BMW HP2

You have to admire BMW. It really offers new and innovative models and has done for some time now. In fact, it leads the world when it comes to offering new and often surprising hardware. So it is with the brand's all-new HP2 Enduro.

The bike represents a type of 'hero bike' for BMW. The company readily admits that it will never become a huge volume seller, more a niche offering bristling with attitude and a new way of looking at off-road running. A billboard for BMW technical achievement. In that role the bike is on the money.

Whether it is answering a question that no-one is asking is yet to be seen. Given the aforementioned fact that the company recognises the low-volume sales likelihood, this may well be a moot point, but no-one ever became rich by not selling motorcycles (is this the right time to talk about the dreadful R 1200 C? Probably not).

The bike is a built-to-order affair, so there won't be warehouses full of them if the market doesn't embrace it and that arrangement builds a degree of exclusivity into it from the start. Very smart indeed.

 The question is, 'Just what is this thing?' And it's a very good question. For mine it asks for a new niche. I hasten to add there is nothing wrong with that. We all remember wandering around an R 80 GS the first time we saw one. Sort of muttering, while bending down to take another look and wondering, 'Just what is this thing?' Well, I do anyway. The fact that the GS has gone on to be BMW's best-selling model is history. Strong BMW history.

But the question remains. And it's still a good one.

The bike weighs 175kg dry. Add fluids and it's well over 190kg. That is one heavy flippin' trail bike right there. So it's not a trail bike.

The engine changes make the bike less than tractable as a long-distance adventure tourer and, coupled with a fairly limited tank range (13 litres), the bike is no R 1200 GS when looking to haul it long. See what I mean about new niche?

WHAT'S ALL THIS THEN?
The HP2 donk is derived from the all-conquering R 1200 GS. The balance shaft has been given the heave-ho in order to arrive at a freer-revving powerplant, which is much more conducive (read as 'responsive') to off-road going. The cost is more vibration and a harsher delivery but, on all but smooth surfaces, this is not a huge problem.

The gearbox is similar to that of the bigger GS. Internal and final-drive ratios are unchanged but stronger bearings are employed to handle the tougher going the bike is likely to experience. The box was a huge improvement on the R 1150 GS arrangement and this continues with the HP2. Changes are short, sharp and to the point. This is especially noticeable when standing on the bike (which is really the best way to ride it when off-road), allowing easy ratio stirring.

 It has to said that this bike handles off-road running with real style. I have read reports that suggest the bike is able to handle seriously gnarly trail bike going and I challenge that, but it will deal with rough fire trails happily. In fact, all that weight is held pretty low and, coupled with that fabulous suspension and ergos, this makes it remarkably nimble for a big off-roader.

And that engine. Pumping out a claimed 107hp, if there is more fun to be had than spinning up that rear wheel and power sliding through gravel tracks, then sign me up. It holds position, offers great grip and copes with rocks and unpredictable surfaces brilliantly. Handling is superb, simple as that.

Brakes work well. The front 305mm single disc with twin-piston Brembo caliper offers real feel and this is more important that outright stopping power on a bike of this ilk. The rear is nice to slide round corners if you arrive hot and the whole setup rewards trail-style riding. And that's how you have to ride this thing to get the most from it. That takes a leap of faith, one I have learnt to take from riding things like the R 1150 GS Adventure. Once you get the hang of it (and it's not easy at first) the bike's versatility shines. Ride it like a road bike on twisty dirt and you'll be either very slow or experiencing dirt, sky, dirt, sky, dirt...

The spindly looking frame is all part of keeping the bike compact and light (there's that word again. Light for a heavy traillie?), and it looks like it might not cope. Well , it does and then some. Rigidity and stiffness are not an issue and that's a feat of some very smart German engineering.

Trail bike dimensions are employed with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel fitted. Tubeless tyres are used with BMW's very clever spoking system allowing this. Tyres are Metzeler Karoos which are pretty aggressive and stick well.

With weight reduction the order of the day, the Paralever swingarm came under focus. It's made of high-strength, forged light-alloy shells and it's also 30 mm longer than on the existing R 1200 GS. 

The rear shock is further evidence of the bike's innovative brief. It relies on an air damping and spring system and weighs less than 2.3 kg, (approximately 2 kg lighter than a conventional unit).

Because air, unlike fluid, is compressible, the air contained within the chamber provides the spring effect, replacing a conventional steel spring. It works very well indeed.

SO...?
As mentioned, this bike will have to create its own market. It really is a sweet handler, looks fabulous and goes like shite out of a shanghai - easily the quickest boxer I have ridden.

I'm certain it will become a collector, and will please those with the hefty $27K asking price. If you are an attention-seeker, I'd be phoning BMW. If you are a trail rider looking to get aboard something different that can still keep up with your single-cylinder-mounted serious trail buddies, I'd flick to the back of the magazine. This is not gonna cut it in that environment.

As an icon, 10 marks. In the real world, I can only manage six.

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed, constant mesh
Final drive: Shaft

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Tubular space frame
Front suspension: 45mm inverted forks adjustable for rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension: BMW Paralever swingarm with air-charged shock absorber and dual rebound settings
Front brakes: Single 305mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brakes: Single 265mm disc with twin-piston caliper

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Dry weight: 175kg
Seat height: 920mm
Fuel capacity: 13lt

PERFORMANCE
Max power: 107hp at 7000rpm
Max torque: 11.7kg-m at 5500rpm

OTHER STUFF
Test bike supplied by: BMW Motorrad
Colours: Blue/Grey
Price: $27,000

SUPER...
Brave and innovative
Fast, very fast
Rock-solid handling

STUPOR...
Fuel range is a worry
Is there a market?
Still too heavy for a traillie