The HP2 Sport has landed

[Sgt Bilco]

Should have used your right wrist.....

Mine had a definate kick at about 4500rpm and would take off like a startled Jack Rabbit....!! It was an ex BMW bike so may have been "tweaked"

 

[kiwiAdventure]

Well I’m well chuffed now.

The MCN comic has confirmed what I was told by BMW. That the UK allocation of 60 HP2S’s has been sold. Any one ordering one now, won’t get it till next year.

That means that if I did want to sell it now (which I don’t) I would at least get what I paid for it, if not more.

BTW I rode may mates new KTM 990SM today (he traded in his 950SM for it).
That thing is bonkers. It just wants to wheelie in the first 3 gears. However, the fuel injection is very on/off and snatchy, which made it very difficult to ride smoothly. Especially when exiting a bend. Personally I preferred his old 950SM which had Carbs.

If all the HP2 sports are sold then that is it. They are only making a limited number just like the other previous two HP's. BMW will not be making more no matter what you here from the dealers.

BMW will move onto other models of HP's

 

[GSmonkey]

I do love people's blind dedication to a particular brand - and I'm sure the brand owners do.

The desmo is something special - end of.

KTM was niche and is growing to be a major concern, if their growth rate continues.

As for sportsbikes - you need to ride a good one like a GSX-R1000 K5/K6, ZX-10R to realise how far things have gone in terms of weight, power and handling.

 

[Arsey]

I do love people's blind dedication to a particular brand - and I'm sure the brand owners do.

The desmo is something special - end of.

KTM was niche and is growing to be a major concern, if their growth rate continues.

As for sportsbikes - you need to ride a good one like a GSX-R1000 K5/K6, ZX-10R to realise how far things have gone in terms of weight, power and handling.

Exactly.

Though the tide has turned.

For instance,the GSXR 1000 K5/K6 was much better than the current model,which is now heavier to meet ever tightening emission regs.

 

[scotsmun]

The way i see it these days there is no such thing as a bad bike to us mortals of the road and track, it always amuses me at track days to listen to guys arguing why the r1 is a better bike than the suzuki or vice versa. Today people pay their money and get a great bike with performance i could of only dreamed about as a younger guy. Take your pick pay the dollars and enjoy.......

 

[2 wheel humvee]

How and why would anyone try to compare a £40k proven thoroughbred race machine with a machine like the HP2 that has no race proven history? I can understand the somewhat dubious and shallow minded loyalty to the BMW brand but I think you guys are living in the realms of fantasy if you think the HP2 could ever be realistically compared with the Ducati or the KTM 1190 for that matter.

I have to justify why I prefer the HP2 over the ever so slightly ugly but technical tour de force that is the Ducati
It's not "shallow minded brand loyalty" trust me.............
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,I just think the HP2 looks better and is a more realistic ownership prospect for many-me included,£40k for a bike?
Sorry but even if I could afford it I could never do the performance of the Ducati justice,and the same probably applies to the HP2,just paying the guy a compliment on his new bike,that's allowed isn't it?

 

[whitegloss]

the HP2 sport will probably be a good bike in its own right, but not at 14,500 pounds. If it was competitively priced at say 9,000 pounds, Im sure this would make it a more realistic and tasty proposition.

As an example you pay roughly 9,ooo pounds for a new fireblade-look at all the trick parts you get for your buck (state of the art chassis, mega power light weight engine, radial brakes and the list would go on. Aint no comparison with an Hp2 'sports bike' with its 'trick parts'

As for the HP2 'racing' 'tweaked' 600cc motorbikes and losing , shows you that this aint no real world sports machine. Remember you cpuld buy a new cbr 600rr for about 7000 pounds, and Im sure it would more or less murder the HP2 sport.

As for 'winning endurance ' come on guys-that aint no real race

Too sumarize, as usual BMW over prices its bikes-especially the HP2 sport

 

[cookie]

"let them ride fireblades"

 

[GS TRV]

"let them ride fireblades"

nice one

 

[whitegloss]

"let them ride fireblades" Cookie

nice one

Italian Trev from Germany with an avatar of a suzuki Hyabusa

nice one

Like I said earlier, and i quote 'As an example you pay roughly 9,ooo pounds for a new fireblade'. Not that Im advocating a Fireblade but to demonstate what a rip off financially, the HP2 is in comparison with a thoroughbred sportsbike

 

[karlp]

What amazes me when people talk about one bike being better / faster than another is that

A good rider on a cr*p bike will always be better than a cr*p person on a good bike.

I bet the majority of people can go whell in a straight line but are probably all talk when it comes to really handling a bike to its full potential.

