- Marks Steve McLaughlin’s Daytona 200 victory in 1976
- Gets unique colour and graphics
- To be showcased at the 84th Daytona 200
BMW Motorrad is marking the 50th anniversary of Steve McLaughlin’s landmark Daytona victory with a one-off R1300 R Superhooligan custom roadster, a machine that bridges 1970s superbike history with BMW’s latest-generation roadster platform.
McLaughlin won the first-ever superbike race at the Daytona 200 in 1976 aboard a BMW R90 S. Fittingly, the new R1300 R Superhooligan has been presented alongside that iconic machine, visually linking past and present.
At its core, the build is based on the current R1300 R. It retains the liquid-cooled flat-twin engine producing 143bhp at 7,750rpm and 110 lb-ft of torque at 6,500rpm, ensuring the performance credentials match its aggressive stance. While the bike’s livery and detailing are bold, BMW says the design deliberately carries over the essential stylistic and technical DNA of the standard R1300 R, reinterpreting it through the lens of a modern naked superbike.
The project was developed in-house by BMW Motorrad’s Custom Speed Shop division, led by Philipp Ludwig and Katrin Torge. The number 83 appears prominently on the front and rear fairings as a tribute to McLaughlin, echoed by the vivid orange used on the front fender and tank side panels, a clear nod to his race-winning R90 S.
The homage extends beyond a single rider. The design also recognises Reg Pridmore’s victory in the inaugural AMA Superbike Championship. Both McLaughlin and Pridmore raced R90 S machinery under the Butler & Smith banner, making the Superhooligan a broader celebration of BMW’s early US racing success.
Colour detailing ties the bike to the brand’s modern performance range. The same blue seen on the brake calipers of the BMW M1000 RR is repeated on the aluminium rear frame and on the tubes of the fully adjustable Wilbers upside-down forks. Those forks are extended by 30mm to increase lean-angle clearance, while the matching blue spring on the rear suspension reinforces the cohesive, motorsport-led aesthetic.
Further elevating the build, the Superhooligan adopts the carbon front wheel from the M1000 RR and incorporates lightweight carbon-fibre components from BMW Motorrad and Ilmberger Carbon Parts. Fully adjustable hand levers from Advik, milled BMW Motorrad footrests and a titanium Akrapovič exhaust system with a carbon end silencer complete the specification, blending heritage cues with contemporary high-performance hardware.
The R1300 R Superhooligan will make a public appearance at the 84th running of the Daytona 200, held from 5–7 March 2026, returning the tribute bike to the very circuit that inspired its creation five decades ago.
