2008 BMW HP2 Sport - First Look

BMW has been tickling the fancy of Boxer fans with the development of its ultra-posh HP2 lineup. We've already tested the off-road chops of the 2006 HP2 Enduro and seen first-hand the potential of last year's HP2 Megamoto when stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer performed on the Boxer during the 2007 Motorrad Days. Well, the German manufacturer is at it again, releasing the latest in its Boxer-powered HP2 lineup - the HP2 Sport.

BMW's HP2 Sport is based of the R1200S and the "Sport Boxer" which the Bavarian marque campaigned in four 24-hour endurance races this past year. Riders Rico Penzkofer and Markus Barth piloted the "Sport Boxer" thru a respectable 2007, with the factory team finishing 16th overall and taking top place in the Open class at the prestigious "24 Heures Moto" at Le Mans.

The HP2 Sport brings the technical development of the Sport Boxer onto the street in a production model. The new Beemer features track components like a quickshifter, as well as a host of carbon fiber components to shave weight. As befits a race-ready sportbike, the HP2 Sport has also had the latest generation of its 1170cc Boxer motor juiced for even more power.

The horizontally-opposed Twin in the HP2 Sport isn't exactly the same as its endurance racing inspiration or the mill sourced in other "R" series machines. The latest HP2 Boxer features new cylinder heads, with the double overhead camshafts utilizing a drag lever to move larger valves than those found on the R1200S. According to BMW PR the other internal changes include "the flow-optimized intake and outlet, new forged piston and adapted connecting rod." The end result is a motor which produces a claimed 128 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque - a four horsepower and one lb-ft torque increase over the R1200S.

The lower portion of the HP2 is narrower than its R siblings due to a new stainless steel exhaust system, which winds up the back into an underseat silencer. The slimmer design enables sportier riding due to, as BMW PR states it, the "great freedom of movement for the familiar 'hanging off' riding position," although us mortals most likely won't achieve the cylinder head-scraping lean angles of the BMW factory riders - at least not intentionally! The lower section of the engine and exhaust are also covered by a carbon fiber spoiler, which increases the Sport's racer look as well as improving the aerodynamics.

Carbon fiber components are utilized throughout the new HP2 Sport design, from the fairing up front to the rear tail section. Another unseen weight-reducing tactic includes the use of a lighter racing generator. The changes add up to a 392-lb claimed dry weight, which is an impressive 27-lb reduction from the R1200S.

The new HP2's track credentials are beefed up by a quickshifter, which allows gear changes up through the six-speed transmission without messing with the throttle and clutch. The Sport's shifter can also be adapted to a racing pattern.

The Ohlins sport suspension, available as an option on the R1200S, is sourced on the new HP2, with the components fully adjustable. The braking duties are handled by a Brembo monoblock system with radial-mounted, four-piston calipers up front. A special ABS system is available as an option, with the unit able to be switched off when it's getting tossed around the track.

Another bit of racing flair is added from the dashboard display, which BMW claims "comes directly from MotoGP sport." We've grown accustomed to BMW displays providing a wealth of information, so it's not surprising that the HP2 Sport delivers lap times and "other racing relevant data," whatever that means.

So far our hopes and dreams haven't been crushed, because the limited info available on the HP2 Sport doesn't include an MSRP, which we can only assume will be quite a bit more than the $14,300 sticker price for the R1200S. The BMW PR did mention the Sport is scheduled to be introduced for 2008, whether that means it follows the way of the HP2 Megamoto and dwells solely in Europe remains to be seen.