Development, Technical Highlights and Design
The new BMW HP2 Sport extends the HP model range of BMW Motorrad.

It is a descendant of the BMW R 1200 S. Apart from established concepts such as the BMW Motorrad Telelever and EVO Paralever as well as the cardan shaft drive, almost all components were newly developed or at least modified to a large extent.

Weight saving, increased performance plus the uncompromising sporty configuration was top of the agenda in the list of requirements for the development engineers.

A dedicated specialist team of veteran racing motorcyclists, engineers and mechanics, whose pulse quickens for the Boxer and who have also devoted themselves to motor sport in their private lives, developed this new model
for BMW Motorrad.  Experiences that the BMW Motorrad motor sport team had collected with the Boxer racing motorcycle – including a number of races in the endurance world championship of 2007 – were also incorporated.

DOHC cylinder heads, valve actuated by drag lever
A complete redesign of the cylinder heads allowed the Boxer to reach higher revs.  Extensive tests in endurance events followed in addition to the usual tests.  Double overhead chain driven camshafts (DOHC) and valves actuated by very light drag lever now enable top revs of 9500 min–1.

The four radially arranged valves ensure extremely compact combustion chambers so that there is no need for the second spark plugs as used in the R models until now.

The compression ratio is 12.5:1.  Super Plus with 98 RON is recommended as the fuel for optimum performance although the motorcycle can also run on Super 98 RON.

The horizontal arrangement of the camshafts introduces two special features: Each of the shafts controls an intake and outlet valve and the cams are conically ground.  For a higher gas throughput, the valve plate diameter was increased from 36 to 39 millimeters (intake) and from 31 to 33 millimeters (outlet) respectively. 

The intake channels were machined for optimization.  The operating technology with drag lever works with shims sitting on the valves as in the K 1200 engines.  The cylinder head covers are made from carbon and fitted with easy-to-replace slip pads made from PA6 hard plastic.

High-strength and lightweight forged piston
The bore and stroke ratio is unchanged in the HP2 Boxer.  The high-strength, weight-reduced forged piston and the correspondingly adapted conrod are new.

Interacting with the new intake pipe system with its a short intake air funnel, the power plant develops a top performance of 96 kW/128 bhp at 8750 min–1 and a maximum torque of over 115 Nm at 6000 min–1.

Flow through two parallel and consecutively switched oil coolers
So that the Sport Boxer operates well under all conditions from the thermal aspect, two oil coolers positioned one after the other and with a parallel flow-through are deployed.

Wind tunnel optimization of the BMW ‘kidneys’ in the front fairing ensures an effective flow through the double oil cooler.

Stainless steel exhaust system with active exhaust gas flap
For the first time the 2-in-1 exhaust system made completely from stainless steel is placed under the oil sump.  This configuration guarantees optimum angles of tilt when riding.  An exhaust flap in front of the double exhaust pipe silencer at the rear and actuated by an electronically controlled servomotor via cable produces a fuller torque curve.

A fully-controlled catalytic converter cuts exhaust gas emissions.  Oxygen sensors in the two header tubes monitor the oxygen level and guarantee an optimum air-fuel ratio over the entire torque band.

An example of the great attention to detail that characterizes both the development and production of the BMW HP2 Sport is the exhaust pipe fixtures on the single-piece, self-supporting carbon rear.  These are thermally decoupled while, at the same time, compensating for the change in length of the exhaust system during warming and cooling.

The hump also boasts sophisticated ventilation openings, used to effectively deflect the heat away from the underseat exhaust.  Additional features of the exhaust system are the highly attractive design and the impressive Boxer sound that escapes from the high-volume silencer.

Close-ratio six-speed gearbox
In contrast to the gearbox of the BMW R 1200 S, the first and second gear have higher ratios so that the gear increments are closer.  This results in a lower drop in revs when changing up in gear.  This configuration is also a typical racing feature that benefits the dynamic driving characteristics.

Straight from the racing world: Gearshift assistant
A further pedigree racing detail is the standard gearshift assistant of the BMW HP2 Sport, also described as an automatic gearshift.  The system allows rapid gear change without reducing the gas or using the clutch.  If the gear
lever is activated, the electronic engine control throttles back the ignition angle and reduces the injection.

This means the power unit is at “low load” for the gearshift so it is possible to change gear rapidly without needing the clutch.  The gearshift assistant operates under normal riding conditions and, on request, for racing with an inverted switching scheme (pressure sensor as special equipment).

However, if the rider actuates the clutch, the system remains inactive.  The BMW HP2 Sport therefore always leaves the decision of whether or not the gearshift assistant is deployed to the driver.

Modified frame construction
The steel tube mid-frame comes from the BMW R 1200 S, but was adapted to the new single-piece and self-carrying carbon fiber composite rear in the area around the location points.

Telelever with Öhlins sport spring strut
The front wheel suspension is provided by the stable, approved telescopic lever construction.  Its trailing link is supported by a specially tuned Öhlins sport spring strut with compensating tank, adjustable in tension and compression stroke damping as well as in the spring pre-tension.

The expanded surface around the slider clamping device in the lower fork brace allows fine adjustment of the vehicle height.

Quality components made of milled aluminum
The upper fork brace and the two adjustable high-quality stock handlebars flange-mounted in the crankshaft throw are made from fully milled, forged aluminum parts.  The main brake cylinder and the clutch master cylinder
with radial pump coupling fixed by quick-release clamping calipers usually found in racing are also used here.

EVO Paralever with Öhlins sport spring strut
The Paralever rear wheel suspension also originates from the BMW R 1200 S, but in the BMW HP2 Sport it has an Öhlins sporting spring strut with compensating tank adjustable in all aspects.  Thanks to the longitudinal adjustment integrated in the spring strut the vehicle height can also be varied at the rear.

