BMW S1000RR (2009-current)

I bought the S1000R about 4 months ago after considering carefully a number of different bikes. I also own a ducati and another BMW bike. I love the performance and handling of the S1000R. Like most others reviewing this bike, these elements are near perfect. However, i have been extremely frustrated with the short-term build quality of the bike and the absolutely terrible BMW service response. When i first received the bike, it ran and sounded perfect. However the suspension ride was too tight for my low weight which had softened slightly. After only three months i have encountered numerous problems developing with bike, including: - extremely sqeaky front breaks - gap when apply acceleration on the chain (where it seems to slip a few centimeters before grabbing and engaging the back wheel) - light metal rubbing sound in the back wheel area when coasting - an incredibly soft or deteriorated carbon fiber tail pipe (silencer); so soft that a passenger's light foot pressure cracked/smashed the carbon housing I have taken the bike into the BMW dealer several times and on all the above issues get the same indifferent response - "this is the way this bike is". Also, i have had to ask several times to adjust he suspension, because they never seem to be able set correctly. I love my other BMW bike, and the life-span/durability and service has been generally excellent. With the S1000R its been a whole different story.

Picked mine up a few days ago and can't stop grinning like a Chesire cat. Engine pulls like a train and that is it still restricted prior to it's first service. Looks absolutely stunning and has every gizmo known to man, just about. Yes I have noticed a bit of vibration through the bars but no worse than my zx6r. The bike to me seems a good quality piece of kit and so you would expect for that money. As sports bikes go it's relatively comfortable, no worse than it's rivals. Found it a bit hard but that can be dialed out. The only down side is the cost of the thing.

I have just got back from a nearly 3 hr test ride on one. Unfortunately it hadn't had its first service so only revved to 9k. That aside i was impressed BUT it was lacking something. The brakes were sharp as hell but lacked feel compared to my monoblocks. The bike did make all kind of shapes under heavy braking, the abs and tc were off but don't think that would of made any difference to the rear end slithering about. There was a very annoying buzz through the bars that ended up giving me pins and needles in my fingers. Positioning on the bike was nice and it was comfortable to ride (apart from the buzz) The engine pulled really well though, shame i couldn't take it anywhere near the redline! :( Overall a good bike! If the little annoying bits about it were fixed i might think about it. But for 13k...... No thanks! I still believe that a 1k litre sports bike are too much for the roads. I'm going to stick with my Daytona R.

looks good. good gizmos, dtc and shifter. good ergonomics. accelerates faster than kilogixer or any jap kilobike, you just need to use all the power and shifter. easy and locigal to adjust suspenders. track driving is easy and very locigal, excellent throttle response and dtc makes cornering smooth :) bars vibrate under 5000 rpm, resonance is around 4000 rpm. solution to get rid of vibrations is easy, drive faster and use bigger rpms. two times has quickshifter malfunctioned, during full throttle acceleration. my tyre of choice is pirelli supercorsa sp, that works well with bimmer.

Mate im single handedly trying to change the way people perceive Bmw riders, im currently on a wanky old GS commuting and having ridden/owned other bikes and ridden along side other BM riders i do know what ya saying (volvo drivers are the same in cars) but i can hand on heart say, i know i'm not a great rider but the GS does just love going a bit rapid as it's a big twin and lumpy when chugging around plus it is just very high up so no we're not looking down on anyone, honest, so if i do go past anyone don't take it personally im not trying to c@*t anyone off just enjoying the ride but know secretly in my heart i'd rather be on the gixxer..... I would say though that i do think all Ninja riders are mental...! In a positive way, i quite want one to see why!! I love you all equally and tip my lid....

I don't care how good it is,its got a BMW badge on the tank,buy a YamaHondaSuzKawasakiApriHarley instead,at least everyone won't think you're a bell end/oldman/arrogant prick.

Had a 30 min test ride on one of these and whilst the gadgets etc are great it was all spoilt by a dreadfulhigh frequency buzz in the bars at steady throttle....i could never commute or tour on this but i guess thats not what it was designed for....still doesn't forgive the buzz...almost 2 stroke like. Overall engine is great above 2500rpm and the suspension is ok from the crate but not perfect....all its rivals are clearly better developed and already starting to see these beemers appear 2nd hand with really low miles and owners switching to other brands.

The quick shifter and the Brembos with ABS are stand-out for me. Other good points are its big enough to be comfortable and has a neat dash. All in all feels really together and all the electronics makes going and stopping faster & safer. Also much prettier than the latest R1 - eg compare the lovely stubby pipe to those twin garbage cans. Only dubious bit is the fitting of the plastics around the seat....but overall it lives up to its billing.

Just had a little 50km ride on a mates SRR. Christ, the hounds of hades reside in that engine. I only rode it in Slick mode - not much point mucking around with the 'lesser' ones. But my mind could barely keep apace with what it was doing over 10k rpm. Thankfully it has lovely progressive powerful anchors. No instant grab, just linear power you know you can feed into the lever. Those Sachs forks give a beautiful ride too. The rear was a little firm for my light weight but those things are easily changed aren't they. Bottom line? Waay to much for the road as all four cylinder litre sports machines are and the engine too buzzy for me too. As a track machine - well no wonder it won Masterbike.

took this out a few weeks ago and i can not see the appeal it seemed to top enddy for me. I rode me R1 up to take this out and the difference from mine to this was massive. Can not beleave last test where R1 was last what a joke. ride them back to back and you'll see what i mean. that's if you can ride hard. keep it pinned