Yesterday, you saw MCN’s first ride of the awesome 2008 BMW HP2 Sport, and now we have new pictures of the bike. This bike, along with BMW’s decision to go racing in World Superbikes in 2009 (with an all-new fourcylinder machine…), shows just how serious the Bavarian company is about taking on the R1s and GSX-Rs of this world.As is already known, the BMW HP2 Sport is based on the BMW R1200S, though in the former, the boxer twin gets new cylinder heads, with double overhead cams and bigger valves. Along with its new forged pistons, new con-rods, and new stainless steel exhaust system, the 1170cc twin makes a respectable 130 – 140 horsepower and 115Nm of torque.The HP2 Sport gets a six-speed close-ratio gearbox, and there’s also a quickshifter there to keep racer-types happy. Other fancy bits are Öhlins suspension, forged wheels, various carbonfibre parts, Brembo monoblock brakes with radially mounted four-piston calipers at the front, and a MotoGP-style digital dashboard. ABS is optional.With this all-singing, all-dancing HP2 Sport, BMWshould indeed be able to make people – especially the Japanese and Italian factories – sit up and take note. Yes sir, BMW are back, and how!
