So it's been a few weeks and 1100 miles since I picked up my new toy and I thought I'd follow through on a promise and make this thread.
I was in the market for a new bike last October-November time frame. I had owned a 2007 GSXR 750, but it had an off-road excursion and ended up totaled a few years ago. After extensive research, I chose the S1000RR to be my next bike.
As I was researching further, I find out that BMW planned to release a limited run of a "high performance" version of the S1000RR dubbed the HP4
.
Comparing the two bikes, the value of the HP4 was insane. The MSRP on an optioned-out S1000RR was $16,700 and the HP4 Standard was $19,990.
For that additional $3,290 you got:
For a total of at least $8,120 but more than likely over $10,000 worth of add-ons. Obviously the bike is not 'cheap' but it is a great value for what you get.
Supposedly, the horsepower remains the same as the S1000RR at 193 BHP, albeit with more torque in the mid-range RPMs (6k-9k).
For the first 600 miles, BMW limits the RPMs to 9,000. I don't agree with the need for this, but I can tell you that even below 9,000 RPM this thing felt faster than my 750 did full out going down the front straight.
I have a friend with a stock 2012 GSXR 1000, he really wanted to see how he matched up with the HP4 so I let him take the hit from 80 on an empty road. We were both in 6th gear and just wanted to see what the difference would be. After he hit it, he pulled out about 1/2 a bike to 1 full bike length before I stopped his pull, but by the time we got to 120 I had passed him and put about 3 bike lengths on him (in just a 40 mph window).
To say this thing is fast ludicrous. Twist the throttle too far and this bike wants to rip your arms off. Keeping the front end down is an afterthought since the traction control (should you have it engaged) will do all the work for you. The combination of light weight and insane power is really something to behold. At 372lbs dry, 439lbs wet, the HP4 is the lightest, most powerful inline-4 sport bike on the market.
Want to race from a dig? No problem, just put the bike in 'Slick' mode (one of four - Rain, Sport and Race being the others) and hold down the start button for a few seconds. The dash will indicate that you are now in "Launch Control" and will hold the RPMs at 8,000 while you open the throttle all the way. From there, simply feed the clutch out while continuing to hold 100% throttle and the bike will automatically limit torque to the rear to prevent wheelies and wheel spin, allowing you to get a near perfect launch every time. Of course, clutches are old hack and the bike comes with a quick shifter installed. It has been tested to run a 9.79 1/4 mile at 152mph.
Want to cruise around town? Select 'Sport' mode and the suspension softens up, the throttle curve is tamed and you can ride with nearly the comfort of a touring bike.
But the suspension does oh-so-much more than that. 'Dynamic Damping Control' will take inputs from the ECU - lean angle, acceleration, braking, suspension travel (road conditions) and every 10 milliseconds it will adjust the valving to provide the right damping for your conditions. Slam on the brakes and the front damping is increased, giving more resistance to nose-diving and the ABS will prevent the rear wheel from lifting. Accelerate out of a turn and the rear stiffens up to reduce squat and provide more traction.
But enough of the technical details - on to the pics! :banana:
:beer:
I was in the market for a new bike last October-November time frame. I had owned a 2007 GSXR 750, but it had an off-road excursion and ended up totaled a few years ago. After extensive research, I chose the S1000RR to be my next bike.
As I was researching further, I find out that BMW planned to release a limited run of a "high performance" version of the S1000RR dubbed the HP4
.Comparing the two bikes, the value of the HP4 was insane. The MSRP on an optioned-out S1000RR was $16,700 and the HP4 Standard was $19,990.
For that additional $3,290 you got:
- Forged Aluminum Wheels ($3,000)
- Full titanium Akrapovic exhaust ($2,000)
- Race ABS with WSBK programming (Real racetrack ABS)
- Launch control (Hard to put a value on, but no other bike has it)
- Dynamic Damping Control suspension (A lot, who knows, but at least $3,000)
- A 200/55/17 rear tire (We'll call this a wash, slightly more than a 190)
- Tinted windscreen ($120)
For a total of at least $8,120 but more than likely over $10,000 worth of add-ons. Obviously the bike is not 'cheap' but it is a great value for what you get.
Supposedly, the horsepower remains the same as the S1000RR at 193 BHP, albeit with more torque in the mid-range RPMs (6k-9k).
For the first 600 miles, BMW limits the RPMs to 9,000. I don't agree with the need for this, but I can tell you that even below 9,000 RPM this thing felt faster than my 750 did full out going down the front straight.
I have a friend with a stock 2012 GSXR 1000, he really wanted to see how he matched up with the HP4 so I let him take the hit from 80 on an empty road. We were both in 6th gear and just wanted to see what the difference would be. After he hit it, he pulled out about 1/2 a bike to 1 full bike length before I stopped his pull, but by the time we got to 120 I had passed him and put about 3 bike lengths on him (in just a 40 mph window).
To say this thing is fast ludicrous. Twist the throttle too far and this bike wants to rip your arms off. Keeping the front end down is an afterthought since the traction control (should you have it engaged) will do all the work for you. The combination of light weight and insane power is really something to behold. At 372lbs dry, 439lbs wet, the HP4 is the lightest, most powerful inline-4 sport bike on the market.
Want to race from a dig? No problem, just put the bike in 'Slick' mode (one of four - Rain, Sport and Race being the others) and hold down the start button for a few seconds. The dash will indicate that you are now in "Launch Control" and will hold the RPMs at 8,000 while you open the throttle all the way. From there, simply feed the clutch out while continuing to hold 100% throttle and the bike will automatically limit torque to the rear to prevent wheelies and wheel spin, allowing you to get a near perfect launch every time. Of course, clutches are old hack and the bike comes with a quick shifter installed. It has been tested to run a 9.79 1/4 mile at 152mph.
Want to cruise around town? Select 'Sport' mode and the suspension softens up, the throttle curve is tamed and you can ride with nearly the comfort of a touring bike.
But the suspension does oh-so-much more than that. 'Dynamic Damping Control' will take inputs from the ECU - lean angle, acceleration, braking, suspension travel (road conditions) and every 10 milliseconds it will adjust the valving to provide the right damping for your conditions. Slam on the brakes and the front damping is increased, giving more resistance to nose-diving and the ABS will prevent the rear wheel from lifting. Accelerate out of a turn and the rear stiffens up to reduce squat and provide more traction.
But enough of the technical details - on to the pics! :banana:
:beer:
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