The HP2 is a nice looking bike - expensive - but in my opinion not really built for the road the riding position is quite extreeme - maybe that is just my age but I see no point leaning over a tank and doing 20mph on the UK roads.

karl

 

[cookie]

Like I said earlier, and i quote 'As an example you pay roughly 9,ooo pounds for a new fireblade'. Not that Im advocating a Fireblade but to demonstate what a rip off financially, the HP2 is in comparison with a thoroughbred sportsbike

i think comparing a limited edition bike to a mass produced product from a giant lawn mower manufacturer is not really valid.

surely anyone who has any understanding about bikes knows it is not about cost.

you buy the bike you want, that you can afford, the one that brings a grin to your face when you ride it, or even just catch sight of it.

the fact that one is a few tenths of a second faster round a racetrack is only of interest to biking trainspotters IMO.

a suzuki bandit does most of what my gs does, and some things better. i choose not to ride one.


"let them ride fireblades"

 

[GS TRV]

"let them ride fireblades" Cookie




Italian Trev from Germany with an avatar of a suzuki Hyabusa

nice one

I appreciated his Marie-Antoinette / Let Them eat cake analogy

Not sure how this relates to my name or my Busa

 

[Arsey]

My KTM dealer's RC8 demo finally pitched up today.

Managed to nick it for 45 mins :

Cracking bike.Can't wait for mine to pitch up now.

Beauty and the beast (not sure which is which) :

 

[GS TRV]

My KTM dealer's RC8 demo finally pitched up today.

Managed to nick it for 45 mins :

Hey white looks great

What were your impressions then?

 

[Blackal]

S'funny - some reckoned the 600 Daytona was a bike designed by origami...... the RC8 looks more so, with the addition of a bit of BMW 2002 turbo (tacked on wheel arches).

A bit too angular for me, but by all accounts - a brilliant bike.

Al

 

[Yonkyo]

As an example you pay roughly 9,ooo pounds for a new fireblade-look at all the trick parts you get for your buck (state of the art chassis, mega power light weight engine, radial brakes and the list would go on. Aint no comparison with an Hp2 'sports bike' with its 'trick parts'

Allow me to retort. I rode my heavily modified 175 bhp at the wheel ZX-10R to the BMW dealer and rode off in the rain on the HP2S and I haven’t stopped grinning yet.

This bike is no sports tourer. It is a true supersport racer on the road. I can feel the quality components working below me. This bike handles and steers better than any other bike I’ve ever ridden, including new Blades, R1’s, Gixxer’s etc. etc.

And i can ride quite quick..

Ok, go buy a 9k Blade. Add Ohlins shocks, Brembo Monoblocks, Telelever front end, sports shaft drive, ultra light wheels, electronic quick shifter (this is my favourite feature - awesome). Now rip off all the cheap plastic and replace with hand made Corbon Fibre made by the BMW F1 team supplier. Throw in a digital dash the same as Rossi has on his MotoGp bike. Etc. etc. etc. I could go on.

Said blade now costs well over 15k.

If you ever get an opportunity to ride the HP2S, you won’t believe it’s a BMW Boxer twin. It truly is a unique awesome experience. I went faster today on my favourite road on the HP2, than I’ve ever gone on my ZX-10R.

Roll on spring and a day’s thrashing the HP around Donington Park.

 

[Yonkyo]

My KTM dealer's RC8 demo finally pitched up today.

Managed to nick it for 45 mins :

I do prefer the RC in white. I think the orange one looks a bit to plasticy.

I’m looking forward to testing one from my local dealer next week.

C’mon arsey lets have a full ride report than.

 

[Arsey]

I totally agree about Blades etc.

When I went to the Milan show and sat on all the latest Blade,ZX10,R1 etc etc they were all quite plasticky.


The finish of the HP2 Sport is stunning,not that we could get on the fcuker as it was roped off as always.

The finish on the RC8 is cracking too.

The only thing I don't like is that on the white bike,the tank is matt and the fairing glossy.

It's not so noticable on the orange bike which I'm getting though.


The RC8 pitched up today,and within the hour it was all mine for 45 mins.

Bloody love it.


The comfort was just as I thought,when I first sat on it in Milan back in November-it's roomy just like my old GSXR 1000 K5 was.

Ok,I only rode it for 45 mins-will go out for longer next week when there is less of a queue of guys waiting to have a look.


It came delivered with the pegs on the low position :

and with the seat subframe also on the low setting :

So putting the seat subframe on the high position will make it even roomier.



It only had 10 miles on the clock so I obviously took it easy handling wise but it is lovely to ride.Very light and flickable.



I can see why some might say the power seems a bit lacking,because it is quite linear,until you get above 7000 and then it flies.

I only took it up to 9000 and it redlines at 10500.

It's also very deceptive-what feels like 70 mph is actually 90,not that I went that fast as the bike was brand new and the speed limit here is 35.(

).


It feels like a cross between a V twin and an inline four.



My SD made 115 on the dyno,my MV makes 161 and I would put the RC in between.

With a looser engine I reckon it won't be far off 145 ish.


It sounds fruity too which is a bonus.

So basically stunning bike and can't wait to have another go next week when it's a bit warmer and the tyres are scrubbed in-then I can get mine next month and run it in carefully.

 

[Yonkyo]

Huummmm, I wonder if i can squeeze another bike in my garage when the RC8R comes out next year.