This carbon-framed, track-only superbike makes 215 bhp
and weighs just 171.5 kg full of fuel (and
a staggering 146 kg dry). That’s an even more impressive power-to-weight ratio
than Ducati 1299 Superleggera. It also comes with higher-spec
suspension and brakes than the beautiful Bologna bullet. Only 750 will be made
and bikes are expected to arrive in dealers in September.
Based on BMW’s inline four-cylinder S1000RR motor,
the World Endurance/WSB-inspired HP4 RACE engine has weight-matched pistons,
Pankl conrods and crank bearing shells. It’s fitted with hairier inlet and
exhaust cams, longer and wider intake trumpets, a 200 gram lighter crank and a
milled ali sump. Compression ratio is up from 13.7 to 13.9:1, with maximum
power up from 199 bhp @ 13,500 rpm to 215 bhp @ 13,900 rpm.
A new racing gearbox has a longer first and second
and shorter higher ratios. Only third gear is the same as the S1000RR. An
upside down ‘race shift’ gear pattern comes as standard, as well as a
quickshifter and auto-blipper. A full 4-2-1 titanium Akrapovic race exhaust is
topped off with a carbon can.
Industrially manufactured in a single piece, the
high-strength 7.8 kg carbon fibre frame is created with varying levels of
stiffness and flex for stable handling and cornering feel. And of course it’s
light, weighing 4kg less than the RR’s three-piece cast ali frame. Unlike the
new 1299 Superleggera's carbon item, the BMW’s deeply underbraced, girder-stiff
swingarm is fabricated from good old-fashioned aluminium, pinched from their
WSB bike. Nickel-plated Brembo GP4 PR calipers are race grade and feature
coated titanium pistons.
One-piece self-supporting seat unit can be easily
unbolted and fixed in three positions to suit rider preference, giving a seat
height of 816 mm, 831 mm (from the showroom) and 846 mm. BMW HP footrests are
eight-way adjustable.
Fully adjustable Ohlins FGR300 forks and a TTX36 GP
shock are the staple of a MotoGP and WSB paddock. Milled ali top yoke design is
taken from the BMW WSB racer. Steering offset, head angle, swingarm pivot and
rear ride height are all fully adjustable. The HP4 RACE also comes with a
choice of three front and five rear sprockets.
Electronic rider aids are tailored towards the track
and an evolution of the current RR’s. Rider modes are now called Wet,
Intermediate, Dry1, Dry2 and you also get launch control and a pitlane limiter.
The traction control now uses an ignition cut so the rider can hear it pop as
well as feel it when it chimes in. 15-stage traction and engine braking control
and a five-stage anti-wheelie can be adjusted gear by gear. Your £ 68k also buys
you a clear-lacquered, brushed ali fuel tank, carbon fibre panels, a
lithium-ion battery and a numbered (1-750) top yoke.
