Too old for this shit? The 2023 BMW S1000RR

In BMW’s words, the S1000RR is “genuinely made for the race track but also suitable for everyday road traffic. For all sports enthusiasts who are always looking for a new challenge”. Now that’s very interesting, but is it accurate?

Now you have to remember, I haven’t been a sports bike rider for many years and I have never done a track day. But I am on a motorcycle at least 5 days a week either commuting to Biker Torque HQ or off for a weekend blast in search of a coffee and a pie. So naked bikes, modern classics and more recently cruisers are probably more my kind of thing. But it’s always fun to try something new and different and when BMW Motorrad offered up a S1000RR M Sport for review, I thought, well, why the hell not. 

Now it did take me a little while to get used the ride position but after that I realised that the S1000RR is a motorcycle that’s testament to engineering brilliance and a symbol of unbridled performance. Keep in mind it has it’s origins in the World Super Bike Championship and has been used many times at the Isle of Man TT.

So how did I, a 49 year old, dad from Sydney, with a dodgy back, creaky knees and who’s more likely to go for a ride with mates for a coffee and and pie, than to don full leathers and go screaming around a race track get on with one of the most powerful sports bikes  on the market. Funnily enough, surprisingly well.

 This is another bike that left me grinning. It is an absolutely wonderful bike and is one of the best I’ve ever ridden. Now I’ll be honest I probably wouldn’t buy it as my only bike, maybe the S1000R or the S1000XR are more my style but for a short blast or if you are into track days,  I reckon it would be unbeatable. Just on that we have the M1000R being delivered for review very soon, so really looking forward to that. 

 The electronics, although a bit daunting are wonderful, the quick shifter is the best I’ve ever used,  the tyres are excellent and the fuelling and throttle response are excellent.

 The cruise control is great , the TFT is bright, clear and vey easy to read, the quick-shifter is a joy to use, its easily the best quick shifter I have ever used on a bike.

 All up this is a bike that i quite unexpectedly thoroughly enjoyed riding and one that I’d love to have sitting in the garage next to my other, more age appropriate “beemers”. 

 The BMW S1000RR is not for everyone but if you are in the market for a thoroughbred of a bike then it’s worth a look.

Ross be regularly spotted out for a ride on one of his bikes in search of a pie shop.