For the 2023 model year, the BMW S 1000 RR gets some meaningful performance, chassis, and tech upgrades to keep it fresh. Let’s start with the basics first. The 1,000 cc four-cylinder engine now gets a power bump, up to 205 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque. Peak power comes in at 13,000 rpm, while peak torque hits at 11,000 rpm. Redline is a buzzy 14,600 rpm. A new shorter secondary gear ratio, featuring 46 teeth instead of 45, helps increase rear wheel traction, too.
To make its added power, BMW gave the engine new intake ducts and, more importantly, its newest ShiftCam technology. The latter is essentially a variable valve timing system that optimizes the valve timing and stroke on the intake side. The intake side now gets a three-part intake camshaft, with two cams mounted on a single shift segment for each valve: one for power and one for torque. It can shift between the two in ten milliseconds.
There’s also a lot of clever software that went into making the 2023 S 1000 RR even more capable and fun, both on road and track. There are almost countless new drive modes. The drive modes are split into two sets; road and track; and there are four modes in each: “Rain”, “Road”, “Dynamic” and “Race.” Then, there are optional pro modes: “Race Pro 1”, “Race Pro 2” and “Race Pro 3.” I’m not quite sure how anyone remembers all of that while they’re riding but I guess it’s good they’re there.
It also gets BMW’s latest Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which features a six-axis sensor and a lean-angel sensor. Part of that new DTC is BMW’s new Slide Control system, which is basically drift mode for bikes. It monitors rear wheel slip and, based on the rider’s settings, can control how much slip is allowed, thus creating more fun for experienced riders.
There’s also the new DTC Wheelie Function, which is actually the opposite of what it sounds like. It sounds like it will help riders wheelie but instead it actually prevents wheelies, by detecting if the front wheel lifts off the ground and adjusting rear wheel torque accordingly….
