BMW in WSBK in 2008

[HugoVW]

Rumours have appeared which seem to suggest that BMW will enter WSBK in 2008 with the new 4-cylinder 1000cc engine. The bike is fairly "conventional" with normal forks and BMW's goal is 190hp/190kg's (altough at the moment 160hp seems realistic)
Motorrad says German WSBK racer Max Neukircher has been offered a contract to test the bike at the end of this year (and ride it in 2008) which seems to indicate BMW will enter in 2008
The drawing is made by Motorrad


Hugo

[Deans BMW]

My guess is a V4.

[HugoVW]

Well there is a picture of a "mule" in Motorrad and they say it's a 4-cylinder in line, but maybe you know more Dean

[Deans BMW]

I really don't know more, but reading between the lines the last few years from various inside and out side sources gives me the impression of some sort of joint development deal on a BMW specific Aprillia V4 that has shown HP's close to 200.

It would not suprise me in any event given the direction that the Motorad division is now going.

I can tell you this, I have been told to delete more than once in both this and the Motorcyclistcafe forums.

I am very aware that some mighty trick stuff is comming down the pike.

[SergioK]

Is it me or does that drawing look bland, non-BMWish.

[HugoVW]

Well BMW "bought" the guys who developed the KTM V4 MotoGP engine (which was used by KR) so a V4 could be logical...and I agree that the drawing doesn't look like a BMW

Hugo

[Fenring]

It would be more interesting if they developed the water-cooled boxer with 1200ccm.

This inline- or V- 4, chain driven, honda wannabe looking bike seems redundant to me.

[HugoVW]

Article: http://www.motorradonline.de/archiv/motorraeder/neue-supersportler-von-bmw--buell-und-aprilia.260174.htm

[signit98]

Originally posted by Fenring
It would be more interesting if they developed the water-cooled boxer with 1200ccm.

This inline- or V- 4, chain driven, honda wannabe looking bike seems redundant to me.

...I am sure that they will go back to shaft... it is after all the Superior Drive Train... right, Dr, Curve???

[signit98]

WOW, Hugo... that is one very interesting article... especially that Buell bit with the Water cooled motor that is co-engineered with Rotax...

As for the Beemer.... seems they could not make the Telelever work for such high performance demands, eh?... that is to bad, as I believe that it is one of the most brilliant developments in motorcycle history...

Seems they have ways to go with the engine as well... hope they find the 30 ponies they are looking for...

[kiwi az]

Originally posted by Fenring
It would be more interesting if they developed the water-cooled boxer with 1200ccm.

This inline- or V- 4, chain driven, honda wannabe looking bike seems redundant to me.

Well yeah - who are they going to sell an IL4 to? For 30 grand or whatever.

[HugoVW]

For the others, apparantly Buell will put a 1200cc V2 Rotax engine in the current XBRR chassis for the street...150hp is the talk of the town

Hugo

[Guest24]

Originally posted by signit98
...I am sure that they will go back to shaft... it is after all the Superior Drive Train... right, Dr, Curve???

I can't believe that you are picking the scab off that old wound again. It's only been a month or so since the chain, belt and shaft drive war subsided. I thought the chain gang won that one. Even though the shaft has alwas be the cleanest.

[RoLoo]

...somewhere I've read that BMW also did 'a few' test-miles with a Telelever equipped Suzuki GSXR1000...
...just to see if such a light weight bike handles OK with BMW's own suspension ideas...

...but apparently not ; a new K1000-something will come with a conventional fork...

[RC51DRAG]

That was when they were developing the K12S. They put their version of the Hossack front end on a 'busa.

Last I read on this BMW was also considering customer based production, not a full fledged race team. BMW would supply race engines and/or race bikes to customer teams.

More and more as the years go by the European stuff is more appealing. BMW in particular has raised their personal bar and I hope they continue to do so.

[YellowRacer]

The reason they want 190hp is probably because they can't make it under 500lbs... Thats whats wrong with BMW, fat, and not enough power. But still fun for what they are.

[HugoVW]

Well BMW's goal is 190hp/190kg (420lbs) and apparantly the weight isn't a problem... Knowing current 1000 bikes they must mean wet weight...

[Deans BMW]

I would think the 400 LB wet weight goal would be easy to do, ask Chris at San Jose.

[shreddr]

BMW frat-boy code of conduct: go fat early, no motorcycle is ugly when your hand is on her throttle.

[branners]

The Japanese 1000s all weigh in around 175-176 kgs in the showroom and need to shed around 10 kgs to get to the current minimum weight for the SBK. If the BMW weighs around 10 kgs more on the street, it will be more costly to get the weight down with magnesium, titanium and CF, but it could probably be done.
On the other hand, the 2008 weight minimum for fours is 162 kgs, so the cost of getting the weight down will go up.
But a potential problem that might crop up is that, under 2008 rules, 1000 bikes will need to be manufactured to homologate models for the SBK. BMW would have to push to produce bikes quickly enough to start the 2008 season with any kind of testing. And how many 312s have been produced so far by MV Agusta?