Drove: BMW HP4

(from Avto magazine 21/2012)

text: Petr Kavčič, photo: BMW

The BMW HP4 is a beast, evil, monstrous, cruel, beautiful and so good that it makes you try again, look beyond the known and the safe. I was there, I rode it, I saw it through to the end, and in the end I was left unsatisfied. I want more! September is hot in southern Spain, where the Jerez de la Frontera 'circuito de velocidad' race track winds its way through a semi-desert environment where MotoGP and F1 racers compete, a dream destination for many speed-hungry motorcyclists.

BMW didn’t turn around and chose the right spot for the first contact with their latest motorcycle. There were polished ones waiting for us HP4, each had their own mechanic who helped with the settings and carefully recorded the telemetry data, which (you will not believe) can be bought for a few hundred euros, and in this package you also get the data for the settings. Among other things, also for us the nearest road speed Hippodrome Grobnik (mountain ranges are of course not on the list). The difference between us and the factory riders is now even smaller, at least in the material we both can ride from.

But at the same time, all this electronic intelligence is death to tavern debates. How much you actually “burnt” and how much incline is left to the point where the tire can no longer be recorded on a regular USB key that you plug into your computer and analyze the data, speed, incline, gearbox and system performance. against wheel slip (BMW calls this DTC).

But the BMW HP4 isn't all that special because of the telemetry and the serial automatic ignition switch where, with full throttle and no clutch, you just shift up and hear the gurgle and thump of Akrapovich's exhaust. The engine has 193 'horses', which is the same as the stock S1000RR, and Akrapovic adds power and torque between 3.500 and 8.000 rpm, which feels like a much more decisive kick in the ass when you open the throttle on corner exit. But being the most powerful and lightest four-cylinder supersport bike is not enough.

In fact, his true revolutionary v active suspensionthat was banned in superbikes. This principle of operation is more than 10 years old, borrowed from the prestigious BMW 7 Series Sedan. The head of the suspension development department said in simple terms: “We know that it works, that there is no breakdown in this system, and this is the most important thing.”

I've definitely written before that BMW was sometimes laughed at when, say, 15 years ago, ABS was added to a motorcycle. But when they installed ABS in their superbike, then brand new S1000RR, two years ago, no one laughed anymore. The HP4 is now a whole new story, not a new page in motorcycle history, but I dare say it's the start of a whole chapter.

The active suspension works! Namely, so good that you always have a bike that is best tuned for the track (or road), road conditions and riding style. To put it simply: the more I pushed on it, the stiffer and straighter the race bike became, the more it cut into the pavement and, of course, vice versa. If the road is what you want, you can ride more comfortably.

BMW called this system DDC (Dynamic Damping Control)... But, nevertheless, you still have to "click" the spring preload yourself. All this works via buttons on the left side of the steering wheel, where you select the nature of the engine and the operation of ABS, and therefore active suspension. It is very likely that soon it will not be the only motorcycle with active suspension, at least if competitors can keep up with technical innovations. HP4 also has 'launch control', or if I try to translate, the system starts. This only works in the sportiest engine program (smoother) and is made for optimal starting from a standstill, say, for racing. As soon as the sensors detect that the front wheel is lifting, the electronics remove the torque from the engine.

The suspension, starter system, premium sports ABS and Brembo racing brakes wouldn't be what they are if they weren't built into the HP4. 15-speed rear wheel traction control... You can play with the road setting without any problem, as the electronics that connect the entire throttle position, tilt sensors, ABS and the module that is the brain of the motorcycle ensures safety and fun.

In the introductory laps, I rode the HP4 in the sports program, which meant that the white light, indicating anti-skid tampering, came on quite often. It is very safe, you are not afraid to be hurt in the backside in the turn. Then I switched to the Race program, which had already added some sporty character, and after half a sporting day, the bikes were changed from Pirelli road tires to racing slick tires, as if they were used in superbike racing.

My people, what poetry! In Slick and on slippery tires, he was already terribly fast. The ease of cornering is impressive, partly because of the racing tires, partly because of the lighter aluminum wheels, partly also because of the excellent suspension, ultra-light weight and frame of the motorcycle. While driving, I was very interested, what if something happens to me at a speed of 180 km / h on the descent through a long turn, in fact, it would be better not to look at the counter at all! But nothing happened. The HP4 kept its course well and reaffirmed that BMW really knows how to make sure the bike stays well on track.

I was also curious that the electronics did not intervene so rudely when, for example, I was accelerating from a corner on the rear wheel. In the most sporty program, the electronics allow a long ride on the rear wheel, preventing excessive lifting only when it becomes dangerous.

Trust in the bike is key here, and as I relaxed and slowly, step by step, checked and tested what the DTC and DDC actually did, I just smiled in my notebook. As good as it fits if you know that someone is protecting you from yourself. Because the tire slips when there is too much gas and therefore power at the rear wheel, and now the electronics detect this perfectly and calmly warn only with a short flash of light.

I trust you, how much is known in the circle, if you compare the BMW S1000RR and HP4 - that is, its technologically more advanced racing clone? BMW says that at a circuit like Jerez, the HP4 gets a good lap second. Now multiply that by the number of laps the recreational race lasts... You get the idea, right. Well, this advantage is worth something, but, surprisingly, it is not paid in dry gold. You get a little more base HP4 19.000 eurowhile a fully loaded or rather lightweight carbon fiber and racing accessory needs to add just under four thousandths.

I hope someday this will bring us even closer to MotoGP bikes, because this tiger showed his teeth quite strongly in Spain. 2,9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of around 300 km/h is not easy.