Bmw Goes Enduro!
BMW GOES ENDURO!
RUMORS, SPY SHOTS and thinly disguised "racebikes" all pointed to a super-dirty Boxer from BMW, but it hardly seemed like it could be true. Yet the so-called HP2 is real, and represents the most dirt-worthy production BMW ever made.
Although ostensibly based on the R1200GS adventure-tourer, the HP2 represents a huge departure and is as much an evolution of the R900R Dakar Rally racers as it is the GS. This lends credence to the HP standing for "High Performance" (the "2" refers to the number of cylinders). This is the first model in what will be a limited-production HP range based on standard Boxers (and only Boxers), but seriously focused on maximum performance, similar to what BMW does to its cars via the Motorsports "M" series.
The number-one develop ment criteria was weight savings, and, remarkably, the HP2 is said to weigh just 400 pounds, which would make it more than 100 pounds lighter than our last R1200GS testbike, and some ; 50 pounds more svelte than the dirt-worthy KTM 950 Adventure! The 1170cc, cam-in head, air/oil cooled flat-
Twin is largely unchanged, although for reduced weight the balance shaft has been removed, while tweaks yield a slight increase in output over GS duty, to 105 horse power. A beefed up GS six speed transmission is used. The tubular-steel rally racer-derived frame sports a 45mm non-Telelever inverted fork with BMW's Travel-Dependent Damping and 10.6 inches of travel. At the rear, the 1.2-inch-longer forgedlwelded-aluminum Paralever swingarm and shaft drive is kept in check by an all-new air shock. Some 2 pounds lighter than a conventional hydraulic shock, it is also said to resist fade and be more widely adjustable. The HP2 comes standard with a high-pressure hand pump to adjust shock (and tire) pressure as necessary.
pic~uic a~ 11..c~~a1y. Wheels are spoked and in off-road sizes with a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear. Seat height is a dirtbike-like 36.2 inches. An optional, lower version cuts this by nearly an inch. Handlebars are adjustable fore and aft by .8-inch. Even the rear brake pedal is adjustable to suit standup or sit-down riding, no tools required. There is no tachometer, and true to the HP2's rock-bashing intent, saddlebags are not offered. Price of the bike, which will be available this fall, was undisclosed at presstime, but $20K is a good guess. Still don't think BMW is serious about off-road riding? The company has announced it will be racing the Baja 500 and 1000. Now that~ serious! -Mark Hoyer
Mark Hoyer
