MotoGP – Moto GP USA – Free practice 1: Pedrosa draws in Laguna –

Posted on by admin

Track test BMW K 1200 R Power-Cup / Kawasaki ZX-10R

The Bavarians are coming

So far, BMW has played a league lower with the Boxer Cup. With the new Power-Cuper K 1200 R, the Bavarians are now moving in the power range of the Japanese four-cylinder. Can the Munich battleship of the track queen Kawasaki ZX-10R be dangerous?

Who would have thought that. That has well-trained top athlete from Nippon has to compete against "someone from Bavaria". No human! But would anyone have believed that the people of Munich would one day knock out a 1200 series quad that can compete with the powerhouses from the Far East in terms of performance? That hoarse four-cylinder screeches "made by Bi-Emm-Dabbelju" could be heard on the racetracks of the world? Not in 100 years.
The time has come since this year. Reason enough for MOTORRAD to measure the Bavarian champion with Japan’s fastest. Because she always kicks in the cup
only against their own kind. And lands
the first hit in this "unequal" duel. Astonished admiration everywhere at the Sachsenring in view of the racer in colorful war paint. Words of praise for the beautifully made Gilles ratchet system, keen interest in the Tellert automatic switch. The R turns on, no question about it.
This is not just because the mouse gray Kawasaki ZX-10R is hardly noticeable behind it. It is above all the sheer size of the BMW that smoothly hides the petite 1000 series. A compact 1385 millimeter wheelbase lasts forever
long 1580 millimeters compared to the handlebar height of 1020 millimeters a modest 840. The fact that the overall height of the Kawa is higher at 1110 to 1180 millimeters is only due to the fact that it is measured with streamlined fairing.
Weight control finally corrects the situation. Still massive 230 kilograms of the Bavarian athlete garnished with a lot of carbon (series 247 kilos) are compared to a petite 199 from Japan ?? in full StVZO regalia. In order to achieve the power-to-weight ratio of the measured 167 HP ZX-10R, the Cup BMW would have to mobilize 193 HP. And even the test machine with 164 HP (series measured 153 HP), which is well positioned in the drilling, is a long way off.
So no chance for the Power Cup racer? Not entirely true, because during the showdown on the Sachsenring’s mountain-and-valley track ?? both machines roll
on the perfectly functioning Metzeler Racetec K2 ?? the ZX-10R fights along
a handicap. The pressure point of the
The somewhat blunt brake system moves on and on towards the handlebars after a few tight laps to get there
indefinable crumple point to who-
tea. However, the brake did not completely fail as with the long-term test ZX-10R (see
MOTORCYCLE 15/2005).
"Is that normal?" Asks Zeitjager and Sachsenring expert Jurgen Fuchs, referring to the qualities of the BMW. Brembo calipers with four individual pads, no brake booster, no ABS ?? but, after BMW has experimented a lot with different pads, a crystal-clear pressure point at all times and very good effect. Kawasaki itself has no explanation for the weak brakes. In the 2005 model year, other, not quite as aggressive pads were used, but that couldn’t be the reason. MOTORRAD will continue to pursue the matter that has already been noticed occasionally with reader motorcycles.
Fortunately, this matter did not significantly influence the outcome of the story. Because although Jurgen Fuchs quarreled with the Kawasaki stoppers and he is well known to the BMW from his guest appearances in the Power Cup, he pulled the cable properly on the 10er. 1.32.1 minutes ?? that’s on this
Make a clear statement. “Uff, after all that driving a BMW this is a real one
Changeover. Really great, like the Kawa in
the long curves playfully
must be kept on course. And after that, at
Accelerate, you will hardly be carried outwards. In this respect the BMW has its problems. The greatest asset
the ZX-10R is, however, very capable
to go on the gas early. Because of hers
low weight, directional stability and
the possibility of shifting a lot of the rider’s weight onto the rear wheel, ”enthuses Jurgen in view of the indisputable qualities in silver-black.
A statement that is confirmed by the data recording, especially in the last third of the route. The ZX-10R is faster exactly where the accelerator is accelerated (see route map and data recording curve). In a full left lean, it accelerates much earlier on the last crest
Tal than the BMW and also takes a lot of meters from it on the downhill straight, where it reaches over 240 km / h. The game repeats itself in the following link with a subsequent straight section and of course on the start-finish straight, on which aerodynamics also play a major role. Where the Kawa slips through, the undisguised BMW stamps a hole in the atmosphere that has washed itself. And is over ten km / h slower at the braking point.
Result: Even though the BMW only loses marginal ground on the stretch around the Omega and the eternally long links, it is a total of 1.2 seconds behind. A difference with which the
However, K can live. Finally became
not chasing the times in her cradle
placed. On the one hand. On the other hand, it is trimmed for the race track with all sorts of measures (25 millimeters higher chassis, modified damping, laser exhaust without Kat, modified control unit, radial pump from Brembo), while the Kawasaki is completely standard except for the pulled. And the BMW has an engine that offers significantly more punch, especially in the medium speed range, as well as one
unshakable stability.
»Once tilted? because of the high weight and the front section at the turning point, which barely plunges away, that’s not that easy ?? the BMW is even better than the Kawa beyond the apex, ”explains Jurgen. “And their stability on the brakes is due
the long wheelbase is hard to beat, at least straight ahead. ”There she does
Under a Power Cup professional sometimes even meters well, while the K-rookie is careful because of the diffuse feeling for the front wheel and has to get used to the high handlebar position.
Ultimately, it is precisely this ergonomics that reminds you: Hey, them
K is not a hit, but actually a completely normal all-rounder. For one like the ZX-10R, that’s not enough. Nevertheless, the Power Cup project shows the direction. Bayern are coming? soon also in two-wheel sports?

Track test BMW K 1200 R Power-Cup / Kawasaki ZX-10R

The Bavarians are coming

Technical data: Kawasaki ZX-10R

Engine: water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain.
Bore x stroke 76.0 x 55.0 mm
Displacement 998 cm3
rated capacity
128.4 kW (175 hp) at 11700 rpm
Frame: aluminum bridge frame, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, aluminum two-arm swing arm, double disc brake at the front, Ø 300 mm, disc brake at the rear, Ø 220 mm.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 190/50 ZR 17
Dimensions and weights: wheelbase 1385 mm, steering head angle 66 degrees, caster 102 mm, spring travel f / h 120/125 mm, weight with a full tank * 199 kg, tank capacity 17 liters.
Price: 12,995 euros without VAT.

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

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