BMW made many fans of so-called ‘naked’ bikes unhappy when they did not announce any intention to produce a version of the all-conquering S1000RR without its plastic/carbon bodywork. It was a bit of a bummer to buyers looking for a more upright seating position on such a trick machine with that incredible power on tap. But, Ken Zeller of California’s Evoluzione Cyclesports has come to the recue with his own creation – a stripped-down and simplified BMW S1000RR – and you can have one too...with a little work on your part.
The BMW S1000RR provides the owner with somewhere above 170 horsepower pulling at he rear wheel; more than enough for even the craziest street pilot and its plenty good as a track weapon too. The standard bike looks quite good even if it is a bit of an acquired taste with the asymmetrical styling which the German marque seems to like so much. The S1000RR is also blessed with a plethora of riding aids, including race-bred ABS, traction control, fly-by-wire throttle and many more computational miracles which give it the ability to keep the rubber side down under the direction of almost any pilot.
However, even the lightest and most powerful production supersport motorcycle can have parts deleted and even have its performance improved upon. Evoluzione Cyclesports and Zeller have the necessary skill, the proper tools, the good connections and the in-house parts to do just that to the S1000RR. Much of the plastic has been deleted, but the front asymmetrical headlight and breather assembly were retained even though the front fascia was re-formed in lightweight aluminum.
The clip-ons have been replaced with a higher streetfighter-style handlebar, the stock windscreen has been milled down to a vestigial flyscreen, turn indicators have been moved to former fairing supports on the frame, and the bike’s mirrors are now of the bar-end type. The rider’s perch was altered beyond just the handlebar; the footpegs were relocated using custom made brackets to give the rider more room (if you happen to stand taller than about six feet, the cockpit on the BMW S1000RR can be a bit cramped for a longer street ride).
As for that S1000RR performance, the exhaust collector underneath the engine had to be removed since it looked terribly ugly with the bottom section of the fairing removed. In its place an Akrapovic header was installed and connected to the stock BMW muffler. For improving the power-to-weight ratio, the stock wheels were replaced with OZ forged-aluminum, Galfer wave rotors take the place of the OEM units, the chain has been changed from #525 to a #520 gold-anodized link set from DID, and both sprockets were replaced with Drive Systems’ best.
Zeller also replaced the stock spring on the rear shock absorber with a much stiffer one set up better for his size. To keep the new modifications in line, a Scotts steering damper was installed on top of the steering head. The final addition to the S1000RR are some prototype carbon fiber clutch plates which do not get very hot and will take whatever power you put through them.
As for making one of your own, it can be done. Most of the parts which Ken Zeller created this naked S1000RR are available through Evoluzione Cyclesports or will be. What is not available can be fabricated by you or a professional – the only three areas which would need that expertise are the footpeg relocation brackets, the top triple clamp holding up the streetfighter handlebar, and the front fairing section. However, these may soon also be for sale.
This work leads to a seriously strong motorcycle which actually weighs an astounding 428 pounds with a tank full of fuel! That is 33 lbs. less than the stock BMW S1000RR. This ultimate track weapon has become a backroad bomber which will tangle with the fastest from any manufacturer. Thank you Mr. Zeller and Evoluzione Cyclesports for stripping such a lovely lady to her best bits and presenting her to the world!
