Deans BMW
05-19-2008, 08:46 AM
Euro Gossip: May 2008
5/16/2008
By Ian Kerr or Motorcycle-usa.com
The web is a wonderful thing and so instant. But, like anything else, that brings its drawbacks. Last month we were once again mentioning the proposed BMW Superbike and a possible launch, having continually mentioned something about it for the past two years. At the same time BMW was launching it on-line, they were also holding a press launch to selected journalists at its HQ in Munich.
Good news all round though, as while they have not come totally clean (see below), once again most of what we have said here has been proven correct and even with the limited information and the official pictures, it looks like they have a potential winner on their hands. As ever though, we are not resting on our laurels. We will continue to try and fill in all the gaps as and when we can!
Germany
As just mentioned, the big news is BMW has officially launched its new World Superbike contender, the S1000RR. It will be entered in the 2009 WSB Championship in a two-man factory team run by Alpha Techniik and they hope to get consistent top-10 finishes in their first season and some wins in their second in 2010.
However, independent teams will be allowed to use 'customer' race bikes (which will be very close to full factory spec), to contest national championships. This is similar to the Ducati set-up with the main team doing development on parts and then these being fed down to these satellite teams.
So what did they actually launch? Well, the bike shown will form the basis of the production machine, which is of course necessary to allow it to race. BMW Motorrad President Hendrik von Kuenheim did however point out that the race bike shown was not the finished version and some things may have changed on the production version.
BMW does, of course, need to produce 1000 examples in 2009 to be eligible to race, but don't expect the bike to be on sale before 2010. The good news is that because they want to compete with bikes like the Yamaha R1, the price is likely to be in the same bracket as opposed to the premium range that some of their bikes currently sit in! The final styling may also closer mirror the R1 or a GSX-R Suzuki, as BMW desperately wants to attract new riders to the brand and move away from its older, boring, safe image. So definitely expect traction control and a new version of ABS, which will be able to be switched off by the rider.
The suspension will obviously not be the state-of-the-art Ohlin's as shown at the launch, but it could be a cheaper version, again to attract the customer looking for performance and racetrack breeding. Obviously though, the main thing is that BMW has moved away from its trademark Boxer engine. Likewise, the frame is now a beam section and the forks are inverted telescopics with the rear being a monoshock working off a conventional (if longer) swingarm with chain drive. Admittedly all of these have appeared on other BMW machines, but never all together.
No specific details of the engine were given, not even the capacity, although expect this to be at the maximum 999cc as we have said before. Power would need to be in excess of 215 hp to make the bike competitive and as they are serious about their assault on the championship, this is likely to be a figure they already have seen, given BMW's commitment to the project.
Hints were made about the cylinder head and valve train, which could be taking the Double Vanos system from their cars to give three-stage variable valve timing, or alternatively it could be pneumatic valves making this a first on a production machine.
On the racebike, fuel injection is from Dellorto and the exhaust from Akraprovic with brakes from Brembo. Wheels from Oz are fitted with Pirelli tires. Like the suspension issue, how much of this reaches the road bikes remains to be seen! But, one thing is for sure, the bike is physically small and compact and will not be that far off the pace in either the race version or the road version, if not ahead of it.
Moving on, at the same conference they confirmed that they would not pursue the MotoGP project we have mentioned before because of costs. Also, no real surprise that the 1000cc Superbike will spawn a 600cc sibling in due course, given the middleweight class currently makes up to 60% of the sportbike market.
Also expect to see the famous tank roundel appear on a custom bike again in the near future. Despite linking their last effort to the James Bond brand, it never really attracted the sales hoped for and was dropped. However, now the company seems prepared to move away from the Boxer engine when needed. Who knows what may come from Bavaria in the future!
Also look out for either the covered C1 scooter to make a return or, if that is still deemed too radical, another BMW scooter to capture a slice of this fast growing and trendy market in Europe.
We have previously mentioned the tie-up with Kymco in Taiwan and the production there of the G650 motor. Now it appears that the F800 motor could soon be made there in a cost-cutting exercise by the Germans, who claim that this does not mean a compromise in standards!
Bizarrely though, despite these rumors emanating from that Munich meeting, some BMW dealers are advertising a 675cc Triple that will be available in 2010. Given that they should have solid inside information and they did see the 1000cc machine before the press did, this could be a good tip. As we have said many times before, watch this space for more information as and when it surfaces!
