BMW R 1300 R Superhooligan Brings Streetfighter Style With Racing Heritage

BMW Motorrad has unveiled the R 1300 R Superhooligan, a project from the BMW Custom Speed Shop that transitions the standard roadster into a naked superbike. This build commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Daytona 200, where Steve McLaughlin secured victory in the first-ever superbike race. The machine also serves as a tribute to Reg Pridmore, who claimed the inaugural AMA Superbike Championship. Both riders campaigned the BMW R 90 S for the Butler & Smith team, a legacy the Superhooligan references through its chassis geometry and visual identity.

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The motorcycle utilises the R 1300 R platform, featuring a 1,300cc liquid-cooled boxer-twin engine. This powerplant delivers 142bhp at 7,750rpm and 149Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. Power reaches the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive, propelling the machine to a top speed of 275km/h. While the internal engine specifications remain stock, the build incorporates a lightweight Akrapovic titanium exhaust system with a carbon-fibre muffer to alter the exhaust note and reduce weight.

The design language creates a direct link to the 1976 R 90 S race bikes. The front fender and tank side panels are finished in the orange livery of the original Butler & Smith machines, with the number 83 displayed on the front and rear cowlings. To improve braking performance and reduce unsprung mass, the build features blue callipers and a carbon-fibre front wheel sourced from the BMW M 1000 RR. This blue accenting extends to the aluminium rear frame and the tubes of the front suspension.

Mechanical updates focus on track dynamics and lean-angle clearance. The front end is equipped with a fully adjustable Wilbers upside-down fork, which has been extended by 30mm over the standard unit. This modification allows for steeper lean angles during cornering. The rear suspension uses a fully adjustable Wilbers strut to manage the 149Nm of torque. Weight reduction is achieved through the use of carbon-fibre bodywork from Ilmberger Carbon Parts and the BMW Motorrad accessories catalogue.

The rider's sitting position has been modified with wide handlebars and milled BMW Motorrad footrests to facilitate an upright, aggressive posture. The controls feature fully adjustable hand levers from Advik, designed to provide feedback during high-speed transitions.