bmws1000rr

BMW S 1000 RR Now Available For Pre-Order at $13,800

BMW S 1000 RR - Click above for high-res image gallery

"We intend to take the four Japanese head-on. We did not intend to build a motorcycle like Ducati does or KTM does. We wanted to build a mainstream motorcycle." There were a number who doubted Pieter de Waal, Vice President of BMW Motorrad USA, when he uttered that sentiment back in April regarding the company's new S 1000 RR. After all, the Roundel badge is only placed high-end machinery, which usually equals a premium sticker to match. In this case, though, the Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer has come through on its promise of attractive pricing for its latest superbike.

With a base price of $13,800, the new S 1000 RR is within spitting distance of the Yamaha R1, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Kawasaki ZX-10R and Honda CBR1000RR, which is the most expensive of the Japanese literbikes at $12,999 (plus $1,000 for ABS). Importantly, the new Beemer – which puts out 193 horsepower at 13,000 RPM, 82.5 lb-ft of torque at 9,750 RPM and weighs 455.3 pounds with a full tank of gas – manages the best power-to-weight ratio of any bike in its class.

Naturally, there are options that can quickly move the bike firmly away from the bargain category. Click past the break for the complete rundown.

Gallery: BMW S 1000 RR superbike