New HP2 Bike!

[BCK_973]

Just reading that they will sell this new lighter bike.
Performances: 175 kg plus 13 liters gas.
98 PS.1200cc.
270mm suspensions,neumatic shok, new transmission design and a great look.
All tube frame.
Allmost like the first G/S.
More under
http://www.motorradonline.de/mrd/home
Price: starting at 16.000 euros......

[Mr. Ron]

...hmmmm, nice bike! Walked into the BMW dealership today and in the middle of the floor was an advertisement plaque, but no bike...GRRR! What a tease! Like to see it with some luggage too!

[John Ferris]

I found this on-line-
"BMW are saying that these will be hand built machines in low production volumes and hinting that the price will be well over and above the $21,500 sticker price of the regular R1200 GS."

I asked about them at Sierra BMW and they said that no luggage will be available for them.

[Margus]

There will be BMW luggage for it - tank bag and soft luggage. But anyay, not much to do with BMW luggage for serious travelling - sure there will be aftermarket equipment available soon (Touratech, Wunderlich etc), same goes to stock 13litre tank - there're always options for auxillary tanks or modifyed tank to bigger volumes etc - nowadays it's no problem!

BUT it makes absolutely NO SENSE puting extra gear to this machine - it's a real new class offroad machine. Not made for "touring" word as we know it. Better to put it on the airplane as it is and transport it to the destination, have lot of cash in the pocket and enjoy low-flying in Himalayan/cambodian dirt pistes for example... But don't forget, it sure needs long racing-rallye experienced rider to handle it as it is made for and it's purpose. BMW makes a good decision to make it only in limited amount and quite pricy ones - will go more to the hands of people who can do something with them at least - mostly experienced Baja, Cross Country & OPTIC rallye riders, etc. Sure most of "ordinary" people overestimate this bike's real purpose (motorcycle critics call it in new way: "MegaMoto", due it's brand new class in the market the BMW has opened - KTM is now preparing for lightweight powerful 950EXC enduro too as a response to HP2).

For luggage or two up long distance travelling - the GS is considerably better choice in comfort/purpose (the seat, the telelever and the extras for the price), no doubt about that.

Margus

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 08 May 2005).]

[simmo]

Margus, I think it is a response to the KTM not the otherway around. WP suspension on a KTM is standard, on a BMW it is a zillion dollars extra.

[Timo]

I do find it interesting that BMW has chosen a more extreme 'sporting' version of the R12GS. It does seem that they are aiming squarely at KTM - perhaps a bit of market share lost here?

What seem odd to me is that this misses what I feel is BMW's best market niche' - the adventure travel machine. Now they have two versions of the R12, one on either side of ideal - a more road/ touring model and a stripped down sporting version. I would think they would choose to replace the overweight R1150GS Adv. with a lighter, large tanked version buffed up for travel. Maybe this is next.....

In either case, I wonder what the 1150 Adventure replacement will be based on: the GS or the HP2? I guess we will have to wait!

At any rate it is good to see BMW reaching further to the extremes of their market (K1200, HP2). I just hope they don't leave us faithfull travelers without a purpose built version. In this day and age we shouldn't have to fork out $ for extra tanks, upgraded suspension, and quality luggage on a new bike in this catagory.

[Timo]

Alright - I can't find a price anywhere, not even a guess. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that they will try to market this bike for between $18,000 and $20,000 US dollars. Anyone else have a better estimate then that? I hope they have mutliple colors because I'm going to buy two .

BTW - Mr. Ron, it looks like BMW will not offer luggage "not designed for it"; that will be a BMW first as far as I know.... I think even the K1 had little bags in the back. Oh well, hopefully the technology and weight savings will rub off on the next Adventure version.

[This message has been edited by Timo (edited 10 May 2005).]

