Is the BMW M1000R too much for the road? | Long-term test 

I own an M1000R, so thought I would address one or two issues raised in this review... 1: There was a lot of talk of how loud the bike is when idling. This was news to me. I live in a quiet village, own multiple bikes and not once did I think the BMW was loud. The thought did not even cross my mind. Any bike with a slipon exhaust would be louder. 2: Bad vibrations. I own a Hayabusa and an H2 as well, and of the 3 bikes, the H2 is the smoothest as it has two counterbalancers. The Busa and the M1000R are similar in that both are smooth with slight vibes around 4000 rpm and then once you rev past that point all these inline fours are just as smooth. If you're doing 75 or 80mph in the top gear on the M1000R the engine is quite smooth. I've owned parallel twins, boxer twins and those bikes can get properly vibey. 3: I think there was a mention that you can't have brake lever guards because of bar end mirrors. This is nonsense. Just see Evotech for clutch and lever guards that work with the mirrors. 4: Mirrors - There was a comment that bar end mirrors are not "right" for this bike, and belong to a retro bike or something. Same people at MCN would fall over themselves if they were reviewing a Triumph Street Triple RS and fanboy at the bar end mirrors on that bike. So a bit disingenuous I think. Final point to anyone considering this bike is to test ride it. I did 3 test rides before buying one as I was having an absolute blast each time. The M1000R is a fun bike and a total animal. Emphasis on fun! You can commute, tour and take it to the track. BMW dealers I have found (at least the one I went to) are quite chilled out and let you take the bike for a long ride and not some 30 minute excuse of a test ride, so give it a go if you're in the market.

Stop using titles like “…too much for the road.” The politicians we hate that pass the road laws won’t care enough to read the article and will use the headline as a reason to strangle motorcycling even more, in the name of safety! Car magazines put stuff like that in the article rather than title, reducing the chance that it reaches the wrong eyes. Please pass this along to other journalists and influencers, etc. etc.

"You don't need wings on the road" yeah you don't need 200hp, massive tires, 4 cylinders, fancy brakes, nice style or any other list of things. If you want only what you need buy a 300cc scooter or a hatchback. It's for the fun of it, the thrill, the sound, the look. That's why! How do bikers not understand this 🤔

I REALLY like the way these guys review! So practical and the things most of us want to know. You don’t have to agree with their opinions but they are really looking for the right things! Good work folks!

I’ve got the s version they both can do eye watering speeds but we love em. Fantastic bit of engineering.

Yer man with the hair sounds like he's inhaling helium when hes speaking😂

The cold start on BMWs is my favourite feature! Always loud on almost all start ups! 💯

I’ve done 50k kms on a 2015 s1000rr and your review summarises so much of my bike too. Great intelligent review. LJK Setright said many years ago that a BMW feels like it is carved out of one piece of timber and that is one of the best things about the bike.

That was very good - many thanks. You can't beat this kind of long term review by a pro.

I’ve had a 2014 S1000R for the last five years. I found your review very relatable. Effortless on the road, sometimes a little too much so, but open it up on a track and it feels so special. I can’t imagine it not being in my collection now.

“Sound wonderful” WELL LETS HEAR IT THEN LADS?!

I bought the competition version in summer 2023 after listening to everyone saying how they hate keyless I was apprehensive, but I love it I replaced the fuel cap with a quarter turn billet cap that sorts out the problem of digging in your pockets for the key. I put the key in a zip pocket in my jacket and that’s it until I park the bike back in the garage.

All the cons r nothing the bike is doing wrong or underperforming on. There is nothing sensible or practical about this bike for road use. It is made for a very specific reason and only that. Its kind of annoying you guys buy an apple and complain that its not like an orange. Its an advanced practically racing liter bike without fairings lol...

I feel the same guilt riding mine sometimes and it’s the 160hp version. Was behind a kid on a 250 the other day and he lost me in the twisties. Thought about selling all week after

Nice review, but WHY NO ANY VIDEO FOOTAGE??!! of the cold start, of the way it pulls on the 6th gear and other staff, this is not a podcast, is it?

