The recently concluded BMW World Malaysia showcase wasn’t just an opportunity for BMW to show off their wares, it was also a chance to launch a bunch of new metal at a single event. Yes there were cars but there were also new bikes. Two of them to be specific.
S 1000 RR
The first one was the eagerly anticipated updated S 1000 RR, which made its Malaysian debut. Five years after Munich shocked the sport bike pecking order with the original, an all-new version has arrived boasting yet more electronic riding aids, lighter kerb weight and a revised engine with 199hp on tap.
While some may argue about the need to add more performance to what was already one of the fastest sport bikes on sale, the introduction of the Ducati Panigale 1299, Yamaha YZF-R1, Aprilia RSV4 RF and Kawasaki’s supercharged HP2 meant BMW had to make big changes. This is most evident in the advanced suite of electronics available to owners.
As standard, the S 1000 RR already gets three riding modes (Rain, Sport and Race), altering engine mapping as well as levels of intervention from the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) system. It also has Race ABS, which comes with a rear wheel lift monitor. Owners can opt for a Race Package consisting of a Pro Riding mode, allowing for ‘Slick’ and ‘User’ engine mapping, DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and cruise control. Additionally they can also add on a Dynamic Package, which adds DDC (Dynamic Damping Control), LED indicators, HP Gear Shift Assist Pro and heated seats.
It sounds complicated but the gist of it is if you get a fully kitted S 1000 RR you’ll end up with a track-day tool with near infinite amounts of adjustability, launch control, electronic speed limiter and the ability to perform up and down shifts without touching the clutch or throttle. Oh…and you’ll have cruise control and heated grips for a more comfortable ride home.
R 1200 R
The other Motorrad debutant was the R 1200 R, which is a refresh for BMW’s boxer-powered roadster. Sporting the new liquid and oil-cooled engine launched in the R 1200 GS, the new R takes on a much sportier slant with aggressive styling and a long list of electronic rider aids to tame it’s increased performance levels.
Visually you’d be forgiven for thinking this bike is a watered down version of BMW’s retro-homage R nineT, but it’s actually a very different animal. With 125bhp available, it out muscles the 110bhp air-cooled motor of the nineT and that’s before we get to the chassis. The Motorrad engineers have dumped the Telelever setup for conventional 45mm USD forks taken from the S 1000 RR while the Paralever rear suspension uses a single shock adjustable for rebound damping and spring preload.
Malaysian market bikes get Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) as standard equipment (easily identified by the gold fork stanchions and white rear spring), which comes with standard suspension presets or can be used in a fully variable dynamic mode. If you really want to splurge, the R 1200 R is available with a Pro Riding mode, gearshift assist, a BMW Motorrad Navigator and an anti-theft alarm system on its extensive options list.
With so many updates lavished on to the S 1000 RR and R 1200 R, you would expect retail prices to have gone up but in a post GST environment, BMW Malaysia have managed to actually reduce their costs and passed on the saving to consumers. So, despite the upgrades the new S 1000 RR has a basic price of RM108,900 making it an amazing RM9,100 cheaper than its predecessor.
The R 1200 R lists for RM91,900 before options. Considering the R 1200 R 90th Anniversary model sold for RM118,000 in 2013, the drop in price makes it a no-brainer purchase decision. In fact, a close look at the new BMW Motorrad Malaysian price shows a significant drop in price for nearly all their bikes, which means if you’ve always wanted a BMW with two instead of four-wheels, 2015 might be the year to get one.