This year
BMW Motorrad have launch a few new bikes, along side of the F700GS, HP4 is
available as a top up on the already brilliant S1000RR. We are lucky to be the
first media to review this brand new bike which just being registered on March.
HP4 is the forth
installment in the HP series, after HP2 Megamoto, Enduro and Sport. BMW has
done very little cosmetic upgrade on the HP4 except the hardware and it really
needs that. In short this is a beef up S1000RR but in a more controllable way.
Weight saving has become the major job to be done on this bike. The full
Titanium Akrapovic system save up a useful 4.5KG as opposed on the S1000RR
stock system. The cast wheels has been replaced by forged and machine units,
another 2.4KG lost; full carbon belly pan contribute to small portion of weight
saving as well. What BMW done on this
bike is to squeeze up every spare drop from its sibling, to make it an elite.
Engine
With no
doubt, a 194HP machine can punish you seriously if you did not pay enough
respect on it. True enough but not completely applicable on the HP4; while
comparing to other Japanese and Italian machines that I come across before, the
beemer feels extremely smooth and mild on power delivery, even on Sport and
Race mode. Wide open the throttle from start is not a problem unlike some
Italian wild horse that will tear you apart if you do the same. By having a max
hp at 13k RPM, the beemer will deliver the endless power across the power band.
When other bikes started to feel their speed after pass the 10k RPM region, it
still feels there is lot more room to punch forward. BMW has done a very well job on the engine
mapping, power delivery and throttle position is precise and instant,
everything just happened in a smooth but fast manner. I can accelerate very
early out from a corner without worry I got a wheel spin, unlike on a Brutale
1090RR which I tested few weeks ago, throttle control must be very careful else
too much throttle you might end up at the other side of the road. There is a
little vibration at low rev on the engines, it is noticeable but still under a
reasonable state. Besides, it also has a launch control which will restrict the
engine at a 8000RPM so you will not get wheel spin.
Handling
BMW has
upgraded the electronics on this bike and made the already outstanding S1000RR
electronics even better. The HP4 headline feature though is its motorcycle
first semi-active suspension where they name it Dynamic Damping Control (DDC).
The system changes the suspension setting rapidly, on the fly according to
whole range of parameters. The front fork will firm up under heavy breaking and
so as the rear while heavy acceleration to maintain stability and wheel
traction. Besides, it also offers 4 modes for selection; sport, race, rain and
slick, different mode provide a different throttle behavior but the fly-by-wire
throttle systems just keep everything in a controllable manner. ABS and
traction control is provided as standard but 14 stages of traction control can
be choose only under slick mode. The forged and machine wheel keep the unsprung
weight at minimum, thus improved suspension performance and grip, although the
DDC and big piston fork may make the bike have a little reluctant-to-turn sensation,
but putting a little hard work on the bars and alter line accordingly, you will
discover how easy to turn into corner well, even for a novice. I am amazed that
I can brake very late while entering corner thanks for the Brembo brakes and Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa S fitted on. The bike
slows so hard that you can feel like going to vomit your heart out, yet the
stability is astonishing. The HP4 is a slim down version of the S1000RR, with
more then 7KG lighter, it is very easy to flick left and right, almost feel
like a toy, even with a fully fuel 17.5 liter polymer made tank.
Styling
Sport bikes are never my favourite as most of they have the same look, fairing bikes fade off quite
fast after some year, yet the HP4 is a little different. With a few color
scheme available, I found that the white blue stripe combo is outstanding and
BMW really do a very good work on designing the body work. Some sport bikes
looks too bulky at the middle and tiny at the head but this just look right. I
would like to point out the shark gill style side opening add up some points
for its cosmetic design. The full Titanium exhaust system not only enhanced the
performance but also contribute to its neat and tidy typical German feel, I
think is something to do with the color of Titanium. The head lamps might be a
little irritating for some folks but no doubt, it is very special kind of
unsymmetrical design; in fact, I found it to be very different, maybe this is
what BMW want all their bikes to be easily distinguished from others.
Conclusion
BMW always makes bikes
which are easy to be control and so as this time. Never think that the HP4 is
so easy to be handled when I first hop on it. I will put it in this way; a
novice can ride fast like an expert without any professional training. It is
like all the electronics has plugged into your neurons and act like part of
your body, fast but obedient. In fact it is a bike you can make mistake on, yet
without punishment imposed. I will say it is a technological masterpiece; it
never threatened, only enhances and extends what you want to do. Oh yes, it’s got
heated grips…….
Specifications
Model
tested: BMW HP4
Engine: four cylinder, liquid cooled, dohc 16v, 999cc
Power: 190bhp (142kW) @ 13,000rpm
Torque: 11.4kgm, 112Nm @ 4,750rpm
Tank/Range: 17.5 litres / 300km
Transmission: Six gears, wet multi-plate clutch, chain final drive
Chassis: aluminium twin spar
Seat height: 820mm
Wheelbase: 1422.7mm
Rake/trail: 24° / 98.5mm
Weight: 199kg wet, 90% full tank
Engine: four cylinder, liquid cooled, dohc 16v, 999cc
Power: 190bhp (142kW) @ 13,000rpm
Torque: 11.4kgm, 112Nm @ 4,750rpm
Tank/Range: 17.5 litres / 300km
Transmission: Six gears, wet multi-plate clutch, chain final drive
Chassis: aluminium twin spar
Seat height: 820mm
Wheelbase: 1422.7mm
Rake/trail: 24° / 98.5mm
Weight: 199kg wet, 90% full tank
