It was introduced in Munich in April 2008,[2] and is powered by a 999 cc (61.0 cu in) transverse inline four-cylinder engine redlined at 14,200 rpm.

[3] BMW made 1,000 S1000RRs in 2009 to satisfy World Superbike homologation requirements, but expanded production for commercial sale of the bike in 2010.

After the initial delivery of motorcycles the factory started shipping them with a software governor that limited RPM to 9000 for a short break in period that was later removed by the dealers.

The optional DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) was updated, smoothing the butterfly valve action when a wheelie was detected, providing a less violent response to the bike's front wheel lifting off the ground.

The 2012 visual updates included a new face of the tachometer as well as new heel plates, a slimmer-looking tail section and reshaped side panels with plastic winglets: these were said to improve aerodynamics at speed.

The HP4 was fitted with a Dynamic Dampening Control (DDC) system that updates and makes changes to the suspension every 11 milliseconds, responding to various sensors as well as throttle input and is adjustable on the fly, a first on any production motorcycle.

[10] The bike was given an electronic controlled interference pipe and acoustic valves, allowing air to flow into the exhaust and burn unused fuel as well as upgraded Brembo Monobloc brake calipers.

This was achieved through reshaping the ports, a new cam profile, lighter valves and shorter velocity stacks drawing from a larger airbox.

To the electronics, BMW again added smoother front wheel lift intervention and a new "User" mode, where the rider is able to customize some defined parameters, allowing for a fully personalized riding experience.

[14] The 2015 bikes lighter chassis consists of four individual aluminium cast pieces welded together with the engine tilted forward at a 32-degree angle and integrated as a load-bearing element.

The fork overlap of the immersion tubes was reduced to 6 mm (0.2 in) and the steering head angle increased 0.5 degrees to 66.5 without any change in the yoke offset.

The muffler was changed to a larger can, while the fairings became more aerodynamically advanced adding vents and slips to allow for better stability at high speed.

The aluminium perimeter frame drops 1.28 kg (2.8 lb) of weight, now using the engine as more of a load-bearing unit and reducing width by 13 mm (0.51 in).

With a focus on improving agility, BMW steepened the steering head angle to 66.9 degrees and reduced trail to 93.9 mm (3.70 in).

[21][22] The first BMW motorcycle to carry the 'M' prefix normally associated with cars,[23] the machine has extensive modifications in powerplant, chassis, exhaust and braking.

[citation needed] On 26 June 2008, Spanish rider Rubén Xaus signed to ride the bike for the factory BMW Motorrad team.

[29] On 25 September 2008, Australian former double Superbike World Champion Troy Corser signed to complete the team's two-rider lineup for 2009.

On 13 May 2012, Italian rider Marco Melandri riding for the factory BMW Motorrad team was the first to secure a win for the S1000RR in World Superbike competition at the British round in Donington Park.

On 2012 Qatar Grand Prix, US rider Colin Edwards rode a S1000RR engined motorcycle for the Forward Racing team.

[34] This history making inaugural CRT Class debut, where 1,000 cc tuned factory production motorcycle engines competed for the first time alongside the current MotoGP machines.

[36][37] Three days later, Dunlop repeated his victory in the Superstock class, running under his own MD Racing BMW banner.

The stunt was replicated in detail, with the exception that a different and less powerful motorcycle was used—a Buell 1125R, owned and ridden by the show's co-presenter Jamie Hyneman.

The opinion of the television program was that the video was fake as the only way it could be reproduced was by placing a plastic sheet on top of the tablecloth—thus eliminating any contact between the tablecloth and the table settings.