Hot off the heels of the newly updated S 1000 RR, BMW today unveiled the 2023 M 1000 RR – the basis of its racing programs all over the world. With the new M model, focus wasn’t placed on increasing power, but rather on making the most of the aerodynamics to use the existing power as efficiently as possible. As you’ll see in the full press release below, countless hours were spent in the wind tunnel and on the track to take full advantage of the aero package – and improve upon it where necessary. BMW says top speed has gone up to “189+ mph” (the legal department surely stepped in and said the actual number couldn’t be published), and so has total downforce from the wings. This helps keep the bike from doing wheelies when it really should be accelerating, so the traction control doesn’t have to work as hard. It also helps mid-corner to keep weight on the front tire for better mechanical grip through the turn.
That’s not to say the engine hasn’t been left completely untouched. Compared to the S 1000 RR, the M version gets Pankl titanium connecting rods and shorter intake funnels for quicker engine response and improved flow at high engine speeds. Total output hasn’t changed from the previous 205 hp at 13,000 rpm and 83 lb-ft at 11,000 rpm.
Apart from the aero improvements, BMW went crazy with the carbon fiber for the 2023 M 1000 RR. The fairings, wheels, winglets, and various other bits are unabashedly carbon fiber – and BMW wants to make sure everyone knows it by leaving it exposed.
The 2023 M 1000 RR promises to be the most sophisticated version yet, and we can’t wait to ride one. MSRP is set at $32,995 and units are expected to arrive in US dealerships in January 2023. Get the full rundown on the new M 1000 RR, including the different package options, in the press release below.
BMW Motorrad USA is proud to announce the updated 2023 BMW M 1000 RR, developed to set a new milestone in the field of superbikes homologated for racing. Two colors will be available: The M RR in Light White non-metallic and the M RR M Competition in Blackstorm Metallic.
“We have achieved an engineering masterpiece in the aerodynamic development of the M RR due to our unwavering ambition, total passion and technical finesse. Thanks to countless hours in the wind tunnel as well as in road tests, we were able to considerably increase the top speed with unchanged engine output and at the same time significantly increase the downforce, also when banking in corners. Our development work will be rewarded with racing success.” Christian Gonschor, Project Management M 1000 RR
The highlights of the new BMW M RR and M RR M Competition.
Engine and chassis. The new M RR uses the familiar water-cooled inline 999 cc 4-cylinder engine designed for racing purposes and in particular for the Superbike World Championship. Power delivery remains at 205 hp at 13,000 rpm and 83 lb-ft. of torque at 11,000 rpm. The maximum engine speed of the M RR is 15,100 rpm. As before, the chassis of the new M RR relies on the aluminum bridge frame as its centerpiece, supplemented by an upside-down fork and central suspension strut with Full Floater Pro kinematics. The primary goal when designing the chassis and suspension was to achieve the best possible lap times on the track. That’s why the chassis of the M RR is uncompromisingly designed for the track but is nevertheless also ideal for everyday riding on the street.
Improved aerodynamics increase both top speed and downforce. The increased potential of the new M RR results above all from advancements in the area of aerodynamics. Never before has BMW Motorrad invested more development work in a fairing through simulation, optimization in the wind tunnel and testing on the track. The expertise of the BMW in-house motorsport department provided significant support in the design process.
For example, a newly designed fairing made of visible carbon with a higher windscreen provides an increase in top speed in conjunction with optimized airflow around the rider. Another positive effect of the new fairing is the now integrated protection of the M engine covers. For the first time, this fairing uses a light, yet rigid, fairing front beam made of carbon fiber. Improved accessibility to the cable connections on the front indicator lights ensures even faster removal to make the M RR “ready for track use.”
With the new M RR, BMW Motorrad achieved a masterpiece of engineering in terms of aerodynamics. The seemingly mutually exclusive goals of “increasing top speed” and
“increasing downforce” were both achieved in the M RR through careful development of all aerodynamically relevant components while also benefiting the rider with noticeable physical relief due to the greatly improved airflow.
In the course of this aerodynamic development, the M Winglets were completely revised. In addition to achieving the highest possible maximum speed, which is essential for winning races, another goal is to achieve the best possible contact between the tires and the road surface – especially when accelerating and cornering.
