BMW will need to produce 1000 of its S1000RR superbikes in order to be eligible to race in 2009, but the motorcycles aren't likely to hit the streets until 2010.
The web is a wonderful thing and so instant. But, like anything else, that brings its drawbacks. Last month we were once again mentioning the proposed BMW Superbike and a possible launch, having continually mentioned something about it for the past two years. At the same time BMW was launching it on-line, they were also holding a press launch to selected journalists at its HQ in Munich.
Good news all round though, as while they have not come totally clean (see below), once again most of what we have said here has been proven correct and even with the limited information and the official pictures, it looks like they have a potential winner on their hands. As ever though, we are not resting on our laurels. We will continue to try and fill in all the gaps as and when we can!
Germany
As just mentioned, the big news is
BMW has officially launched its new World Superbike contender, the S1000RR. It will be entered in the 2009 WSB Championship in a two-man factory team run by Alpha Techniik and they hope to get consistent top-10 finishes in their first season and some wins in their second in 2010.
However, independent teams will be allowed to use 'customer' race bikes (which will be very close to full factory spec), to contest national championships. This is similar to the Ducati set-up with the main team doing development on parts and then these being fed down to these satellite teams.
Ohlins will be the suspension provider of choice for the new S1000RR, albeit the set used on the production bike won't quite be up to the specs of the World Superbike entry.
So what did they actually launch? Well, the bike shown will form the basis of the production machine, which is of course necessary to allow it to race. BMW Motorrad President Hendrik von Kuenheim did however point out that the race bike shown was not the finished version and some things may have changed on the production version.
BMW does, of course, need to produce 1000 examples in 2009 to be eligible to race, but don't expect the bike to be on sale before 2010. The good news is that because they want to compete with bikes like the Yamaha R1, the price is likely to be in the same bracket as opposed to the premium range that some of their bikes currently sit in! The final styling may also closer mirror the R1 or a GSX-R Suzuki, as BMW desperately wants to attract new riders to the brand and move away from its older, boring, safe image. So definitely expect traction control and a new version of ABS, which will be able to be switched off by the rider.
The suspension will obviously not be the state-of-the-art
Ohlin's as shown at the launch, but it could be a cheaper version, again to attract the customer looking for performance and racetrack breeding. Obviously though, the main thing is that BMW has moved away from its trademark Boxer engine. Likewise, the frame is now a beam section and the forks are inverted telescopics with the rear being a monoshock working off a conventional (if longer) swingarm with chain drive. Admittedly all of these have appeared on other BMW machines, but never all together.
No specific details of the engine were given, not even the capacity, although expect this to be at the maximum 999cc as we have said before. Power would need to be in excess of 215 hp to make the bike competitive and as they are serious about their assault on the championship, this is likely to be a figure they already have seen, given BMW's commitment to the project.
Hints were made about the cylinder head and valve train, which could be taking the Double Vanos system from their cars to give three-stage variable valve timing, or alternatively it could be pneumatic valves making this a first on a production machine.
BMW plans on being competitive right out of the gate in the 2009 World Superbike season and projects podium finishes by 2010.
On the racebike, fuel injection is from Dellorto and the exhaust from Akraprovic with brakes from Brembo. Wheels from Oz are fitted with Pirelli tires. Like the suspension issue, how much of this reaches the road bikes remains to be seen! But, one thing is for sure, the bike is physically small and compact and will not be that far off the pace in either the race version or the road version, if not ahead of it.
Moving on, at the same conference they confirmed that they would not pursue the MotoGP project we have mentioned before because of costs. Also, no real surprise that the 1000cc Superbike will spawn a 600cc sibling in due course, given the middleweight class currently makes up to 60% of the sportbike market.
Also expect to see the famous tank roundel appear on a custom bike again in the near future. Despite linking their last effort to the James Bond brand, it never really attracted the sales hoped for and was dropped. However, now the company seems prepared to move away from the Boxer engine when needed. Who knows what may come from Bavaria in the future!
Also look out for either the covered C1 scooter to make a return or, if that is still deemed too radical, another BMW scooter to capture a slice of this fast growing and trendy market in Europe.
We have previously mentioned the tie-up with Kymco in Taiwan and the production there of the G650 motor. Now it appears that the F800 motor could soon be made there in a cost-cutting exercise by the Germans, who claim that this does not mean a compromise in standards!
Bizarrely though, despite these rumors emanating from that Munich meeting, some BMW dealers are advertising a 675cc Triple that will be available in 2010. Given that they should have solid inside information and they did see the 1000cc machine before the press did, this could be a good tip. As we have said many times before, watch this space for more information as and when it surfaces!
German enthusiast, Jens vom Brauck, winner of a 2004 competition to 'Design Your Dream Ducati' has beaten the Italian marque to the punch in producing a modern day version of the Scrambler.
Ironic really that the winner of a competition in 2004 to 'Design your Dream Ducati' has beaten the Italian firm into production with a modern day version of the Scrambler. German enthusiast, Jens vom Brauck, has just completed his prototype
JvB Moto Scrambler that is the basis for a production machine.
The bike is based on a Monster and will be built to each customer's own specification (and therefore there is no fixed price), but it is a modern day version of the famous single from Bologna. Rumors that we were happy to spread here was that the factory under Frederico Minoli (who was a big fan of the model), were all set to add one to its 'Classic' range. However, since his departure things have gone quiet, so maybe this will stir up some Italian interest!
We recently reported former F1 World Champion Michael Schmacher was now racing bikes. Well it now seems that he is helping German helmet manufacturer
Schuberth develop a new bike helmet. Aimed at being light and aerodynamic as well as quiet, it will be their flagship helmet when it comes to production. (The company formerly designed his car helmets when he was racing.)
