Expected to be shown in full production trim in the next INTERMOT Cologne motorcycle show, in October, the next generation of the popular S1000RR superbike from BMW Motorrad is almost ready after extensive road and track development.
In fact, and though many expected BMW to show the bike a little earlier than what is now expected, the bike is so advanced in development that some new details have emerged.
According to some well-placed sources inside the German manufacturer, the next-gen S1000RR will see an increase in power to 210 or even 220 hp. If these numbers are true, we will be seeing BMW returning to the top of the superbike segment in terms of raw power, something the S1000RR achieved when she hit the road back in 2009.
This new and more powerful version of the inline-four engine will see innumerous updates, but there’s one special detail that will make a huge difference in how the bike will handle: the use of a counter-rotating crankshaft.
This is a solution widely used on race bikes, mainly MotoGP prototypes, and recently some manufacturers have started using it on their road bikes. What this counter-rotating crankshaft does is, in fact, is to counter the inertial effect that the wheels, chain and other rotating parts have on the bike’s behavior. With this special designed crankshaft, the S1000RR should become much more agile.
We also expect the electronics package to receive a big update, and that will also help the ride to explore, safely, all the added power coming out of the engine.