Wunderlich R 1300 S Sprint: The sport boxer BMW doesn’t build

• Based on the unfaired BMW R 1300 R with 145 hp (107 kW)
• Half fairing, clip-on bars, Wilbers suspension and carbon wheels from BST
• Concept bike without a price, on display in Hall 14 at stand M45

This year, the Wunderlich stand at EICMA features a road-going sportbike in light blue and orange. The accessories specialist, best known for parts for BMW motorcycles, is using it to show its idea of a sporty 1300 with a boxer engine. BMW has had no such model since the R 1200 S and the HP2 Sport disappeared from the line-up. The closest thing today is the R 1300 RS, which is designed as a sport tourer. The Sprint, by contrast, wears a slim half fairing, colors from endurance racing and parts from several well-known suppliers.

What is the Wunderlich R 1300 S Sprint?

The R 1300 S Sprint is a concept bike by Wunderlich based on the BMW R 1300 R. Wunderlich came up with the name itself, as BMW does not offer a model called the R 1300 S.

In Wunderlich’s view, there was no way around this name anyway. The company sees the Sprint as the logical evolution of the roadster into a sport-oriented overall package. Rather than simply bolting a few add-on parts onto the R 1300 R, it was deliberately rebuilt.

The Sprint thus joins a series of builds based on the new R 1300 R. BMW itself has already presented two eye-catching custom bikes on this platform, the R 1300 R Titan and the R 1300 R Superhooligan. The Wunderlich machine takes a different path, however, and is clearly inspired by classic road-going sportbikes.

Who designed the R 1300 S Sprint?

The design is the work of Nicolas Petit. The Frenchman has been responsible for designing Wunderlich products for almost 20 years.

Petit does not just work at the drawing board and the computer. In Wunderlich’s prototype department, he shapes models from design clay, cuts templates out of cardboard and builds three-dimensional frameworks from rods. This is how parts such as engine and tank guards, protectors and seats are created to fit each motorcycle. On the Sprint, he focused mainly on the upper half of the bike.

According to Petit, the project fulfilled a long-held wish. He deliberately chose not to adopt the angular, aggressive style of today’s superbikes. Instead, the Sprint relies on round, organic shapes, clean lines and balanced proportions. The half fairing is intentionally compact so that the boxer engine, frame and chassis remain visible and become part of the design. Aerodynamics are also said to have been taken into account. Petit sums up his approach as follows: “Less is not less here; it is a conscious decision in favor of a design that focuses on the essentials and is all the more convincing for it.”

The paintwork is by Peter Haindl. He finished the bike in light blue and orange, the Gulf colors that have been associated with endurance racing for decades.

What technology is in the R 1300 S Sprint?

Under the fairing sits the R 1300 R’s boxer with 145 hp (107 kW). The changes mainly concern the suspension, ergonomics, wheels and exhaust.

Wunderlich has replaced the R 1300 R’s wide tubular handlebar with lower-mounted clip-ons. Combined with a seating position that puts the rider further over the front wheel, the result is a much sportier posture than on the production roadster. Suspension comes from Wilbers, a long-standing Wunderlich partner. The upside-down fork and the shock absorber are fully adjustable.

Several well-known suppliers have contributed to the Sprint:

• BST supplies lightweight carbon wheels intended to improve handling
• Ilmberger contributes various carbon covers
• Remus builds the short exhaust system, whose silencer runs high and parallel to the tail
• Continental provides the tires
• On top of that come parts from Wunderlich’s own catalog and a custom-made solo seat that remains a one-off for now

Wunderlich managing director Frank Hoffmann explains that the aim was to upgrade the base bike specifically in order to bring out the boxer’s performance potential more precisely. The company has not detailed exactly which Wunderlich components are fitted. There is also no information on weight or any increase in power.

Role models from endurance racing and BMW history

Visually, the Sprint is meant to recall the great endurance racing machines of the 1980s and 1990s. Typical features include the exposed rear wheel, the silencer routed high at the tail, the forward-biased seating position and the half fairing.

On the one hand, Wunderlich cites BMW’s own sport boxers as role models, namely the R 1100 S, the R 1200 S and the HP2 Sport. On the other hand, machines from other manufacturers also served as inspiration: the Honda Bol d’Or, the Suzuki GSX 1100 R and the Ducati 900 SS Nuda. BMW later did not consistently pursue the approach of the R 1200 S and the HP2 Sport. This is exactly the thread the Sprint picks up.

Can you buy the R 1300 S Sprint?

Not as a complete bike, as the R 1300 S Sprint is a concept motorcycle. Wunderlich has not announced a price or plans for series production.

Anyone who wants to modify their R 1300 R will, however, find new Wunderlich accessories for the production model at EICMA 2026. These include, for the first time, hand guards, which BMW does not offer for the roadster from the factory. They cost 159.90 euros (approx. 179 US dollars) and are available in four colors. A larger foot brake pedal pad costs 89.90 euros (approx. 100 US dollars). For rider and passenger, there are heated AKTIVKOMFORT seats with a cover designed to heat up less in the sun, at 549 euros (approx. 613 US dollars) each. Also new is an all-black version of the ULTIMATE protectors for the valve and cylinder covers, which fits all R 1300 models with the ShiftCam boxer. One version gets a stainless steel insert designed to protect the magnesium valve cover when sliding across the asphalt. Depending on the version, the protectors cost 249 euros (approx. 278 US dollars) or 269 euros (approx. 300 US dollars). All prices apply to Germany.

The Sprint itself is the eye-catcher of Wunderlich’s presence at EICMA 2026 in Milan, where numerous manufacturers are showing their new models for the 2027 model year. In addition to accessories for the R 1300 R, RS and RT, Wunderlich is also bringing parts for the R 1300 GS, the F 450 GS and the R 12 G/S.

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