The 2025 BMW M 1000 R Competition can only be described as epic. There’s a lot to love about this performance masterpiece, and very little to dislike – except maybe the nigh on $50K price tag.
As a road bike, this machine ticks all the boxes. It’s grin-inducing every time you climb aboard, and legitimately glorious when you open it up on a long stretch of road. What’s less so is the outlay to own one.
Priced from $45,283 ride away, adding things like a security system and full titanium exhaust pitch it directly against Ducati’s Streetfighter V4. It too is a helluva bike, but we reckon the BMW edges it for the best naked bike crown down under.
If carbon fibre is your thing, there’s plenty of it on the M 1000 R Competition. It’s literally everywhere, and when matched to the White Aluminium Metallic Matte finish, it will have you making time in the garage to just stare and adore it.
You’ll find it on the rear fender, aero wheel cover, air box cover, tank cover, chain guard, sprocket cover and rear pillion seat cover. Its like a Where’s Wally book, except your looking for components.
In addition, there are M winglets in carbon, which apparently increase front wheel load by 10.8kgs at 220km/h, or in the real world add a tonne of front-end grip when fanging through your favourite twisty country road.
Perfection is in the detail of the M 1000 R Competition though, and that includes M Carbon wheels that cut the weight by 1.6kg. They look good and are functional but will not be best friends with any pot holes you might come across.
Like the M 1000 RR we tested earlier in the year at Sydney Motorsport Park, front end grip is phenomenal and a real stand out feature. Confidence inspiring isn’t a strong enough description to try and describe just how good it is.
The abundance of grip makes carrying entry speed and late braking a much easier and more enjoyable task for riders of all skill levels. The BMW M 1000 R comes standard with DDC as well as fully adjustable suspension elements and an adjustable steering damper.
As with most modern sports bikes, tunability is a key feature and an expansive electronics suite is available. Standard riding mode are included, but the Riding Modes Pro package adds Race and Race Pro to Rain, Road and Dynamic.
Each allows the rider to fine tune the bike’s characteristics in terms of throttle response, traction control intervention, suspension dynamics and wheelie and braking control. A new quick action throttle reduces the angle of rotation by 14-degrees.
It ensures that it’s quicker to unleash all the power on offer. All of this can be adjusted via BMW’s 6.5-inch TFT display and control center. Offering four different screens, including a Sport option, which shows revs, speed, and maximum lean angles.
All that grip and suspension adjustability is greatly appreciated when it’s time to get all of the M power goodness to the road. The raw figures are eye watering and provide instant goosebumps down the back of your neck.
154kW of power feeds its way to 200km/h in 7.2 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 280km/h. Suitably impressive from a naked bike that tips the scales at 194kg. But it’s the manner in which it delivers said get up and go, that’s truly remarkable.
As you climb higher in the rev range and further unleash all that is lurking in the soul of the M roadster, the lightweight titanium rear silencer provides a stirring soundtrack to match the occasion.
Keep the revs low and the M 1000 R is easily manageable, maintaining good city manners and rideable traits for just cruising around. That is of course based on you being able to control yourself on this exotic piece of machinery.
Upshifts and downshifts are silky smooth. Several times we found ourselves flicking between gears just for the giggles, with the M Rider footrests feeling nice on the souls of our feet. Ergonomics characterise the true naked roadster vibe of the 2025 M 1000 R.
The riding position has you perched right up over the front wheel in a far more upright position than the RR. This allows maximum control and when matched with the M seat, should allow you to pound out 300km plus a day.
Other M features include brake and clutch levers, brake lever guard, and the aforementioned footrests. There is in addition the swingarm in anodised aluminium and passenger package to boot.
If you’re a little weird and don’t love the White Aluminium Metallic Matt finish, you can choose the Black Storm Metallic / M Motorsport colour variant. Representing the pinnacle of naked performance, with brilliant handling and insane power, BMW’s sales pitch is perfect.
Dubbed “a dash of madness”, it’s the ideal description for this beast of a machine. You can find out more about the 2025 BMW M 1000 R on the BMW Motorrad Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
Our test bike was provided by BMW Motorrad Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this bike. Images courtesy of Cubstars Photography.
