All the way back in the late 90s, Yamaha came out with what has since become a class-defining motorcycle in the form of the YZF-R1. Able to marry liter-class power with supersport track performance for the first time, it proved to be a game changer – but other manufacturers were quick to hit back.
Throughout the 00s, the big four Japanese brands offered one amazing sports bike after another, each sharper and more capable than what came before. Ducati occasionally offered a more exotic alternative, but it wasn’t until the end of the decade, when BMW finally joined the party, that we had a viable European alternative. Today, the S 1000 RR isn’t just an alternative, it is also objectively better.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW Motorrad. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
The 2025 BMW S 1000 RR Will Smoke The Yamaha YZF-R1
MSRP: $18,995
Right from when the S 1000 RR first came out, it offered more tech features than any of its rivals. It is widely credited for bringing superbikes into the digital age, and certainly made these incredibly overpowered machines more accessible. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most complete superbikes money can buy. For 2025, not too much has changed, but a few features that were previously optional are now standard fare. The base model is priced competitively, but like any BMW, the actual out-the-door price will depend on what options – of which there are many – you want to add.
To put things into perspective, the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R1 has an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph, whereas the 2025 BMW S 1000 RR goes a little over, hitting 188 mph before the speed governor kicks in.
Priced $4 apart, the Yamaha YZF-R1 is still its main competitor. At one point, it looked as if it was being put out to pasture, but the venerable superbike was indeed granted a stay of execution. It even got a few updates, including better brakes, something the bike desperately needed for a long time. While its CP4 is virtually indestructible and makes an incredible noise, it just doesn’t offer the same value that it used to.
Aprilia has the latest iteration of the RSV4 1100, and we certainly feel that the extra $500 is well worth paying for its V4 alone. It has 220 horsepower at its disposal, a whopping 23 more than the Yamaha and 15 more than the BMW. With it being so much more expensive, the Ducati Panigale V4 may not seem like a direct competitor, but you do get what you pay for. It is the complete superbike package, the only thing missing is the fancy electronic suspension you get with the V4 S.
Rivals
- Yamaha YZF-R1
- Aprilia RSV4 1100
- Ducati Panigale V4
The S 1000 RR Has One Of The Most Powerful Naturally Aspirated Inline-Four Engines
Power: 205 Horsepower
With 205 horsepower, this is one of the most powerful naturally aspirated inline-4 engines currently on the market. Only the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade has more power from the factory. There is a pair of Kawasakis that make a good deal more power, but those bikes are quite different, and make use of forced induction.
Engine Specifications
|
Engine Type |
Inline-four, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
999cc |
|
Max Power |
205 HP |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
The engine is also the one thing holding the BMW sports bike back. While engine failures in the early years continue to leave a scar on the model, those issues were easily rectified. It is the long-term reliability of these bikes that continues to be brought into question. Simply put, these are highly strung engines with race-spec components, and simply won’t be as reliable as the Yamaha CP4. BMW maintenance costs are also infamously high, and if you plan on taking your bike to the dealer for its services, expect to pay a premium.
The S 1000 RR Is Bold And Purposeful
The Track Beckons
The S 1000 RR has a tried and true twin-spar aluminum chassis, or what BMW calls a “bridge-type frame,” and has proven to be one of the best of its kind. In terms of suspension, everything is adjustable, and as much as Sachs doesn’t have the same reputation as Öhlins, it is certainly up to the task. It offers a wide range of settings and pretty much every kind of rider will find a setup that suits their weight and height. The brakes have always been good, but BMW saw fit to add cooling ducts for the latest model, which will help with the cooling efficiency and reduce brake fade during spirited rides. In terms of features, all the bells and whistles are present, including traction control, ABS, ride modes, and a quickshifter.
BMW certainly has leaned into the whole “winglets” theme that is so popular in modern sports bike design these days. The new wings are integrated into the design, and not tacked on like some competitors. They add up to 37% more downforce compared to the previous model, 13 pounds of downforce at 93 MPH, and 50 lbs at 186 MPH. Naturally, the actual benefits will only ever be felt out on a track, but you will need to look at it every day. If you like the way they look, that’s great. If not, it might be a dealbreaker. While the design is certainly “bold” and the added downforce technically makes it more “purposeful,” we feel form has fallen on the sword for the sake of function.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Cast aluminum twin-spar |
|
Front Suspension |
45mm upside-down telescopic fork, spring preload, rebound and compression stages adjustable (4.7-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Full floater pro rear shock, compression and rebound damping adjustable, adjustable spring preload (4.6-in travel) |
|
Front Brake |
Dual 320mm discs |
|
Rear Brake |
220mm disc |
|
Weight |
437 lbs |
On track, few will dispute just how good this machine really is. But, in the same breath, if you are looking at getting a track bike, the M 1000 RR might actually offer a more complete package. By the time all the track prep is done on a base model S 1000 RR, the price will get dangerously close to that M model.