[BMW Atlanta]

Originally Posted by throttlemeister

Well, that's all fine and dandy and everybody knows an excellent rider on a lesser bike can out-perform an ok rider on a better bike, but in the end power DOES matter. The performance of Nate and Brian says more about them then it says about the bike. If you have two riders of the same ability, one on the HP2 and one on the 1098, the HP2 will get its ass creamed. The 1098 is purpose built for the track and has the power and chassis to back it up. The HP2 pretends to be, but does not really, while it will cost the same or similar to the 1098S. If BMW would put the HP2 into WSBK, it would finish at the end of the pack. And they know so, or else they wouldn't develop another bike for that (not that it matters much, cause 190kg and 190hp is not gonna cut it in WSBK; Toseland's Ten Kate Honda CBR-RR has something in the order of 250hp(!) and weighs less). Whereas the 1098 stands a good chance of wrapping up next years championship.

Hmmm, ass cremed on what track under what conditions? And to think that the BMW R12S HP2 Sport finished multiple endurance races in way better ranking then the couple of 1098's that were in the same race with very good riders as well. But consistancy and ease of riding the R12S HP2 Sport in an endurance type scenario is it's strong point IMHO