So I Took An S1000r Up A Mountain Today.

[SwissMotard]

After completely melting my tyres (and apparently my gear indicator) in France/Italy last weekend I took my Street Triple into the garage to get a lovely new pair of shoes.

Across the road from my garage is a BMW dealer, so I went and poked their demo 2016 S1000R (in red, lovely) until they offered me an hour test ride.

I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts.

Pros:
- Excellent power, the nose wants to lift in most gears
- Handling is excellent, it is a very light and flickable bike just like the Street Triple
- Rifle action gear changes
- Incredible dynamic suspension, this was seriously impressive on both the corners and the rough roads (train lines etc)
- Cruise control is the future
- Stock exhaust is fantastic
- Riding position and ergonomics are aggressive but comfortable
- Stock seat is very plush
- Very nice display and switch gear in general

Cons:
- The engine is dull, both in feel and sound
- It a bit buzzy in the handlebars and pegs
- The electronics will be very expensive to repair and there is a lot of it
- Quick shift only goes up, not down
- Tank pads are a necessity, the tank is very slippery
- Indicator switch gear is really weird
- This is the killer, it all felt very disconnected

To expand on that last point, this is the only bike I've ever ridden that felt like I was driving a car. I feel it really does too much for you and it really flatters you as a rider. I could take corners too quick and make mistakes and the traction control, ABS and dynamic suspension would basically drive for me as long as I was capable of pointing the front wheel in roughly the right direction.

I've now scratched this bike off the list for next year which leaves some sort of Tuono or the new Street Triple to consider.

My Triumph garage is a joint Triumph/Aprilia dealership and the have a black Aprilia Tuono 2014 V4 APRC with 3.5k km for CHF 9,999 that I will go back and test ride soon.

P.S. no video as I broke my helmet mount over the weekend.

 

[dandoolittle]

- The engine is dull, both in feel and sound

You clearly didn' go over 9k revs then

Good write up

 

[SwissMotard]

I think I just love triples and V4s a lot more. This is the first IL4 I've ridden in anger though.

I went at a very silly speed and didn't even notice, BMW have worked some black magic on their wind protection on a naked bike.

 

[NevRR]

Nice little write up. Haven't had the chance to take one of these out yet, but wouldn't mind to. Have my eye on the 'double R' for my next bike!

 

[SwissMotard]

The RR is a weapon, with the auto blipper down shifter too

 

[dandoolittle]

The RR is a weapon, with the auto blipper down shifter too

My mate has a 2015. He went up hill with both hands on the tail lol. Took me ages to work out how he did that!!!

 

[RoadSprock]

Good write up man! Also lovely bikes

 

[lupin]

Interesting. I've just put it on my list of things to try after crossing off the MT-10

 

[Lurch]

I'll do more soon, but I took an XR out today.

Good bike, well engineered, so disconnected I was bored and just wanted to turn back after a few miles. I'd honestly rather have a Deauville. Next BMW I try will be an R1200 engine. I got way more from the RT than I did the XR.

 

[SwissMotard]

Interesting. I've just put it on my list of things to try after crossing off the MT-10

What did you not like about the MT10? I sat on one pre-launch but haven't ridden one yet (hopefully tomorrow!). I found the foot pegs were only designed for people with little girly feet as your heels touch the pillion pegs when on the balls of your feet.

 

[Senpai]

I still want to ride a s1000r and now after reading your write up I want to even more!

 

[SwissMotard]

I still want to ride a s1000r and now after reading your write up I want to even more!

They're excellent machines, but almost over-engineered to remove any character

 

[Lurch]

They're excellent machines, but almost over-engineered to remove any character

I'd say that's true based on the XR.

 

[SwissMotard]

I'd say that's true based on the XR.

It's so annoying. Both the S1000R and the MT-10 are critically flawed for street use (I have no doubt that the S1000R is perfect for getting to, and then smashing it at, the track).

S1000R is buzzy and uninspiring, and the MT-10 has potatoes for brakes with zero feel. They really need braided brake lines on that thing. Plus the ergonomics are designed for people with comically small feet. Anyone with normal feet and riding on the balls of their feet will hit the pillion pegs every time

MT-10 engine in the S1000R with the luggage options of the MT-10 would be awesome.

 

[thatV4guy]

They're excellent machines, but almost over-engineered to remove any character

Yeah that's kind of what I feel about the S1000RR too. Honestly, that's kind of how I feel with I4's in general except for the crossplane I4.

 

[CodeNameAB]

Saw the word "S1000" so had to butt in

Pros:
- Excellent power, the nose wants to lift in most gears

Cons:
- The engine is dull, both in feel and sound

I felt these two are contradictory. I am not sure why you felt it was dull. It has much higher midrange power/torque than the striple so I wouldve expected you to have more fun on it. Do you mean power delivery was too linear? Even mine doesnt have that midrange by the way, only shit-your-pants top end rush

- Quick shift only goes up, not down

Oh come on now, you already complained the bike is doing too much but you also want down shifts with quickshifter? Actually when I rode the 2016 S1000RR I didnt really like that part as it felt too easy.

I feel it really does too much for you and it really flatters you as a rider. I could take corners too quick and make mistakes and the traction control, ABS and dynamic suspension would basically drive for me as long as I was capable of pointing the front wheel in roughly the right direction.

I felt the same after the test ride but I totally love that confidence you get on corners because of that. This also means one can easily push his limits without being at a higher risk, esp at the track. I wish mine had electronic suspension but thats just being greedy

Nice write up though. Good to see different view points from different riders.

If you need a lot of character, there is nothing like a 144NM fire breathing SuperDuke 1290! You should ride it once

 

[SwissMotard]

1 - The engine note and lack of torque compared to other litre bikes I've tried (e.g. the twin and V4 Tuono) made it feel a little lacking. Yes it's a weapon and insanely quick, but you don't feel that speed or it trying to pull your arms out of your sockets. It lacks a sense of occasion, and is almost too easy to drive fast everywhere even with my complete lack of talent.

2 - It may as well do the one last thing it's lacking, everything else is done for me.

3 - For me, there's a difference between the confidence of the STriple and the automatic correction of my ineptitude that the S1000R offers.

The S1000R is an incredible machine, maybe without an equal. It just doesn't excite me like I need a bike to do.

Now the 1290... that gets the jewels tingling!

 

[CodeNameAB]

It just doesn't excite me like I need a bike to do.

Now the 1290... that gets the jewels tingling!

If the 1290 still doesnt excite you, maybe you should turn off the electronics on that. I didnt have the courage to do it by the way