Boxer Superbike

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:30 am

DRRROOOOOOOOLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the first official image of the Sportboxer and the closest thing to a Superbike BMW has ever built.

The 140bhp, 195kg (fully-fuelled) Sportboxer is leading BMW’s assault on an all out, no compromises sports machine.

This weekend it will be competing in one of the world’s toughest endurance races, the Le Mans 24-hour. On track the Sport Boxer will be up against Yamaha R1s, Suzuki GSX-R1000s and Honda Fireblades; no small feat for an air-cooled, twin-cylinder giving away the best part of 50bhp.

The final production version of the Sport Boxer will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motorcycle Show in September, it is predicted the bike will cost £12,000 when it hits the showrooms in 2008. Read the full story and see more exclusive images in tomorrow’s MCN out 18/04/2007.

Me-109 · Post by **Me-109** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:50 am

Ah, but will it take pa........

overipe&keen · Post by **overipe&keen** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:32 am

I can sense you working up to a Part Ex already Andrew !!!

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:45 am

Just a thought.

2008 - support series for Motogp events - like the Boxercup series, so you're looking at the new HP/Boxercup R1200s.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:25 am

Just picked up a copy of the Comic this morning (don't normally buy it tbh but this was just about worth the £1.80). The bike looks fabulous - see BMW are also playing around with a Gixxer thou fitted with the Duolever front end.

Whaddya reckon - first journo test of the SportBoxer? 'Weird indicators and no feel from the front end'

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:28 am

Gromit wrote:Whaddya reckon - first journo test of the SportBoxer? 'Weird indicators and no feel from the front end'

You know it

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:33 am

stoney wrote:
You know it

Indeed.

Still, at 12k (if it does in fact come out at that) and more importantly if I had that much readies I'd buy one. Haven't thought that about a bike in a long long time.

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:38 am

Gromit wrote:
stoney wrote:
You know it
Indeed.

Still, at 12k (if it does in fact come out at that) and more importantly if I had that much readies I'd buy one. Haven't thought that about a bike in a long long time.

Worth every penny. Standard 12s is £9.5k with sportspack, add Akro Titanium system + £1.7k, plus carbon and flashy stuff, plus all the mods to get the extra bhp and you're talking £13k anyhow!

Bargain

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:23 pm

Bargain

I'm going to court controversy here, but I reckon £13k is too much.

Even if you like the looks, it's likely to be as reliable as a Ducati due to its high state of tune (not to mention BMW's current attitude towards component / build quality) and it's still 50bhp down on the competition.

Think I'd spend £13k on quartet of modern classics, but I suspect I might be in the minority on that one!

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:34 pm

Mmmmm - lets see

I'm going to court controversy here, but I reckon £13k is too much.

£12k is what has been speculated (I reckon you'd have to spend £13k+ to spec a similar (but heavier) 12s

Even if you like the looks, it's likely to be as reliable as a Ducati due to its high state of tune (not to mention BMW's current attitude towards component / build quality) and it's still 50bhp down on the competition.

What 190bhp 180kg out-of the crate bike do you know of?

Think I'd spend £13k on quartet of modern classics, but I suspect I might be in the minority on that one!

Fair point

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:57 pm

If they're taking on the likes of the R1 / Gixxer Thou etc it's a cracking effort, but possibly still a bit wide of the mark for me in terms of looks, value for money & performance. I suspect it's going to be one for (rich!) BMW fans only although I could be wrong (usually am!). As Grom says - no doubt the magazines will bemoan the lack of a normal indicator switch!

m25jambuster · Post by **m25jambuster** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:58 pm

And they have recognised in the picture that black is the best colour

boxerpan · Post by **boxerpan** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:26 pm

Looks like a right lash up

IMO

If it qualifies for Le Mans without special dispensation from the organisers I'll be most surprised - if anyone wants an update over the w/e give me or any of the Brummie Mafia a call

Ian Martin · Post by **Ian Martin** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:25 pm

If I can get one in yellow I want (no, need) one. . . . . .

hjr1100s · Post by **hjr1100s** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:36 pm

More pictures on the official Le Mans site:

I'm anxious to see how they'll perform

I hate to say it, but the front with those air intakes do remind me of the R1200ST styling ..... but in better proportion.

HJ