BMW unveiled it today in Munich. It will race in the 2009 World SBK championship. It's been rumored the price will be comparable to a Japanese bike. Beautiful, ain't it?
The article I read in Spanish mentions their intentions to race this year to start setting up for next season. They mention a particular endurance race in Qatar at the end of the season.
Names mentioned as possible racers are Max Neukirchener and someone else, possibly Italian or Spanish, to be decided shortly.
Last edited by ONEvcs; 04-16-2008 at 10:06 PM.
Reason: I can't type...
I bet it doesn't include those fork tubes for a "price comparable to a Japanese bike."
But I do like it.
...dude you ride an offroad bike with slicks, 1/2 the weight of a GS, double the suspension, with a browning 50 cal going off 32" from your skull as a daily freaking driver - I'd expect anything except a nitro dragbike to be bland by comparison - SSG
I bet it doesn't include those fork tubes for a "price comparable to a Japanese bike."
But I do like it.
Yeah, they mentioned that in the pictures they dressed it for battle with bits which will not be included in the production model, including the front fork, all carbon fiber dress, etc. They also mentioned, the shape and color of the plastics might change quite a bit.
Does Anyone have any insight on why BMWs, even this SBK like one, seem to have longer wheel basses? I always thought it might have to do with the transmission but since this one sports a typical chain, and it still seems to be a bit longer, I'm just wondering. I've seen other BMWs with chains in them but always assumed they're were not willing, or perhaps regulation restricted, to change the frame and triples.
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
---Leonardo Da Vinci
Must be a fun place to be an engineer right now, they obviously have a killer budget and focus.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Indeed. I like it, if nothing more than for yet another option in the sporting motorcycle segment. But I do agree, it does look like a mash-up of the Japanese Big Four.
Looking like it has ABS and on top of that am I seeing tricky suspension electronics similar to haga's yammie this WSBK season? or what is that red thing on the front end on the right side pic?
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
---Leonardo Da Vinci
Looking like it has ABS and on top of that am I seeing tricky suspension electronics similar to haga's yammie this WSBK season? or what is that red thing on the front end on the right side pic?
Perhaps. But I'm looking at my Hodgson poster from American Honda and he has something very similar and know that he doesn't have an e-suspension. My guess is that it is a device for measuring suspension load and other data.
Looking like it has ABS and on top of that am I seeing tricky suspension electronics similar to haga's yammie this WSBK season? or what is that red thing on the front end on the right side pic?
A linear potentiometer for the data aquisition. They've been around a long time. I had that stuff on my 929 in 2001.
Originally Posted by NorthernRR
Funny seeing the brembo monoblocks used in conjunction with ABS too, still looks like like a 03 VFR set up. wonder if it would fit.
More than likely no ABS as I believe it is illegal in racing. The exciter ring you see is a wheel speed sensor used for the data aquisition, though it may come directly from the bin of ABS parts.
Last edited by luvtolean; 10-08-2008 at 11:12 AM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
A linear potentiometer for the data aquisition. They've been around a long time. I had that stuff on my 929 in 2001.
More than likely no ABS as I believe it is illegal in racing. The exciter ring you see is a wheel speed sensor used for the data aquisition, though it may come directly from the bin of ABS parts.
Again you prove to be a wealth of knowledge, learned my thing for the month. now I can go back to sleep Thanks for the insight.
I am hoping that you are talking about the zip tie and not the linear potentiometer... if it was the later I don't want to hear ANYONE bugging me about my little bit of stuff
The zip tie gives you max travel used, which a "pot" does do.
What they don't give you is rate of change, where you are in the travel in certain areas on track etc etc, which a higher level suspension guy wants to hear about so he can get you even more dialed.
With the red pots they are probably 2D brand (which is German) if you want to dig into it a bit:
(And yes, I had a zip tie on the 929 forks. It was a quick reference in addition to what my F/R linear pots were telling me. )
Last edited by luvtolean; 10-08-2008 at 06:16 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
I am afraid I didn't see any prices after a quick browse, looks like a "if you have to ask" type experiance... I wil return to this site though, looks VERY interesting.
That would be SWEET to have a set up something like they offer though.
At one point I actually flew down to SoCal to get some direct assistance from them. I walked in feeling pretty bad about my effort, but left a bit smug though...
I am pretty sure the newer systems are much easier to use, but the older ones were not for the technically inept. I did learn some interesting things with it, but the real key is can you act on what you learn?
At the time my conclusion was it was a waste of money in regards to lap times for me. (I did learn things useful as an engineer however.)
Last edited by luvtolean; 10-08-2008 at 06:25 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
My guess is that it is a device for measuring suspension load and other data.
Originally Posted by BobcatSig
What I said ... only not as technical.
Kinda. Linear pots are not load sensors, they're just a relatively stupid, but spendy, position sensor.
One of the main uses is to input the data to "math channels" to do the first and second derivatives of position with respect to time to get the position, velocity, acceleration rate(s) of your suspension for your Ohlins tech and chassis team.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
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Originally Posted by Purpdust
Thanks for the insight.
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