Filed under: Motorsports, Euro, BMW, Motorcycles
BMW K1000R - coming to a dealership, and race track, near you?
It's been long-rumored that BMW is considering a campaign in the Superbike racing world with a machine inspired by the bikes from Japan. In fact, test mules have been seen lapping racing circuits with Yamaha R6 bodywork, meaning that the chassis and engine are quite compact for this class. BMW has made liter-bikes before, but none have used the industry-standard chassis layout placing the four-cylinder engine transversely between the frame rails with chain-drive and upside-down forks. It will be interesting to see what engineering details BMW chooses to utilizes, because they never do anything exactly like everybody else. The bike should make 190 horsepower or more to do battle in Superbike racing if they want to be competitive. The above image was commissioned by Motociclismo and may be fairly accurate since we already know so much about what will be underneath the skin.
Like the Aprilia RSV-4, the BMW will give riders, racers and spectators a few interesting story-lines when World Superbike starts back up for the 2009 season.
[Source: Motociclismo via Hell for Leather Magazine]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hydrogenvodka 7:35PM (3/10/2008)
it would be about time
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ozenfant 8:02PM (3/10/2008)
that img looks like some yamaha-wanna-be.
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Franz 8:37PM (3/10/2008)
Well, it does say that it would be inspired by the Japanese superbikes...
3seriesisking 9:11PM (3/10/2008)
Sounds like a GO to me.
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Duke 9:25PM (3/10/2008)
ummm, well we are two rounds into the current season.
Aprilia is set to race the V4 the last couple rounds of this year.
BMW's just finished 5th and 6th this past weekend in the Daytona 200
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jim 9:09AM (3/11/2008)
The Daytona bikes area different platform entirely, a twin in the boxer configuration, with shaft drive and the telelever front suspension. These are the HP2 Sport model that will be in the dealer soon and are based on the endurance racers that have done very well in the last couple of years.
The K1000R (most likely it will be designated as the K1000RS for Renn Sport) has nothing to do with any current BMW bikes, including the current K series beyond the fact that the engine is mounted transversely and canted forward. Enough will be built to qualify for World Super Bike. Bring lots of cash.
Duke 9:47AM (3/11/2008)
Yes I am aware that the HP2 is a different animal all together, and given that it starts @ $25K who knows what the 4 banger is going for.
I cover the AMA, WSBK and MotoGP, was just taking an inference that BMW wasn't racing at all at this point.
mk 10:14PM (3/10/2008)
No Paralever Evo shaft drive?
No Duolever (Hossack-derived) front suspension?
Not even a Paralever?
What is left that is BMW about this bike, besides the K-series engine? That is a very nice engine, but it is not the boxer twin that BMW has been known for, for more than half a century.
HP2 Sport with the DOHC Boxer seems like a more interesting bike.
This might as well be a KawaYamaHonZuki, not that those are bad, either. But BMW is different, at least was.
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Chris 5:29AM (3/11/2008)
MK,
I like the new BMW inline 4 cylinder. I recently purchased a 07 K1200R Sport and this new engine just screams. I duolever front end actually is better than telelever even though you get a tad more dive than before, it just inspires more confidence than any front end I have ridden on.
That being said... while their twins are great; had a R1200RT before the K; their design cannot compete with ducati so they are left in the 4 cylinder arena. Now the current 1200 makes around 160hp so getting a 1000 to 190 should make for an interesting engine.
Still I would be disappointed if something other than the engine "says BMW" Duolever isn't compact enough leading to longer wheelbase bikes than what this racing class would tolerate.
Ian 11:52AM (3/11/2008)
190HP? I think that the best bikes need 220+HP.
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Steve H. 12:30PM (3/11/2008)
Nice training wheels!
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babyblue 4:26AM (3/12/2008)
This is really a toy for a big boy!^_^
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