BMW previews new Superbike

BMW have released preview pictures of the new World Superbike S1000R.

BMW has provided  the first official preview of the S 1000 RR in racing trim. The BMW S 1000 RR is a completely new motorcycle with a 1000 cc inline four cylinder engine that promises to offer superior performance, price and technology.

The motorcycle weighs less than 205 kg fully fuelled, meaning this very compact and light package will be right up the front next year regarding power-to-weight ratio. With its compact cylinder head the engine has a very slim design. The valves are operated by very small, compact and light cam followers whose dimensions are at Formula One level. This type of construction ensures very high engine speeds and permits the greatest degree of freedom in designing the engine with regard to torque and power.

Thanks to specially developed electronic components on the S 1000 RR, BMW Motorrad is once again the trailblazer in this area. A dynamic traction control will be available for the BMW supersports bike, the functional principle of which is taken directly from motorsports. In addition a completely new Sport ABS will be available for the production model. The S 1000 RR will be thrilling to ride both on the road and on the racetrack, handling output delivery and power-to-weight at the highest level.

The S 1000 RR will be available for customer order in Europe from European spring 2009. Availability in Australia is yet to be determined. As far as BMW’s motorsports preparations for the Superbike World Championship are concerned, as previously announced, BMW Motorrad has secured two Superbike racing personalities for BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team Alpha Racing – Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus.

With over 300 races and two World Championships under his belt, Corser is the most experienced rider in the Superbike World Championship. Corser’s Championships and countless victories and podium positions speak for themselves. Spaniard Ruben Xaus  is a capable and aggressive rider with enormous emotion and racing passion. His Superbike  and MotoGP experience as seen him consistently up at the front in this year’s Superbike Championship.

These two riders are ideal for BMW Motorrad to achieve their mid-term goal – to win the World Championship. Development of the race bike is running on schedule and  racing activities are carried out in close cooperation with  partner Alpha-Racing. The newly built racing team headquarters near Rosenheim, Germany has been operational for some time and will be officially opened this month. The racing bike will be further refined in the workshops there as well as on diverse test tracks.

In April of this year BMW Motorrad presented the first racing bike prototype and now BMW Motorrad is proud to be able to present the official sneak preview of the race bike for the Superbike World Championship 2009.