2010 BMW S1000RR first ride: "It's very, very quick"

BMW’s eagerly-awaited new S1000RR superbike is currently being put through its paces at Portimao in Portugal by MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin. 

• Win a BMW S1000RR!
• First ride: Troy Corser’s WSB S1000RR

He’s just finished his second session aboard the bike, this is what he has to say:

“I’m now riding ewith the power mode switch set to ‘Race Mode’ which is suitable for treaded, race tyres and also with the traction control systems and Race ABS system activated.  

• All the latest info on the S1000RR

“The over-riding impression so far is that the S1000RR is very, very quick – in fact it’s probably the quickest of any bike I’ve ridden here, and that includes all the Japanese superbikes, KTM’s RC8R, Ducati’s 1198 and more. At the end of the straight I’m just getting into top gear with the speedo registering well over 270kph.

“Even though we’re still on road suspension settings, albeit with a couple more clicks of rebound on the rear shock, the S1000RR is very, very planted and stable. In fact, the chassis reminds very much of KTM’s RC8R.  The traction control system is brilliant, too. More later.”