Confirmed: BMW M1000R to join growing ‘M’ range in 2023

BMW’s M1000R will probably look a little like the S1000R with M-Package, as seen here

BMW might already have a superbike-based streetfighter in its range in the form of the S1000R but until now the company has stopped short of giving it the S1000RR’s full-power engine. In 2023 that’s changing as a new M1000R model is being launched with 206.5hp on tap.

The current S1000R makes a mere 162hp (165PS), using the same version of BMW’s four-cylinder, 999cc engine that appears in the S1000XR. While it’s based on the same design used in the S1000RR superbike, it lacks the Shiftcam variable valve timing and lift technology and loses more than 40hp as a result. While that model will remain on sale in 2023, BMW has now type-approved an additional model, dubbed M1000R, that has the same engine that will be used in next year’s updated S1000RR.

M1000RR-style winglets are a likely addition, along with much more powerful engine

We’ve already revealed that the 2023 S1000RR is getting a power hike from 204hp (207PS) to 206.5hp (209.4PS) next year, thanks to a higher-revving version of the existing Shiftcam engine, with its peak arriving at 13,750rpm rather than 13,500rpm. The new M1000R will get the same engine, while the range topping M1000RR superbike has an even racier 209hp (212PS) version that maxes out at 14,500rpm.

With 206.5hp on tap, the M1000R will leapfrog naked streetfighter rivals like the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR to become the most powerful unfaired motorcycle on the market, beating both Italian rivals by a little a tad over 1hp. In the words of Spinal Tap’s Nigel Tufnel: “It’s one louder, isn’t it?”

However, close though the power figure is to Ducati and MV’s rival offerings, it’s a world away from the standard S1000R so the M1000R’s performance is in another league to BMW’s existing streetfighter. Top speed rises from 158mph to 174mph, and while the M1000R’s weight and torque figures are similar to the existing S1000R, it will be geared lower to use all those extra revs, gaining improved acceleration as a result. Peak torque of 83.3lb-ft arrives at 11,000rpm compared to 9,250rpm for the S1000R and illustrating the different nature of the M-bike’s engine.

Overall styling will still be similar to the S1000R (above), but with M-related additions

While the type-approval doesn’t give details of the bike’s suspension parts, we can be pretty sure they’ll be substantially more exotic than those of the stock S1000R. We do know that the M1000R’s rear tyre is wider, up from 190-section to 200-section, and its proportions are slightly different to the standard bike. The M-model is 5mm shorter than the S1000R, 27mm wider and 61mm taller. The extra height and width could indicate styling changes – winglets and a taller wind-deflector are likely – while the shorter length may be a result of revised suspension geometry. Despite being shorter overall the wheelbase is 20mm longer than the S1000R, rising from 1450mm to 1470mm and suggesting the rear wheel has been moved backwards on a longer swingarm and the steering head angle has been made steeper for a quicker turn-in. We know the 2023 S1000RR’s wheelbase is also growing, from 1441mm to 1457mm to match the existing M1000RR’s geometry.

The M1000R could well adopt the same carbon-fibre wheels used on the M1000RR, but the bike’s weight is identical to the standard S1000R at 199kg ready-to-ride, so BMW hasn’t gone overboard with exotic materials.

Full details are sure to come clear soon, with BMW expected to launch the M1000R officially in just a few weeks’ time.