BMW announces entry into Superbike World Championship for 2009

[ChrisS]

BMW Motorrad is opening a new chapter in road racing. Peter Müller, Vice President Development and Model Lines BMW Motorrad, stated at the Mondial du Deux Roues Motorcycle Show in Paris on Friday, September 28th:

“In 2007 BMW returned to road racing with the sports boxer after more than 50 years. In 2008 we will continue our activities in the Endurance category. At the same time we will be preparing our entry into the Superbike World Championship in 2009 with great intensity.”

Triumph in supersport, BMW in Superbike, looks like SBK is the place to be

I wonder if we are going to use a 1200cc Boxer or a 1000cc 4

[veeten]

It'll be the 4 cylinder. There has been a lot of time and effort put into getting it to this level

The Boxer twin, while used for many single-make series, just isn't the tool for the riggors of SBK, no matter where it is raced. It just isn't the equal of the Ducati, Aprillia, or even the new Buell/Rotax engine. The 4 cylinder will be targeted more against the Hondas, 'zukes, Kawas, and Yamas, as it's built towards that end of the specs.

[jim mcglinchey]

Id agree with that. BMW have done amazing things with a 60 yr old engine design both on their R series road bikes and the Boxer cup racers, but the lack of ground clearance and increased frontal area wont be offset by an extra 200 cc when racing ath the top level

[NinjaMaster]

Id agree with that. BMW have done amazing things with a 60 yr old engine design both on their R series road bikes and the Boxer cup racers, but the lack of ground clearance and increased frontal area wont be offset by an extra 200 cc when racing ath the top level
Yeah but that extra width would make them harder to get past, right?

[ArmchairBikeFan]

I remember seeing footage of Randy Mamola having a go in one of those BMW one make series. Leant it over too far, clipped the ground with the outstretched engine and flew into a gravel trap. Pretty spectacular.

[jonny hurlock]

great to see BMW in SBK in 18 months time.

[maxu05]

I hope that the BMW F1 team don't whine that they need more money and force BMW head office to scrap the WSBK program to make up the cash. My fingers are crossed that this doesn't happen.

[The Phantom]

I hope that the BMW F1 team don't whine that they need more money and force BMW head office to scrap the WSBK program to make up the cash. My fingers are crossed that this doesn't happen.

It's a good point, there's no other manufacturer out there doing what BMW is proposing to do.

Personally I'd like to see them ditch F1 - that would send a clear message to Bernie Pty Ltd that things are well and truly out of control. Unlikely, of course, but stranger things have happened.

[ChrisS]

It's a good point, there's no other manufacturer out there doing what BMW is proposing to do.

what do you mean?

Honda is in F1, MotoGP, Superbikes, IRL, Le Mans, Formula Nippon, pretty much any sport with an engine.

[ChrisS]

I hope that the BMW F1 team don't whine that they need more money and force BMW head office to scrap the WSBK program to make up the cash. My fingers are crossed that this doesn't happen.

Why would BMW F1 whine or even care?

The costs for the bike development and production have nothing to do with the motorsport division since its a production bike and the costs of a superbike team are not high, about 3mil, nothing for BMW


If it was motoGP then the F1 team would understandably not be happy since it would take away from it's resources

[ArmchairBikeFan]

Yeah, the F1 team must be really angry that BMW keep wasting money building road cars that they could spend on F1. :)

[The Phantom]

what do you mean?

Honda is in F1, MotoGP, Superbikes, IRL, Le Mans, Formula Nippon, pretty much any sport with an engine.

LOL, oops you're right of course. And I ride a Honda!!!