The BMW S1000RR Gets Wings and Updates for the 2023 Model Year

The BMW S1000RR is getting some meaningful updates for the 2023 model year, most of which seem to be targeted towards requests made by the company’s WorldSBK and critical feedback from journalists and customers regarding the previous iteration.

That’s welcomed news, because despite our excitement when the current generation S1000RR debuted, we found that BMW had essentially ruined the bike with its US specification – adding a giant hole to the middle of the throttle map.

While quite the looker, the BMW S1000RR didn’t do anything particularly better than its competition, and in certain aspects of the bike (e.g. the front brake performance), the machine was notably off the mark.

It is hard to tell if BMW Motorrad has completely fixed all these issues now for 2023, but the company has made an extensive list of improvements to the bike’s chassis, bodywork, and electronics.

BMW Motorrad lists the changes to the 2023 BMW S1000RR as the following:

• Shorter secondary gear ratio for more traction at the rear wheel.
• Advanced “Flex Frame” with more flex.
• Chassis geometry with new steering head angle, offset, caster and wheelbase.
• M Chassis Kit with adjustable swinging arm pivot point and raised rear end.
• Dynamic Traction Control DTC with new Slide Control function for drifts while accelerating using steering angle sensor.
• ABS Pro with new Brake Slide Assist function using steering angle sensor for braking drifts when approaching corners.
• ABS Pro Setting “Slick”
• Optimized aerodynamics with new front section, winglets, high windshield and partitioning off of the lower triple clamp.
• M lightweight battery as standard.
• USB charging port in the rear section.
• Redesigned rear section and shorter license plate holder.
• Redesigned wiring harness for easier removal of the license plate frame.
• Clutch and generator cover in black.
• Easier rear wheel assembly removal due to loss-proof axle bushings, chamfered brake pads and brake anchor plate.
• M GPS Mouse Adapter as part of the  BMW Motorrad original accessory range.
• New GoPro holder as part of the BMW Motorrad original accessory range.
• Three paintwork finishes: Blackstorm metallic, Style Passion in Racing Red non-metallic and Lightwhite non-metallic/BMW M.

Of note, power remains a quoted 205hp for the US market, with peak torque coming at 83 lbs•ft.

The addition of winglets to the BMW S1000RR was almost a certainty, and it is a trait taken from the company’s more premium M1000RR offering.

Their shape has been refined, and we would presume that their performance has been increased, with the German brand claiming that they produce 22 lbs of downforce, though they don’t disclose at what speed this occurs.

Starting with an MSRP of $17,895 and January 2023 availability, BMW is hoping to win back some of the ground it has lost in the superbike segment with this reboot. Time will tell if they have succeeded.

Source: BMW Motorrad USA