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Thursday, January 15, 2009

AC Schnitzer BMW HP2: The Ultimate Supermoto

This AC Schnitzer converted BMW HP2 should be just the ticket for a bit of sliding around

The HP2 is one hell of a barking mad off-road bike from BMW. 100 horsepower packed in one lean, lithe package, the HP2 (where HP stands of High Performance) offers a very different riding experience from BMW’s dual-purpose R1200GS. If I equate the GS with a Toyota Lancruiser Prado, then the HP2 would be a stripped out Willys Jeep – albeit one with a modern, refined and powerful engine, and updated suspension and braking components! The video below shows what a stock HP2 is capable of…

This BMW HP2 'Dig the dirt' video is insane!

Now, German tuning house AC Schnitzer have gone and converted an HP2 into a road-based ‘superbike.’ Up front, there’s a USD, 50mm WP fork and twin 320mm four-pot disc brakes. The rear shock is also from WP, and the bike now runs on ZR-rated Dunlop Sportmax GP Racer rubber – 120/70-R17 front, and 180/55-R17 at the back. There’s a new AC Schnitzer titanium exhaust system, which boosts power to 111.3bhp@ 7500rpm, and torque to 120Nm@ 5550rpm. Weight is 190kg, and weight distribution front:rear is a perfect 50:50. Should be one hell of a machine!

Staid old BMW bikes? Er, not this one

Also see: 2007 BMW HP2 Megamoto: BMW ups the ante yet again!

Other interesting BMWs? Here's a Rennsport from 1954

Honda and Aprilia to get big and naked in 2008

Honda are likely to build the Hornet 1000, which may look like this, next year

As reported on the Motociclismo website some time ago, Honda are looking all set to build a bigger Hornet for 2008. The bike will borrow its engine from the CBR1000RR Fireblade, so even if it’s ‘tuned for torque,’ there should still be at least 125bhp to play with. Styling is very likely to be an evolution of the Hornet 600, with its trademark stubby exhausts and mini fairing. The new Hornet 1000 will be proper sportsbike tackle, with sticky rubber, USD forks, and radial brakes (ABS may be an option), but also all-day, two-up ride comfort. Should be interesting to see how it stacks up against the likes of the Yamaha Fazer FZ-1 and the Kawasaki Z1000.

The Aprilia 1200 supermotard will be on the lines of the Ducati Hypermotard
Pic: Motociclismo

Italians, of course, will have a different take on the big naked theme. Ducati have showed the way with their Hypermotard, and now Aprilia want to follow in their footsteps. Expect a Hypermotard-style supermoto from them by the end of this year. Initially, the engine may be the Shiver’s 750cc v-twin, but as reported earlier, they are also working on a 1200cc v-twin, so expect a 130 horpower, 1200cc version of the Aprilia supermoto by the end of 2008.