The 2017 BMW S1000R - Super Sharp Super-Naked
The 2017 BMW S1000R is a formidable contender in the supernaked class, the S1000R features an eye-popping spec sheet, high-performance BMW S1000RR lineage that help make it a serious motorcycle to consider. The BMW S1000R has some competitors to deal with but it remains an extremely attractive package for those with a penchant for performance, a love of technology, and an eye for a detail.
As well as being incredibly civilized – with cruise control and comfort tuned suspension settings at the touch of a button – the BMW S1000R is also extremely well-endowed with the sporty factor. It’s the seamless bringing together of these two worlds that makes the S1000R much more than a superbike without fairings.
Brilliant as it may be, no motorcycle is without glitches, and the BMW has some notable blemishes: a narrow rev band of high frequency vibration – something the engineers appear to have addressed on the new 2017 BMW S1000R and XR models with new rubber handlebar mounts.
Our test motorcycle’s slipper clutch gave a lot of kickback at its annoyingly non-adjustable lever. There is also excessive travel at the front brake lever before reaching its bite point. Once at the bite point, the brakes border on being too aggressive for sedate road use, but then again, we’d always prefer too much braking power than not enough.
As is the case with the BMW S1000RR, its gear change action is too heavy. Next year’s model adds clutchless downshift to the current model’s upshift, and hopefully a lightening of the selector mechanism.
One of the most appealing things about the BMW S1000R is its chassis, and more specifically its front end – confidence inspiring, pinpoint accurate and capable of holding its line whether the going is tight or fast, bumpy or smooth. Being able to electronically adjust the suspension on the fly is a standout advantage, too, allowing the BMW S1000R to swap from track settings to compliant and comfortable when changing conditions dictates.
Creature comforts such as cruise control, and the broad range of rider-mode settings make this a far more versatile machine than you may expect from such a seemingly sports-focused design.
Whether you’re a fan of in-line fours or not, the simple eye-watering rush of acceleration delivered by this awesome screamer has to be admired, If it’s a machine for pure adrenal excitement you’re after, or wanting the sharpest tool riding around the BMW S1000R is surely a motorcycle you have to look at.
