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In a heartbeat you are well above the national<br />
speed limit, but the bike handles rider<br />
input absolutely seamlessly.<br />
When we eventually turned around, bikes<br />
were swapped and we headed back up<br />
the pass. The XR is bigger and bolder with<br />
so much power on tap. It certainly does<br />
not feel like it has any less power than its<br />
sports cousin – but the red bike soon had<br />
the edge and started to pull away through<br />
the twisties. The XR requires more input<br />
and it has a raw edge to it that we really<br />
enjoy. Same thing – gearing through the<br />
quickshifter is seamless and all the while<br />
you sit comfortably on top, well protected<br />
from the elements by a comprehensive<br />
screen.<br />
This time we remembered to stop on the<br />
satellite road off-ramp. The grins said it<br />
all – these are exciting bikes – make no<br />
mistake.<br />
Experiment time.<br />
Chaps – time for a bit of a drag race<br />
(Stefans eyes open wide – Umm… you<br />
are dropping me off first hey?). We have a<br />
friendly guy in the traffic department who<br />
agreed to close the road off just for this<br />
purpose.<br />
We had a 10 minute window while the road<br />
was closed while we abused all the laws<br />
known to man. We took a pre run along the<br />
road just to check it out and to make sure<br />
that there were no unexpected surprises.<br />
Turned around, GO!!!!<br />
We fully expected the RR to make mincemeat<br />
of the XR but the XR held its own<br />
admirably. Initial pull off saw the RR nudge<br />
about 4 or 5 bike lengths into the lead –<br />
the numbers on the display start rising<br />
very rapidly and the world starts to blur a<br />
bit. On the XR, there’s power everywhere<br />
in the second half of the rev range, but<br />
from about 8,500 rpm to the 12,000 rpm<br />
redline the XR’s acceleration is brilliant<br />
and she howls like the superbike that she<br />
is. At around the 270 mark, the RR started<br />
to walk away – when we hit 280 – there<br />
was quite a big gap forming and the riders<br />
chickened out. And here’s the thing…<br />
Whilst we ran these mad speeds –<br />
everything stayed absolutely stable and<br />
well planted. The great chassis, brakes and<br />
handling deliver bikes that inspire confidence.<br />
There was never a moment when<br />
either rider felt that things were getting<br />
silly. These bikes are so fast – but they are<br />
packaged so, so well.<br />
Conclusions:<br />
This was a great day to be on a motorcycle.<br />
The smiles and laughs and bench<br />
racing that went on around the table when<br />
we got back is testament to just how much<br />
fun these bikes are to ride. If you are a<br />
racer, then there is very little to match the<br />
thrill that a superbike like the RR delivers. –<br />
BMW 1000RR<br />
Bike Specs...<br />
Engine Four Stroke Transverse four Cylinder, DOHC<br />
Capacity 999cc<br />
Max Power 207hp / 152 kw @ 13500 rpm<br />
Max Torque 113Nm / 83 lb-ft @ 10500 rpm<br />
Transmission Constant-Mesh 6 Speed<br />
Final Drive X Ring Chain<br />
Frame Aluminium Composite bridge frame, self supporting<br />
Seat Hight 824mm<br />
Wet Weight 193.5kg<br />
Fuel Capacity 16.5 Litres<br />
BMW XR1000RR<br />
Engine Four Stroke Transverse four Cylinder, DOHC,<br />
Valve actuation vis single rocker arms<br />
Capacity 999cc<br />
Max Power 165hp / 121kw @ 11000 rpm<br />
Max Torque 114Nm / 84 lb-ft @ 9250 rpm<br />
Transmission Constant-Mesh 6 Speed<br />
Final Drive X Ring Chain<br />
Frame Construction type aluminium perimeter frame,<br />
Self supporting<br />
Seat Hight 840mm<br />
Wet Weight 226kg<br />
Fuel Capacity 20 Litres
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