BMW's Small, Carbon-Laden Superbike Emerged at Villa d'Este
At the illustrious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este at Lake Como, BMW has provided a rare early glimpse into its next-generation superbike. The BMW Motorrad Concept RR represents a new direction for the automaker, setting a new standard for construction and aerodynamics for its superbike lineup. The aim is to have a flagship, zero-compromise superbike in the lineup, and this may be BMW's best effort yet.
Paying particular attention to aerodynamics and the demands placed on a superbike and its rider, Concept RR is not only lightweight and performant, but it's compact, too. BMW also culled many external attachments to further focus on airflow around the bike and rider, and improved airflow through the bike itself to increase airflow to the rear winglets of the bike.
BMW Concept RR
The BMW Concept RR is small but mighty
BMW Concept RR
Designed for street and track use, Concept RR was inspired by the automaker's M 1000 RR bike, which was piloted by factory rider Toprak Razgatlioğlu in his FIM Superbike Championship last year. BMW claims this early glimpse into the next generation of RR is unprecedented, though it hasn't said when the bike will be available for purchase.
'The BMW Motorrad Concept RR is a true masterpiece of our development team, both technically and in terms of design language,' says Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad. 'The transfer from racing to road has never been shown more clearly. It represents BMW Motorrad's leadership claim to offer the highest engineering level and maximum performance in this segment.'
Concept RR doesn't change everything about BMW's RR lineup. It will have the M's 230 horsepower water-cooled inline four-cylinder engine and incorporates the electronic control and regulation system (engine management, traction control, and engine brake) from the BMW WSBK M 1000 RR. By keeping tried-and-true performance under the rider, the Concept RR aims to improve the experience elsewhere.
BMW Concept RR
Carbon, aluminum, and fun
Focusing on 'riding stability at very high speeds' and the Concept RR's ability to handle cornering at high speeds, BMW engineers knew they'd have to reduce air resistance in every possible way. BMW utilized carbon and aluminum throughout, materials renowned for their stability and strength while remaining lightweight. Where BMW engineers didn't eliminate, like with the external attachments, they innovated. The frame and every component on the bike, for example, were 'optimized for lightweight construction and performance.'
BMW applied everything learned from the track to the Concept RR. The bike is just as performant beneath the fuel tank but packs all the power and performance from previous generations into a smaller, lighter package. What more could you ask for?
BMW Concept RR
Final thoughts
BMW wasn't clear on how much of the bike is carbon, but it seems that many of the body panels are. We know the frame and tail are aluminum, but we don't know where else aluminum may have been incorporated. It's an incredible early look at the Concept RR, but we just wish there were more details. From what we know so far, though, it's an incredible bike.
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