From a company that for years was accused of making "old men's bikes"

[ohiorider]

BMW HP4 RACE - $80K of Pure Magic
 
377 lbs ready to ride at 215 hp, those are just the performance numbers for this state-of-the-technology all carbon fiber game-changer from BMW. BMW claims that the HP4 RACE is even lighter than factory SBK race bikes. Some of the best racing accessory makers in the world such as Ohlins, Akrapovic, Ilmberger Carbon and Brembo brought their top racing components to this machine. The biggest news however is the special industrial carbon fiber frame, which is a first on a production motorcycle. The BMW HP4 Race's carbon frame utilizes structural carbon fiber, a technology being adapted from their car division (7 Series / i3) which is different from the type of CF used for body panels. Speaking of the gorgeous body panels they are made by Ilmberger of course. The US price hasn't been announced but we guestimated it based on the Euro price leak. Click the link below for BMW's official HP4 Race page.

(Sorry ..... link didn't copy.)
 

[Perazzimx14]

$80,000 put it just out of reach for most of us.

[fatbob]

Well, if my ass was on the seat of that bike (or any sport/race bike) then I couldn't put my feet on the pegs. Old knees saving me a lot of coin! 

[LowRyter]

I'd like two.   

[bad Chad]

Ok, but it's been a few years gone by since anyone could rightfully accuse BMW of only making "old mans bikes".

If you would have said this 6-8 years ago, maybe, now...not so much.

[fotoguzzi]

Meh..

[Sheepdog]

Say what you wish about BMW, but they are out in front with technology. They're trying things that other manufacturers are not willing to put into production and their products are selling. I expect that having an automotive division allows investment in CF technology without the risk that a motorcycle-only company would face.

[leafman60]

Say what you wish about BMW, but they are out in front with technology. They're trying things that other manufacturers are not willing to put into production and their products are selling. I expect that having an automotive division allows investment in CF technology without the risk that a motorcycle-only company would face.

Very valid points.

[Tusayan]

Cagiva did a CF frame for their GP bike about 25 years ago.  It wasn't ideal for either racing or production, and they abandoned it.

If I wanted to buy a motorcycle from a car company of today, I'd genuinely choose a Honda.  It used to be that the Europeans built practical sport bikes developed with respect for the owner's long term finances, and the Japanese built disposable toys.  Now the situation is oddly reversed and consistent with that, this particular bike is a BMW built copy of the universal Japanese sport bike concept, 1985-on.

Real innovation in more thoughtful European style sport bikes would be interesting to me.

[Sheepdog]

Honda and BMW have a great deal in common. Both have done much to advance technology and both benefit from the proximity of a successful automotive division. Honda also leverages their technological might in their power and marine divisions. Even their price points are growing more similar...at least in the First World. Sort've ironic that these two companies rose from the ashes of WW2 defeat. There must be a work system design lesson in there, somewhere...

[LowRyter]

Ducati's previous GP bike had a carbon frame.  Too stiff and unpredictable handling. 

[canuck750]

As much as I like my 4 wheeled BMW's I never really bonded with my R1150RT.

As for the 'new' bikes my idea of a nice looking motorcycle has stainless steel front and rear fenders, a big chrome ringed headlight, prominent chrome exhaust pipes on either side, rear shock absorbers mounted on each side of the swing arm and the engine is visible and not covered in plastic.

[JJ]

When I was a skinny 19-year old, I was riding a brand new  1975 Kawasaki 500cc Mach-III   One day, while detailing in our garage, my father came out and asked me: 

"When are you going to stop riding those fast Japanese drag bikes, and get yourself a real touring machine, like a Big Twin Harley or a BMW?" 

My response? "BMW's and Harley's are for old guys..."  My...how we learn the wisdom of elders as we age...

[Tom]

From one of my Beemer friends.  "WAIT...wot...BMW makes cars???"      

[PJPR01]

When I was a skinny 19-year old, I was riding a brand new  1975 Kawasaki 500cc Mach-III   One day, while detailing in our garage, my father came out and asked me: 

"When are you going to stop riding those fast Japanese drag bikes, and get yourself a real touring machine, like a Big Twin Harley or a BMW?" 

My response? "BMW's and Harley's are for old guys..."  My...how we learn the wisdom of elders as we age...

I suspect that perspective might have been colored by economics and purchasing power than anything else...as a 19 year old, you're not likely to drop $7K on a slightly used Sport Touring bike from BMW...you need a bit deeper pockets for that.  I remember buying my first bike, a Yamaha Vision at age 22 for about 1100 I think...I wouldn't have thought about spending more on a motorcycle than I'd have spent on a car...

