BMW launches its new race bike

**AllanB** · 20th April 2008, 09:10

Just what we need - a overpriced GSXR replica.

190kg appears a bit porky compared to the competition.

Will the riders long grey beard cause a bit of wind-drag?

**Owl** · 20th April 2008, 09:35

Originally Posted by huck farley

It looks as though they have coppied the Daytona 675 front end and the Speed triple rear end. Everything in the middle is a copy of Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, and most of the other multi cylinder superbikes. If it's anything like the formula one cars it will be unreliable. And will take five years to even get on the podium.

Speed Triple ass end??? It certainly looks nothing like mine

. It has to be the nicest beemer I've ever seen though. I like it!

**Dino** · 20th April 2008, 09:44

Originally Posted by Motu

BMW cleaned up in Superbike when it first started,don't see why they can't do it again.

Did they have special allowances for Ducati back then?

Nice looking bike.
.

**slowpoke** · 20th April 2008, 09:59

Originally Posted by AllanB

190kg appears a bit porky compared to the competition.

This is probably a wet weight figure. you'd be suprised what a CBR600RR weighs with all fluids in place ready to hit the road.

Dunno why everyone is calling it a Yamsuzkawonda replica...remove the decals/logo's and colour from any cruiser, naked or dirt bike and most people wouldn't have a fuggin' clue what it was.

I'm glad they haven't gone the pointless and impractical underseat exhaust route, if ever there was a fashion over function faux pas, an underseat exhaust is it.

**Biggles08** · 20th April 2008, 10:24

Is there any guarantee that that actually is a BMW??? Looks suspiciously like a photoshop job to me.

Re BMW giving every other manufacturer the learn I will reserve my opinion and watch this space...do I believe they can...absolutely...vee hafv veys of making du looze!

**TOTO** · 21st April 2008, 00:45

I'm starting saving from next week...

**captain_andrey** · 21st April 2008, 16:58

Originally Posted by Motu

They are leading the Contructor's Championship in F1 at the moment.

Not for long mate, not for long :P
I didnt even know BMW made sports bikes till I went to their factory in Munich.
Got to sit on these 2 babies.

**sosman** · 21st April 2008, 19:10

video clip here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g73dp....blogspot.com/

**Mental Trousers** · 21st April 2008, 19:45

Originally Posted by Forest

The telelever system weighs quite a bit more then conventional forks - so it would be kind of pointless to put it on a race bike.

That doesn't mean the telelever is shit.

You're right about the weight not meaning the Telelever system is shit.

It's only the weight it is cos it isn't made of carbon fibre. If it were in carbon fibre the entire front end will weigh less than a conventional front end (only 1 spring and lot of damper fluid etc). Problem is big money motorsport is conservative in the extreme and sponsors don't like taking risks so better to put in what everyone else has cos everyone knows it's adequate. That's why it's a straight 4, uses a conventional layout of every component etc. Besides, it's BMW's first tilt at WSBK. Start with known, thoroughly understood technology then go from there.

**Motu** · 21st April 2008, 20:04

Originally Posted by Mental-Trousers

Besides, it's BMW's first tilt at WSBK.

Just a little bit of history for those not interested in history.Ok,it's AMA,but they did the Superbike thing before the Europeans thought of it.

''The American Motorcycle Association Superbike racing series began in 1976, with the inaugural race at Daytona International Speedway. Motorcycles raced in this class were based on regular production models and were limited to a maximum of four cylinders and 1000cc displacement.

In spite of this, the first race was won by a BMW with only 900cc and two cylinders. An identical BMW BMW came in second, with a 900cc V-twin Ducati in third. The highest placing four-cylinder Kawasaki was in fourth position.

BMW would go on to win the championship that year.''

**Kickaha** · 21st April 2008, 20:41

Originally Posted by Motu

In spite of this, the first race was won by a BMW with only 900cc and two cylinders. An identical BMW BMW came in second, with a 900cc V-twin Ducati in third. The highest placing four-cylinder Kawasaki was in fourth position.

BMW would go on to win the championship that year.''

That would have been Reg pridmore on the Butler and Smith BMW, I saw an article about it years ago, what an awesome bike

**xwhatsit** · 22nd April 2008, 11:51

Originally Posted by huck farley

It looks as though they have coppied the Daytona 675 front end and the Speed triple rear end. Everything in the middle is a copy of Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, and most of the other multi cylinder superbikes. If it's anything like the formula one cars it will be unreliable. And will take five years to even get on the podium.

It looks nothing like either. BMW for years have had the best engine in F1 -- certainly the most power in the Williams era. During the 80s they were the first to get 1000hp in F1. BMW's motorsport division is hugely admired.

But of course, as you say in one of earlier posts, BMW == Hitler. I suppose Triumph is good old cigar-puffing Churchill, then? What happened, Farley? Did you get molested by a grey-bearded R75/5 rider when you were little?

Anyway, I shouldn't be here, as according to you I'm supposed to stay out of your threads because I'm `A gay, it's plain to see'

**limbimtimwim** · 22nd April 2008, 12:44

The big boss man of BMW said when presenting that bike to the press "[..] when you see the motorcycle in a minute, please note that neither the design nor the impression of quality are the same as on the production model following at a later point. "

So the gixxer like profile and subframe made out of square section (Al. la every jap sports bike till about 2004) could have been a bit of disguise to not attract to much attention if the bike was spotted by.. well.. basically anyone, because everyone would see something on it that told you that it was a a ubiquitous japanese sports bike.

Except those ultra-bling front forks and speed sensor.

**JMemonic** · 22nd April 2008, 13:08

Ok traction control sensors, I am guessing no more victory rear wheel over the finishing line .... odd.

**avgas** · 22nd April 2008, 13:52

Originally Posted by Motu

Just a little bit of history for those not interested in history.Ok,it's AMA,but they did the Superbike thing before the Europeans thought of it.

''The American Motorcycle Association Superbike racing series began in 1976, with the inaugural race at Daytona International Speedway. Motorcycles raced in this class were based on regular production models and were limited to a maximum of four cylinders and 1000cc displacement.

In spite of this, the first race was won by a BMW with only 900cc and two cylinders. An identical BMW BMW came in second, with a 900cc V-twin Ducati in third. The highest placing four-cylinder Kawasaki was in fourth position.

BMW would go on to win the championship that year.''

So what was the races that they had in american that the 1971 Z1 (not z900) won and the 1973 CB750 won?
I'm confused? and mis-informed apparently.