Look at the motorcycle market, and you’ll realize that high performance for less money is something we usually see from Japanese and Chinese bikemakers. European companies are nowhere near this, especially the ones hailing from Italy. We’re looking at you, Ducati and Aprilia. Germany’s BMW Motorrad sits somewhere in the middle of these when it comes to the blend of performance and affordability.
It is not as easy on the pocket as Japanese names, but most of its bikes are also not as hard to afford as a Ducati. You also get a really well-spread lineup of bikes by BMW, starting from as little as a made-in-India 300cc roadster to an inline-six-cylinder 1,600cc touring behemoth. Between this, we find an overlooked naked bike that costs under $15,000 while offering over 165 horsepower. And this is the BMW that offers high performance for less money.
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The BMW S 1000 R Is The Overlooked BMW That Offers High Performance For Less Money
We’re talking about the BMW S 1000 R. It is overlooked because it goes about its business rather quietly. The single-R neither boasts class-leading features or performance, nor does it feature the most aggressive or head-turning design like an Aprilia or Ducati. Additionally, the popularity of other segments like adventure bikes and sports bikes is at an all-time high, so naked bikes don’t enjoy the general attention anyway. That’s not to say it doesn’t make a case for itself, though.
You get an inline-four engine with a capacity of 999 cubic centimeters. That enables an output of 170 horsepower and 84 pound-feet. This is more power than nearly all of the Japanese liter-class naked bikes, such as the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, Yamaha MT-10, Suzuki GSX-S1000, and Kawasaki Z1100. It is also just 10 ponies shy of the updated Aprilia Tuono V4.
Then, there’s the moolah. BMW has priced the S 1000 R at just $14,745. This helps it undercut the Yamaha MT-10 and Aprilia Tuono V4, while putting it in contention against new-age middleweights like the $13,399 KTM 990 Duke R, $13,845 Triumph Street Triple RS, and $15,495 Ducati Streetfighter V2. Add these two factors, and this comes out as the overlooked BMW that gets you high performance for less money.
Is there anything else that makes the cut, you ask? Well, sadly not. The new R 1300 R somewhat comes close, but it focuses on real-world performance. That means peak power is much lower at 145 ponies. It also costs over $2,000 more than the S 1000 R. It’s a similar story for the R 1300 RS, which has the same output as the R 1300 R but at an even higher MSRP. So the boxer duo doesn’t really justify the title.
The BMW S 1000 R Has A Superbike-Derived Engine
Let’s dive deeper. The S 1000 R serves as the naked counterpart to the S 1000 RR sports bike. So you get a similar inline-four engine and engine capacity here. But look closer, and you’ll realize it’s in a milder tune and there’s no ShiftCam. The result is 170 horsepower and 84 pound-feet, instead of the RR’s over-200-pony figure. The former peaks at 11,000 RPM while the latter kicks in at 9,250 RPM. This RPM range is right on par with Japanese bikes, but with more juice at your helm.
The Final Drive Is Shorter For 2025
A six-speed transmission puts all that power down via a chain. This setup has a shorter final ratio for 2025, ensuring stronger acceleration over the previous model. In addition, BMW has thrown in a new M short-stroke throttle. That means less wrist effort for going full throttle!
An Aluminum Chassis Underpins The S 1000 R
Housing the inline-four mill is an S 1000 RR-derived bridge-type aluminum chassis. It joins hands with an aluminum swingarm and subframe, while being suspended on beefy 45 mm USD forks and a monoshock. Both ends have full adjustability, as you’d expect on a premium naked bike. There’s no electronic control, though, and that remains optional in typical BMW fashion.
The S 1000 R Is Lightweight For Its Segment
This ties up with 17-inch cast aluminum wheels to create a machine that weighs 438 pounds fully fueled. For reference, the less powerful CB1000 Hornet SP and GSX-S1000 weigh 467 pounds and 472 pounds wet, respectively. Further helping its accessibility is the 32.7-inch seat height and a 56.9-inch wheelbase.
Modern-Day Electronic Aids Keep You Safe Aboard The S 1000 R
170 horsepower on a motorcycle that weighs under 400 pounds (dry) is no joke. And in the wrong hands, that means some dangerous repercussions. Luckily, BMW has you covered with modern rider aids. A six-axis IMU unlocks cornering traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS, and engine drag torque control. This is topped with three riding modes.
What about creature comforts, you ask? Well, BMW has thrown in all-LED lights, a USB Type-C port, and its Intelligent Emergency Call (eCall) function. A sizable TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity rounds things off.
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Optional Packages Unlock Even More Safety
BMW sells a few optional packages if this isn’t enough. First, you have the ‘premium package’. It unlocks a two-way quickshifter, keyless ignition, cruise control, a belly pan, extra riding modes, dynamic damping control, heated grips, and a tire pressure monitor. Second, there’s the M package. This soups up your naked with track-spec bits like forged wheels, endurance chain, Akrapovic exhaust, lap trigger, and a sport seat. As always, do consult your BMW dealer about these before pulling the pin.