BMW Motorrad dropped news today at the EICMA Show in Milan that it will be introducing an all-new BMW S1000RR for 2019, hoping to reestablish itself as the benchmark for literbike performance. Faster. Lighter. Easier to ride. BMW claims to have hit every one of those marks with the third-generation S1000RR and then some.
The heart of the 2019 BMW S1000RR is an all-new 999cc inline-four, which is claimed to produce 205 hp (up 6 hp from the previous iteration) and 84 pound-feet of torque. According to the Germans however, output figures aren’t everything with the new literbike, rather putting equal focus into enhancing rideability. The S1000RR employs BMW ShiftCam Technology, which varies intake valve timing and lift. BMW claims the addition of this system gives the RR a more linear torque curve than its predecessor, which will be welcomed with open arms. Why, exactly? The outgoing S1000RR’s powerband had a hard hit around 10,000 rpm, creating an exhausting tendency to wheelie. Our muscles and nerves thank you in advance, BMW.
Harnessing the S1000RR’s power output is no small undertaking, which is why BMW gave the S1000RR a serious electronics suite of rider aids, including ABS Pro (cornering ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Traction Control Wheelie Function, Shift Assistant Pro (which allows for clutchless up and downshifts), Hill Start Control (HSC), Launch Control, and Pit Lane Limiter. There are four preset riding modes—Rain, Road, Dynamic, and Race—as well as three Race Pro modes, which can be custom tuned and come with a three-stage engine-braking adjustment.
BMW’s chassis department had its hand in the development of the new S1000RR, also focusing on weight reduction while improving handling. The aluminum perimeter frame drops 2.8 pounds, now using the engine as more of a load-bearing unit and reducing width by 13mm. With a focus on improving agility, the German engineers steepened the steering head angle to 66.9 degrees and reduced trail to 93.9mm. At the same time, wheelbase has been increased by 9mm. Outfitting the front is a 45mm fork (decreased in size from 46mm), said to optimize flex and midcorner feel. BMW Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) semi-active suspension is still available on the S1000RR as an option, which has been enhanced with updated damping settings.
By narrowing the width of the frame, BMW engineers were able to create a slimmer fuel tank and seat design, which should go a long way in allowing the rider to lock themselves into an aggressive riding position. The front fairing is narrower and more aerodynamic than its predecessor—also housing twin LED headlights—with the intake directly centered at the front for optimum airflow. The S1000RR will be offered in three colorways: Racing Blue, Racing Red, and Lightwhite.
Instrumentation is highlighted by a 6.5-inch TFT display, which has four preset settings. There’s a racetrack-specific setting that includes information that’s important while burning laps, including lap time, best lap, total laps, DTC settings, rpm readings, and more.
While there’s no confirmed price or date of when the 2019 S1000RR will make its way Stateside, the details of the new BMW promises a head-to-head race in this year’s superbike shootout.