Jul 20, 2023
2023 BMW M 1000 R Review [19 Fast Facts: Track and Street Test]
There is a simmering arms race in the Super Naked category, and the 2023 BMW M 1000 R is the newest piece of high-tech weaponry to enter the battlefield. Armed with the latest-generation
There is a simmering arms race in the Super Naked category, and the 2023 BMW M 1000 R is the newest piece of high-tech weaponry to enter the battlefield. Armed with the latest-generation ShiftCam-equipped inline-4 from the S 1000 RR superbike, along with its updated electronic aids, the M 1000 R has ascended to the exclusive 200 horsepower club and now breathes the same rarified air as the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR moto-missiles.BMW’s S 1000 R, despite its ample 165 ponies, stands as a more-sensible road-oriented choice among today’s power-hungry liter-class naked segment, which often seems aimed at racetrack proving grounds. The M 1000 R wears its M-branding with pride, coupling superbike-derived aerodynamics, electronics, and, of course, the newly minted engine to the sweet-handling S 1000 R chassis. The question remains: Would the M 1000 R’s M-badged power gains obliterate the base bike’s street-savvy nature?
We teamed up with Let’s Ride Trackdays to spin laps around Buttonwillow Raceway Park’s 2.68-mile road course and fired out follow-up street missions to seek those answers. That’s all in a day’s work for any sporting naked bike, so let’s get on with the Fast Facts.
Track photography by CaliPhotograpyStreet photography by Don Williams
RIDING STYLE
2023 BMW M 1000 R Specs
ENGINE
FRAME
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
COLORS
2023 BMW M 1000 R Price: $21,345 MSRP ($28,235, as tested)
Our tester boasted the $4995 M Competition Package, which brings plenty of optional go-fast parts into the fold.Oh, but that’s not all on the performance front: We also had the $1895 M Titanium exhaust. BMW isn’t messing around anymore when it comes to the naked segment: The 999cc I4 is potent.The greatest trick of the M 1000 R is its inviting off-the-line power delivery. Noise emission hurdles have yet to be cleared stateside.This transmission defines the word smooth.Preset and configurable ride modes are standard.BMW’s bevy of IMU-supported electronics offers everything a sporting rider could want. New tech offers additional refinement.The 2023 BMW M 1000 R is one quick-footed steed.Semi-active suspension is standard.At the racetrack, diving into the Ride Pro menu and dialing in your chassis settings is a must to prevent the M R’s extra ponies from rearing up. Fine-tuning the setup could be improved. According to the M owner’s manual, you’ll need a “Spring Travel Sensor” to achieve individual damping adjustment on the fork.Nude, yet even more aerodynamic.More performance, but the same all-day comfort remains.Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street RS11 tires are standard.M-branded Nissin front calipers bring heavy stopping power.The 2023 BMW M 1000 R elevates the brand’s naked platform.RIDING STYLE2023 BMW M 1000 R Specs ENGINEFRAMEDIMENSIONS and CAPACITIESCOLORS2023 BMW M 1000 R Price: $21,345 MSRP ($28,235, as tested)