The HP4 Race: BMW's Carbon Fiber Track Weapon, Ridenow Powersports

The BMW S1000RR is a wicked machine. It is one of the finest superbikes on the planet, and a perennial contender in any comparison test it enters. However, progress never sleeps. To remain content, especially in a segment as competitive as the one the S1000RR occupies, means being left behind. Knowing this, BMW Motorrad has given the RR the full race treatment and forged a new track slaying weapon: the HP4 RACE.

It is fitting that the HP4 RACE’s name is entirely capitalized; everything about this motorcycle is set to maximum attack. The bike produces a ridiculous 215 horsepower from an honest-to-goodness factory race engine. Upgraded camshafts, connecting rods, intake, and a host of other enhancements differentiate it from the standard RR’s motor.

Even more extreme is the chassis – BMW claims this is the first production series motorcycle to feature a fully carbon fiber frame. Carbon fiber makes for a super strong and lightweight building material, and the results speak for themselves – the frame in the HP4 RACE weighs a scant 17.2 pounds, nearly nine pounds lighter than the RR’s aluminum unit.

BMW also used carbon fiber for the bike’s gorgeous single-piece wheels, manufactured using a technique called ‘braiding’ where the carbon fibers are woven into form rather than epoxied together in pieces as is traditionally done. The end result is a motorcycle that, according to BMW, weighs less than the machines being ridden in the Superbike World Championship. Crazy.

As one would expect with this caliber of motorcycle, the HP4 RACE has a robust suite of electronics – traction control, wheelie control, launch control, engine braking, the works. Keeping things settled and stable is an Ohlins front fork (the same one found on World Superbikes), and it is the same story with the rear shock. Sensing a theme here?

The HP4 RACE is priced at $87,000 and will be limited to 750 units. Like anything hyper exotic, there will surely be no shortage of eager and deep pocketed buyers lining up to slap down a deposit.

The inevitable question is, does this bike have any natural competitors? It is in a different league than “run-of-the-mill” superbikes like the Yamaha R1, the Suzuki GSX-R 1000, Aprilia RSV4, and especially the S1000RR. The Kawasaki H2 makes similar power, but is entirely different in philosophy. Whereas the BMW is a focused track machine, the Kawi is a supercharged (!) straight line missile.

Really, the HP4 RACE’s only rival is the Ducati 1299 Superleggera. The super Duc is also comprised mostly of carbon fiber, and churns out an identical 215 horsepower from its massive v-twin engine. Interestingly, it weighs even less than the BMW, tipping the scales at a svelte 339.5 pounds, to the BMW’s 377. That is practically Vespa levels of lightness. It is a limited production motorcycle as well, only 500 will be made, and rings in at $80,000.

The only remaining question is – do you prefer your madness Italian or Bavarian?

Images courtesy of BMWMotorcycles.com