Great review I have just got a m1000r and looking forward to the summer.

This doesn't have a built-in satnav, it has TFT integration with the nav functions of the BMW Connected Ride phone app, like BMW's other bikes with a TFT.

This review confirms that my S1000RR was the right choice. I don't have a problem with the more focussed riding position and I prefer both the looks and the wind protection. And I got a 2022 model without wings.

A few videos ago you said your performance tested the m1000r against the s1000r. I’ve not seen it in the paper or on video but I think a lot of people would be really interested in those results 🙂

This video does a disservice to the entire community. I have a s1000rr that spends most it's road time sport touring at speed limits. I enjoy the power on tap when needed and have no problem not being a child 😮

Saying this bike is too much isn't contentious - it's pure fact if looked at objectively. I own a couple of Triumphs, the newest being a 2023 Speed Triple RS. Anything over 110/120hp is far (far) more than you need for the road. Anything pushing 150+ is really just a track bike that is road legal. Most riders (if they're honest with themselves) also don't have the skills to truly get out of a super naked all that it can truly do - I know I don't, I just wanted a challenge! Now this all doesn't mean you can't love bikes like this, and I certainly love mine and commute to work on it (not far) all year in virtually all weather (outside of the very rare snow or ice), but anyone who thinks they 'need' something like this for the street is fooling themselves or dead-set upon hooliganism on the roads. No judgment intended since I ride one of these litre bikes myself, but I did buy it so that I could finally have a proper track bike as I'd out-grown what I was able to do with my mid-size sports bike that I used to use - being able to ride my Speed Triple to work in relative comfort (since it's a naked) is just a bonus.

Just makes me want it more and more, I'm stuck between this and the new KTM 1390r.

Mate I have a K6GSXR 1000 it's 16 year old during the summer i had it out , first three gears seen the shift light,, I'm 57,so it can happen to anyone,, control is the riders choice,, don't need a 200 BHP for a pant filling day out ,, and a ban ,,☘️☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland ,that I thought was the best bike out last year,,it does everything awesome 👍

I still have my 2011 K 1300 S and I love that bike. This was a really fabulous review of a bike. I think I’m gonna test ride, but I’m not gonna purchase it because I’m used to a fairing out in front of me, something to tuck in behind, and has mounts for saddlebags. The buzz in the handlebars on the hands and the mirrors is the same I believe for all inline fours. Both Honda CBR’s I had 1000f, and Blackbird had the same vibrations. Great review fellas! Thx.

Good review although i disagreed with some of the negatives, especially the vibrations witch i have no issues ,at 77 i have had owned and still do a lot of naked bikes incl five BMW 1000 ,s which i kept upgrading .I now have a Black Carbon m1000r with out doubt it ranks as joint top of my favourite bikes alongside my Ducati Street fighter sp2 closely followed by my 765 Triumph Street Triple ,if you never ridden one get a test ride even the good value standard version but be prepared to empty the Bank.

Original leverguards do fit with the mirrors. For luggage use the pillion seat, they have standard loops

Thanks for the captions Joseph. You fuc#£ng rule♥️

For you all with average speed cameras and just so many cameras in general I don't think I'd have more than 100-150hp in a bike. Luckily in the U.S. we have a lot of space and at least fewer cameras (no average speed ones that I'm aware of). Thought about ordering a M 1000R but ended up with a ZH2 SE as it ended up being $4k+ cheaper.

This owner was a treat to view and listen.

I put an alpha racing (twm) fuel cap on to get rid of that issue. Also an rs2e remap sorted the cold start!

Is this an HP4 in naked guise? You could say all the positives about that 10 yr old bike down to the stock Akrapovic exhaust.. The only thing that bike didn't have was the blipper and cruise control.

The world would be a better place if bike journo's checked themselves with regards to naked bikes and wind blast. It's akin to pointing out that whilst kayaking, you may get wet 🤪

"The superbike is loud" is not a negative!

which one is more comfortable, if you are 6'3" tall, the bmw s1000rr or the ducati v4 R ?

Nothing is too much for the road... If it is, then a 250cc+ is too much for the road

Great review, thank you very much!

