Discovery – Complete review of the 2013 Paris Motorcycle Show – Review of the show by KTM

BMW HP4 Premiere

BMW HP4 on the GP circuit in Jerez

Content of

With the new HP4, BMW definitely does not want to humiliate its competitors who are frozen in shock. No, with the HP4, BMW simply wants to offer the fastest and safest sports motorcycle in the world.

To anticipate it right away: the BMW has horsepower HP4 was the only editorial team in the world to be tested off-road at its premiere on the Spanish GP circuit in Jerez! Only we fools dared a ride in the Andalusian gravel and were able to convince ourselves of the poor terrain skills of the Bavarian top athlete. And we discovered the following deficiency in the rocket: The HP4 does not have a special “gravel bed mapping”! A scandal, because when riding off the track, the traction control has to be switched off manually before you can dig your way out of the gravel.

Jokes aside and back to the facts. They clearly read: a) The BMW HP4 is an even sharper version of the S 1000 RR, which turns the competition more than a long nose through finely adjustable traction control and an active chassis (DDC), and b) an HP4 only comes through under normal circumstances foolish driving mistakes in the dirt. The HP4 is more than an “S” or “Factory” version offered by the Italian competitors, because this BMW, in contrast to the basic S 1000 RR, is not limited to a different chassis, forged wheels and carbon particles, but uses them Vollen: The BMW HP4 is the first motorcycle in the world to be equipped with an active chassis called DDC, "Dynamic Damping Control".

Kraus

With the new switch on the left armature, the DTC can be fine-tuned while driving.

Their spring elements are equipped with electronically controlled valves, which enables dynamic adjustment of the damping in the fork and shock absorber, depending on the driving situation, within a few milliseconds. The damping is adapted to the current driving maneuver and the condition of the road surface using parameters determined by sensors via the electrically controlled control valves. If the HP4 is braked heavily, for example, the DDC recognizes the driving situation based on a large amount of data received in the ECU (brake pressure, decreasing front wheel speed and throttle position, to name just a few) and automatically hardens the fork’s damping to counter any bottoming out and to support the spring during the braking maneuver. When accelerating, the damping on the fork becomes softer, for example, to avoid kickback, while the pressure damping of the shock absorber is closed to support the spring. What sounds simple is an enormous amount of programming work.

And does it work? Yes! In Jerez we shot like crazy, drove ourselves into a real intoxication. Hand on heart: We braked later than ever before, opened the gas harder and earlier than usual. With three findings: The DDC lets the HP4 push a little outwards, presumably because of the fork that becomes softer from the apex. In addition, a lap time of 1.53 minutes on a street legal motorcycle and an almost unknown track is quite decent (Troy Corser left it at a 1.48 lap). The third realization then occurred in the gravel: The driver is at the limit earlier than the BMW.

Kraus

The BMW HP4 brakes later and opens the gas earlier and harder.

What makes the HP4 such a weapon besides the DDC? There is the revised Race ABS, which is now tuned in the "Slick" mode as it was used in the IDM on last year’s racing S 1000 RR. There is also the traction control that can now be finely adjusted (in "Slick" mode). It can be adjusted from the "0" position by +7 levels (more control) and -7 levels (less control) to suit your taste. In addition, the weight saving of over seven kilograms compared to the S 1000 RR scores, which is mainly due to the forged wheels and the exhaust system. Then there is the noticeably better handling and the revised front brake with sharper pads that make braking more enjoyable. The further electronic upgrade is reflected in the “launch control” and the new injection mapping of the engine management. One makes race starts easier, the other ensures an increase in power and torque in the medium speed range. BMW wouldn’t be BMW if there wasn’t an extensive range of accessories for the HP4. A standard HP4 can be upgraded for racing with the “Competition Package”, which costs around 3000 euros. In addition to many carbon parts, racing pegs and folding hand levers, the blue wheels shown in the photos are part of this package.

Changes in detail

  • DDC ("Dynamic Damping Control"): active, electronically controlled chassis
  • Race ABS with new tuning in "Slick"mode for shorter braking distances
  • Finely adjustable traction control in "Slick" mode
  • Launch control
  • improved wheelie control
  • Over seven kilograms weight reduction through forged wheels, titanium exhaust system with catalytic converter and lighter battery
  • Automatic switch as standard
  • new rear tire size in 200/55 ZR 17
  • higher power and higher torque in the lower to medium speed range

PS judgment
The BMW HP4 is more than just an S 1000 RR pimped with accessories. An HP4 with a “competition package” is a production racer that allows racing at the highest level out of the box. And all with TÜV and extremely mobile on the country road. In 2013 the HP4 will -ize the Superbike-IDM "BMW"…

PS data

Bmw

According to BMW, the HP4 only weighs 199 kg.

PS data

Drive:
Four-cylinder in-line engine, four valves / cylinder, 142 kW (193 hp) at 13000 / min *, 112 Nm at 9750 / min *, 999 cm³, bore / stroke: 80.0 / 49.7 mm, compression: 13.0: 1, ignition / injection system, 48 mm throttle valves, mechanically operated multi-disc anti-hopping oil bath clutch, six-speed transmission, traction control

Landing gear:
 Light metal bridge frame, steering head angle: 66.0 degrees, caster: 99 mm, wheelbase: 1423 mm, inner fork tube Ø: 46 mm, spring travel from / h .: 120/130 mm, DDS

Wheels and brakes:
Forged light alloy wheels 3.50 x 17 / 6.00 x 17, front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 200/55 ZR 17, 320 mm double disc brake with four-piston fixed calipers at the front, 220 mm single disc with single-piston floating caliper at the rear, C-ABS

Weight (full tank): 199 kg *
Tank capacity: 17.5 liters, super

Basic price: approx. 20,500 euros (plus ancillary costs) *

* Manufacturer information

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *