BMW shows off new S1000RR superbike

Official news at last from BMW on its new 1,000cc superbike – the S1000RR. We've got a pic of the prototype racebike that's set to enter WSB in 2009, but not much spec at the moment... ...

BMW had a bit of a shindig in Munich yesterday, where the big boss of its bike division unveiled a prototype of its much-vaunted superbike. Dubbed the S1000RR, the new bike is remarkably conventional in design for a BMW, with an inline-four engine, aluminium twin-spar frame and swingarm, and conventional USD forks. BMW isn't releasing any spec or details at the moment, claiming that the bike is only part-way through its development. But the firm is suggesting that its performance will be at least a match for the current class leaders. So expect a near-200bhp peak power output, and sub-175kg dry mass. It'll also come with a clever traction control system, and if it's anything like the HP2 Sport, we suspect you'll have quickshifters, MotoGP-style dashboards and all manner of other high-tech goodnesses.

The bike shown here is actually the prototype race bike, so will probably bear little relationship to the final road bike anyway. But it looks like a fiercely sorted piece of kit. Brembo monobloc brakes, Oz wheels, Ohlins gas forks and full 2D datalogging kit is all on there, and the bodywork looks to be all-carbon. The engine and chassis look remarkably similar to a Yamaha R1 or the like, so the chaps at Munich won't be developing the bike with the built-in handicap of wacky design to start with.

Anyway. There's unlikely to be any more info on the bike till later in the year, but we'll let you know if we hear anything else on it. The latest rumour was that the bike would be wheeled out after a WSB race in May or June and given a thrashing around the track in public. Maybe at a UK round?