BMW Motorrad at EICMA 2026 with the M 1000 RS

At the BMW Motorrad stand at EICMA 2026 in Milan, I simply walk straight up onto the stage. That's a bold way to start, but it pays off, because up there stands the M 1000 RS. Until now, everyone thought the M 1000 R was the end of the line for BMW naked bikes. But now there's something above it. Next to it, chests puffed out with pride, the entry-level bikes are waiting: the F 450 R as a naked bike and the F 450 RR as a supersports, both with 48 hp and therefore suitable for the A2 licence. Between these two poles lies a range that impresses me more than anything else at this stand. On top of that there's a new colour for the R 12 G/S, three green Nürburgring editions and a racing arcade machine that shakes my self-image as a rider to the core. But let's take it one step at a time.

The M 1000 RS is the absolute, ultimate super-machine. According to BMW it makes 218 hp and weighs 196 kg wet, fueled up. With those performance figures, that's massive. The finest stuff is packed in everywhere: matte carbon winglets, a full titanium exhaust system, a brushed aluminium tank and the tail section of the M 1000 RR. The technical basis is the M 1000 R with the M Competition package, so the RS sits above the M 1000 R and above the S 1000 R. In the naked bike segment there's hardly anything more exclusive. BMW is building just 1,000 units worldwide, they'll be at dealers from March 2027, in Italy starting at 41,240 euros. In terms of the must-have factor, I can easily imagine that the RS now comes close to Ducati's Streetfighters for the first time. Anyone looking for something special who can afford it will find their dream bike here.

Right next to it stands the F 450 R. We already know the engine; it has proven itself in the F 450 GS, found its fan base there and worked well. According to BMW it delivers 48 hp and 43 Nm, with 80 percent of that available from as low as 3,000 rpm. The bike has a wet weight of 175 kg, starts at 6,490 euros in Germany and is available from June 2027. I sit on it to get a sense of its size. It's compact and light, but not small. On this basis, BMW is now rolling out an entire product universe. If you want, the Innovation package gets you the Easy Ride Clutch, which lets you pull away without using the clutch lever, just like on the enduro. Anyone with a freshly minted A2 licence who still wants a grown-up bike should take a close look at this 450.

What convinces me most about the F 450 R is one of BMW's biggest assets: the high-quality feel of the controls. Good rotary controllers, good switches and exactly the same concept as on the bigger bikes, including the brilliant BMW display. Given the sheer number of electronic features, gadgets and setting options bikes have today, this logic is, in my view, the benchmark. BMW found a path years ago and has stuck to it consistently. You get on, press a few buttons and you know your way around. That sounds trivial, but with this much electronics it's worth its weight in gold. For beginners it's a real advantage, because anyone who later moves up from the 450 to a bigger BMW model doesn't have to learn anything new.

And now here it comes: the same package is also available as a double-R, in other words as a supersports. That gives us a really nice selection in this small supersports class, because several manufacturers have bikes in this displacement and price segment. The 420 cc parallel twin from the F 450 GS has been tuned for supersport duty, according to BMW with 48 hp, a wet weight of 177 kg and a design modelled on the S 1000 RR, winglets included. In Austria, according to BMW, it starts at 7,100 euros. I sit on this one too, and it's brilliant. Once again the familiar control concept, plus the accessories catalogue from which you can bolt on parts. What surprises me: in the saddle, the 450s don't feel small or cheap, but like really beautiful, laid-back bikes. Seat, levers, build quality – everything has a great feel that makes you want to ride.

On the F 450 I also spot a blue-and-white paint scheme I hadn't seen before. And then the R 12 G/S in grey and red, with a red frame and grey tank. We at 1000PS bought one, the white one, but this colour option is of course brilliant too. Then it's into the epicentre of the stand, and there's plenty going on: the Nürburgring editions. To mark the Nürburgring's 100th birthday, the M 1000 RR, the M 1000 R and the M 1000 XR wear a rich green. According to BMW, each model is limited to just 100 units worldwide, with the Nordschleife silhouette on the tank, carbon wheels and the lettering "one of 100" on the airbox cover. Green BMWs? Yes, it suits them superbly. Next to them stands the Endurance World Championship bike, trophy and all. I always think it's brilliant when a manufacturer brings its race bikes along and shows where the production models come from.

What I've never understood are these arcade machines with motorcycle games. I consider myself a good rider. Yet on the BMW machine I don't even make it through the first corner. Completely unrealistic, I think to myself, the thing has nothing to do with real riding. Then the next guy gets on, and strangely enough he rides relatively well. He makes the corner, and the next one too. How come he's so good at it? I always believed it was the game. But it's me. That's shattering my entire worldview right now. Maybe I should just embarrass myself on these machines more often instead of sneering at them. If you're passing the stand and have a few minutes, be brave: laughing at yourself is just as much part of a trade show as marvelling at the bikes.

If you don't just want to read about the new BMWs but see them: my four-hour walkaround of EICMA 2026 is on the 1000PS YouTube channel. The BMW part starts after about two hours and 21 minutes, click here to go straight to the BMW stand. You'll see the M 1000 RS on stage with all its carbon and titanium parts, my sit-down tests on the F 450 R and the F 450 RR including a look at the switchgear and display, plus the R 12 G/S in grey and red. After that it's on to the green Nürburgring editions, the Endurance World Championship bike and my pitiful attempt on the racing arcade machine. Keep watching and you'll get more than 40 further stands, from Honda through Ducati to KOVE, with sit-down tests, stand chats and clear verdicts. Four hours of EICMA to catch up on, with no crowds and no admission fee.

• M 1000 RS: 218 hp, 196 kg wet weight fueled up, seat height 850 mm, 16.5 l tank, 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 s, 283 km/h, 1,000 units worldwide, from March 2027, Italy from 41,240 euros
• F 450 R: 48 hp at 8,750 rpm, 43 Nm at 6,750 rpm, 175 kg wet weight, seat height 790 mm, Germany from 6,490 euros, from June 2027
• F 450 RR: 420 cc parallel twin, 48 hp at 8,750 rpm, 43 Nm, 177 kg wet weight (178 kg with Easy Ride Clutch), seat height 790 mm, 14 l tank, 177 km/h, Austria from 7,100 euros
• M 1000 RR, M 1000 R and M 1000 XR Edition 100 Years Nürburgring: Nürburgring green, carbon wheels, 100 units each worldwide