India-bound 2021 BMW S 1000 R Unveiled

The streetfighter is now lighter and more sophisticated than ever!

• The new Euro5-compliant 999cc inline-four engine makes 167PS and 114Nm.
• Gets a new sophisticated electronic package.
• Features new 6.5 inch TFT display.
• It's now 6.5kg lighter.

BMW has been quite busy lately. After unveiling the 40th anniversary GS lineup, R 18 Classic, M 1000 RR and more recently, launching the G 310 R and G 310 GS in India, the Bavarian brand has lifted the veil off the 2021 S 1000 R. This is the most comprehensive update that the bike has received since its inception in 2014.

The most obvious change is the new design. BMW has dropped the iconic asymmetrical headlight for a single-piece LED unit, similar to the F 900 R. The new side panels and belly pan give the bike a more buffed up appearance. The main updates, however, are under the skin.

Just like the previous iteration, the S 1000 R is heavily based on the faired sibling, the S 1000 RR. The 999cc, inline-four cylinder engine based on the RR is a whole 5kg lighter and produces 167PS and 114Nm, which is the same as the outgoing model. However, BMW says it has worked on improving the midrange and everyday usability by using taller gear ratios for the fourth, fifth and sixth cogs.

Just like the engine, the chassis too has been derived from the S 1000 RR. The new frame uses the engine as a stressed member. it is also narrower, reducing the width of the bike and allowing more movement for the riders. Furthermore, the handlebar is adjustable in two positions to suit the rider, with an optional 10mm handlebar riser to further customise the riding position. BMW has also developed new suspension to go with the RR-inspired underslung swingarm.

The new S 1000 R also gets a slew of updated electronic aids. A six-axis IMU monitors the bike’s pitch and controls the anti-wheelie function, cornering ABS and traction control, which are offered as standard. The bike now gets three riding modes as standard -- Rain, Road and Dynamic -- instead of two. Customers can also opt for the optional Dynamic Pro mode that optimises wheelie and launch control, engine braking as well as traction control. All of these functions can be toggled through the new 6.5-inch TFT display with navigation and connectivity options.

The new S 1000 R has shed 6.5kg and now tips the scales at 199kg, which BMW claims makes it the lightest in the class. If that isn’t light enough, the optional M package can further reduce the weight by 4.8kg.

BMW will be launching the bike in the United Kingdom by mid-2021. We expected the bike to arrive in India around the same time and is likely to be priced around Rs 18 lakh (ex-showroom).