Enjoyed this long term review. There was a point I think where talk of the nippy Norman’s tank bag said it was all good and solid at 160mph + If this is what was said and not that my hearing is failing me, please can you explain how it is possible to travel at this speed on a naked motorcycle

This bike looks absolutely brilliant. Too fast for me, though. I'm really enjoying this long-term test series.

Get a hepco & Becker sport rack like me problem solved I tour on my tuono factory 🤷🏼‍♂️

Thank you for the review.

The S1000R has longer gear ratios (gear (4-6) and chain sprocket). This means you have fewer engine revs on longer tours, making it much more suitable for the "Autobahn"

Racket??? You'd freak hearing my Indian FTR 1200 with cat delete and Sawicki Speed pipe!!! Might be too loud but I can't say I really care.. I love it!!

I sold my M1000RR 60 year anniversary because of the high idle start: it shortens the longevity of the bike. Winglets: BMW is a german company. The bikes are tested on the (unrestricted) world famous Autobahn, just a reminder.

Found it strange that the keyless doesn't combine the petrol tank flap operation as it does on my GS and other models I think, why would they omit that?

Honestly, I have a hard enough time using all 125hp on my 2020 z900, can't even fathom something like the M1000r.

Evotech Performance do lever protectors that work with the original bar end mirrors.

WOO HOO!!! Indian FTR 1200!!! Honestly, I absolutely love mine maybe more than sex itself but I'm also very interested in picking up a M1000R(R) The only thing you get from the BMW over the Indian is the top end speed. If you have an itch to go waaaaaay past 150, you need a superbike. Everything under that huge top speed rush, I can't find anything better than my Indian.

Feel bad saying this because it was very thorough, but it was a bit dry just running through a big list.

Evotech Performance make lever guards with mirror fitment, for M1000R. They have heavier bar weights too, which improve vibration

Startup idle defeated with a tune. Before I tuned it and got the full titanium Akra kit, that startup is brutal! Mirrors...absolute trash at speed. Which is why I changed mine out. But I love this bike.

Awesome, thank you!✊✊

Imagine the hosts voice on helium …, 😅

Name a bike that isn’t “Too much for the road”. You cannot use any >600cc bike anywhere near its full potential on the road. So it’s a good thing that the throttle isn’t just an on/off switch.

Loved this review! ❤

Very insightful 👍👍

This or the 1390 SDR Evo? I can't make up my mind.

30:58 - "When you're on a runway." 😂

I used to have a V10 5.2 litre saloon car that wasn't warmed up till 100mph. I also had an S1000r standard which I liked first of all until I realized it could not wheelie because of 'Nanny State' computer. I would love a go on one of these

The no keyless gas cap is very odd. My 2017 RS has keyless and the gas cap is included in that.

Hello MCN, I have a Chinese scooter and it has a engine management light lite up engine running or not. Can you recommend a ECU Diagnostic tool which will help finding the fault codes. The bike does smoke a bit and I want to rule out any sensor faults before cracking the head open. It could possibly be the piston rings and valve seals knackered. But I need to make sure its not a sensor fault I suppose thats what happens when you don't buy Japanese motorcycles. Lesson learned. Cheers

Don’t agree that when you start it it sounds like a load of nuts and bolts, mine is as sweet as a nut and very quiet, and I can see traffic in the mirrors even up to 70mph I don’t have to turn my head to see if there something behind me, you could pick the bones out of any bike. The M1000R is an amazing top notch bike best bike Ive ever owned.

Vibration,hands numb??? from an inlined four.Something must be wrong with the engine?

He said plenty of manufacturers "do, do" that.

Why didn’t BMW make the front like the Tuono? I have an S1000R and every time I ride it and look over the front it just doesn’t look finished ! From the forks back I think it’s a great looking bike even the industrial exhaust is a work of art to me.

And thats why i just got a new supermoto so much fun sub 100mph

The old s1000r is too much for the road. That’s not what it’s about though is it.

