A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing

BMW’s S 1000 RR serves as its racing ambassador to the civilian market with all the necessary trackside goodies and the street-legal doodads that place one foot in each of the two distinct worlds. Not only does the civilian version bring racing tech to the everyrider, but it fulfills the 1,000-unit requirement imposed by the racing authorities in order to keep the S 1000 RR legal within the ruleset.

Since its market release in 2009, the S 1000 RR has become a force to be reckoned with. It has numerous podium finishes in the Superbike World Championship circuit and wide popularity in the public markets.

What’s New For 2024

MY23 came with a number of upgrades that carry into 2024. Perhaps the most visible is the M-style biplane winglets that generate up to 37.7 pounds of downthrust to keep the front wheel planted while accelerating. This means more power goes to acceleration – with less wasted on wheelies — and the new rear end. All of this goes to the aerodynamics.

As part of the upgrade last year, the updated mill has more power, improved handling, and beefed-up electronics to sweeten the deal. Plus, you can still beef it up further through the pre-built packages that rocks an “M” package with racing goodies, the “Race” package that refines it further yet, and a “Dynamics” package that adds race-tastic electronics such as Launch Control, Pit Lane Limiter, and the new Slide Control to name just a few. Last up is the “Carbon” package and “M Billet” package that completes the racing updates with some solid bodywork features.

2024 Highlights

• Class-leading engine with 205 horsepower on tap
• Robust electronics suite for both racing and public road riding
• The biplane winglets make for a striking yet functional visual detail
• Quickly made race-ready through pre-made equipment packages
• 188 MPH top speed means it will smoke just about anything you meet on the streets

2024 BMW S 1000 RR Performance And Capability

Power for the BMW S 1000 RR comes from a water-cooled, in-line four-banger that rides transversely mounted in the frame with a forward cant to the cylinder angle that reduces spool-up times. Acceleration is spectacular with a 3.1-second 0-to-62 MPH time that is right up there among the best in the world that, again, will smoke just about anything you’ll come across on public roads.

The 2024 BMW produces 205 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque. Plus, the torque well is relatively deep through Beemer’s ShiftCam technology that varies the rotation of the intake cam. This gives more early-on torque in the rev range with no loss of top-end horsepower. Bore and stroke measure 80 mm and 49.7 mm respectively for a 999 cc total displacement and a spicy, 13.3-to-1 compression ratio that will demand high-octane road champagne to prevent misfires and run-on. The intake pipes are likewise variable to further beef up the bottom end with no losses at the top end. With an S 1000 RR top speed of 188 MPH, you can take on the fastest traffic in the U.S. without breaking a sweat.

Performance Specifications

Design And Styling

Form absolutely follows function, so every stitch of body paneling on the BMW S 1000 RR has a specific aerodynamic function to serve without adding a bunch of useless, power-sapping weight in the process. It starts right up front with the vented front fender that helps pull air into the radiator grille and steer it around the front forks and into laminar flow with the following bodywork. Of course, the biplane winglets steal the show with their 37.7 pounds of downthust (at 186 MPH) that keeps the front wheel glued to the tarmac when at near top speed.

The S 1000 RR pushes a blunt fairing that mounts the street-legal lighting under a short bubblescreen. The small screen plows a groove in the wind for your upper body, but you’ll have to tuck in tightly to find it. On the upside, the dead-short, clip-on handlebars pull you into that jockey position, whether you want to or not.

A chunky fuel tank and up-tilted tail create a deep valley for the seat with a 32.4-inch seat height that pulls the pilot well down into the bike for excellent man-to-machine integration. A compact tail fairing finishes the bodywork with all the usual street-legal goodies that, like the integrated blinker mirrors up front, are quickly removed with their mounting holes plugged for a proper track setup.

Specifications And Dimensions

Chassis And Handling

The bridge-type, aluminum laminate frame in the BMW S 1000 RR uses the engine as a stressed unit to complete the structure. This leaves less in the way of framing and its associated weight to keep the bike as light and responsive as possible. A full-yoke aluminum swingarm completes the bones and does its own part to not only keep the overall weight down in general, but the unsprung weight at the rear axle as well.

USD forks float the front end on 45 mm tubes with the full trinity of tweaks on board. Out back, the central spring strut takes care of business with the same array of adjustments for complete ride-quality control. Suspension travel measures 4.7 inches and 4.6 inches for the front and rear, respectively. The steering geometry is about as sharp as it gets with 23.6 inches of rake and 3.93 inches of trail, which makes the S 1000 RR quick to flick with easy reversals: just the thing for the track, but for riding on public roads, maybe not so much.

Cast-aluminum wheels round out the rolling chassis in a 17-inch diameter, front and back, with a 120/70 hoop ahead of a 190/55 for the base model, or a 200/55 for the “M” wheels. Dual, 320 mm discs and radial, four-bore calipers slow the front wheel with a single-pot anchor and 220 mm disc out back and BMW Motorrad Race ABS and Brake-Slide-Assist as part of the stock package. It pairs with the BMW ABS Pro and comes with four preset profiles for quick personality changes over a range of riding conditions.

Chassis And Suspension

2024 BMW S 1000 RR Price And Availability

MSRP on the 2024 BMW S 1000 RR starts at $23,985. BMW bills it with a somewhat vague “available soon” promise at the time of this writing.

Pricing And Features

2024 BMW S 1000 RR Versus Its Competitors

Machines as magnificent as the S 1000 RR are top-tier to be sure, but still there is no shortage of competition from big-name brands. I decided to go with the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and the new Panigale V4 R from Ducati for this head-to-head.

