2014 Bmw S1000r
2014 BMW S1000R
BMW'S LITERBIKE LOSES SOME BODYWORK BUT GAINS EVERYDAY USABILITY
Peter Jones
Is BMW's new 2014 S1000R just a denuded, ietuned, and dumbeddown version ft the RR? While ghttl link it's simply an th handlebars and missmamy changes have been reason. And good results. Hpoint, don't cry over spilled horsepower. Many riders forget that a motorcycle with a claimed 190 hp doesn't have that power at every rpm. So just because peak hp is reduced by 30 from the S1000RR to 160 that doesn't mean the S1000R loses a single bit of usable power. In fact, with its increased torque over most of the rpm range, the R has more where you need it.
Evgeny Zhukov, lead designer of the S1000R (who works under the leadership of Alexander Buckan, head of BMW Motorrad Design Department), says the S1000R is a roadster meant to be ridden. "The bodywork of the S1000R is dictated by function," Zhukov explains, and adds: "All of its form follows function, with a bit of techno in its shape just for the motorcycle's character." In simple terms, the tiny upper and mini side fairings, as well as the optional skirting spoiler, primarily serve technical functions. The bike's aesthetic is derived from the needs of those functions, with a modern style of hard edges thrown in.
CW FIRST RIDE
So although the S1000R is considered a naked, it's not. That tiny upper proved at high speed to lift much of the air over the rider. In addition to the asymmetrical upper of the S1000R—with mismatched eyes that are now a design signature of BMW motorcycles—this bike has asymmetrical bodywork on its sides: The left sports a single opening while the right has dual shark gills, revealing how the cooling and breathing needs dictated the shape, which hints of S1000RR DNA. Likewise, the tiny upper's form is a complexly crafted solution that addresses air intake through the frame, wind protection, and those cattywampus headlamps. An all-new tailsection sports an S1000RR taillight, and the RR's fuel tank is there with a new shroud.
To optimize power at lower rpm, a few modifications were made to the SioooRR's 999CC inline-four, which has had its redline reduced by 2,000 rpm to 12,000. Claimed horsepower has also been reduced to 160. Torque, however, still peaks at the same 83 pound-feet, though the R has more grunt than the RR throughout most of the bike's rev range. This gives the R great low-end and midrange response. To achieve this, BMW engineers redesigned the intake tracts, cam lobes, and cam timing.
Front braking is by 320mm dual discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers. Braided-steel brake lines at both ends of the bike resist pressure flexing, while Race ABS links both ends to the hand lever, with the foot controlling only the rear. Three braking modes work in conjunction with the SioooR's riding modes.
As for chassis changes, there's 0.8 degree more rake, and the trail, at 98.5mm (3.9 inches), has grown by 5mm. In addition to more offset of the fork legs, the wheelbase has been lengthened by nearly an inch (22mm) for greater stability and comfort. This is partly due to the changes up front but also because the axle has been moved farther back in the swingarm. Besides that, the swingarm pivot is 3mm lower, the footpegs have been moved lower and farther forward, and the seat has been made plusher. Lastly, the whole bike is 14mm lower.
A steering damper, under the lower triple clamp, is standard, and an extensive option list includes heated grips and cruise control. Additionally, three color choices are available: red, blue, or white.
Automatic Stability Control (ASC) with two modes—Rain and Road—is standard on the S1000R, as is Race ABS. Both can be activated or deactivated while the bike is in motion. Rain, naturally, is recommended for wet roads, offering softer throttle response and a limit of 136 hp, along with ABS and ASC that intervene sooner. Road is, of course, for roads that ain't wet. The optional Pro modes are Dynamic and Dynamic Pro. In Dynamic, ASC is replaced with DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), for "sporty" riding on dry roads.
That is, dry roads without the dusty chalk we experienced. The throttle response is without inhibition, and the Race ABS intervenes at higher thresholds in Dynamic mode. Rear-wheel lift detection is also disabled, and DTC is delayed. In Dynamic Pro, you're on your own, which is convenient for rear-wheel drifting, as the media kit kindly notes. So have at it.
Optional DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) on the fork allows adjustment of preload as well as damping. The shock is fully adjustable. DDC, developed for the HP4 two years ago, has various damping stages linked to the riding modes. It also adapts dynamically to the riding conditions, responding to braking, accelerating, and cornering. It's plush in Rain and Road modes, tauter in Dynamic and firmer yet in Dynamic Pro. Another option is the HP Gear Shift Assistant, allowing smooth, clutchless upshifts. If you order the optional Sports Package, you get Dynamic Traction Control, Riding Mode Pro, (Dynamic, Dynamic Pro), Gear Shift Assistant, and cruise control. The Dynamic Package includes Dynamic Damping Control, heated grips, LED indicators, and a color-matched engine spoiler.
The S1000R dash has a bright-white giant analog tachometer and an easy-toread digital display for the riding modes, plus all the usual information. A quick glance is all it takes to identify the mode the bike is in, while a redline light lets you know when your engine is going too fast. Shift, please.
Despite the SioooR's numerous adjustable rider controls, there still remains some point of input indiscretion where the bike will succumb to operator error. I didn't go there, but I still believe it's true. And I also believe in rider assists. They're like losing weight without dieting, earning a degree without studying, and riding well without talent. And on the slippery mountain roads I had some heart-racing moments that I mastered, thanks more to the bike than my "professional" riding skills. Although I never felt quite at one with the S1000R, it's only because it's better than me. That's acceptable. That's also enjoyable.
BMW S~1OOOR
ENGINE TYPE
dohc inhine-4
DISPLACEMENT
999cc
SEAT HEIGHT
2.O n.
FUEL CAPACITY
4.E g~I.
CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT
456 lb.
PRICE
$15 ,~ 50
