BMW Announces 2021 S 1000 R

BMW’s S 1000 R motorcycle has a head start on resolutions for the new year, with a slimmer figure and trimmer weight for 2021.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

December 2, 2020

3 Min Read
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2021 BMW S 1000 RBMW

BMW refreshed its S 1000 R roadster motorcycle for 2021, borrowing from the race-replica S 1000 RR but with more street-appropriate tuning. That means the bike’s 1,000 cc inline four-cylinder makes peak power of 165 horsepower, but with 90 Newton-meters (of a maximum of 114 Nm) available over a wide rpm spread from 5,500 rpm to 12,000 rpm.

The transmission has longer ratios in the top three gears, contributed to more relaxed highway cruising at lower engine speeds. The gearbox also includes a slipper clutch to prevent wheel hop from engine braking on downshifts. This is assisted by the optional engine drag torque control system, which controls the throttle to prevent excess engine braking on downshifts when necessary.

The S 1000 R includes a plethora of other electronic assistance systems to help keep the bike, and its rider, shiny side up. These systems include a three-mode riding system, with Rain, Road, and Dynamic settings. A Riding Modes Pro option adds the choice of Dynamic Pro, which provides a wide range of customizable settings for the traction control and antilock brake systems. It also adds a Power Wheelie function for stunt riding and Dynamic Brake Control to assist in emergency maneuvers.

The Dynamic Traction Control system is the same one used by BMW in the World Superbike series. The bike’s electronics use a new six-axis sensor unit for more accurate measurement of pitch rate and wheelie position.

Related:BMW's 3D Scanned Rider Aids World Superbike Wind Tunnel Testing

The drivetrain and electronics help keep the S 1000 R manageable, but the bike’s calling card is its agility, which comes from its narrower frame and lighter curb weight. The S 1000 R’s Flex Frame isn’t as wide as the outgoing model, helping keep the rider’s knees closer together for a more relaxed riding position.

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The engine in the 2021 S 1000 R is 11 lbs. lighter than the one in the outgoing model.

The handlebar clamp is adjustable with 10 mm of movement to suit the ride, and 10 mm handlebar risers are available optionally to lift the bars even further, taking still more weight of the rider’s wrists.

Mass optimization has whittled the S 1000 R’s weight to less than 200 kg. (440 lbs.), in a class where the average is 214 kg. (470 lbs.). The standard S 1000 R weighs only 199 kg. without the optional comfort and dynamics package. The M package offers forged aluminum or carbon fiber wheels for still more weight reduction, bringing the bike’s lowest possible mass to 195 kg., according to BMW.

Five kilograms of the bike’s savings came from the engine, and the Akrapovich-supplied exhaust system is also lighter than that of the previous model. BMW has not yet released pricing and availability for the 2021 S 1000 R.

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The Akrapovic exhaust on the S 1000 R helps trim weight.

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

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He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

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