How The BMW S 1000 RR Compares To The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

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  2024 BMW S 1000 RR

  Expert Opinion: Make no mistake, the BMW S 1000 RR is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s got all the features you need whether you are bound for street, track, or some combination thereof. The electronics suite is robust with lots of built-in safety, and for the tuners among us, plenty of potential combinations to explore. You’ll never tire of the blistering acceleration it is capable of, if you have the nerve for it. 

  This was our pick for the Best Of ’24 bikes, and it well earns it. It also has been a dominant force in the SuperBike racing circuit with numerous podium finishes to its credit. It’s a bona fide badass bike.

  Engine:

  999 cc Inline-4

  Transmission

  Claw-shifted 6-speed gearbox with straight cut gears

  Driveline

  RWD

  MSRP

  $23,985

  Horsepower

  205 HP @ 13,000 RPM

  Pros

  • Outstanding performance profile
  • Expansive ride-control electronics
  • Rock solid pedigree
  • Race capable

  Cons

  • Complicated to operate at full potential
  • NOT for the inexperienced rider
  • Additional racing equipment quickly balloons the sticker

• 

  2023 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

  Expert Opinion: Honda does put together a solid product, even if this one falls short of its competition a bit with less power and fewer electronics overall. Still, it is way too much bike for the streets, so you’ll still have to practice some restraint. The high-speed engine and aerodynamic design make this a top choice for fiery-eyed pegdraggers.

  Engine:

  999 cc inline-4

  Transmission

  6-speed manual

  Driveline

  RWD

  MSRP

  $28,900

  Horsepower

  186 HP (U.S. model)

  Pros

  • Good balance between racing and street riding
  • Proven pedigree
  • Relatively affordable

  Cons

  • Lacks the electronic sophistication of the others
  • Color choice limited to a single package
  • Short on power

First up is the Fireblade with its racing pedigree and superbike build. Honda puts together a serious contender with a 186 horsepower (U.S. model) plant that borrows from Honda’s RC213V race bike, but falls short in the electronics department with only torque control, riding modes, and ABS against the absolute battery of goodies on the Beemer.

Honda makes several carbon-fiber accessories to lighten the load a bit, and the fairing sports a spoiler similar to the BMW to more or less break even in the racing bodywork. On the upside, Honda equips its entry with the electronically-controlled Öhlins fork for a leg up in that respect. Honda lets loose of its Fireblade for $28,900, which leaves the Beemer in a better relative position in the market.

How The BMW S 1000 RR Compares To The Ducati Panigale V4 R

• 

  2024 BMW S 1000 RR

  Expert Opinion: Make no mistake, the BMW S 1000 RR is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s got all the features you need whether you are bound for street, track, or some combination thereof. The electronics suite is robust with lots of built-in safety, and for the tuners among us, plenty of potential combinations to explore. You’ll never tire of the blistering acceleration it is capable of, if you have the nerve for it. 

  This was our pick for the Best Of ’24 bikes, and it well earns it. It also has been a dominant force in the SuperBike racing circuit with numerous podium finishes to its credit. It’s a bona fide badass bike.

  Engine:

  999 cc Inline-4

  Transmission

  Claw-shifted 6-speed gearbox with straight cut gears

  Driveline

  RWD

  MSRP

  $23,985

  Horsepower

  205 HP @ 13,000 RPM

  Pros

  • Outstanding performance profile
  • Expansive ride-control electronics
  • Rock solid pedigree
  • Race capable

  Cons

  • Complicated to operate at full potential
  • NOT for the inexperienced rider
  • Additional racing equipment quickly balloons the sticker

• 

  2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R

  Expert Opinion: Ducati has taken it up a notch with the 2023 Panigale V4 R, which is now lighter, more powerful, and more sophisticated than ever before. With 240 horsepower, a host of race spec components, irresistible Italian styling and impressive technology, it is a package that is very hard to beat. That is why we named it “Best Italian Motorcycle Of 2024.”

  Another solid racing machine, and one that you’ll never do justice on public roads. The racing package puts it well ahead of the other two for a definite edge on the closed circuit.

  Engine:

  998 cc V4

  Transmission

  6 speed

  Driveline

  RWD

  MSRP

  $45,495

  Horsepower

  207 HP (237 HP with full racing exhaust)

  Pros

  • Decent power on the Road version
  • Outstanding power with the track version
  • Bountiful electronics
  • Proven model

  Cons

  • Complicated to operate fully
  • Priced far beyond the closest competition
  • Single colorway

Ducati’s Panigale V4 R is likewise configurable for track use with a much more powerful engine setup. However, the street-legal version is plenty for civilian use with 207 ponies on tap and a magnificent electronics package that meets and even inches ahead of the Beemer’s not-inconsiderable bundle.

In a repeat of the previous models, the Duc rocks wing-like spoilers on each side of the front fairing to generate downforce at the front contact patch, but also like the others, it doesn’t do much below 100 MPH and doesn’t max out till around 180 MPH. So in short, it isn’t likely to be more than a conversation piece on the streets. Ducati comes off much more proud at the till with a $45,495 sticker that acts as a firewall to keep most riders off it at almost twice the price of the BMW.

He Said/She Said

He Said

“Solid and affordable, the 2024 BMW S 1000 RR earns its spot at the top of the tally for MY24. The electronics are expansive, as are the suspension adjustments, so you can dial in just the ride you want, whether you actually race the thing or not. No, racing to the next red light doesn’t count.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,

“For 2022, the S 1000 RR was new all around. A new engine, new chassis, and updated electronics suite with some refinements borrowed from the HP4 Race made this a superior street machine. This version benefits from improvements in BMW’s auto-blip and quick-shifter technology, which makes noticeable difference. If you rode the bike before and weren’t convinced, try it again. You can expect a more refined ride than before.”