BRUCE’S BLUFF…
After a while some models look a bit dated, lack in the performance stakes and leave you contemplating whether the tech on the bike was put on for pure novelty value. BMW’s HP4 Carbon is not one of those machines.
It’s like a ‘fine wine’ of motorcycling, carrying through class, sophistication and a level of potency that means it can still spar toe-to-toe with some of the best bikes of now, without the need of a zimmer frame. Nope, time hasn’t wearied the HP4, which looked a treat on this test, laced in its saucy carbon weave, aided by a plethora of tasty trick bits such as the adjustable rearsets, electronically adjustable suspension and titanium Akrapovic silencer. In all honesty, I didn’t know whether to ride the thing or stare at it, so I did a bit of both.
On the road, it didn’t disappoint. BMW is the master of making powerful motorcycles oblige you like a doting Labrador. It was super comfy, easy to hustle around and even the switchgears made perfect sense. The mirrors worked a treat, the knee-angle was relaxed and below 6000rpm, the vibrations were more than tolerable. A lack of character aside, there was nothing not to like about it, which is probably why we fought over who got to ride it next.
And that notion very much carried over when we got on track. Opening up the taps on the Beemer is a tantalising experience, full of zest and excitement as the inlinefour motor tries to bury the rear tyre into the ground, lofting the front wheel in the process. The bike’s mid-range was a treat on the road, but the engine’s top-end buzz takes things to a new level on a circuit, making me question how little performance has moved on since this weapon arrived on the scene. It was fast back then and is still stupidly fast now. The throttle connection is a little less fast though, and this bike was far better savoured with the traction control off, or on the most minimal setting.
Unfortunately, the DDC suspension was lacking in support for track abuse and short of Tim dialling in a bit of preload, there was nothing we could do to exploit the bike’s frame further. It felt a little lardier through the quick direction changes, such as the Chicane and Hall Bends, but it was hard to knock the overall package because it delivered well for over 75% of the track. The powerful brakes were a pleasant surprise too and I really rated the general stability of the bike in a bend, and under braking… but it got a bit whappy on corner exit as the rear shock seemed to throw the towel in early.
But niggles aside, getting reacquainted with this bike has been a pleasure.