Though BMW has come to be known primarily for its adventure and touring motorcycles, they’ve refused to dip out of the race for speed.
They’ve long manufactured some of the fastest motorcycles on the market, including the current record holder for street-legal production bikes: the S1000RR.
These are 10 of their fastest motorcycles, many of which are still in production.
S1000RR
Top Speed: 193 MPH
The S1000RR is by far BMW’s fastest motorcycle. It’s widely considered the fastest street-legal production motorcycle to date since the faster Kawasaki Ninja H2R, Lightning LS-218, and Ducati Panigale R are track-only motorcycles.
The S1000RR originally came out in 2009, at which time it was slightly controversial because the decade prior had been marked by the “gentlemen’s agreement” between European and Japanese motorcycle manufacturers to keep top speeds under 300 km/h, which is about 186 mph.
The S1000RR wasn’t just the first bike produced by a party to the agreement that exceeded this limit, but it had been BMW that had insisted on the deal in the first place.
From 2009 to 2018, the S1000RR reached 188 mph on a 999cc engine producing 199 hp. BMW improved the engine from 2019 onward. Though still 999cc, it has 205 hp and a top speed of 193 mph.
M1000RR
Top Speed: 190 MPH
The M1000RR is a track-focused variant of the S1000RR, though it’s still street-legal. In other words, it has the same 999cc engine and a similar top speed and acceleration of 0 to 60 in three seconds. However, it has several improved features and specs, including:
- 210 hp
- Improved aerodynamics
- Updated winglets
- Improved electronics
- New steering angle sensor
- Optimized carbon wheels
HP4 Race
Top Speed: 186 MPH
BMW produced the HP4 from 2011 to 2018 as a track-only version of the S1000RR. While it has the same 999cc engine as the S1000RR, it’s not street-legal and produces 215 hp at 14,500 rpm.
Additionally, the chassis is entirely carbon fiber and only weighs 17 lbs.
K1300S
Top Speed: 175 MPH
BMW designed the K1300S in 2008 to replace the K1200S. They increased the size of the engine to 1,293cc, which pumped its power up to 175 hp and top speed to 175 mph.
While production ended in 2016, if you’re interested in speed, this is still one of the best BMW motorcycles to look for on the second-hand market because it has excellent acceleration. Specifically, it can go from 0 to 60 in 2.79 seconds.
Read our full K1300S review
K1200S
Top Speed: 173 MPH
Though it was quickly replaced by the slightly faster and more powerful K1300S, the K1200S remains one of BMW’s quickest bikes.
BMW introduced it in 2004 as the flagship of their revised K line that focused on larger sport-touring bikes, the style that would come to define BMW motorcycles over the following two decades.
Given the K1200S’ touring design, its top speed of 173 mph is even more impressive. In fact, in 2005, Andy Sills set a record for the class by reaching that speed on a K1200S on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
Like its successor, the K1200S gets great acceleration, going 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds on 167 hp.
K1200GT
Top Speed: 157 MPH
BMW produced the K1200GT from 2003 to 2008 as a sport-touring motorcycle.
Though it has the same inline-4 engine as the K1200S, it has a lower top speed due to a greater focus on comfort and extensive farings. Nonetheless, it hits 157 mph, pretty fast for a touring bike.
K1600GT
Top Speed: 151 MPH
Once filled with lighter sport-tour crossovers that broke speed records, the only K-series motorcycles from BMW still in production in the US are the large K1600 touring bikes.
The K1600GT is the fastest, with a top speed of 151 mph, almost unbelievable for the bike’s bulky touring design. The 1,649cc engine produces 160 hp and accelerates from 0 to 60 in just three seconds.
R1250R
Top Speed: 145 MPH
Most of BMW’s fastest bikes are in the K series, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t Roadsters that can push limits.
The fastest is certainly the R1250R, which, with a top speed of 145 mph, even outperforms some of the older K series models and is one of the fastest BMW models currently in production.
The R1250R replaced the R1200R in 2019 with a larger 1,254cc engine with a dual cam profile. With 136 hp, it can go from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds.
F900R
Top Speed: 134 MPH
These days, most of BMW’s sportbike energy is focused on the S and M motorcycles, so the Roadsters have replaced the K series as some of the fastest BMW motorcycles you can buy currently in production.
With a top speed of 134 mph, the F900R is a mid-sized option for anyone who wants a more agile bike that still goes fast.
The F900R is a relatively new BMW model, having replaced the F800R in 2019. A liquid-cooled four-stroke 895cc engine produces 105 hp and goes from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.
R18
Top Speed: 112 MPH
BMW has made several cruisers over the years, but unfortunately, the only one still in production is the R18. However, that’s also its fastest.
While its top speed of 112 mph is still a far cry from sportbikes like the S1000RR, it’s pretty fast for a heavy 1,802cc motorcycle with a focus on stability and comfort.
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Image credits
All images via BMW unless otherwise stated.