5/16/2008
By Ian Kerr or Motorcycle-usa.com
The web is a wonderful thing and so instant. But, like anything else, that brings its drawbacks. Last month we were once again mentioning the proposed BMW Superbike and a possible launch, having continually mentioned something about it for the past two years. At the same time BMW was launching it on-line, they were also holding a press launch to selected journalists at its HQ in Munich.
Good news all round though, as while they have not come totally clean (see below), once again most of what we have said here has been proven correct and even with the limited information and the official pictures, it looks like they have a potential winner on their hands. As ever though, we are not resting on our laurels. We will continue to try and fill in all the gaps as and when we can!
Germany
As just mentioned, the big news is BMW has officially launched its new World Superbike contender, the S1000RR. It will be entered in the 2009 WSB Championship in a two-man factory team run by Alpha Techniik and they hope to get consistent top-10 finishes in their first season and some wins in their second in 2010.
However, independent teams will be allowed to use 'customer' race bikes (which will be very close to full factory spec), to contest national championships. This is similar to the Ducati set-up with the main team doing development on parts and then these being fed down to these satellite teams.
So what did they actually launch? Well, the bike shown will form the basis of the production machine, which is of course necessary to allow it to race. BMW Motorrad President Hendrik von Kuenheim did however point out that the race bike shown was not the finished version and some things may have changed on the production version.
BMW does, of course, need to produce 1000 examples in 2009 to be eligible to race, but don't expect the bike to be on sale before 2010. The good news is that because they want to compete with bikes like the Yamaha R1, the price is likely to be in the same bracket as opposed to the premium range that some of their bikes currently sit in! The final styling may also closer mirror the R1 or a GSX-R Suzuki, as BMW desperately wants to attract new riders to the brand and move away from its older, boring, safe image. So definitely expect traction control and a new version of ABS, which will be able to be switched off by the rider.
The suspension will obviously not be the state-of-the-art Ohlin's as shown at the launch, but it could be a cheaper version, again to attract the customer looking for performance and racetrack breeding. Obviously though, the main thing is that BMW has moved away from its trademark Boxer engine. Likewise, the frame is now a beam section and the forks are inverted telescopics with the rear being a monoshock working off a conventional (if longer) swingarm with chain drive. Admittedly all of these have appeared on other BMW machines, but never all together.
No specific details of the engine were given, not even the capacity, although expect this to be at the maximum 999cc as we have said before. Power would need to be in excess of 215 hp to make the bike competitive and as they are serious about their assault on the championship, this is likely to be a figure they already have seen, given BMW's commitment to the project.
Hints were made about the cylinder head and valve train, which could be taking the Double Vanos system from their cars to give three-stage variable valve timing, or alternatively it could be pneumatic valves making this a first on a production machine.
On the racebike, fuel injection is from Dellorto and the exhaust from Akraprovic with brakes from Brembo. Wheels from Oz are fitted with Pirelli tires. Like the suspension issue, how much of this reaches the road bikes remains to be seen! But, one thing is for sure, the bike is physically small and compact and will not be that far off the pace in either the race version or the road version, if not ahead of it.
Moving on, at the same conference they confirmed that they would not pursue the MotoGP project we have mentioned before because of costs. Also, no real surprise that the 1000cc Superbike will spawn a 600cc sibling in due course, given the middleweight class currently makes up to 60% of the sportbike market.
Also expect to see the famous tank roundel appear on a custom bike again in the near future. Despite linking their last effort to the James Bond brand, it never really attracted the sales hoped for and was dropped. However, now the company seems prepared to move away from the Boxer engine when needed. Who knows what may come from Bavaria in the future!
Also look out for either the covered C1 scooter to make a return or, if that is still deemed too radical, another BMW scooter to capture a slice of this fast growing and trendy market in Europe.
We have previously mentioned the tie-up with Kymco in Taiwan and the production there of the G650 motor. Now it appears that the F800 motor could soon be made there in a cost-cutting exercise by the Germans, who claim that this does not mean a compromise in standards!
Bizarrely though, despite these rumors emanating from that Munich meeting, some BMW dealers are advertising a 675cc Triple that will be available in 2010. Given that they should have solid inside information and they did see the 1000cc machine before the press did, this could be a good tip. As we have said many times before, watch this space for more information as and when it surfaces!