Now today...if Porsche and Land Rover or Alfa would consider making a motorcycle, that might be an interesting alternative...and with Porsche's heritage in racing, I don't see why they wouldn't.  Land Rover could tackle an ADV dual sport bike, and Alfa could just design something beautiful to put in the living room to look at!  :)

[Arizona Wayne]

From one of my Beemer friends.  "WAIT...wot...BMW makes cars???"      

My BuMW bike riding friend likes to let BMW car drivers know BMW makes MCs too and some of them don't even know it.

[Arizona Wayne]

Ducati's previous GP bike had a carbon frame.  Too stiff and unpredictable handling.

Yeah, unlike steel or aluminum, CF apparently doesn't have a consistent feel under certain tortional loads like the other more common choices. 

[swooshdave]

Yeah, unlike steel or aluminum, CF apparently doesn't have a consistent feel under certain tortional loads like the other more common choices. 

You can count on BMW learning from that and designing their frame to accommodate those needs.

We won't know how good the frames are until they are properly thrashed around the IOM. 

[JJ]

I suspect that perspective might have been colored by economics and purchasing power than anything else...as a 19 year old, you're not likely to drop $7K on a slightly used Sport Touring bike from BMW...you need a bit deeper pockets for that.  I remember buying my first bike, a Yamaha Vision at age 22 for about 1100 I think...I wouldn't have thought about spending more on a motorcycle than I'd have spent on a car...

Now today...if Porsche and Land Rover or Alfa would consider making a motorcycle, that might be an interesting alternative...and with Porsche's heritage in racing, I don't see why they wouldn't.  Land Rover could tackle an ADV dual sport bike, and Alfa could just design something beautiful to put in the living room to look at!  :)

You are correct, Paul!  This was my first "new" motorcycle - - a 1971 Yamaha RT-1B 360cc two stroke single Enduro - - purchased new for $999.  I saved $200 as a down payment...my Dad consigned a loan at the local bank for the balance...and I washed dishes on weekends for two years to pay it off!  Those were the days!! :1:

[Sheepdog]

A great deal has been learned about carbon fiber as a frame material since some early attempts. It is now a preferred material for bicycle frames, whose construction is much like a motorcycle's. Apparently the orientation of the matting of CF matters, as fiber mats are combined in various ways in the layup of the tube sets to get specific results. BMW autos have been leaders in the use of lightweight suspension components in the past. I can see why BMW is willing to invest in this technology.

[Frulk]

As for the 'new' bikes my idea of a nice looking motorcycle has stainless steel front and rear fenders, a big chrome ringed headlight, prominent chrome exhaust pipes on either side, rear shock absorbers mounted on each side of the swing arm and the engine is visible and not covered in plastic.

Canuck....Sounds like you're describing a 2014 Honda CB1100 DLX.

[canuck750]

Canuck....Sounds like you're describing a 2014 Honda CB1100 DLX.

Yep, the new Honda is a looker!

[Yukonica]

Yep, the new Honda is a looker!

cripes, if I had any one of your finished project bikes I wouldn't even consider riding a new machine....

[ohiorider]

Yep, the new Honda is a looker!

My newest ride isn't the 2017DLX or 2014DLX, but a new leftover 2014 "Standard."  I was pleased with the 'out the door' price, and the more I look at the bike, I'm learning to like the 'black on black' look with only a few chrome accents (aside from the 70's-style fenders.)



                            Two days after riding her home from Clarksburg WV to Hudson OH

I'll need to experiment with the stock suspension, since the bike is (IMHO) sprung and/or dampened too firm for my preference.  Appears either IKON or Hagon offers rear shock products that should provide a much more compliant ride than the OEM suspension.  Traxxion Dynamics also offers a fork kit for $299 that provides (a) new springs (b) RaceTech Gold Valve Emulators, (c) pre-drilled damper rods, and spacers cut to length for the CB1100.

Aside from that, the engine has nice 'giddy-ap' for a motorbike that isn't designed for top end hp but for good mid range torque.  Redline is 8500rpm, not the typical 10,000rpm+ typical of so many Japanese DOHC fours.  I believe the engine is rated at approx. 85hp, don't recall at what rpm, but obviously, under 8500rpm.  ***

*** 88.5hp   @ 7500rpm
*** 68.5lb/ft @ 5000rpm

[Sheepdog]

That's a nice looking bike, Bob. I've had a couple of fours and enjoyed them both. A thoughtful standard like this is a great way to expand your "Moto-Paradigm." Honda makes beautifully engineered machines.