Oliveira tested the BMW for 2027: much of it reminds him of MotoGP

For Miguel Oliveira, 2026 brings many new challenges. After many years in MotoGP, the Portuguese rider moved to the World Superbike Championship and had to get used to more than just the BMW M1000RR. The Pirelli tyres and the steel brakes used in the production-based World Championship also differed significantly from what Oliveira was used to from his long Grand Prix career.

The tide could turn in the 2027 season. That is when the Superbike World Championship will switch from Pirelli to Michelin. At the same time, standardised carbon brakes from Brembo will be introduced. Oliveira is very familiar with both from his time in MotoGP.

The BMW rider already got a first taste of this during test sessions in Cremona. There, Oliveira worked with the BMW test team and tried out both the Michelin tyres and the new brakes.

Die Superbike-WM verzögert ab 2027 mit Carbon-Bremsen von Brembo

Foto: Brembo

“We rode on Michelin tyres and the brakes. As far as I know, that’s all there’s been so far,” Oliveira reported ahead of the race weekend in Cremona.

Topic of the week

Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring: track – hit or miss?

The people of Madrid had set their sights high for their city’s first Formula 1 World Championship race since 1981. But have the high expectations for the new Madring mixed-circuit track really been met?

Read More

TV Program

Today

Cremona: 1. Freies Training

FIM Superbike World Championship

25.09.2026 - 10:15

The difference compared to the current Superbike package was clearly noticeable. For the former MotoGP winner, however, this wasn’t a leap into the unknown – quite the opposite, in fact. “It definitely felt different, but interesting,” Oliveira explained. “Let’s put it this way: I was getting on something that was familiar to me.”

MotoGP experience could prove an advantage

This is precisely where a major opportunity could lie for Oliveira. Whilst many of his Superbike rivals will have to adapt to the characteristics of Michelin tyres and carbon brakes for the first time in 2027, the Portuguese rider brings years of experience with them.

Miguel Oliveira freut sich auf die Änderungen für 2027

Foto: BMW

The switch to Michelin, in particular, is likely to have a significant impact on the set-up and handling of the Superbikes. Tyres influence, amongst other things, balance, geometry and behaviour under braking and acceleration.

The fact that BMW is already testing the new package during the current season therefore shows just how extensive the preparations for next year are.

BMW’s Technical Director, Chris Gonschor, expects the new rules to mean a fair bit of work. “There are a number of rule changes for the coming season. A major process of change lies ahead – regarding the fuel flow limit, the brakes and the tyres,” explained the German.

BMW-Technikdirektor Chris Gonschor

Foto: Gold & Goose

Winter preparations will therefore be all the more important. “We’re expecting a lot of work. That’s why we need sufficient testing time over the winter to be able to assess everything properly.”

However, Gonschor sees no cause for concern. “Ultimately, it’s simply a new season with a few changes to parts and components. So there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

BMW brings tried-and-tested chassis concept into production

As well as tyres and brakes, BMW is also working on the motorbike itself. The M1000RR will feature chassis modifications for 2027. In doing so, the manufacturer is drawing on insights already gathered under the Super Concessions regulations.

BMW had utilised these opportunities in 2024 to adapt the M1000RR’s chassis. The frame was modified in several places to reduce stiffness. Elements of this development are now finding their way into series production and thus also form the basis for the future racing motorbike.

“We have had good experiences in the past with the modifications made possible by the Super Concessions,” explained Gonschor. “Subsequently transferring these solutions to series production is a major achievement and demonstrates our company’s capabilities.”

BMW is continuously developing the M1000RR. “We improve the motorbike from model to model and from facelift to facelift. Sometimes it’s the engine, sometimes the aerodynamics, and other times the chassis. For 2027, we have prioritised the chassis in order to take a step forward in that area. There is clearly a performance-oriented approach behind this.”

Gonschor expects the new design to deliver tangible benefits in terms of set-up. “It’s definitely a step forward. We’ve designed the stiffness values so that the motorbike is slightly easier to set up.”

2027 could suit Oliveira

For BMW, the 2027 season therefore marks a significant change. For Oliveira, however, some of these changes could mean that his bike comes closer to what he is familiar with from his MotoGP days.

Above all, the first Michelin test in Cremona has given the Portuguese rider cause for optimism. Whilst in 2026 he had to adapt to numerous components and characteristics of a superbike that were new to him, his many years of Grand Prix experience could suddenly become an advantage when the next major rule change comes into effect.

His initial reaction after the test certainly suggests as much: the new package felt different to the current BMW – yet, at the same time, surprisingly familiar.