I have sinned

Damn it. I knew I shouldn't do it, but I did. I test rode a 2012 Bimmer today. This particular S1000RR had less than 600 miles, so its power was electronically limited to 8K or about 100-110 RWHP. So, it was near a direct comparison, power wise, to an SD. It was a bit of a bummer that just as the bike wanted to start to play, the hard limiter spoiled the fun.

But, what a fantastic bike. The first time I touched the front brake, it nearly launched me over the windscreen. Mind you, I've upgraded the brakes on my SD with Canbonne Lorraine XBK pads and Braking Rotors so I have much greater braking power than stock, but the brakes on the Beemer had far more bite.

I was most impressed with the bike's handling. The best way to describe the steering is telepathic. Even with the short, low set, clip ons, I just had to think about where I wanted to put the bike, and it was there. As I recall, the steering on the last generation was not nearly as light or precise. I think I'd have a difficult time keeping my license if I were to buy this bike.

But alas, after 20 minutes, my neck reminded me why I no longer own a sport bike. I just can't keep craning my neck for extended periods of time. Double damn. But, 20 minutes is the exact length of a track day session. Humm. Now to convince the wife I need another bike.

I was wondering when you were going to post up a ride review of the S1000RR. I'm still looking forward to my first squirt on the Tuono V4.

Those BMW's are so nice It's so tempting.They got dealers that I don't have to drive all day.The dealers send there techs to school to know the bikes.Hey crotch you have to check out my RC8 and let me know if the beemer ride is the same or worse.
Cause with rearsets you can control the neck bend.

I can't ride a kawi or a honda sport bike. But my RC8 Does not hurt.
I love my RC8 so much I have been thinking of selling everything and getting a new RC8R and trick it out.
I'll see on track day how it rides.I have been doing rides that burn a tank of gas plus and I feel no pain

I wonder if the new beemer is as comfy.Hope you can give me some input on my RC8 at chucky.
Since your riding B group you can do some laps I am doing C group.I'll have my Duke too

That BMW is a amazing bike.

Good luck finding an ape dealer that has any bikes.I love the RSV4 but have never seen one at any ape dealer.

I think its only a sin if you buy one

I rode the very first edition in '09. I know that BMW subsequently played with the crank weight, but not much else until this iteration.

Though its been a while, from what I remember of my first ride compared to the 2012, there was a huge difference in steering. The difference is akin to the difference I found when I upgraded my stock GSXR suspenders to the state of the art Ohlins bits.

I'll be interested to see if you have the same impression after your ride. If I were you, and I was contemplating buying the shop's '11 red white and blue demo, I'd definitely try the '12 before you buy.

The one I'm looking at isn't a shop demo unit, but a private sale. I hear you on trying the 2012 first.

And yeah, only real change from the get-go (until 2012) was the move to a heavier crank. Which made it more street rideable IMO. I've read of the suspension improvements of the 2012, and anticipate (hope) that will be significant.

It really comes down to whether I want to feed the beast. And the beasts need feeding: How much more am I going to have to spend on suspension setup and protection bits; and it will no doubt have an impressive appetite for the sticky buns ... current track whore (with a Hamamatsu accent) is bad enough. Tougher to justify a $20K bit of hardware that gets used only 10 - 12 times a year ... perversely though, with Yen where it is, it seems a good value.

And then there is that damned "Race Spec", or a slightly used 1098R.

SDNerd shakes fist angrily at moto gods for taunting him!

You kind of have to buy one now seeing as you just sold your SD to Joebear. He seemed to really enjoy it on our ride yesterday and had a good time showing it off at bike night last night. Course he left it in my garage so I'm the one who has to take the wheels off to get the new tyres mounted. I'm doing more work on vacation then I do at work.

I was amazed also when I rode one super fast and full of tech gadgets. It got really fukin hot really quick riding around town though and that's all I do. So not for me. Def nOt a daily driver either.

I just got back from a weekend in Vegas doing the California Superbike School on a BMW S1000RR. What a bike. It simply works. Does exactly what you want it to do - or what it wants you to do as I found it tended to make better decisions than I!! Makes all my woes about fueling seem more significant!!

Yeah the school was fun. Took some video and caught Christian Bale passing me on one of the turns. Not entirely fair as I was doing a drill with my instructor but hey ho!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oWRARxRQgc