Principal Blog
Which BMW would you take to the track?
06 March 2025
Which BMW would you take to the track?
Whilst admiring of a few bikes in BMW’s extensive portfolio, one really captures Paul Browne’s imagination.
Now he also has the chance to refine his riding skills on the S 1000 RR with the launch of a Motorrad Performance Academy over the water.
BMW, a company that dominates the bigger capacity market here in Ireland, is off to another great start in 2025.
The big ticket sellers are machines such as the R1300RT and the GS, whose sales outgun the R1250R and the RS whilst the wider range embraces a variety of bikes. These include a couple of learner legals and the unintimidating G310. Many bases are covered.
However, the bike that continues to fascinate me is the S 1000 RR.
One for the road
Whilst around for a relatively short 15 years, this one litre sports bike has well outperformed its competitors. That’s ironic given they were the ones that originally inspired the German manufacturer to enter this part of the market.
It’s not for the faint of heart putting out, as it does, a staggering 220 BHP and some 113 NM of torque.
The thing about it, though, is whilst the bike is familiar from Motocraft events or Mondello trackdays, they also tend to outperform everything else on the public road.
Having said that, it’s very unlikely that any of us will throwing a leg over a S 1000 RR and head to Tesco to pick up the groceries anytime soon.
On track
Meanwhile a significant number of owners still find the idea of taking one to the track intimidating.
The good news is that someone in BMWs ivory tower has been paying attention to this heartbreaking scenario and they’ve decided to do something about it.
So if you ride the company’s F 900 R, the S 1000 R or the mighty S 1000 RR the good news is that BMW have set up a Motorrad Performance Academy at Mallory Park in the UK.
Taylor made
None other than Taylor Mackenzie is the chief instructor with the living legend that is Niall Mackenzie running the classroom tutorials.
On the day there will be five track sessions, more than the usual superbike schools.
Of those three will be one-to-one training opportunities.
These days are designed for racers looking to fine tune their riding, trackday riders to up their game and road riders looking to be re-introduced to their bikes in an environment where they can be used to their full potential.
For the latter these types of events offer a huge amount of learning when it comes to riding on the street.
The first one is scheduled for early next month and can be booked here.
Meanwhile, if you want to pick up a S 1000 RR or another bike from BMW’s extensive range, there are two dealerships here in Ireland which are dedicated to the brand and it alone.
Kearys in Cork and Joe Duffy in Dublin also offer used bikes re warrantied under BMW’s Approved Used Bike system which ensures that all pre-owned bikes are prepped to the highest standards.
