The VERDICT :
quote:
"Need we say more. OK . Here it goes. The S1000RR hasn't furthered the 1000cc class but then, Yamaha's crossplane-cranked R1 didn't do that either and it went on to win everything going- from MCN's 1000cc group test to Bristish Superbike and World Superbike titles.
What BMW has done with the S1000RR is to give us riders another choice when it comes to buying the ultimate sports weapon.But when you weigh up what the S1000RR has to offer, that choice narrows down significantly- I think the Japanese competition are going to struggle to compete.
One reason is that , as MCN has learned from our first track test, the BMW is BLOODY GOOD in STANDARD TRIM! Remember, the bike I rode wasn't fettled to impress on track as many launch bikes are. Based on this, the S1000RR is going to be a superb road bike-extremely capable and fast , but VERY SAFE and controllable with it.
Take braking for example. None of the flagship Japanese sports bikes come equipped with Brembo calipers- acknowledged as the best you can get, which is why they adorn exotica such as Ducati's 1198 range and the KTM RC8R. And a prospective S1000RR buyer won't be paying silly money for them. Nor will they have to pay through the nose for the quality feel the BMW exudes- STRAIGHT from the CRATE! So what other reasons should we contemplate buying the BMW? the same reasons we buy any other marques of superbike: PERFORMANCE , HANDLING, LOOKS and VALUE for MONEY.
BMW claims the S1000RR tops the horsepower stakes and, ye gods, it does feel like it could easily do 10-second quarter miles without breaking sweat and pass the 'gentlemen's agreement' 186mph speed limit in record time.
Handling in standard trim will make the OTHER MANUFACTURERS wince with embarassment- even HONDA. Stylingwise BMW are on the ball(though the strange green paint won't be to all tastes)to me it looks sharp as anything else available. Even with asymmetry.
And with regards to price, from our first taste £10950 isn't such a bitter pill to swallow... " end quote...
and there it is... and these guys have always been favouring R1 and the Fireblade before this... here it is RM108k in fully loaded trim.. R1 & Fireblade about RM98k... Duc 1198 is 180k++... so the choice is yours...

but heck.. in UK it is only £229 more than a Honda Fireblade with ABS and cheaper by £170 than a Yamaha R1... damn it!
BMW has come out and said " We have done the utmost to ENSURE the QUALITY of the S1000RR".....