BALLISTIC BEEMERS: Upgrades for BMW’s missiles

Alan Dowds brings us up to speed…

S1000R, S1000RR, M1000R and M1000RR 

There’s a heap of fresh updates for BMW’s inline-four 999cc S1000 and M1000 models, in both single R naked and double R superbike format. 

The big news is the 2025 M1000 RR, finally crowned as WSBK king under Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, which gets a stonking six extra bhp peak power. 

The WSBK champ now makes 218bhp, up from 212 last year, thanks to a top-end refresh, which is an amazing output from a normally-aspirated 999cc street-legal unit. There’s more compression, now a near-diesel 14.5:1 compression from 13.4:1, new-shape titanium valves and rejigged seats, oval intake and exhaust ports, new pistons and bigger 52mm throttle bodies (up from 48mm). 

Toprak’s top ride also gets a new frame for this year with relocated engine mount and altered stiffness, new M Winglets 3.0 for even more downforce (30kg at 186mph) while keeping the 195mph claimed top speed, eek! The rider aids package now adds a steering angle sensor to make the slide modes even smarter (cars have had this sort of thing for decades, but this is a first on a bike we reckon).

The other BMW 1000 to get engine mods is the S1000 R supernaked. It’s got a mild 5bhp tweak up to a peak of 170bhp now – an almost sensible number in this company – thanks to altered intake ports and mapping adjustments. 

As you probably worked out, the S1000 RR and M1000 R both stick with the same engine spec as last year, with ‘only’ 210bhp for the standard superbike and premium hypernaked machines. How will we survive?

Away from the engine, the S1000 RR gets a new aerodynamic package with updated winglets, new brake cooling ducts and more downforce; up by 6kg to 23.1kg at 186mph. You also get a new quick-action 58° throttle twistgrip (shared on all these new models), tweaked bodywork design, and upgrades to the rider aid package which now includes the ‘PRO’ modes as standard. For the S1000 R you get a new ‘dual flow’ twin headlight and bodywork design and more rider aids: engine brake control is standard. The M1000 R also has a bodywork refresh, fine-tuning to the traction control, and the new quick-action throttle.

The S1000 RR starts at £17,990 and arrives in January, the M1000 R costs from £19,990 and S1000 R £13,760, both here in March, while the new M1000 RR will set you back a WSBK-approved (and very decent considering the performance) £32,850. 

It hits BMW dealers in April 2025.