ROAD NEWS
R , the front wheel is controlled by a 45mm upside-down fork which blends in nicely to the front end of the bike thanks to the black fork tubes . Inside the fork are closed cartridge inserts and separate hydraulic piston-cylinder systems . Another new feature of the M R is the additional adjustability of the fork ’ s spring base in conjunction with the standard Dynamic Damping Control ( DDC ). A little higher up , the M R features an upper triple clamp with an elaborately milled-over handlebar clamp as well as a black aluminium tubular handlebar with a wider design than previously seen on the S1000R and with a laseretched “ BMW M1000R ” lettering . Also new on the M R are the handlebar end mirrors forged from aluminium . The fork legs have also been modified and are now designed to accommodate the new WorldSBK derived M brake calipers which clamp down on 320mm discs . Along with ABS , BMW has included the new Brake Slide Assist function , which allows the rider to brake drift into corners with a constant slide ( aimed at the track , obviously ). The cockpit looks a treat , especially with the
M1000R ’ s adjustable steering damper and the large 6.5 inch TFT dash keeping the rider informed . Along with the usual set of rider modes and safety aids running through the dash and 6-axis IMU , BMW also added a couple of interesting features to the M R . First up is the fun one , Launch Control , which we can actually see riders using for maximum fun . The other feature is Hill-start Assist , which seems like a function needed for a behemoth of a bike like the R1250GS or K1600 rather than the roadster . Overall , the M R is a big step up on the base S1000R , but if its factory trim isn ’ t enough for you BMW offers an M Competition Package which brings even more track-focused parts into the mix . That includes BMW M Carbon wheels , M rider footrest system , carbon fibre parts such as rear wheel cover and chain guard , front wheel cover , tank covers , airbox cover with tapes , wind deflector , sprocket cover , the M pillion package as well as the M pillion cover and a milled , fully adjustable M rider footrest system . Pricing and NZ arrival is currently TBA by new BMW Motorrad distributor Sime Darby .
24 KIWI RIDER