BMW Motorrad has taken the wraps off the R 1300 R Superhooligan at the 84th Daytona 200 weekend, commemorating 50 years since Steve McLaughlin’s historic victory in the first AMA Superbike race at Daytona on March 6, 1976.
The one-off custom pays tribute not only to McLaughlin’s Daytona win but also to Reg Pridmore’s inaugural AMA Superbike Championship triumph—both achieved aboard the iconic BMW R 90 S run by the Butler & Smith team.
A Modern Boxer with Classic DNA
The R 1300 R Superhooligan is based on the standard R 1300 R, powered by a 1,300cc boxer-twin engine producing 145hp and 149Nm. BMW claims the bike is capable of reaching speeds of up to 275kph, placing it firmly in serious performance territory.
Created by a small, specialised team within BMW Motorrad’s Custom Speed Shop, the Superhooligan blends modern performance hardware with retro racing cues.
Key Highlights:
McLaughlin’s iconic ‘83’ race number
Classic 1976 R 90 S-inspired livery
Blue accents on aluminium rear frame and fork tubes
Brake calipers sourced from the BMW M 1000 RR
Carbon front wheel from the M 1000 RR
Extensive carbon fibre bodywork components
Chassis & Performance Upgrades
The Superhooligan isn’t just about aesthetics—it features comprehensive hardware upgrades designed for track performance.
Wilbers fully adjustable USD fork, extended by 30mm for improved lean angle clearance
Wilbers rear shock
Fully adjustable Advik hand levers
Akrapovič titanium exhaust with carbon end can
Milled BMW Motorrad footrests
These enhancements underline the bike’s competitive intent in the Super Hooligan category.
Set to Race at Daytona
BMW Motorrad brand ambassador Nate Kern will campaign the R 1300 R Superhooligan in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan series during the MotoAmerica Daytona 200 weekend (March 5–7, 2026).
The motorcycle will also be displayed in the paddock alongside the original 1976 Butler & Smith R 90 S race machines, specially prepared by BMW Group Classic from the BMW Museum’s in-house racing workshop—creating a powerful visual link between past and present.
A Tribute to Legacy, Engineered for Today
With the R 1300 R Superhooligan, BMW Motorrad has successfully fused heritage and high-performance engineering. It stands as a rolling homage to one of the most significant moments in American Superbike racing history, while showcasing the brand’s modern boxer platform in its most aggressive form yet.