This means the chassis geometry of the BMW HP2 Sport can be individually optimized for different racing circuits. 
Every BMW HP2 Sport is supplied as standard with an exclusive toolset which can be used to make all settings on the chassis components.

Exclusive forged wheels and racing tires
The BMW HP2 Sport runs on specially developed, weight and stability optimized, surface-milled forged wheels of size 3.5 x 17” or 6.0 x 17”.

These are considerably lighter than conventional die-cast wheels, but have comparable high stability.  The handling characteristics benefit enormously from the smaller rotating masses.  The sports Boxer is really easy to steer on bends and allows incredibly rapid change of direction.

The forged wheels are fitted as standard with sports tires in 120/70 ZR17 format at the front and 190/55 ZR17 at the rear.  These tires from renowned manufacturers – generally used only on the racing circuit such as the Supersport championship, for example – are homologated for use on asphalt road surfaces.  The engineers decided on a 55 series tire cross-section as this achieved the best results for the overall characteristics in tests.

Brembo monoblock racing brakes
The braking system of the new BMW HP2 Sport also presents itself as uncompromisingly sporty.  Single-piece, radially mounted four-piston brake calipers from Brembo that hold the two 320-millimetre discs powerfully
in its grip are used on the front.

The radial screw connection is effected by a new die-cast foot on the lower part of the Telelever.  A double sliding piston decelerates the rear wheel.  It goes without saying that the hydraulic application of the brake calipers is activated by high-quality, steel armored brake lines.

Modified, switchable BMW Motorrad ABS is optional
BMW Motorrad offers an ABS adapted to sporting events as an option.  The function of the system has been optimized to prevent the rear wheel from lifting.

An additional pressure sensor in the front brake circuit provides sensitive regulation of the system and the control unit prevents the front wheel brakes from opening too early when the load on the rear wheel is greatly reduced. Nevertheless the ABS can be deactivated for racing events.

Racing ergonomics
Even at the outset of the development, the engineers focused on the seat position.  Compared to the BMW R 1200 S, the rider moved closer to the handlebar resulting in a notably more upright seat position oriented towards the front wheel and behind the ‘waistline’ of the fairing.

More importantly, the remarkably slim design of the tank area favors the rider’s weight displacement (hanging off) on the racing circuit.  The BMW HP2 Sport also benefits here from the experiences gained in long-distance races where it is not only a question of speed, but also of staying power.  Because the rider finds a suitable, but comparatively relaxed, riding position for racing, the new BMW Sport Boxer offers genuine endurance qualities.

Adjustable footrest system
The range of high-grade racing components includes the adjustable footrest system made of milled, high-strength aluminum.  An eccentric cam is used to adjust the height of the footrests and to move them forwards or backwards.

Stepped setting positions of the footrests make sure that identical adjustment is possible on both sides.  At the same time, the likewise fully adjustable brake and gear lever allow optimal positioning of the operating elements.

Adjustable stock handlebar and Magura manual fittings
Also the stock handlebar of milled forged aluminum is ideally positioned and can be adjusted by changing the offset.  The Magura radial manual controls allow manual lever width setting of the brakes and clutch.

All Carbon fiber composite fairing
All the fairings of the BMW HP2 Sport are made from carbon where the single-part rear as well as the front fairing are realized as self-supporting elements.  The latter has a noticeably slimmer construction than the BMW R 1200 S and houses lightweight, high-luminosity halogen twin headlamps with free-formed surface reflectors.  Special details include the number plate carrier of the BMW HP2 Sport: It can be removed along with the tail lamp and indicators
in a few easy steps before taking part in a race.

Refinements in the wind tunnel
Like every BMW Motorrad the new BMW HP2 Sport was also given its finishing touches in the wind tunnel.  Not only were components such as the windshield and new rear-view mirror optimized from an aerodynamic aspect; the engineers also paid particular attention to the airflow for cooling the engine.

So the front spoiler guides the air stream specifically towards the outlet side of the cylinder heads while the BMW ‘kidneys’ in the front fairing guarantee an effective flow of the double-oil cooler.  Lastly, elaborate ventilation openings in the carbon tail ensure that the heat of the underseat exhaust system is efficiently deflected.

Sports info centre: GP dashboard from 2D systems
A real highlight for all racing enthusiasts is the production-line dashboard in the cockpit of the BMW HP2 Sport.  It was developed in collaboration with the acclaimed company 2D Systems that also deploys its systems in GP racing for data recording and analysis.

The system has a large, easily readable digital display and works in different modes.  It is operated by two switches on the left handlebar control.

In road mode the rider can view typical information such as revs, speed, time, kilometers, remaining distance and driving time on the display and is shown supporting information during the warm-up phase of the engine.

In race mode the screen provides data about circuit times, maximum revs, top speed or number of gearshifts, for example.  The stored data can also be read out with a laptop. In addition there are eight freely programmable LEDs
in the upper area of the dashboard that can be used as a rev display or external gearshift light.

Like the other functions, the displays are also freely programmable.  Finally, the GP dashboard offers a large number of expansion options.  A lap timer with transmission/receiving unit, GPS tracking or datalogger can
be connected to a free input.

Following the BMW Motorrad motor sport design
The fairing of the new HP2 Sport is realized to a large extent in carbon-look and follows the style of the BMW Motorrad motor sport design with white lacquering on the windshield, rear, mudguard and side cover. 

The engine spoiler carries the two-tone “HP2” lettering.  The lattice frame and wheels are lacquered in the BMW Motorrad color of Motorsport Blue.

4. Technical Specifications

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