It’s lighter than the factory WSBK bikes

After teasing us last fall with a carbon made superbike concept, the German manufacturer unveiled the new carbon fibre HP4 Race. With only 750 units available and a spec sheet that looks way better than a World Superbike machine, the BMW HP4 Race might be the baddest race bike money can buy. It can be used only on track and it's the first series production motorcycle in the world to feature a carbon-fibre frame.

Update – The Price: €80,000. Good luck saving money!

BMW claims their new HP4 is modified to perfection and we intend to believe them only by analysing the numbers. Featuring a carbon fibre frame, carbon wheels, carbon fairings and no rear frame makes it a featherlight machine – only the MotoGP bikes can stand the weight challenge.You don’t get very often a series bike equipped with an aluminium gas tank and lithium-ion battery. The kerb weight of 171.4 Kg and 146 Kg dry is lighter than the factory World Superbike Championship bikes.

The refined power plant delivers 158 kW (215 Hp) at 13900rpm and inherits the specifications of the Endurance and WSBK bikes. The EURO4 exhaust system is replaced by a full line Akrapovič. The power delivery is now ensured by a close ratio racing gearbox that also includes spare pinions and sprockets. The electronics list is a bit longer for the new HP4 Race. Besides the Shift Assist Pro for precise up and down shifting, the Dynamic Traction Control is now adjustable – 15 levels programmable for each gear and the Engine Break is also adjustable for each gear. If this is not convincing enough the new HP4 features Launch Control, Wheelie Control, Pit Lane Limiter and a state of the art 2D dash that works as a data logger.

The front suspension is provided by Öhlins – FGR 300 upside-down fork in the front and a Öhlins TTX 36 GP on the rear. The braking system is updated with Brembo GP4 PR monoblock brake callipers and Brembo T-type brake discs. With racing rear sets and and race fairings the new HP4 is ready to hit the track as it leaves the dealer floor.

The new BMW S1000RR raises the bar in the matter of lightweight and ready to perform superbikes. It’s the first series bike to come up with these numbers and features. The main competitor will be the carbon made Ducati Supperleggera if Ducati will manage to build it as a series motorcycle.

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2017 BMW HP4 Race Highlights:

• 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 disks (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.

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