2018 BMW HP4 RACE Preview
Ducati raised the bar when it comes to lightweight materials, introducing its carbon fiber 1299 Superleggera at EICMA. It didn’t take long for other manufacturers to follow, with BMW announcing plans for a HP4 RACE model featuring a carbon fiber frame and wheels.
While the new Superleggera is ready for production (and all 500 units already sold out, apparently) the HP4 RACE is still in the prototype stage. The project is still early enough in its development that BMW didn’t provide much information about it. All we have are the visual clues and a single statement from BMW Chief Executive Officer Stephan Schaller saying “The HP4 RACE will feature the full carbon fibre main frame and carbon fibre rims as shown here. We will reveal more about this model next spring.”
The prototype displayed at EICMA also showed a carbon fiber fairing and fenders as well as an Akrapovic exhaust with carbon heat shielding. Unlike with the Superleggera however, the swingarm appears to be aluminum and not carbon fiber as well.
The frame has a slightly different shape than the S1000RR’s aluminum frame but likely shares similar dimensions. The fairing design looks similar to the current S1000RR but with different mounting points.
The prototype uses an Öhlins FGR 300 fork and what looks like a TTXGP rear shock. The front brake caliper appears to be Brembo’s nickel-coated CNC GP4-RX. Of course, all of this is subject to change before going into full production.
BMW will reveal more information about the HP4 RACE in the spring with a limited production run slated to launch in the second half of 2017.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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