BMW HP2 MEGAMOTO
A GENTLEMAN'S BIKE FOR A HOOLIGAN OR A HOOLIGAN'S BIKE FOR A GENTLEMAN
by Mick Hodge
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The HP2 begging for more... |
On first glance the HP2 Megamoto seems to be just a motard version of the rare knobby tyred version that a few of us had the privilege of owning a couple of years ago. But then you start looking closer and the only similarity is that hand made blue triangle upon triangle frame that works so well.
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The twin disks: just awesome |
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The instrument panel |
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"the front wheel paws the sky in one and two and still wants to in three" |
The suspenders have been shortened up on the front end and the springless air shock holding up the rear has been replaced by a glorious golden umpteen-adjustment Ohlins. Up front there are now twin discs which are just awesome: using these puppies to pull up is nothing short of giant chain and anchor action. With less travel, tighter suspension and road/track day tyres this thing corners beautifully. When you forget how high up in the atmosphere you're actually travelling and just crank it over, right over, further than most will ever dare, it still begs for more. BMW must have done a deal with the devil because gravity doesn't seem to apply when you ride this, machine. It's just perfectly balanced and willing to go so, so hard. Yum stuff.
It comes standard with a titanium removable-baffle Akropovic which sounds great and works flawlessly. The twin plug head on this 1200cc fuel injected monster is so sorted and fluff free that you forget what gear you're in. This is the heart of this lightweight stompy motard. The engine will lope along pulling top gear with hardly any revs and a quick flick of the wrist puts you back into light speed mode.
If you nail it through the super slick box you'll find the front wheel paws the sky in one and two and still wants to in three, and you're breaking the law very quickly You still have three more cogs to go. The engine feels like it is delivering more horse power than the dirt version of two years ago, maybe because it feels more refined and seamless, or maybe because it actually is.
I have a regular road/test loop that combines long steep hills, tight lumpy turns and flat knacker sweepers with a few pot holes and various grades of asphalt and I know how long it takes me to get from one end to the other. On the first run of the day it was the quickest thing I have punted along there, including my own turbo GSXR 1000.
Why? Because the road was soaking wet. Sure, the dry weather times are somewhat faster but to nail the 'wet lap' record first time out means this thing is special. I did it three times and each time got I faster and faster. Bear in mind I did own the dirt version for a year so I'm acclimatised to this style of steed, but I don't remember it being so willing to rev and catapult you forward with such urgency, in any gear.
You can punt through a corner with the engine pulling eight grand, or be up two gears and torque it through. It doesn't matter which, you're still hauling arse big time.
Don't think for one moment it's me. It's the bike. It's just so well sorted and refined and forgiving and works so well that it makes a quick rider out of everybody, everywhere, all of the time. There is a hooliganistic streak in this beast just craves to be indulged.
You have been warned.
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