.895 M titanium exhaust. Akrapovic’s titanium muffler comes standard on all his M-R machines, but this upgrade saves him nearly 6 pounds through the use of titanium headers and midpipes. All the extras add up to over 10 pounds off the stock M 1000 R’s curb weight of 439 pounds, and raise the price from $21,345 to a hefty test price of $28,235.

BMW no longer compromises in the naked segment. The 999 cc I4 is powerful. By porting RR’s Superbike engine, the peak figures have improved to 205 horsepower at 13,750 rpm and 83 ft-lbs at 11,100 rpm. This makes it a whopping 40 horsepower more than the base bike, with slightly less peak torque.

The M 1000 R’s biggest draw is its compelling off-line performance. Still, with titanium valves and a lightweight rocker arm valve train, incredible performance is just around the corner. Street-ready grunts are a challenge and good roll-on power is usually readily available, but our US bikes have a significant flat spot between 6k and 8k that dampens the impressive midrange pull . As the powerband pops out of its holes, the exhaust valve opens and the torqueful Beamer screeches toward the 14,500rpm limit, leaving me four-letter superlatives as I sprint through the Baton Willow. The term ‘breakneck speed’ is a bland one, and the brute force of the top end masks the engine noise you feel at high revs.

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In the United States, noise emission hurdles still need to be overcome. The aforementioned flat spot was first confirmed on the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR. It’s been improved, but it’s still in BMW’s U.S. sports machines, mainly he’s two-speed, but still feels beyond that. On the road it’s a nuisance on slow and technical mountain passes. Large openings of the throttle valve on the racetrack can result in abrupt transitions from slowing down, leading to unwanted movement of the chassis. In any case, keeping the free spinning I4 above 8k is the best solution. Exclusive to our market, BMW Motorrad USA offers a torque optimization calibration that solves the problem by sacrificing top-end power to regain low-end and midrange punch. The only solution is aftermarket tuning that offers a complete version known in other markets.

This translation defines the word smooth. Engineers have optimized the gearbox for the bare task of the BMW M 1000 R 2023 by shortening the rear internal gear ratio. This is a smart choice as it prioritizes acceleration and is much more useful in road environments. The number of teeth on the rear sprocket has also been increased by two, further increasing thrust and shortening the overall transmission. I have finished my homework. What remains is one of the finest examples of a sports transmission on the market today, with ultra-short, tight shifts complemented by an excellent up/down quickshifter that works well at any speed.

Preset and configurable operating modes are standard. As is usual with BMW, the long list of electronic driver assistance devices is directly linked to the four preset riding modes (Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race) and the three customizable Ride Pro modes, which are available in the S Unlike the 1000 R, it is fitted as standard. With the push of a button, you can adjust semi-active suspension, cornering ABS, adjustable traction control, wheelie control, engine brake adjustment and engine slip control to reflect your chosen mode. Other electronic assistants include launch control, cruise control, pit lane speed limiter, heated grips and keyless ignition. Of course, access is via a huge full-color 6.5 inch TFT display.

BMW’s extensive IMU-assisted electronics offer everything a sporty driver wants. As you work your way up the ranks from street to race, the engine gets more aggressive with each step, you get firmer suspension settings, the muted nanny is unleashed and the whole area feels properly fueled. understand. In Road Mode, the MR has a plush feel as a cushion for commuting, but the Dynamic’s adaptive response makes it suitable for general road use. The Race and default Race Pro settings are the fastest and are specifically designed for race tires and extreme speed. His 3 settings on the Race Pro allowed us to create a variety of setups to suit our tastes. TC, WC and ABS have as much functionality as your skill level allows and can all be disabled for track use, but most people don’t care. In sportier settings the tool works seamlessly in the background.

New technology brings even more improvements. In addition to the usual 6-axis IMU and wheel speed sensors, another data collection point has been added. A steering angle sensor measures how far the handlebars and forks are out of the chassis. You can see how this information can help the TC or ABS algorithm for slide management. I think this helps make these systems very effective. This paved the way for a new party his trick called Brake his slide assist. Brake Slide Assist helps reset the bike hard in his braking his zone by adjusting rear his brake input and preventing the rider from exceeding a given drift his angle.

The BMW M 1000 R 2023 is an agile horse. Equipped with a current-generation twin-spar aluminum flex frame that gets its name from the use of reliefs to reduce stiffness, the M-Single R has a chassis that will satisfy your road and track feel. The proven neutrality of the S is undiminished in the face of newfound power. Instead, it added incredible agility. It’s sharp and cuts through curves with precision. Of course, the willingness and ability to turn is largely thanks to the lightweight carbon fiber wheels, which greatly reduce the pesky gyroscopic forces compared to alloy wheels. That means you can do a lot with a little effort, but much less effort than most of our competitors.

Semi-active suspension is standard equipment. Suspension settings are tied to Ride Mode, with Ride Pro mode giving him the ability to fine-tune the overall damping of the 45mm Marzocchi forks, while the Sachs shock has independent compression and rebound adjustability. In addition, the naked bike simplifies the task by eliminating the height adjustment and adjustable swingarm pivots found on BMW’s superbikes. It is equipped with a mechanical spring preload knob for even more tweaking.

On the circuit, diving into the Ride Pro menu and dialing in suspension settings is a must to keep the MR’s extra ponies from getting up. Once that’s done, you’ll have a smooth chassis and good mechanical grip that builds confidence lap after lap. Meanwhile, the preset mode ‘Road Dampening’ prioritizes comfort in urban areas, while ‘Dynamics’ trains rationally in canyons, allowing a spirited drive without overwhelming the driver.

