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Dirty Boxer
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BMW HP2
Jeff Buchanan
03/01/2006
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Photography by Mike Quindazzi
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BMW continues to astonish the motorcycling community by
pulling ever more impressive rabbits out of its engineering hat. The latest
creation from the Munich-based company, and relatively hot on the heels—in
engineering and marketing terms—of the revolutionary K bike, is the all new HP2.
Designed with the latest off-road technology and engineering, the HP2 (High
Performance 2-cylinder) is a serious enduro machine which, as with the
introduction of their GS bike some years ago, has BMW setting the bar in a whole
new category of motorcycling.
 At first glance, the HP2 is similar to its
adventure-based brother, the BMW R 1200 GS. In reality, the only DNA the two
machines share is the proven Boxer-twin engine—and even that has been pumped up
to 105 horses, compared to the GS’s 100. Essentially everything else is new or
radically redesigned. (Click image to enlarge)
In the off-road realm, nothing is as important as
suspension, and BMW was intent on imbuing the HP2 with components that would
deliver competition-level performance. In a dramatic departure from their
tradition, engineers traded the company’s innovative Telelever front suspension
system for a conventional 45mm inverted telescopic fork that controls over ten
inches of front wheel travel.
 RIDING STYLE
Gloves: AXO Comp
Helmet: Fox Racing
Goggles: Scott USA No
Sweat
Pants: Alpinestars Highland
Jacket: Alpinestars Venture
Boots:
Alpinestars Tech 6. (Click image to enlarge)
For the rear, a modified and lengthened
Paralever system similar to that used on the GS is employed for increased
stability in the rough. A unique (industry-first) adjustable air bladder shock
was designed specifically for the HP2 with spring preload and damping adjusted
solely with air pressure. The shock modulates nearly ten inches of rear-wheel
travel with a plush ride on the street and easy trails. Still, it is fully
capable of soaking up serious hits in severe terrain and landing from airborne
sojourns.
All of that suspension travel comes at a cost. The HP2 is extremely
tall and will catch some potential new owners off-guard with a saddle height of
36.2 inches. Anyone under six feet tall will have to stretch to touch the
ground. Some of this height can be bled off with the adjustable air shock and
tailored to the individual rider by using the bubble-level zip tied to the
frame.
As with any off-road machine, saving weight was a high priority and
BMW engineers managed to get the HP2 down to a remarkable 386 pounds dry. To
reach that mark, the engine’s vibration-reducing balance shaft was jettisoned,
and it’s not missed on this serious enduro machine. The frame is sturdy steel
tubing with plenty of heavy-duty gussets at critical, load-bearing junctures.
Wide, aggressive footpegs with jagged-edges for boot grip are direct carryovers
from the enduro/dual sport world and are designed to reduce fatigue by spreading
the rider’s weight over a large area.
 In contrast to the BMW GS
series—road-going motorcycles built with an off-road capability—the HP2 is bred
with the reverse approach: one of a serious off-road machine that can handle
pavement. Whereas the R 1200 GS and its brother, the Adventure, travel down the
highway content in the knowledge they can handle the occasional fire road
snaking off into the hills. The HP2 goes hunting for rutted, rock-strewn
single-track trails and dried-out riverbeds and, though you cannot disregard the
fact that you’re not on a 225-pound off-road-only bike, in general, the rougher
the better. Although quite capable on a variety of paved roads, canyons,
freeways, and surface streets, the HP2 is happiest cutting loose in the
backcountry. And when it is cut loose, the rider had best be paying attention.
With a 1200cc Boxer-twin powerplant situated between knobby tires and serious
suspension, the HP2—though quite manageable and well-mannered—can very quickly
get the less-experienced rider into trouble. (Click image to enlarge)
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