Wheelies are absolutely undesirable from a riding dynamics point of view, as the drive force in a wheelie is not converted 100 percent into forward momentum but is wasted on raising the front end. Accordingly, the traction control kicks in to stop the wheelie and thus reduces the driving force. Valuable tenths of a second are lost here.
The M Winglets on the front fairing of the new M RR now produce significantly more aerodynamic downforce than before – both when riding upright and when leaning in corners. The tendency to wheelie is reduced and thus the need for traction control to kick in is reduced. The rider can have greater confidence in front wheel grip for achieving more extreme lean angles or higher cornering speeds at the same lean angle. At the same time, the rider benefits from a slight increase in top speed.
Speed Current downforce Increase 2023+ M RR downforce 95 mph 9.1 lbs. +3.5 lbs. 12.6 lbs. 125 mph 15.8 lbs. +6.2 lbs. 22.0 lbs. 155 mph 25.2 lbs. +9.2 lbs. 34.4 lbs. 186 mph 36.0 lbs. +13.8 lbs. 49.8 lbs.
Another central point in optimizing the entire aerodynamics package was around the area of the front wheel. Here, for the first time in the history of BMW Motorrad, brake cooling air ducts, made of visible carbon fiber, are used. They are integrated into the new front mudguards which have been optimized for improved airflow around the fork legs and brake calipers and in reducing the temperature of the M brakes by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in track operation, helping them to achieve even higher performance and a more constant pressure point. The M Aero Wheel Covers, also made of visible carbon fiber, lower drag further – especially at speeds above 155 mph. The M Aero Wheel Covers are included in the M 1000 RR M Competition package.
Carbon fiber – once developed for the aerospace industry, this high-strength and super-light material first established itself in racing and now also in BMW motorcycles. BMW Motorrad uses it wherever minimum weight and maximum rigidity are required. The M Carbon wheels of the new M RR are an ideal area of application for this material, which is processed in a very elaborate process using high-pressure ovens – so-called autoclaves – because the advantages are obvious. Less weight means lower rotational mass leading not only to improved acceleration and braking behavior but also makes the bike easier to handle.
In the new M RR, the M Carbon wheels feature a new lacquer clearcoat that brings out the deep black shimmering carbon fiber structure even more intensively. New graphics in M design on the rims emphasize this high-tech look. As an alternative to the M Carbon wheels, the new M RR can now also be ordered with forged wheels.
Redesigned rear end and ergonomic M Endurance seat
A newly designed rear end makes the current M RR look lighter and sportier. The short license plate bracket and the ergonomically designed M Endurance seat are new features. The special design of the seat contour provides the rider with a significantly larger contact area when hanging-off. The benefits are better feedback and fatigue-free riding. As before, the license plate bracket and the indicator and license plate lights form one unit and the functions of the brake and taillights are integrated into the side indicator lights. The extremely compact grouping makes it easy to get the M RR ready for track use in a few simple steps. Thanks to a modified wiring harness, which is now equipped with a LWS connector, disassembly is now even quicker and easier.
If the M RR in standard trim is still not enough for you, the M Competition Package offers a mix of premium components for the racing technology enthusiast and the aesthetically minded rider alike. In addition to the M GPS Laptrigger software and associated activation code, the M Competition package includes the M milled parts package, the M Carbon package as well as a natural-colored anodized, 220-grams / 7.8-ounces lighter swinging arm, the DLC-coated M Endurance chain and the Passenger Package including hump cover. Components of the M milled parts package are brake and clutch levers milled from high-strength aluminum and anodized, as well as a new, weight-optimized rider footrest system reduced to the essential functions and a brake lever guard. The M Carbon package includes covers for the rear wheel made of visible carbon and coated with clear lacquer, as well as the drive sprocket, a chain guard and the side and tank panels on the left and right.
The new M RR is homologated globally with FIM regulations for the FIM Superstock class and for the FIM Superbike World Championship. It will be manufactured in the minimum number of 500 units required for the World Championship and beyond. In the U.S., the new M RR is pending homologated for the Stock 1000 and Superbike classes with MotoAmerica. Within the price range specified by the regulations, the new M RR includes all of the essential extras for motorsport homologation. This makes the M RR a highly effective platform for Superstock and Superbike classes as well as for endurance races for numerous teams all over the world.
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