The supernaked sector has exploded over the past 10 years, producing some of the finest, maddest and baddest machinery on sale today, thanks to high bars, huge power figures and a sublime mixture of both fun and usability. But there’s often been a disparity in power and performance between naked and faired; on one hand there’s a range of bikes that are essentially detuned litre sportsbikes pushing out about 160bhp (think Yamaha MT-10 and BMW S 1000 R), while on the other end of the scale, is the new breed of 200bhp+ monsters. And with the M 1000 R, BMW have just joined that second party.
They’re serious about it too, as compared to the S 1000 R, the new M 1000 R gets a power increase of a whopping 44bhp, bringing the total figure up to 206.5bhp. Yes, really. This is all due to the fact that the motor, lifted from the RR, is now only slightly modified for use in the unfaired machine, meaning that not only does it get the power hike and a higher rev limit (14,600rpm, rather than 12,000rpm), but also the ShiftCam technology too, which was a neat piece of tech the standard S 1000 R wasn’t given on its release last year. The gearing has also been altered, with a larger rear sprocket and a change in the internal fourth, five and sixth gears.
The M 1000 R comes equipped in the same chassis as its siblings, but you now get electronically adjustable suspension alongside higher specification ‘M’ Brakes, just as you’d get on the RR superbike. The wheels are now aluminium forged to reduce the unsprung weight and thanks to some big aero additions, you get a massive 11kg of downforce at just shy of 140mph – although those giant wings are unlikely to be to everyone’s taste.
Electronically, the M 1000 R has been updated with all the bells and whistles you’d find on its faired sibling, covering everything from lap timer timers to pit limiters, riding aids to a raft of riding modes, not to mention cruise control and heated grips (well it is a BMW after all!).
As far as the price goes, you’ll be looking at £19,480 for the M 1000 R. It will be available from April next year.
