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http://motorcycledaily.com/11may09_bmw_s1000rr.htm



I kinda dig it though. Otherwise, the bike would look like a generic Japanese superbike.

Grey Thumper wrote:
I kinda dig it though. Otherwise, the bike would look like a generic Japanese superbike.

I don't know if I like it yet but yes this BMW is clearly a copy of a Japanese Racer Replica......even down to the name.

Sort of unusual for BMW as whether you like their styling or not, they are usually the most unique, hands down....but certainly not in this case.

It really is surprising from such a stubborn company who sort of prided themselves on being totally unique. Even their cruiser was the only one that looked totally unique and original.

Most of the Euro company's sports bikes are pretty much blatant copies of Japanese sport bikes. The current(and the one before) Triumph Daytona 675 are basically carbon copies of a Yamaha R1 or Honda CBR600RR. Even the Ducati 848/1098/1198 are copies.....a far cry from the 916 which was a stunning super original exercise in styling. I think people now appreciate the ill fated(styling-wise) 999 more as despite the fact that it was not as gorgeous as the 916, it was certainly unique.

HYPERR wrote:

Grey Thumper wrote:
I kinda dig it though. Otherwise, the bike would look like a generic Japanese superbike.

I don't know if I like it yet but yes this BMW is clearly a copy of a Japanese Racer Replica......even down to the name.

Sort of unusual for BMW as whether you like their styling or not, they are usually the most unique, hands down....but certainly not in this case.

Not sure I agree. I was watching the Monza race on Sunday. I'd never had a clear image in my mind of what a S1000RR looks like. The first time I saw the pack from head on, my eyes immediately went to Xaus' S1000RR. I didn't know what it was, and said to myself, 'I wonder if that's the BMW?' It was just different somehow, especially head on. Not just the lights, the whole shape.

jstark47 wrote:

HYPERR wrote:

Grey Thumper wrote:
I kinda dig it though. Otherwise, the bike would look like a generic Japanese superbike.

I don't know if I like it yet but yes this BMW is clearly a copy of a Japanese Racer Replica......even down to the name.

Sort of unusual for BMW as whether you like their styling or not, they are usually the most unique, hands down....but certainly not in this case.

Not sure I agree. I was watching the Monza race on Sunday. I'd never had a clear image in my mind of what a S1000RR looks like. The first time I saw the pack from head on, my eyes immediately went to Xaus' S1000RR. I didn't know what it was, and said to myself, 'I wonder if that's the BMW?' It was just different somehow, especially head on. Not just the lights, the whole shape.

It does have some unique "Bay Em Vay" quirky styling cues(like the swingarm for example) but in the end it really is very heavily influenced by "Yamakawahonzuki".

Compare that to a R90S, K100RS, K1, etc which were incredibly original.

Originality is well and good, but if you want to build a superbike to compete with the other superbikes, original takes a back seat to what works. And you have to admit, the Japanese have that part down. You ain't gonna run with a CBR1000 or GSX-R1000 on an R-90.

I say it's about time BMW started making a race-worthy bike IMHO. They have the ability and the background, they just have to get down to it and do it.

And I doubt they will abandon the markets they have already pioneered with the GS's and boxer's. A modern hyperbike would just be a good addition to those bikes they already make.

They don't race the HP2? It certainly has a price like a real race bike.

RhadamYgg

BuzZz wrote:I say it's about time BMW started making a race-worthy bike IMHO. They have the ability and the background, they just have to get down to it and do it.

They finished 7th in a field of 26 in Race 1 at Monza. Not too shabby for a new bike in its first season.

RhadamYgg wrote:They don't race the HP2? It certainly has a price like a real race bike.

RhadamYgg

They competed in the Pikes Peak's new 1200cc category and it totally dominated.

But they never had anything to run on the tracks with the Japanese/Italian bikes till now. And good on 'em, I say.

More weirdness from Der Korp . . .



By the way, the patterns of vents on the left and right fairing are also assymetric.

Incidentally, if it's an in-line 4, why didn't they call it a K1000something? Like Hyperr said, even the name is too much like a Japanese race rep.