BMW’s hooligan machine, the S 1000 R, received a raft of updates for 2025, including improved styling and additional colours. To test out the new look offering, we thought we’d take it to the track to shake it down at a MEGA ride day at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Changes to the new model include a redesigned headlight, a new radiator cowling and an updated rear, as well as new colours, with the Bluefire/Mugiallo Yellow of our Race edition offering a stand out. There are some powertrain updates too, but more on those later.
Now to the track. The sun was shining and as goldilocks would say, it wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t too cold, the temperature was just right. We were just a tad excited to get the naked (roadster if you’re an aficionado) BMW onto the tarmac.
After some quick prep in the pits, it was time for a rider’s briefing before heading out onto the track for what was sure to be an epic day. Now, yours truly was running a little late and was a little rushed for his first session. That had consequences.
I quickly flicked the bright blue S 1000 R Race into Dynamic Pro before hurriedly setting off for the first session. Why do we mention this, well it led to a whole heap of unexpected fun. You see, Dynamic Pro turns off wheelie control.
That means grabbing a fist full of throttle, especially out of turns five, nine and coming onto the main straight, means you’ll be challenged to keep the front wheel on the bitumen, while trying to extract maximum drive.
It wasn’t long before we had things under control though, and we were having a ball. Like most BMW’s the S 1000 R feels well balanced and beautifully controlled. A little play with the Dynamic Pro settings in between sessions resolved our front wheel lift issue too.
For the record, there are four ride modes; Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro, which all influence throttle mapping ABS intervention, traction control and wheelie control. The latter of these lets you customise the settings to suit your riding style and the conditions.
Detailed information and data is delivered through BMW’s 6.5-inch TFT display, which is driven by a wonder wheel, located on the left hand side of the handlebars. The inline four-cylinder engine it’s paired to is a thing of beauty.
It produces a symphonic note as you climb higher in the rev range, encouraging you to get as close to the redline as you can, before clicking the quick shifter to find the next gear. It works particularly well on upshifts through the six speed gearbox.
That’s especially so with a good fistful of throttle, and downshifts are okay as well. The 999cc powerplant produces are very respectable 125kW and 114Nm against a weight of 196kg to propel the S 1000 R Race effortlessly.
The bike truly comes to life beyond the 6,000rpm mark too, especially when trying to release all of its power between corners and down the main straight of western Sydney’s premiere motorsport facility.
It’s worth noting power is up a little over the previous model as well, and a new quick action throttle has been added to reduce the angle of rotation by 14-degrees. One thing you will notice is the pain of being fully exposed at speeds north of 200km/h.
Without a fairing, it does make things interesting, although through the corners, the S 1000 R Race remains balanced and obedient with the bike tipping in and pulling up well. The latter is thanks to twin 320mm discs paired with 4-piston Brembo calipers up front.
Offering excellent feedback and feel, they do a terrific job in pulling the BMW up. The rear 220mm single disc is matched to a single piston caliper, does what is needed. Suspension duties are handled by an upside down 45mm telescopic fork on the front.
It’s electronically adjustable. Ergonomically, the BMW S 1000 R ticks a lot of boxes, with a seat height of 830mm and aggressive foot peg positioning. The latter are higher and further back than any naked bike we’ve tested before, but simply work well.
The BMW S 1000 R Race package looks good, performs well and is a shitload of fun, whether you’re on the track or the road. In the form we tested, pricing starts from around $32,600 ride away.
It’s backed by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, and there are optional service packs available. You can find out more about the 2025 BMW S 1000 R Race by visiting 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. On track images courtesy of SDPICS Photography.
