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2008 BMW HP2 Megamoto: We Luv’em Naked!
Naked bikes have a tendency to come off a bit intimidating by showing off their muscle rather than concealing it behind decorative plastic. But in the case of the HP2, this fear factor goes a bit further with its tall 35.0-inch seat height, 92.5-inch long body, its bulging air-cooled/oil-cooled Boxer Twin engine and the meaty factory direct Akrapovic exhaust -- something you don’t find on most bikes, but then again we’re talking about a BMW here.
Designed as a street legal horizontally opposed twin cylinder Supermoto, this aggressive 113 horsepower (1170 cc displacement and 85 lb/ft torque) rebel might not be your typical bike night sighting. Yet, every other rider and pedestrian took heavy notice to our sophisticated blue & white Beemer. However, with such features as carbon fiber, fully adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers, Brembo brakes (consisting of front dual 4-piston fixed calipers and a rear single, 4-piston fixed caliper) upside-down 45mm Marzocchi front forks, hollow axles front and rear for added rigidity and to reduce weight, this certainly is one naked rebel not to be looked down upon.
Putting space between the front wheel and pavement was easily accomplished. Zero – sixty? Three seconds. 120 mph at our test location was a piece of cake, although there was a noticeable and distracting engine vibration that consistently pulled the bike to the left. A favorite feature was the large footpeg that provided ample room for changing footing.
Coming in at $21,000, there are a few other bikes that would get our money first, but it does have a lot to offer for those looking for a high end, high performance naked Supermoto bike with a high intimidation factor.
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