Italy
Ducati Motor Holding has recently announced its official entry to the Indian motorcycle market, which is a country they see as having significant potential for growth in the motorcycle sector.
Since it's hard to get a good look at vom Brauck's Scrambler when it's screamin' across the countryside, here's a static shot so you can get a better look.
Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio told assembled press in New Delhi that the vast opportunities offered by the Indian market have led Ducati to begin a long-term partnership agreement with Precision Motor India Private Limited as the exclusive importer of Ducati motorcycles in India. Apparently the aforementioned are an established company which represents many prestigious brands in India; including Porsche, Audi, Fendi and Dolce&Gabbana. The signing of the partnership agreement is seen as the first step towards a fruitful relationship between the two companies. The partnership promises to strengthen significantly over time and no doubt may well see in the future manufacturing tie-ups to cut costs!
Taking a leaf out of Harley's book, Ducati has now launched its own wine for the 'Ducatisti' who must have everything Ducati. Called the DesmoRosso 2006 it is available at selected Italian restaurants. "An assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenere grapes, has resulted in an elegant and well structured wine, rich and strong, with personality profoundly linked to the terrain from where it grows," explained Paolo Padrin, owner of the winery Le Pignole in Brendola (VI), creator and producer of DesmoRosso, "this wine is distinctly Italian and, at the same time, suitable to represent the Ducati colors throughout the world."
For those not in Italy it is available on the internet at
www.desmorosso.com, but be warned it is not cheap!
Ducati has now launched its own wine for the 'Ducatisti' called the DesmoRosso 2006. It is available online and at selected Italian restaurants.
Lastly, factory insiders from Bologna suggest that the current top-selling 1098 could already be in line for a face lift as it is now two years old!
United Kingdom
Triumph is likely to launch a smaller version of the Tiger called the Tiger Cub. We have always stated that the name would be used on something, but it now seems that the bike will be a smaller version of the very popular 1050 machine using the 675 Street Triple as the basis for the new bike.
Obviously a new frame (or at least a modified version) to take longer travel suspension at the rear and increase the ground clearance will be necessary, as will longer forks. However, a minor engine retune is all that will be required, making it quite a cheap (production cost-wise) new model.
Like the larger machine it will have 17-inch wheels and be aimed at road riders who like the styling, rather than be a hardcore off-road machine. Insiders suggest that because of the similarity with the bigger bike, it has been extensively tested already as there has been no need to disguise it or test abroad and it will be on sale as early as this summer!
Triumph has just announced an all matte black version of the Speed Triple, which of course had some minor changes for this year including Brembo brakes, redesigned wheels and a new rear sub-frame. The Daytona, which of course also uses the 675 powerplant, is all set for a facelift in the styling department, as it is now three years old and starting to look dated. The Thunderbird name is also set to reappear on a sportbike, possibly also powered by the now distinctive Triple.
British custom builder Roger Allmond, creator of the Ducati 'Bobber' shown here, is busy building a promotional bike for Bennetts, one of the UK's leading motorcyclist insurers.
You normally expect all the top custom bikes to be created in the USA, but as Brit
Roger Allmond has shown before with his Ducati 'Bobber,' he is up there with the very best. Like the Ducati, his latest creation, built as a promotional tool for Bennetts (one of the UK's leading bike insurers), it uses an unusual engine, this time out of a Rocket III.
Only the engine and shaft drive remain from the original bike, the new chassis being hand built by Roger in his Oxfordshire workshop. The design was all created in 3D CAD by himself as was all the machining work. The rear wheel is now carried on a mono-arm as is the front wheel with the front shock mounted in front and in-line with the headstock. The five-spoked wheels were made as well and the rear brake is contained within the shaftdrive to keep the smooth, uncluttered look.
Due to its total uniqueness, the firm is having difficulty in getting it insured as it is priceless, like the problem the insurance company is having!
The Isle of Man TT races are to see all the travelling marshals wearing
Dainese leathers after the Italian brand was named official Safety Partner. One of the top contenders in this year's races, Guy Martin, will also be wearing one of their new suits with the airbag system we previously mentioned during the races to further gather important data for them. Expect also to see the launch of a new Agostini replica helmet by its in-house helmet company, AGV.
Dainese leathers, good enough for five-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, will be used by all the travelling marshals at this year's Isle of Man TT.
While the U.S. is wrapped up with election fever, all interest here in London at least was in voting for a new Mayor for the capital city. Boris Johnson is now the man in the hot seat and has stated he is all in favor of motorcycles, unlike his anti-motorcycle predecessor.
It is now hoped that bus lanes will be opened up to motorcycles, more free parking will be made available and two wheels will not be drawn in to the congestion charging scheme or any road pricing schemes.
John Surtees remains the only man to have won a World Championship on two and four wheels. Given the much specialized nature of both sports it is a feat unlikely to be matched unless Schmacher takes his bike racing more seriously.
However, despite now being 74 years old, Surtees is now spearheading a new 125cc GP squad for an assault on the World Championship in 2009. Surtees has joined forces with former Suzuki team boss Garry Taylor, British frame guru Steve Harris and Dutch engine designer Jan Wittveen. The squad is being bankrolled by Haojue, the biggest motorcycle producer in China, although it will run under the
Maxtra brand name.
The Haojue company was formed by the Grand River Group back in 1991 and now employs 9,000 people. It has 12,000 dealers and has close ties with Suzuki. In 2007 they built 2.7 million bikes that they exported to over 70 countries worldwide. Despite this, the engine will be built from scratch, as will the frame. existing technology like Ohlin's suspension will be used until all the development is work is done. The money is in place for a full thee year project and given the expertise that has been bought in, it is unlikely to fail. No riders have been named as yet!
Let us know what you think about this article in the MCUSA Forum. Click Here.
