I've always loved the HP2 Sport. It's the only bike I'd consider trading my SDR for. Unfortunately they're relatively rare in Canada and I'd probably never get the chance to test one out.
What's the power delivery like? Hows the ride? How does it compare to an SDR? From reading reviews, it seems like the geometry is set up for stability rather than quick turn-in and what-not. What about beeyond that? Looking for personal insight from folks who have ridden both bikes.
Thanks
darko
2011-12-20 00:58:00 UTC
SDNerd
2011-12-20 01:45:00 UTC
Its always nice to know what the prospective owner is looking for in a given bike they are considering. If I lived in Canada, I'd probably opt for a 690 SMC (or EnduroR setup for SM) as my daily ride.
Ridden an HP2 sport. Bummer you didn't ask me this yesterday - local tech day had at least 25 BMW guys in attendance, and couple of HP2s were there. Never had one a track though. For me, it wasn't a great "first impression" bike. Probably great when well set up and the rider is used to (or appreciates) its eccentricities. And eccentricities it has: shaft drive, Hossack ("Duolever") front suspension, boxer twin, ... I'll assume you know all this. They were (are ?) kind of spendy for what they are - iirc a little more than an MV F4 at the time. So I don't seem too biased, I've never owned a BMW bike, but I do like them. Especially the less encumbered ones; a mega GS with all the farkle does nothing for me - e.g. would buy the 800 over it. Feel the same about their ginormous tourers - great for what they are, but that's the problem: What they are = not for me. Regardless, the HP2 Sport is no 'hooligan' machine. It makes power, sure - but boxer twin power. Seemed strained to me near the top, which is very much unlike the SD. I'm guessing it weighs about the same as the SD, but it doesn't turn in like it. Kind of conservative geometry, like on Ducati sport bikes. And I'm sure that "Duolever" has some bearing on how that feels (or doesn't, particularly when trailbraking).
Wouldn't part with the SD for an HP2 Sport. Could see owning both. HP2 is more a sport bike layout - albeit a BMW version of such things. More fairing, more plastics, and did I mention the eccentricities? There weren't many brought to the US either. So if you wanted something unique to roll on, that is track capable, I'm sure its a bike you could live with. Given that it was intended (in principle) to be an endurance racer, and knowing how well BMW's boxer twins hold up, I imagine it would give you little trouble even as a daily rider.
That's all I got man - and its been a while.
Ridden an HP2 sport. Bummer you didn't ask me this yesterday - local tech day had at least 25 BMW guys in attendance, and couple of HP2s were there. Never had one a track though. For me, it wasn't a great "first impression" bike. Probably great when well set up and the rider is used to (or appreciates) its eccentricities. And eccentricities it has: shaft drive, Hossack ("Duolever") front suspension, boxer twin, ... I'll assume you know all this. They were (are ?) kind of spendy for what they are - iirc a little more than an MV F4 at the time. So I don't seem too biased, I've never owned a BMW bike, but I do like them. Especially the less encumbered ones; a mega GS with all the farkle does nothing for me - e.g. would buy the 800 over it. Feel the same about their ginormous tourers - great for what they are, but that's the problem: What they are = not for me. Regardless, the HP2 Sport is no 'hooligan' machine. It makes power, sure - but boxer twin power. Seemed strained to me near the top, which is very much unlike the SD. I'm guessing it weighs about the same as the SD, but it doesn't turn in like it. Kind of conservative geometry, like on Ducati sport bikes. And I'm sure that "Duolever" has some bearing on how that feels (or doesn't, particularly when trailbraking).
Wouldn't part with the SD for an HP2 Sport. Could see owning both. HP2 is more a sport bike layout - albeit a BMW version of such things. More fairing, more plastics, and did I mention the eccentricities? There weren't many brought to the US either. So if you wanted something unique to roll on, that is track capable, I'm sure its a bike you could live with. Given that it was intended (in principle) to be an endurance racer, and knowing how well BMW's boxer twins hold up, I imagine it would give you little trouble even as a daily rider.
That's all I got man - and its been a while.
fatbob
2011-12-21 15:05:00 UTC
Done a track day session on one , quite a quirky bike and was glad to get back on the SD afterwards
them casings dont half drag along the ground , well the CF bits did.
Felt a bit flat to me , however i could also see the appeal
them casings dont half drag along the ground , well the CF bits did.
Felt a bit flat to me , however i could also see the appeal