Adventure Bikes - BMW HP2 Enduro
The BMW HP2 Enduro takes to concept of a great all-round bike like the R1200 GS and gives it a lot more focus, primarily aimed at making it a better off road bike.
You may wonder what a huge 1200cc bike thinks its doing off-road at all, but this bike has an amazing pedigree, its a direct decedent of the bikes that totally dominated the notorious Paris-Dakar rally in the mid 1980's and off road events don't come any tougher than that.
You may wonder what a huge 1200cc bike thinks its doing off-road at all, but this bike has an amazing pedigree, its a direct decedent of the bikes that totally dominated the notorious Paris-Dakar rally in the mid 1980's and off road events don't come any tougher than that.
Riding the HP2 off-road on the beautiful green lanes of the Hampshire countryside.
So whats it like to ride, this fire breathing monster, off-road competition racing bike?
Actually like all BMW twins, its very easy to live with. Soft power delivery at low to mid range, but the HP2 revs with more urgency when you hit the gas and has a surprising turn of speed. I've already said this bike has an off-road focus, so full knobby tires, single front disc and very long travel suspension, so riders under 6ft 3" are going to really struggle as pilot for this monster. Riding this Bavarian beauty off-road is great fun, but a 1200cc bike this tall demands respect and you have to always look at the terrain ahead and plan your approach,
Actually like all BMW twins, its very easy to live with. Soft power delivery at low to mid range, but the HP2 revs with more urgency when you hit the gas and has a surprising turn of speed. I've already said this bike has an off-road focus, so full knobby tires, single front disc and very long travel suspension, so riders under 6ft 3" are going to really struggle as pilot for this monster. Riding this Bavarian beauty off-road is great fun, but a 1200cc bike this tall demands respect and you have to always look at the terrain ahead and plan your approach,
BMW HP2 Enduro, seen at all the best biking places.
On the street this bike does not feel quite at home. The motor is amazing and the quick steering encourages you to attack corners, but the full knobbly tires squirm in protest when pushed and the small front brake lacks any real bite when trying to slow the plot down from speed, and if you squeeze harder, it simply locks up the front end. I seemed to be always trying to stop the thing from speed, just below the point of lock up, accompanied everywhere by a squealing front tire.
So is the HP2 Enduro a great Adventure bike? Personally I would have to say no, adventure biking is about having a bike that leaves you feeling, what a great ride you just had, no matter what you ask it to do. The HP2 is a beautiful bike and every where I stopped riders gathered and discussed its graceful lines and its engineering excellence and some days I wish I still had it in my garage. But its like that really beautiful girl you used to know, drop dead gorgeous but hard work to live with.
Weekend away camping at the Horizons Unlimited annual gathering.