A 1000 horsepower car is too much for the road and yet keonegsegggggeeeee sell them all the time. Nobody ever said..it’s too much

If it is not keyless you always know where the key is... And BMW has a brilliant bike if you want to ride in comfort... Most Police forces use it and it also sleeps in my shed...

Probably replacing my bike in the summer, I’m torn between this and the Streetfighter V4.

Will say there is luggage straps under the seat cowl

Probably been said many times before. But the exhaust pipes on new bikes are a monstrosity.

Why not build a 170HP M1000RS with a full body protective fairing?

Base yourself in a good spot, dump your luggage and ride out from the same hotel each day. Best way to tour on a sports bike.

I had the Triumph Speed Triple 1200rs , amazing bike but once again a total waste of time in the Uk , 1st gear is already at the speed limit, totally pointless. For the Uk the only bike worth getting is the G310r and just ride around at 30 mph . I know that sounds stupid but the IS the reality of it. I did national down the A3 then its a 50 mph for a few miles then back to 70 mph and I was just riding along thinking 🤔 “ what an absolute bore this is “ I sold it back to the dealer. Waste of a bike , waste of money and a total waste of time. This bike if you lived in Germany would be an absolute delight to own 👍🏾

Imagine these lads doing a ferrari review 😅 everyone would drive nissan dukes 😅 moaning about mirrors and loving heated grips and sat navs on an m1000r 😅 jeesus no wonder the uk motorcycle scene is in the shitter 😅 i wonder if this is the chat after a few beers, id be getting my kebab home early while ordering my royal enfield and knitted jumper 😅

Fantastic❤👍👍

A 200hp bike should always have a screen. That's why I'm not a fan of super/naked bikes. To me, it doesn't make sense. It must be so uncomfortable riding it on the motorway.

That was good fun. It was different without Neevesy, but a change etc...

Sounds like he does get that it’s a super sports bike?

I had a gen 2 S1000R and yes I also felt a bit weird about not being able to use most of the performance on the road and that its potential was being wasted. Now I'm tempted by an S1000XR, which is more of a relaxed style of machine (but still very rapid) and I hope I don't feel the same frustration!

Arent all 1000cc bikes too much for the road?

The bikes not to fast for the road, the rider is not intelligent enough to ride it.

The rider clearly didn't want to test ride the motorbike.

Someone may have said this already, but, if it works the same (keyless ride) on the M as on my R1200GS and K1600GTL! You only have to turn off the ignition and the release can operate on the gas cap.

You want the bike to sound nice drop a few gears, more revs same speed. Put brain in gear.

187 bhp at the wheel? Thats ~209 bhp at the crank, seemingly a lot more than this guy thinks this bike has. I do wonder why someone would get this over the faired version with same motor and suspension. I dont get fast naked bikes given the wind blast these bikes generate in the blink of an eye. Maybe thats part of the reviewers complaint for this naked although it sounds mostly like he doesnt live in location that this bike can be fully explored

Grunting about tank cap is not keyless 😂😂😂

After hearing the negatives especially the vibration issue I didn't bother with the positives since I am not going to get one.

Needs a bigger bellypan to hide the bread tin but otherwise I'd love one.

Eh, i have a 2024 s1000rr. Kinda wish it was faster. I need a motogp bike.

Honestly, the mirrors on my s1000xr are also pretty much useless. Not so much from vibrations, but they need to be moved outboard.

Its all in the throttle hand.

Too much for the road? Nah. As he said, too little self control.

Can you do a compare video of M n S, couldn't find any difference apart from couple of kgs less weight in M but M = More than double the price of S, where does this get justified?

National speed limit ! Very sad but as Local councils got ride of most of them .what’s left of 60 roads soon be Gone for 50 or 40 with average speed cameras . Think it’s the end of biking . Just be cheap commuting bikes and most bike dealer will be closed down in next few years .

Please stop saying Er and Erm!!! I just can't watch anything with Dan in it anymore

Stopped ridding back in 2003 my last two bikes were YZF 750R, than R1. I really dont understand why you need more than 150HP (on the crank) for the street .

Standard 165 hp

BMW Motorrad could do with a decent stylist. Graphics on that bike are hideous

Not for me