2021 BMW M 1000 RR First Look

Based off the Beemer superbike we all know in the S 1000 RR but with everything turned up to 11, the M 1000 RR is the first official machine to come out of M sport range that’s normally reserved for the company’s fast cars.

BMW started the M program for motorcycles back in 2018, which did away with the HP moniker that adorned bikes like the carbon fiber-framed HP Race.

This new M 1000 RR packs a stout 212 horsepower from its reworked 999 cc motor at 14,500 rpm, with 83 ft-lb of torque on offer at 11,000 rpm in a package weighing a claimed curb weight of 423 lb.

Inside the motor sits new two-ring pistons, cams, reworked combustion chambers, lighter titanium conrods, 0.2 more compression at 13.5:1, and new air intake, with 500 rpm extra available at the redline of 15,100. A new exhaust saves a tasty eight pounds.

The chassis gets a flatter steering head angle, less offset for the fork and a longer swingarm, with weight distribution, moved slightly rearwards.

This is also the first BMW 1000 RR to come with wings. The new carbon-fiber goodies are claimed to add up to 35.94 lb of downforce—although BMW didn’t specify at what speed that downforce is reached.

The suspension is no longer the electronic units found on the base S 1000 RR and are now conventionally adjusted for better track performance, and the brakes are now Nissin calipers, the same as found on the WorldSBK racer of Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty.

Plus, there’s a stack of accessories and packages you can get in the after-sale, like different swingarms, carbon parts, even kit engines.

Deliveries are expected around March/April 2021, although we don’t have U.S. pricing yet.

Below are the highlights from BMW themselves on the new M 1000 RR.

• M RR four-cylinder engine based on the RR engine for racing sport. Even more peak power, higher torque in the medium range, and 500 rpm more maximum speed.
• 156 kW output at 14 500 rpm and thus 4 kW more than in the RR. Maximum torque of 113 Nm at 11 000 rpm.
• New 2-ring forged piston 12 g lighter, adapted combustion chamber and compression increased to 13.5. In addition, slimmer and lighter rocker arms.
• Fully machined intake ports with new duct geometry and BMW ShiftCam technology for varying the valve control time and valve lift.
• Titanium valves, on the exhaust side with new spring assembly, slimmer, and 6 % lighter rocker arms and optimized camshafts.
• Very light, compact engine block with longer and 85 g lighter titanium connecting rods from Pankl for reduced friction power and less weight.
• Anti-hopping clutch without self-reinforcing for optimum Launch Control.
• Optimized differentiated intake system with shorter intake funnels for optimized gas exchange at high rotational speeds.
• New, 3,657 g lighter exhaust system with exhaust manifold, front silencer, and rear silencer made of titanium.
• M winglets and high windscreen: Braking later and accelerating earlier and more stability when cornering thanks to the aerodynamic downforce without any reduction in maximum speed.
• “Rain”, “Road”, “Dynamic”, “Race” and “Race Pro1-3” riding modes and the latest generation of the Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and DTC wheelie function with 6-axle sensor box.
• Two adjustable characteristic throttle curves for optimum response characteristics. Engine brake with threefold adjustable engine drag torque in “Race Pro” mode.
• Shift assistant Pro for shifting gears up and down without clutch. Simple reversibility of the shift pattern for race track use.