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Driving report Liebchen-BMW R 1100 RS
Shadow boxer
At the 24-hour race in Magny-Cours, a Bavarian team demonstrated the sporting talents of a boxer BMW by winning the BoT class. Not quite an ordinary one, however.
What a machine! Clearly a four-valve boxer BMW, but much slimmer and sportier than the series. Aggressive like a monumental bird of prey, with a muscular body and a high, pointed bottom. The cylinders are aggressive in the airstream. The exhaust does not hang listlessly next to the rear wheel like an ailing appendix, it is elegantly hidden in the hump – the thick rear part has disappeared and a clear, elegant line emerged without superfluous appendages. The way to this form was not exactly short.
It all began with the 1995 Moto-Aktiv 24-hour race. Romolo Liebchen, when Bayer from Wolnzach naturally had a patriotic association with the white-blue brand, decided to take on the established competition with an R 1100 RS. A project that led to a sensational eleventh place overall with the almost standard rubber cow. Of course, more had to follow. The potential was obvious, the ambition aroused.
In October ’96 the starting shot was given for the construction of the ’97 racing cow with a clear objective: the widest possible use of German components and improvement of the ’95 result. The BMW had to get smaller, lighter, more streamlined, stronger, and all without sacrificing reliability. The characteristics of the original silhouette should be retained.
The men around Romolo did a great job. The standard tank is replaced by a true work of art in aluminum with an enlarged capacity, which is stylishly covered by a carbon fiber cover in its original form. In general, all paneling parts were re-laminated in specially made molds made of carbon-kevlar composite. Series optics, as I said. The handlebars had to be lowered, the fairing lowered. This was achieved by installing a fork and a subframe, which look a lot like series production, but have not yet been installed in this form on any BMW known to the editorial team. Should it already be parts of the announced sports boxers R 1100 S? The builders are silent about this. On the chassis side, there are various highlights to be mentioned that are anything but commonplace. For example the feather-light Sachs Sporting shock absorbers, usually at home in Formula 1, with separate high and low speed settings for rebound and compression damping. Or the milled Brembo monoblock calipers with perforated titanium pistons, which Mick Doohan can use to brake past his opponents. The filigree rims and the brake discs come from the K 1200 RS. As befits his standing, the sports boxer rolls on Michelin Race-3 sports tires, which are currently among the most adhesive and light-footed tires the tire market has to offer. The rear frame has been redrawn to perfectly control the exhaust and hump. It goes without saying that there are still lots of carbon fiber, aluminum or titanium screws and countless other eye-catchers installed, be it the cockpit or the quick tank system.
Of course, the centerpiece did not remain untouched either. Engine guru Helmut Mader from Erding favored torque and durability over sheer engine power and gave the engine extensive fine-tuning. Edges and transitions of the channels and the oil circuit have been rounded and perfected, and the valve train has been drastically lightened. Other pistons of nebulous origin raise the compression to a remarkable 11.3: 1. Meticulous fine balancing and weighing of the crank mechanism reduce vibrations and improve durability, as do shot-peened connecting rods. The specially made two-in-one exhaust system with combined reflection and absorption sound absorption was adapted using a modified map. A number of sponsors helped with the implementation of these not exactly cost-reducing conversions, and maybe even the parent company of all BMWs in the Bavarian metropolis contributed a few helpful test parts.
The result is impressive: The Boxer lifts 105 horses out of the engine at 7800 rpm, and 106 Nm at 5500 rpm are not made of cardboard either. The Liebchen-BMW weighs only 207 kilos with 21.5 liters of fuel. But how does it drive??
The unusually high sitting position is immediately noticeable. The stubs are easy to hand and leave the driver very upright. Also the footrest position: very comfortable and actually not very racing. At the first push of a button, the boxer comes to life. Not very loud, but sonorous and very independent. I roll out of the pit lane in Magny-Cours excitedly. Caramba, this cow is flying! I quickly rush through the gear steps, dropping into the fast left to the start and finish. First impression: extremely low steering forces with high accuracy. Everything fits. Be it fast or slow alternating curves that are rushed through with ease, be it the probably best brake (not least in connection with the Telelever front wheel control) that I have ever been allowed to operate, be it the fantastic accuracy or the powerful engine. Even the lean angle, always an issue for boxers on the racetrack, is sufficient. The suspension struts provide crystal-clear feedback at all times, the tires stick to the asphalt as if they were grown together. Top! This BMW certainly contributed to Romolo Liebchen, Peter John, Ralf Lewien and Christian Kohlhaas becoming sovereign class winners and ninth overall in the 24-hour race.
D.he Liebchen-BMW R 1100 RS is a sports boxer that sports drivers all over the world want! It is quiet and only separated from approval by the lack of indicators and a number plate. The best thing: Romolo wants to build replicas for sale. Long live the sport!
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