Designed specifically as a track weapon, the 2018
BMW Motorrad HP4 Race is a showcase of BMW’s engineering prowess. As with all
halo motorcycles, such as the Honda RC213V-S and Ducati 1299 Superleggera, the
HP4 Race comes with a commensurate price tag – RM4 91,420, sans GST.
This is a savings of RM 29,480 from the GST price of
RM 520,900 and the specifications of the HP4 Race would justify it. Its
carbon-fibre frame weighs 7.6 kg, weighing a full third less than the S1000
RR’s 11.6 kg aluminium frame.
Producing 215 hp at 13,900 rpm and 120 Nm of torque
at 10,000 rpm from its inline-four, liquid-cooled, DOHC 16-valve power plant,
the HP Race uses a six-speed, straight-cut gear transmission and chain final
drive. Rear wheel hop under heavy downshifting is modulated with a slipper
clutch.
While most make do with three or four levels of
traction control, the HP4 Race gives the rider 15 levels of adjustment,
including engine braking control. Four ride modes are standard – Wet, Intermediate,
Dry 1 and Dry 2 – as is datalogging, lap timing and GPS.
Also included in the HP4 Race’s electronics suite
are a pit lane speed limiter, launch control, wheelie control, spring travel
and brake pressure sensors. The rider’s position is also adjustable with
eight-position footrests, adjustable handlebars and seat height, adjustable
steering head angle and swingarm centre of rotation.
Naturally braking and suspension is from the very
top shelf, with Brembo GP4-R callipers using titanium pistons to clamp a pair
of 320 mm diameter discs in front, actuated by a Brembo RCS 19×18 master
cylinder. A pair of Ohlins FGR300 forks is mated with an Ohlins SD052 steering
damper in front and Ohlins TTX36 GP monoshock in the back.
Carbon-fibre wheels complete the fit-out, giving the
HP4 Race a wet weight of 171 kg, ready to go. Limited to 750 units worldwide,
the HP4 Race is hand-built by a dedicated team in Berlin, Germany, and comes
solely in BMW Motorsport livery.
