My 2022 BMW S 1000 RR: Initial riding impressions

It is only 10 kg heavier than my Triumph Street Triple 765 RS and has 85 BHP and 40 Nm more. For me, this is an upgrade in every single sense.

BHPian RohanDheman recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

So the rains in Delhi stopped on Sunday and I was finally able to take the bike out and ride enough to have an initial riding impression of the bike. I have ridden about 100kms.

• The engine is absolute butter smooth (like Carlos singing Smooth Operator).
• The brakes on this are absolutely phenomenal. I am coming from a very very good setup on my RS (Brembo M50s) to the BMW branded ones and, my God, this can shed speed FAST. The feedback is absolutely spot on and you really have to experience it to believe it.
• The suspension on the standard model (non-electronic) is set up beautifully from the factory and it already feels like it is tailored to my needs.
• The ride quality is indeed sublime and it shows how the bike behaved on some of the broken side roads I had to take.
• The power delivery is very very linear and you get used to it very quickly.
• The shift cam works and how! There is torque available at the low rpm and early mid-range too. MSN said that this rides like a Hayabusa in that rpm range and it is absolutely true. I did not expect it to, but it does.
• The quickshifter and auto blipper works brilliantly and allow you to come down to the 1st gear as well while downshifting at lower speeds.
• 100kmph in 6th gear was at a little shy of 4000rpm and cruising at 120 is a very very relaxed affair. I would not be able to comment on outright acceleration as I am keeping it below 7000rpm right now.
• The riding posture is remarkably comfortable. The seat is wide and has plenty of space to move around. For those familiar with Delhi traffic, I got her home last Monday at 6pm from Naraina to Noida with no pain in my wrists and shoulders.
• The paint finish and quality of parts are absolutely top-notch. This is a premium product all around and it shows. There are no compromises anywhere on quality.
• The stock exhaust is perfect. It is muted at low speeds and has pops and bangs from the factory! Given the price of aftermarket systems for this, Layla will stay stock.
• The display is brilliant and no matter from which angle you view it, it's crystal clear. Yet to fully explore the functionality and will update in due time.
• A power to weight ratio that is better than 1:1 The fully wet weight is 197kg and stock power is 207hp. For perspective, as an upgrade over my 765RS, a 235cc upgrade gives me 85bhp more, 40Nm more torque with just 10kg of additional weight! And everyone agrees that the RS is a light bike so you can only imagine how light, agile and nimble this is.
• And most importantly, it fulfilled the biggest criteria that I had while looking for an upgrade- it makes me feel very very special! This is an upgrade in every single sense for me.
• No need for a tail tidy ever. The tail with those integrated stop light and blinkers are sexy as hell.

Some Cons

• The clutch is taking some time for me to get used to. It was lighter on the RS.
• The headlights are just about adequate. Could have been brighter for sure.
• Some factory accessories are EXPENSIVE! Heated grips are 80k, PRO riding modes additional 30k. Heated grips, pro riding modes and the TPMS should have been standard on the base model given the price point.

Since the bike and I were both stuck, made a short cold start video.

And some pictures from the only ride so far:

Please don't mind the grinning idiot. I can't help it. I am in love!

Ride safe, cheers!

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