2022 BMW S 1000 RR Review Performance and Features

This supersport motorcycle will give riders the rush they've been looking for, with enough technology to make any rider feel like a pro. There are levels to performance. While we all love speed and want the most performance out of our bikes, everything changes when we are looking for our next street motorcycle. Instead of seeking raw power, we start attempting to strike a balance between road-friendliness and performance. BMW has been able to capture this balance perfectly with many of their motorcycles, and the BMW S 1000 XR we recently reviewed is their witness. However, every now and then, this perfect balance is completely thrown out of the window, and the focus becomes about creating a performance monster with no regards to the streets. This was our experience with the 2022 BMW S 1000 RR. After riding it for two weeks, we finally know what this bike is good at, and we definitely know what it’s not.

At the top of the list of BMW’s motorcycle lineup, there are two bikes that hold the keys to heart-dropping performance: the M 1000 RR and the S 1000 RR. The M 1000 RR is very close to the S-version, but with more power, more torque, less weight, and better brakes.

It may sound like we set the stage to knock the S 1000 RR down a few notches, but this is hardly the case. If the S 1000 RR is Godzilla, then the M 1000 RR is Mechagodzilla. They are both monsters, but one is just the stronger monster. Given we are trying to review a sports bike worthy of the streets, we chose the S 1000 RR to see what it can do, and how it has evolved over the years.

The 2022 BMW S 1000 RR pushes the limits of performance beyond most rider’s abilities, yet it offers enough technology to make anyone able to push their very own limits. With a starting MSRP of $16,995, the S 1000 RR offers more performance than you will ever need, yet immense fun that you will desperately desire.

The front is aggressively-smooth, with sharp LED headlights that not only enhance the design, but tremendously increase visibility as well. The rear features LED turn signals, taillights, and brake light all packaged together beautifully. The entire design is simply a combination of refined material mixed with raw aspects, like the clean exhaust that starts with raw metal on the bottom and ends with a gorgeous piece.

The 2022 S 1000 RR comes in three color options: Mineral Gray metallic, Black Storm Metallic, and the iconic white, red, and blue color scheme. Each color seems to completely change the attitude of the motorcycle, and while the white, red, and blue scream BMW, the all black just bring an attitude to this bike that is undeniably mysterious. All in all, this is an aggressive sports bike design if there’s ever been one.

While the S 1000 RR feel like a track-bred machine, it still has all the technology useful on the road. Most of the convenient features lie within the 6.5-inch TFT Display. The BMW control wheel on the left side of the handlebar easily navigates through the system, allowing you to check your tire pressure, engine temps, fuel consumption, fuel range, as well as other important engine data.

Through the same system, you can toggle between different suspension damping control, which makes for a noticeable difference on various road surfaces. Race mode gives you full control of the bike and stiffens the suspension, allowing it to adapt to road characteristics withing 10-ms, while Road or Dynamic make for a tad softer ride and adds all the road safety features, such as Wheelie Control. Rain mode is the safest and most conservative tune all around.

Riders can also choose between RACE Pro 1, RACE Pro 2, and RACE Pro 3 modes, which are customizable in terms of throttle response, engine brake, traction control, wheelie control, ABS, and ABS Pro to give you the exact ride you need.

The 2022 BMW S 1000 RR gets its monstrous reputation from the water/oil-cooled 4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line engine. This engine features four titanium valves per cylinder and measures 999cc in displacement, while sporting a number of very advanced components.The 4-cylinder engine works collaboratively with a constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox with a multi-disc clutch.

The gearbox comes with the quick shift technology, allowing you to shift lightning fast and without a clutch if you desire. The S 1000 RR delivers 205 horsepower at 13,000 RPM and 83 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 RPM, with an RPM redline of 14,600 RPM. Combine that with the fact that the motorcycle weighs just 427-pounds when equipped with the M Package, and you can only imagine with this thing can do.

The S 1000 RR has the power to make you feel uncomfortable and frustrated, yet completely change your mind the second you start hitting the corners. The seat is uncomfortable and the ride position is too aggressive, but who cares when you can ride a bike that can truly scare you? The mind usually wants something different than the heart, and this is no different. Our minds are saying, “this is a track bike and has no business being on the road,” while our hearts are screaming, “let’s go!” In all reality, this motorcycle offers much more than the average street rider needs, can use on public roads, or is even capable of. I rode this bike hard, but I felt like I didn’t even begin to scratch the surface on the road. The S 1000 RR belongs on track.