BMW M 1000 R: 2023 bikesales Bike of the Year Winner

The BMW M 1000 R is the winner of the 2023 bikesales Bike of the Year award, proudly presented by Youi Insurance.

As the second dedicated M motorcycle in BMW’s range, the M 1000 R was released earlier in 2023 to critical acclaim. Now that acclaim has been verified by the coveted bikesales Bike of the Year winner’s trophy.

Powered by a 999cc inline four-cylinder engine that produces 210hp (154kW) and 113Nm, the M 1000 R improves greatly on the S 1000 R naked bike on which it is based. Not only does it offer more horsepower and torque, it also adds BMW’s ShiftCam technology and a bunch of other high-end features as standard.

In simple terms, the M 1000 R has taken the S 1000 R platform and given it the performance and equipment levels of the BMW S 1000 RR superbike.

But after a week of testing in the Victorian High Country, our expert judges found that despite the incredible performance, the M 1000 R was still very easy to ride and accessible to everyday riders. And, for that reason, it was hard to look past as the best new motorcycle for 2023.

“For an everyday rider who isn’t used to performance of this calibre, the BMW M 1000 R might initially seem intimidating,” said bikesales Editor, Dylan Ruddy. “But that is totally not the case. The M 1000 R is surprisingly user-friendly and enjoyable in a wide array of environments.

“Sure, it is very fast, but it can also be ridden comfortably at a leisurely pace in urban environments. In theory, you could comfortably ride this bike from your house to the track and still post incredible lap times.”

Our judges put the ease of use down to the lightweight and agile chassis, the intuitive electronics and safety features, the wide handlebar, and the upright ride position.

Priced at $32,290 plus on-road costs, the M 1000 R is cheaper than its M 1000 RR superbike sibling, but still offers a high level of equipment as standard. It features Marzocchi electronic suspension, high-end brakes, and a full electronics suite.

And for an extra $6900, riders can equip their M 1000 R with the M Competition package (as seen on our test unit), which adds a long list of billet and carbon parts, as well as a GPS lap timer, an endurance chain, and a set of M carbon wheels.

The BMW M 1000 R’s performance left our judges speechless. Everything from the engine and electronics to the brakes and suspension scream high performance, and everything does its job with the clinical precision we’ve come to expect from BMW.  

While there are certainly cheaper options in the naked bike genre, there aren’t many motorcycles that can offer this level of performance while still remaining accessible to everyday riders. And throw in state-of-the-art electronics, premium equipment, stunning looks and build quality, and of course the prestigious BMW M badge, and it is hard not to think of the BMW M 1000 R as nothing short of a masterpiece. And that is why it is a very deserving winner of the 2023 bikesales Bike of the Year award, proudly presented by Youi Insurance.

Related: 2023 bikesales Bike of the Year finalists