BMW HP2 Enduro
With Phil Aynsley
BMW have a long history of producing off-road flat-twin powered motorcycles with varying degrees of seriousness.
The G/S then the GS series have been the mainstay and pretty much invented the modern ‘adventure bike’ category.
In 2005 the company introduced the 1200 HP2 Enduro, which while technically based on the contemporary GS model, it was, in reality, a very different beast, incorporating many of the lessons learned over years of competition in rallies such as the Paris-Dakar.
The BMW HP2 Enduro in these images is shod with the optional Supermoto wheels, rather than the off-road oriented 21-inch front and 17-inch rear combination the bike came standard with.
For a start an entirely new trellis frame chassis was used. Also BMW’s trademark Telelever front suspension was replaced by 45mm White Power upside down telescopic forks.
In a first for mass-production motorcycles an air damped rear suspension unit was employed. No spring or oil was used in this unit, just air. Front suspension travel was 270 mm and rear 248 mm.
The motor was the ultimate evolution of the ‘oil head’ design and saw internal modifications to reduce weight and increase power to a claimed 105 hp at 7000 rpm.
The engine was later used in the HP2 Sport and HP2 Megamoto road bikes with both of them sporting a more powerful tune to suit their intended purpose.
The HP2 Enduro had a dry weight of 175 kg, making it 23kg lighter than the R 1200 GS. Top speed was 210 km/h.
Production ceased in 2008, after three years.
The HP2 Enduro was followed by the supermoto styled HP2 Megamoto in 2007. The Megamoto gained a balance shaft which made for a smoother engine.
The Megamoto also made more grunt, 113 horsepower to be exact, and sold for $28,400 in Australia.
Then the HP2 pinnacle came the following year in the delectable HP2 Sport which sold for $34,750 plus on road costs when it hit Aussie streets late in 2008 with 130 horsepower.
BMW HP2 Enduro Specifications
| BMW 1200 HP2 Enduro Specifications | |
| Engine | Boxer-twin, four-stroke, four-valve per cylinder, SOHC |
| Fuel system | Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management: BMS-K with overrun fuel cut-off, dual ignition |
| Displacement | 1170 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 101.0 x 73.0 mm |
| Compression | 11.0:1Â |
| Max power | 105 hp (75.4 kW) @ 7000 rpm |
| Max torque | 115 Nm (84.8 ft.lbs) @ 5500 rpm |
| Gearbox | Six-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft drive (cardan)Â |
| Clutch | Single-disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated |
| Frame type | Tubular steel (trellis) space frame |
| Front Suspension | 45mm White Power upside down telescopic fork, 270 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Forged aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, 248 mm travel |
| Front brakes | Dual 304 mm rotors, four-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Single 265 mm rotor, two-piston caliper |
| Tyres | 90/90-21, 140/80-17Â |
| Trail | 127 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1610 mm |
| Length | 2350 mm |
| Width | 880 mm |
| Height | 1266 mm |
| Seat Height | 920 mm |
| Wet weight | 195 kg |
| Tank capacity | 13 L |
