BMW S1000R
In 2014, BMW’S S1000R Sport – essentially a detuned, naked S1000RR – was, for 12 months, a more sophisticated creature than the lauded flagship sportsbike. It was the first ‘affordable’ BMW (after the HP4) to come with semi-active suspension, with upgraded traction control and engine management over the RR.
There are two specs of S1000R: the base model, ohne electric springs and with limited riding modes; and the full-fat Sport model. Both make near-160bhp and have the same peak torque but lower down the revs than the RR – and both feel so fat in the midrange it’s as if they’re shorter geared. They aren’t. And both are better than the V4 Tuono.
You’re thinking V4 trumps inline four and Italian style beats German utility – the Aprilia is widely recognised as a bit special, and it certainly looks nicer. And, to ride, if you’re talking the later Tuono with bigger motor and better suspension, you’d have a point. But the first V4 Tuono is an unrideable mess, with over-sophisticated electronics trying to rein in an overpowered motor.
So even though BMW seemingly misunderstood the idea of a naked bike and discarded the top half of the S1000RR’S fairing instead of the bottom, it’s far and away a more reliable, civilised and useful naked hyperbike than the first V4 Tuono.