We were expecting this to come for the 2020 model year, but it’s better late than never. BMW’s premium nakedbike, the S 1000 R, is getting the makeover treatment for 2021, although it’s more a case of evolution rather than revolution for one of the original nakedbike bad boys.
It’s mainly about weight saving for the new S 1000 R. Claimed power and torque is the same as the 2020 model at 162 hp at 11,000 rpm and 84 lb-ft of torque at 9250 rpm, although fourth, fifth and sixth gear have been made taller to reduce engine noise, fuel consumption and the always notorious engine vibrations from a BMW 1000cc superbike motor.
BMW says 90 percent of the available torque is on tap from 5500 to 11,000 rpm, although the motor still doesn’t get the ShiftCam system that sits on the sister S 1000 RR superbike. There’s a significant weight drop of over 10 lb (claimed), with the wet weight now a claimed 439 lb. There’s also a BMW M-Package available for the S 1000 R, which drops weight a further potential 10.5 lb with the fitment of either carbon fiber or forged alloy wheels.
The chassis has been reworked and is based on the latest S 1000 RR superbike with slightly sharper steering geometry, and the brakes and suspension are also swiped off the superbike.
LED lights abound front and rear, and you can also have the BMW adaptive steering headlight as an option. That’s just one of the plethora of options at your disposal with the 1000 R. It comes with a six-axis IMU as standard, along with ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, and the brilliant 6.5 inch TFT dash. There’s three riding modes of Rain, Road and Dynamic as standard, with Riding Modes Pro and Dynamic Pro mode including adjustable wheelie control, engine brake and engine drag torque control (MSR) as well as Launch Control, Pitlane Limiter and Hillstart Control Pro as ex works options. Annoyingly, the BMW Shift Assist Pro (quick shifter), is an ex-works extra.
We haven’t yet heard from BMW Motorrad USA as to when the new S 1000 R will get here and what it’ll cost, but once we do, we’ll let you know.
Click here for more BMW motorcycle reviews and news.
