BMW has released details for its much anticipated new HP4 race bike, with 750 models planned to be “individually crafted for top performance on the race track”.
The company says that “fascinating technical solutions for maximum performance on the race track have always been the hallmark of hand-picked factory racing motorcycles modified to perfection down to the last detail. With the new HP4 RACE, BMW Motorrad presents a purebred racing bike in a production run of 750. It is individually crafted by a small, highly specialised team, ensuring the very highest level of quality.
“In terms of engine, electronics and spring elements, the new HP4 RACE is in the same category as current superbike factory racing machines, even surpassing this level in the area of suspension with its carbon fibre frame. Weighing 171 kilograms when fully fuelled and road ready, the new HP4 RACE is even lighter than the factory racing bikes currently used in the Superbike World Championship and is only slightly above the MotoGP factory racers in terms of weight.
BMW had been known to be working on carbon fibre chassis technology, and with the HP4 RACE BMW say they are “the first motorcycle manufacturer in the world to present a main frame made entirely of carbon fibre and produced industrially in small series, thereby making this future-oriented technology available for anyone to purchase”.
The frame weighs just 7.8 kg, with front and rear wheels also in carbon fibre, enabling a weight reduction of approximately 30 per cent as compared to light alloy forged wheels, while retaining a “deliberately rigid” design.
BMW say the HP4 RACE has a “purebred racing engine similar to specifications 6.2 and 7.2 of the Endurance and Superbike World Championships. The peak output is 158 kW (215 hp) at 13,900 rpm. The maximum torque of 120 Nm is reached at 10,000 rpm. The maximum engine speed has been increased compared to the engine of the S 1000 RR from 14,200 rpm to 14,500 rpm. With the aim of achieving the best possible performance, a 6‑speed close-ratio racing gearbox is used with optimised transmission ratios and various secondary ratios (diverse pinions and chain sprockets included).
Additional features include Öhlins spring elements, light alloy underslung swingarm and Brembo monoblock brake calipers from the Superbike World Championship, weight-optimised electrical system, 2D dashboard along with Dynamic Traction Control DTC, Engine Brake EBR, Wheelie Control and other electronic features.
An overview of the highlights of the new BMW HP4 RACE …
- Carbon fibre main frame in monocoque construction, weighing just 7.8 kilograms
- Self-supporting carbon fibre rear frame with three-stage height adjustment function
- Carbon fibre wheels offering a weight reduction of some 30 per cent as compared to light alloy forged wheels
- Öhlins FGR 300 upside-down fork
- Öhlins TTX 36 GP spring strut
- Brembo GP4 PR monoblock brake calipers with 320 T-type racing steel brake discs (thickness 6.75 mm) at the front
- Racing engine at World Cup level with an output of 158 kW (215 hp) at 13,900 rpm and a maximum torque of 120 Nm at 10,000 rpm
- Close-ratio racing gearbox with adapted transmission ratios
- Weight-optimised electrical system featuring light lithium-ion battery with 5 Ah
- 2D dashboard and 2D data recording, including logger
- Dynamic Traction Control DTC (programmable for selected gears at 15 levels)
- Engine Brake EBR (programmable for selected gears at 15 levels)
- Wheelie Control (programmable for selected gears)
- Launch Control
- Pit Lane Limiter
- Light trim parts made of carbon fibre with snap fasteners
- Paint finish in BMW HP Motorsport colours
- Production run of 750 units, each individually crafted
