BMW Motorrad has unveiled the striking R1300 R Superhooligan custom roadster to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steve McLaughlin’s historic victory at the Daytona 200.
McLaughlin made history in 1976 by winning the first-ever superbike race at Daytona aboard the iconic BMW R90 S. The new Superhooligan pays tribute to that moment.
The custom machine is based on the BMW R1300 R, powered by BMW’s latest liquid-cooled flat-twin engine producing 143 bhp at 7,750 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. While it retains the core styling DNA of the standard bike, the Superhooligan version sharpens the look with aggressive naked superbike cues.
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The build was developed by BMW Motorrad’s Custom Speed Shop team, led by project manager Philipp Ludwig, alongside Katrin Torge. The bike’s vibrant orange accents and the race number 83 pay tribute to McLaughlin’s original race machine, while also celebrating Reg Pridmore, who won the inaugural AMA Superbike Championship on a similar Butler & Smith BMW R90 S.
Performance upgrades include fully adjustable Wilbers upside-down forks extended by 30 mm for greater lean clearance, along with a matching Wilbers rear suspension. The aluminium rear frame and suspension components are finished in the same blue tone seen on the brake calipers of the BMW M1000 RR.
Lightweight components play a key role, too. The bike uses a carbon front wheel from the M1000 RR, extensive carbon-fibre parts from BMW Motorrad and Ilmberger, an Akrapovic titanium exhaust with carbon end cap, and adjustable Advik levers.