[BCK_973]

Timo
The starting price in germany is 16000 euros.
There are two bags in original design build for this bike.One for the tank and other for the rear.But this will not stoping you to adapt or even scratch a bag,box system on it.
I can even imagine a box frame for the extreme tour.Big tanks will come.But this is the new generation of lightweight bikes to come.(i hope).
What i like so much of it is the tube frame and the naked style.Back to the roots of travelling!
KH

[Margus]

From ADVrider.com someone just pre-ordered it:

sell in italy in NOVEMBER...

price... 18.600 euros

with
- tank and seat bags
- windscreen
- complete set of bmw enduro clothes
- enduro training in bmw

this is like a PORSCHE CAYENNE (buying along with speciefic driving training and special protective clothing in "one package").

[Ian]

I'm seriously interested in this new bike (although I've no idea how I could afford it). It seems that with a bigger fuel tank it'd be ideal. The only thing that puts me off is the fuel injection, probably because I don't understand it very well - but I have no problem stripping and cleaning a carburettor. Have there been any reported problems with the fuel injection system on other BMWs? If so how difficult is it to diagnose/fix?

Cheers,

Ian.

[gsworkshop]

The new hp2 must be seen as a Honda XR600 or the likes on steroids. The concept was borne out of the rally bike prepared by HPN.
The design of the tubular frame running over the motor to mount the USD suspension, was developed for the R900RR used in the Dakar rally.
The first qeustion would be why BMW did not stick to the large fuel tanks and rally style fairings because these items would be a lot more usefull for long distance touring.
The thing though is that HPN has been building Sport and Baja models all along, check their site on www.hpn.de. These bikes were based on the R80GS and were fitted with WP USD suspension, longer swingarms, motors producing 75 hp and they were lighten to produce a machine that was made to be thrown around in really rough stuff.
It is really obvious especailly with HPN's influence in the design of the hp2 that the old Baja and Sport concepts is what gave birth to the hp2.
How much this will influence the design of the new Adventure in return is still to be seen, but looking at the response of what guys want just from this small forum and knowing that BMW keep their ears on the ground to see what cusomers are looking for, I am sure there might be big surprises in store for the future.
For the carb lover I can just say this, fuel injection is a lot more reliable than carbs. So, much less hasle and broplem free riding yes, but when they do go wrong your bike in most cases will not even run. You will need to take it to a dealer, (on a trailer) that have the appropriate diagnostic test equipment to see witch very expensive electroning part will have to be replaced as these items can not be repaired.
Even though this should almost never happen, what if you are in the middle of Ruwanda or Mozambigue when it does.
Carbs will have tell tale signs when problems start to develop, so you can see to the problem in advance, you need very simple tools to work on them and even if they are in a really bad shape your bike will still run.
So I believe the choice is very simple, if you like to do the odd breakfast run and use your bike for commuting and do not like to brake your head over anything technical, more modern fuel injected models are a good choice.
For the trip through some God forsaken desert or thirdworld country whether you like it or not you will need to become more technically involved with the maintenace of your machine.
For this purpose it makes sence to stick to older technology that will be a lot simpler.
Older bikes could mean spending more money than buying a new one though.
To fully prepare a old bike it is worthwhile to look at what HPN has to offer espacially if the concept of the hp2 is appealing but you would also like to use your machine for long distance touring.
Their Baja model can be prepared to accept both the small 19L tank as well as the 43L, and a lot of fairing options.
Keep in mind that even with 30hp less, the HPN run on a much shorter final drive ratio witch will be just as exhilirating as the hp2.
Check the BMW Motorad site, you will find video clips that will give you a hint of the capabilty of these phenomenal machines.
Motorad in South Africa have indicated that the hp2 will sell for prime plus 50%.
They have also indicated that there will be no demo models and you will not even see them on shop floors, the idee is than due to their limited no.'s, riders that whant this machine will buy them based on their reputation??.
I suppose HPN cusomers also order their products based mostly on the reputation rather than on first hand experience of their bikes.

[This message has been edited by gsworkshop (edited 07 July 2005).]