2012 BMW S1000RR – more than meets the eye
Get a load of that blue colourscheme
BMW have revealed their new for 2012 S1000RR.
It looks much the same but it takes BMW 18 pages of A4 to fully describe the changes to its 2012 S1000RR, which surprisingly include a redesigned chassis as well as alterations to the suspension and electronics.
The head angle is steeper and the wheelbase shorter on the new chassis, which also features a 20 percent larger air intake through the headstock to boost performance. Peak power is the same at a claimed 193bhp (the previous model dynoed at anything between 178bhp and 192bhp at the wheel), but torque is boosted and there are now new throttle response and power curves.
Where the old bike had four throttle curves, one for each of its modes – rain, sport, race or slick – now there are just two; rain gets a gentle curve while the other three are now identical. But while the throttle curves are reduced, the power curves are increased from two to three. Previously 'rain' had one while the other three settings all used the full power curve, but now 'rain' and 'sport' each have their own modes, while a third, more extreme curve appears on 'race' and 'slick'.
Peak power might be unchanged, but power in rain mode is actually increased from 152bhp to 163bhp. And acceleration should be better, too – there's an extra tooth on the rear sprocket.
Styling changes are limited to a new tail unit, new side panels (still asymmetrical, though) and the addition of winglets on the sides of the nose fairing. Plus new colours, of course – red/white, blue, black or the BMW Motorsport white/red/blue combo.
The rear shock and spring are changed, as are the fork internals, and there's a new mechanical steering damper with ten settings.
Finally, the instruments are tweaked to add a dimming ability, a new-look rev counter and a best-lap-in-progress indicator; a green light comes on to show you're going faster than any previous time. Invaluable on the daily commute. Conversely there's a new 'speedwarning' function that can be set to go off at a pre-programmed , licence-saving limit. Mixed messages there, then.
