It was in Almeria in southern Spain that we rode the updated BMW S 1000 R. It rained so heavily during this first ride that the roads soon turned into veritable rivulets. Frankly, we could not have asked for better conditions to appreciate how this good motorcycle has become even better in all respects.
MORE POWER, LESS weight, better electronics. That sounds like a pretty good recipe for any modern superbike’s revamp, especially when the original model is as good as the S 1000 R. The stripped-down, high-barred machine based on BMW’s super-sports S 1000 RR blew the super-naked division apart on its launch in 2014, with a blend of searing four-cylinder performance, light and agile chassis, sophisticated electronics and competitive price.
Three years later, the S 1000 R gets its first major update, gaining a revised chassis and electronic system as well as the engine-related changes required by Euro 4 emission legislation. The 999-cc, 16-valve powerplant remains mechanically unchanged but intake mods and a new exhaust with titanium Akrapovic silencer comply with the regulations while also adding five horsepower to offer a maximum of 165 PS at 11,000 rpm.
The carbon-fibre capped silencer contributes to a subtly updated look, as does the R-bike’s slightly slimmer front section due to cut-down bodywork. The frame is also new, made from four aluminium sections welded together as before, but the main front section reworked along the lines of the S 1000 RR’s, and the rear made lighter. Weighing 205 kg with its 17.5-litre tank full, the new R-model has a two-kg advantage over its predecessor.
Some minor mods are apparent after you’ve thrown a leg over the seat, too, though you’d probably have to be an S 1000 R owner to spot them. The instrument console is angled more steeply, to reduce glare, and a redesigned top triple clamp holds a one-piece handlebar that is now rubber mounted to counter vibration. The slim pillion seat is also reshaped.
Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Bike India.
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Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Bike India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Tussle for Supremacy
Having watched the racing action from afar during the first two rounds of the Honda Idemitsu Talent Cup (HITC), we got a chance to take a closer look at the proceedings in round three. Here is how the weekend zoomed past
Multiple Winners
The third round of the TVS One-make Championship saw the emergence of multiple winners as the favourites struggled to do the double-race win
The Title Fight Becomes More Intense
The weekend at Mandalika turned out to be a spectacular display where the title contenders, Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, locked horns while Marc Márquez's and Enea Bastianini's chances at the title diminished
Andrea lannone is a WSBK Winner
Nicolo Bulega, Andrea Iannone, and Alvaro Bautista headlined the weekend for their respective Ducati teams as they blew past the competition on their Ducati Panigale V4 R motorcycles
Italian Domination
The weekend at Cremona saw the Italian, Danilo Petrucci, dominate his home race astride his Ducati
Bastianini Shines in Final-lap Thriller
Just like the previous race at Misano, this one also served up a thriller but for very different reasons. Here is how it unfolded
No Dearth of Drama
Marc Márquez had to wait for 1,043 days for his 60th MotoGP race victory, but his 61st race win only took another seven days
Kolli Hills on an NX 500
We rode from Bengaluru to Kolli Hills astride a Honda NX500 and it was a memorable ride for many reasons
For the Easy Life
Triumph India believe there is a market for a friendlier version of the Speed 400. Here is what you should know about that version, called the Speed T4
The Star Reborn
We finally got our hands on the new BSA Gold Star 650 and took it for a long spin. Here is our first impression