The news is out on BMW's new street-legal superbike, and it's good. In addition to the most horsepower, the 193-hp S 1000 RR is also touted as having the best power-to-weight (450 lbs including fuel) ratio of all the liter bikes intended for the general motorcycling public. Though you will be gaining speed, you won't have to give up safety...ABS brakes come on the bike as does a system that allows full power clutchless upshifts.
According to Cycle World magazine, BMW will build just 1000 before the January, 2010, World Superbike homologation* deadline. Pricing has yet to be announced, but look for it to be just under or slightly upwards of $20,000. Pre-delivery pricing in Germany was $19,700. Word in the cycling media is that some of the European models will be available in early summer. U.S. dealers may not get their allotment until December. If they are delivered to the U.S. in time, one of the bikes may make an appearance at the BMW Bash in Jasper, AR, over the July 4 weekend.
*Homologation is the official assessment made by the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme-the ruling body) for a particular model of motorcycle that a sufficient number of series production motorcycles have been built and put on sale to the public to justify classification in the relevant Sport Production class.
A very detailed article on the S1000 RRcan be found on Roadracingworld.com at:
Lots of information, video and fabulous downloadable pix are here:
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