Any S1000RR (new Superbike) fans?

[acruhl]

I'm not sure if this is the right thing to be discussing around here?

I've been following the new bike in World Superbike, and I've been quite impressed with it's results. The only completely new bike (not evolution of old) to enter the series that has done better is the new Aprilia RSV-4 if memory serves me correctly. It's done way better than the Petronas and Benelli ever did in their first years, again, if memory serves correct.

The dealer said it should cost around $14k for the base model, and maybe up to $16k or $17k fully "optioned" out. I really hope this is correct.

This is incredible value for a European superbike. My MV F4S (750) cost me almost $19k in 2002, and it was a 2001 model...

I'm waiting for it and the Aprilia to hit to see what I think. I might have to get one of them, but the price of the BMW makes it hard to pass up.

[Reopropf]

Hey Andy;  funny to find you here.  Do you have an R65?

I too like the new BMW's...

Peter

F4 tamburini/ restoring '83R65LS (making progress slowly)

[acruhl]

Not yet? I'm looking closely at a local '81. But then again, a nice '84 R100RS popped up just north of here... I doubt I'll want to pay what it will go for though.

I've always had a thing for the R65, don't know why. Maybe because it's the german version of a Triumph Bonneville or Harley Sportster. It's the quintessential german bike to me.

The articles I'm reading about maintenance on the R65 seem interesting. Seems like I'd like to give it a shot. It would be a change from my gd 996 troubles, I guess.

[steve hawkins]

Acruhl,

Are you sure your going to be happy with 50bhp at the crank?

Much less at the rear wheel.

30 year old suspension.

A bike that can just about break the ton, if you change gear properly.

Different kind of riding if you're used to a 'rocket ship'.

Good luck with the search - hope you won't be dissapointed.  They can be a lot of fun - within thier performance envelope....

[acruhl]

Well, I like cruising around on my dad's '66 Triumph TR6C Tiger. That's an air cooled 650. I was also considering getting a Kawasaki KLR650 but I wanted something to fix up and restore a bit, and those don't seem worth putting any money into. And I ride this SV650S to work every day. I know it's got more oomph than an R65, but it sure is a lot less comfy.

And if I don't like it, I can sell it for probably about the same money after I clean it up and do the service. Which for me seems like half the fun.

[dav]

mate buy the '81  8-)...

[acruhl]

Yeap. I'm going to try to do the right thing and sell the SV650S first after I check/adjust the valves. There's no big rush from the seller of the '81 at this point.

Or I could do the naughty thing and just buy the '81, and then the SV would sit there while I play with my new toy... Heh.

[steve hawkins]

Try and do the right thing but don't let the 65 slip through your fingers

[steve_wicks]

The BMW S1000RR didn't look impressive in the SBK race at Kyalami.
The road going version was tested extensively out here and was at Kyalami last month, but I never got to see it in the flesh.

[acruhl]

The BMW S1000RR didn't look impressive in the SBK race at Kyalami.
The road going version was tested extensively out here and was at Kyalami last month, but I never got to see it in the flesh.

I think anything BMW is doing in WSB right now looks really darned impressive compared to Petronas or Benelli, for the most part. And most of the good stuff Petronas did was because of Corser, who we now have on the BMW.

Fortunately or unfortunately, what the bike does on the track in WSB doesn't have much to do with how it will work on the street, for track days, or even club racing to an extent.

I think BMW is to be applauded for what they are doing with this bike, which is to sort of put a European twist on a very entrenched Japanese segment. They may drive evolution of the 1000cc sport bikes going forward even more than the Japanese... The recent article by Kevin Cameron in Cycle World is really worth reading. Seems to me that we aren't seeing even near the potential of this bike yet based on his analysis and conclusions.

[steve_wicks]

What I meant was that the 1000cc BMW didn't look impressive when on the track with the highly developed 1000cc Japanese bikes ...... which didn't look impressive when compared to the 1200cc Italian twins. Er, that's 200cc or 20% greater capacity in the 5000ft altitude we have here.

[msbuck]

We've already taken one deposit on the new S1000RR BMW at Capitol BMW.  I should know more about it, but don't.  I've been really impressed (for the most part) with the results BMW has gotten in the WSK races.  They stayed in the top 10 for the first several races, then I think they just hit some tracks that weren't right for the BMW.  Plus some crashes that didn't help matters.  

I'm glad to see BMW finally taking some serious interest in racing again.  They did make their name in racing way back when....