Tweaking the setup could be better. The Italian-German suspension duo is very good, but falls short of the gold standard of semi-active Öhlins his gear in terms of adjustability, and this is worth noting because the bike is not one-size-fits-all. First of all, the M 1000 R does not have the fixed damping manual suspension mode common to comparable machines. Less tenacious riders may overlook this aspect, but you also can’t adjust the fork’s compression and rebound rates independently. This is possible with almost all Öhlins-based semi-active systems.

According to the M’s user manual, a “spring deflection sensor” is required to achieve individual damping settings for the forks. This is available exclusively from Alpha Racing, the official partner of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, and happens to be the same device used on the S 1000 RR superbike. However, the person in charge of Alpha informed me that it cannot be attached to MR. A compatible mounting bracket is required but not yet developed. At this price point, you don’t need optional components to meet the expectations of the class. Worse, it’s not available right now, even though it’s mentioned in the user guide.

Even though it’s naked, it’s even more aerodynamic. Visually, it’s easy to distinguish between S and M bikes by recognizing the winglets. BMW claims these aerodynamic features add 24.3 pounds of downforce at 137 mph, keep the front end lower, reduce wheels and increase stability. This was also the case when he sprinted down the front straight at Buttonwillow.

Even better performance, but with the same comfort all day long. One of the outstanding features of the S1000R is its well-proportioned and sporty seating position, which is also used in models with the M emblem. The 33.1-inch seat height looks high on paper, but it’s slimmed down in the midsection to reduce girth on an I4-powered bike. My 32-inch inseam hits the ground even with the crank suspension setting. A wide, flat motocross-style handlebar can be a real torture rack. Thankfully, that explanation isn’t far from the truth. Simply put, it works and makes him one of the best places to stay in this segment. And with the adjustable controls of the M Competition Package, ergonomics can be adjusted to suit different drivers.

Tires are Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street RS11 as standard equipment. Bridgestone’s flagship road tire is spooned onto carbon fiber wheels that borrow a few design cues from the brand’s eponymous racing R11 tire. Even the tread pattern is the same. However, his RS11 rubber shown here is designed to perform in a wide variety of conditions both on the road and on the track, providing plenty of grip after warm-up. I used them on my Buttonwillow and I cannot praise the front end reliability of this road tire enough. Leah, on the other hand, has continued to perform well after several sessions.

NISSIN front caliper with M logo demonstrates strong stopping power. The kit’s anodized blue parts are better than the standard naked machine and add the underlying exuberance of the M 1000 R, which is a welcome boost. In most situations on the road, pushing the lever one digit is enough. You two will probably go to the track when things get hot and intense. The rear caliper is supplied by Brembo.

The BMW M 1000 R 2023 highlights the brand’s bare platform. Joining the 200hp club is no easy task. BMW deserves praise for the S 1000 R, which is well-driving while maintaining its most attractive characteristics of comfortable comfort and excellent handling. In this case, these fronts are pushed to the front due to better cornering with the carbon wheels while still establishing themselves in other categories. The M’s braking performance and electronic gadgets are impressive. This ridiculously powerful engine will blow everything around it at full power, but the midrange drop we see in the US is disappointing overall, especially when most of its rivals don’t struggle in the same realm. BMW didn’t release a dud, so it’s no surprise that the M-Single-R has winglets, seeing as the highs are, indeed, quite high.

2023 BMW M 1000 R Specs  

ENGINE

  • Type: Inline-4
  • Displacement: 999cc
  • Bore x stroke: 80 x 49.7mm
  • Maximum power: 205 horsepower @ 13,500 rpm
  • Maximum torque: 83 ft-lbs @ 11,000 rpm
  • Top speed: 174 mph
  • Redline: 14,600 rpm
  • Compression ratio: 13.3:1
  • Valvetrain: DOHC w/ BMW ShiftCam; 4vpc
  • Fueling: EFI w/ 48mm throttle body
  • Transmission: 6-speed
  • Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ slipper function
  • Final drive: 525chain

FRAME

  • Type: Aluminum composite bridge w/ self-supporting motor
  • Front suspension; travel: Adjustable semi-active inverted 45mm Marzocchi fork; 4.7 inches
  • Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted fully adjustable semi-active Sachs shock; 4.6 inches
  • Wheels: Optional M Carbon (forged aluminum standard)
  • Front wheel: 17 x 3.50
  • Rear wheel: 17x 6.00
  • Front tire: 120/70 x 17
  • Rear tire: 200/55 x 17
  • Front brakes: 320mm floating discs w/ 4-piston fixed calipers
  • Rear brake: 220mm disc w/ Brembo single-piston floating caliper
  • ABS: BMW Motorrad Race ABS (defeatable)

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES

  • Wheelbase: 57.1 inches
  • Rake: 24 degrees
  • Trail: 3.8 inches
  • Seat height: 33.1 inches
  • Fuel capacity: 4.4 gallons
  • Curb weight: 439 pounds (429 pounds, as tested)

COLORS

  • Light White/M Motorsport
  • Blackstorm Metallic/M Motorsport (M Competition package)

2023 BMW M 1000 R Price: $21,345 MSRP ($28,235, as tested)

Source: ultimatemotorcycling.com