BMW Superbike

Recently, BMW tested their Superbike World Championship prototype on a public track day in spain. Ex-professional racer Jürgen Fuchs was one of BMW's team of riders who put the 1000cc K1200 based Superbike through its paces. The picture seen, later released by BMW, reveals details including the typical Superbike chassis with light alloy frame, stiff swingarm, final drive by chain, USD fork, and the compact inline-four engine with a clutch operated by a simple Bowden cable instead of hydraulically.

Official information is patchy but before the first round of the 2009 Superbike World Championship, BMW will have to build 125 bikes, and a total of 1,000 before the end of the year. Our contacts suggest BMW's Superbike uses dry sump oil circulation, with the valve train similar to the system used in the current K 1200 models. To compete with Japanese and Italian Superbikes, the road-going BMW will need to deliver a minimum of 180 hp and weigh less than 440 lbs gassed and ready to go, and have at least one feature that will make the Bavarian Four unique. BMW expect to sell their Superbike for no more than $1,000 above the list price of its Japanese competitors.

Planetary Starter

BMW motorcycle specialist Motoren Israel has designed an improved starter motor for two-valve Boxer engines built between 1976 and 1996. Priced at 149 Euros (about $230), the Israel unit uses planetary gears and a modified casing with magnets glued and mechanically fixed in place. Israel offers a similar starter motor upgraded for the four-valve oil-head Boxer engines at 159 Euros (about $250).

Call Motoren Israel on +49 2620/8800 or buy online at www.motoren-israel.com

NAKED AMBITION: F 800 R

The latest information from Munich is that the F 800 R project has been put on ice. BMW executives decided that the first prototype, based on the F 800 S with its lightweight alloy frame, single sided swingarm and belt drive would have been too expensive put into production.

That would make sales in the ultra-competitive middleweight Naked sportsbike sector too tough to succeed in the numbers needed, even for a bike built to BMW’s exacting standards.

Our contacts tell us to look out for an F 800 R based on the latest 80 hp F 800 GS which, thanks to the cheaper steel tube frame and chain final drive, should retail for under 8,000 Euros (about $12,500 at the exchange rate when we went to press). Now that’s a Naked that can take on the Japanese...

C 850 CL POWERSCOOTER

While the F 800 R looks like it is ready to take on Ducati’s Monster and Honda’s Hornet, the C 850 R has been designed to win sales in Europe’s booming maxi-scooter market.

BMW are not being complacent – their last excursion into the scooter field was with the C1, the futuristic two-wheeler with a roof. That was a sales flop. They don’t want any mistakes this time around.

But with traffic congestion bringing Europe’s cities to a grinding a halt, scooters appeal to automobile drivers who want an easier commute. Most cities have free parking for two-wheelers, and they usually escape toll road charges. Maybe this time BMW is on to a winner – if they decide to go into production with the Powerscooter.

F 800 GS ACCESSORIES

Owners have only just got hold of their new F 800 GS and already there is a stack of accessories available from German off-road and long distance tour specialist Touratech.

But that shouldn’t come as a surprise – Herbert Schwarz, Touratech’s chief technician, was riding a factory prototype on the road and through Africa long before they went on sale.

On offer are protectors to save damage to the bike in a fall, extra headlamps, soft luggage and of course Touratech’s trademark aluminum saddlebags. Find out more at www.touratech.de.   

The F 800 GS has been taken in a very different direction by AC Schnitzer. Wider spoked alloy rims, with 17 inch wheels front and rear, allow the fitment of sports road rubber. A black race can helps complete the Super Moto look. Check out www.ac-schnitzer.de for more.

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