Alright, so you’ve been pestering me about that BMW RR motorcycle experience I had. It wasn’t just a quick ten-minute test ride around the block, let me tell you. This was a proper dive into what that machine is all about, and honestly, it happened kinda by accident, which is usually how the best stories start, right?
How I Even Got My Hands On It
You see, I was actually supposed to be testing out a completely different bike, something way more sensible, for a piece I was thinking of writing. Totally different vibe. I’d driven a fair way, got to the meetup spot, and the guy who was supposed to have the sensible bike? His dog had apparently eaten the keys. Seriously. I thought he was joking, but nope, he showed me the chewed-up fob. So, there I was, stuck, and his buddy, who owned a pristine RR, just happened to be there showing off. He saw my predicament, probably felt a bit sorry for me, and after a bit of back and forth, he just tossed me the keys to the RR. “Take it for the weekend,” he said. “Just bring it back in one piece.” My jaw nearly hit the floor. I wasn’t about to say no, was I?
First Impressions – More Than Just a Pretty Bike
So, there I was, with this absolute beast. First thing, just sitting on it, you know it means business. It’s aggressive, leans you forward, proper sportsbike stuff. I thumbed the starter, and man, that engine note. It’s got this deep growl that just promises trouble, in a good way. It’s not obnoxiously loud just idling, but you can tell there’s some serious power waiting to be unleashed. I spent a good few minutes just familiarizing myself with the controls, the dash. It’s got all the fancy bits, but I tried not to get too bogged down in that initially. I just wanted to feel the machine.
Hitting the Open Road – The Real Deal
The next morning, I was up early. I wanted to get it out on some proper twisty roads, not just parade it through town. Pulling away, the clutch was surprisingly manageable. But the moment I gave it a bit of throttle on an open stretch… wow. The acceleration is just relentless. It pulls and pulls, and you’re hitting silly speeds before you even realize it. It’s one of those bikes where you really have to be paying attention, 100% of the time.
Then came the corners. This is where the RR really shines, I reckon. It just tips in so easily, holds its line perfectly, and feels incredibly stable. You feel so connected to the road. I started to get more confident, pushing it a bit more in the turns, and it just responded beautifully. The brakes are phenomenal too – super strong, really confidence-inspiring. I found myself grinning like an idiot inside my helmet for most of that morning ride.
- The quickshifter, up and down, was just seamless. Made riding so smooth.
- It felt surprisingly light once on the move, for such a powerful machine.
- Even the sound, once you get the revs up, is intoxicating.
The Not-So-Glamorous Side
But it wasn’t all just speed and perfect corners. Let’s be real. After a couple of hours, my wrists were starting to ache. My back too. It’s a committed riding position, no doubt about it. This is not a bike for a comfortable Sunday cruise to the coffee shop if your idea of comfort involves, well, actual comfort. And fuel? Yeah, it likes a drink when you’re having fun, which is pretty much all the time you’re on it. Practicality isn’t its strong suit. Trying to strap anything to it is a joke. It’s built for one thing, really: going fast.
So, What’s My Take?
Look, the BMW RR is an absolutely incredible piece of engineering. The performance is mind-blowing, the handling is superb. If you want a track weapon or something for fast weekend blasts on perfect roads, and you can handle the riding position, then yeah, it’s amazing. But for everyday riding? For commuting? Forget it. It’s too focused, too compromised for that. It’s like owning a Formula 1 car; you wouldn’t use it to pop down to the shops for a pint of milk, would you?
I was super grateful for the chance to really live with it for a weekend. It gave me a proper understanding of what these top-tier superbikes are all about. It’s an experience, that’s for sure. An exhausting, exhilarating, and slightly terrifying experience at times. Would I own one? If I had a garage full of other, more practical bikes and a local racetrack, maybe. But as an only bike? Not for me, chief. My back just isn’t what it used to be, and I like being able to carry more than a credit card with me. Still, what a machine!
