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EXTRA VOOMAH: The 1171cc boxer twin has been tuned for 77kW - that's 103hp in the old language. |
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SPECIAL COMPONENTS: The rear Paralever suspension has been extended by 30mm compared to the R1200 GS. |
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BEETLE-CRUSHER: It may have lights and a hooter but the HP2 is intended as a serious enduro tool. |
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HIGH PERFORMANCE: A combination of power, special components and light weight makes the HP2 the most competent enduro machine yet from the Blue Propeller. |
High-performance BMW enduro bike breaks cover
April 19, 2005
A quarter-century after inventing the "big trailie" off-road genre with the original R80GS, BMW has announced the HP2 (high-performance twin) – an uncompromisingly competent and unusually light, road-legal, off-road motorcycle.
The HP2 is the first in a new, independent category of motorcycles being developed by BMW. They're called the High Performance series and will be special, exclusive and remain relatively rare.
Prices will be determined by their outstanding features, a much higher level of component specification and comparatively small production volume.
BMW SA motorcycle division head Lachlan Harris told motoring..co.za that the HP series is similar to the M series of BMW cars, serious performance tools at premium prices.
The HP2 is the most powerful and dynamic off-road boxer twin yet; BMW claims it will be the most powerful enduro bike on the market. On rough ground the HP2 benefits from the boxer torque and low centre of gravity – but its agile handling, low weight and high-performance motor make it a superb road bike as well.
Painstaking re-engineering of every component on the HP2 has resulted in a dry weight of only 175kg and that means improved agility and control on even the toughest terrain.
BMW claims the low centre of gravity of the Boxer engine, its balance, smoothness and strong acceleration from low revs make the HP2 more competent on demanding tracks than even the toughest single-cylinder machines.
Works racers
The BMW factory is supporting a private racing team that will enter HP2 bikes in off-road events such as the German cross-country championship. HP2s have also been entered for the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 races in the US and there are plans to participate in the prologue of the Erzberg Race in Austria.
BMW will supply the bikes as well as support and service for the teams at these events.
HP2 key features:
- 1170cc flat-twin engine (as per the R1200 GS) but with an increased output of 77kW. Peak torque remains 115Nm at 5500rpm.
- New silencer almost two kilograms lighter than that of the R1200GS – but the HP2 can't take hard luggage.
- The frame's tubular space-frame structure is based on the R900R race bikes used by the BMW works teams in the Dakar rally from 1999-2001.
- Upside-down telescopic forks with 270mm of spring travel – you can't get that much travel with BMW's Telelever front suspension.
- Redesigned Paralever, 30mm longer than on the GS.
- Full air suspension – at under 2.3kg, it's about two kilograms lighter than a conventional monoshock.
- Cross-spoked wheels for tough conditions with a 305mm single front disc and twin-piston floating calliper. There's a 265mm single disc with floating calliper at the rear.
- The 13-litre fuel tank is made of semi-transparent polyethylene, so you can see the fuel level. The side components on the tank and front mudguard are made of self-coloured, grained plastic so that scratches will remain almost invisible
- A seat height of 920mm. A lower seat (900mm) is an option
- Instrument cluster as per the R1200 GS but with no rev counter. There's an additional mode on the LCD screen showing the number of hours the bike has run - important for changing the air filter at appropriate intervals when riding off-road on dusty tracks.
- A wide range of special parts and accessories will be available so the owner can broaden the HP2's range of features and equipment.
- The world launch of the HP2 will be in September; the South African launch will follow in the fourth quarter of 2005 – prices will be announced then.
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