BMW have been slapping an ‘M’ on their cars and motorcycles for over 50 years. Way back in, er, 2023 on this day they announced they’d done it again with the prototype of the M1000 XR, based on the S 1000 XR, which itself was already a supersports bike with an identity crisis, having the same 4-cylinder, 200bhp engine as the ballistic S 1000 RR.
Some would say that much power on an adventure bike detracts somewhat from it’s off-road pretensions. And they’re right, it’s mad. No one is going to scream along green lanes at 170mph even if it does offer a unique chance to annoy the Ramblers. No, the M 1000 XR isn’t meant to leave the asphalt - it’s designed to upset Ninjas on a trackday.
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If further evidence were needed, the Bee-Em showed off racing-inspired winglets designed to “improve the bike’s contact with the road during acceleration, reducing the tendency to wheelie and allowing more power to be converted into forward momentum.” Quite.
For the discerning gentleman coping with his mid-life crisis, the production motorcycle would be delivered with many ‘M’ parts as standard, including an M battery, M wheels, and an M seat, presumably for M people to sit on. They are everyday riders.
They’re still available to buy, of course. Got twenty three grand and a bad back? Call your local Motorrad dealer today.