Rider Barry Venison rented a 2022 BMW S 1000 R on Twisted Road from owner David S.
Yes, the 2021 Aprilia Tuono V4 factory is a beautiful bike, as is the Ducati Streetfighter V4. Is the 2022 BMW S1000R sport beautiful? Ehhhh no…it has more brawn than beauty…But is it the best?
2022 BMW S 1000 R: Super Naked & Fast
I decided to spend most of my riding hours on this 168hp completely updated, light as a feather, super naked motorcycle in the hills of Angeles Crest Highway and Angeles Forest Highway. These roads are a gift from the super naked Gods. A feast of miles and miles of canyons, fast stretches, twists and turns galore and there was nobody else in sight or sound! I found myself all alone in heaven astride a newer lighter faster fully TFT’d uber-friendly schizophrenic BMW literbike—BTW the TFT dash is the best, no argument thank you.
I spent a lot of time on the previous model (thanks Moto for All) and this is a completely new and better experience. It's so agile, powerful, and nimble that you immediately feel at home with the smooth as silk V4. I love the quiet personality(ies) of this Hockehheim silver Sport version. It's quiet and classy, very discreet and not loud (until it’s loud), and never offensive. BUT don’t be sucked into thinking that this is some kind of meek moto; far from it, it’s fast as F and has a ferocious hidden headbanger personality. Just because it speaks to you quietly and politely, never forget it hangs with the best when it comes to fight or flight time.
When you rip that throttle back in dynamic, and you hit 6000rpm in any gear, you soon realize that 3-digit speeds come at you very quickly and yes, somewhat loudly. It's not the roar of the Aprilia, more like a wild animal wailing after a belly full of cider—unique! You’ve got to find out for yourself.
2022 BMW S 1000 R: Corners, Brakes, & More
I purposely chose the empty canyons so I could really push it and it was fantastic in the corners, the brakes are immense. I only needed my forefinger for even the most aggressive braking. Quite honestly, the power of the brakes got me out of a spot of bother more than once…slow down son! The feel of the lever also allows for very smooth trail breaking.
The quick shifter is a seamless joy—every time smooth as silk. I’m going to have to read a dictionary because I keep wanting to use the word smooth on every aspect of this bike.
The acceleration from low revs is very rapid but not brutal until you hit that 6, and then you really need to hang on. I spent most of my 8hrs (over 2 days) of saddle time going hard at it and it was exhilarating. There's no other way to describe it. I was amazed at how quickly man and bike melded together so seamlessly. This BMW really does flatter the rider and fills you with so much confidence. You can’t help but push on more and more…incredible fun.
I eventually started running out of steam (me not the bike!!). So, I decided for the last couple of hours to slow it down, meander gently, drink in the stunning views and I can’t tell you how relaxing it was to put it into road mode, leave it in 6th gear- yes 6th, not 5th or 4th and tootle around with my visor up enjoying the cool mountain air.
2022 BMW S 1000 R: Final Thoughts
The depth of this engine is unreal, 2-2500 rpm on a slow turn going uphill and zero splutters or coughs—yes it is smooth as—it was like riding an automatic transmission bike. This S1000R has so much to offer, is such a joy to ride, the only thing that is wrong with it is:
- It needs a smallish screen to help the airflow.
- It doesn’t live in my garage permanently.
My conclusion on the naming of this multi-personality BMW S 1000 R Sport = BMW Smooth 1000 Rampant dream of a bike.
Beauty and the Best? It may never win the sexiest model of the year, even when naked; but I would say this is the most useable, live-able, every day, super naked on the market today. The Beauty of it is that it’s a Beast when you want it to be.
