BMW HP4 RACE VS. BMW S 1000 RR
COMPARISON TEST
P96
The wheels and subframe are also
made of carbon fiber, ultimately bringing
the HP4's weight down to a mere 378
pounds while fully fueled. Just for refer-
ence, a bone-stock S 1000 RR weighs
459 pounds, and the minimum weight
for a World Superbike machine is 370
pounds (with an empty tank). Pair that with
its 215-horsepower engine, and what you
have is more missile than motorcycle.
To up the ante, BMW dressed the
HP4 Race head-to-toe in top-shelf racing
parts, the same parts that, up until now,
only high-level race teams had access to.
A set of Ohlins FGR300 front forks with
titanium-nitride-coated inner tubes and an
Ohlins TTX36 rear shock handle the job
of smoothing out the HP4's ride, while a
Suter-made swingarm is used to offer su-
preme rear traction while the bike is at full
lean. In case that weren't enough, add in
the nickel-plated Brembo GP4PR monob-
lock front brake calipers (the same used in
MotoGP) with titanium anti-friction pistons
and the 2D dashboard perched behind
the handlebars, which will grab your atten-
tion and never let it go. I promise.
THRASHING THE BEST
BMW invited select U.S. media outlets
to test the HP4 Race at the Circuit of the
Americas in conjunction with the Double
R Festival where we flogged S 1000 RRs
around the 3.4-mile, 20 turn circuit.
Having already completed a full test of
the HP4 (click here to check it out) we de-
cided to put the "standard" S 1000 RR into
a grudge match with BMW's full-carbon
superbike. A quick look at the spec sheets
will tell you which bike has more racetrack
prowess, but how does the extra perfor-
mance of the HP4 Race feel in compari-
Power delivery
of the HP4's
215-horsepower
engine isn't
what you'd
think. It's soft
off the bottom,
then takes life
as you hit the
center portion
of the tire.
