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BMW R 900RR Rally
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Make Model |
BMW R 900RR Rally |
|
Year |
2000 |
|
Engine |
Four stroke, two cylinder
horizontally opposed Boxer air/oil-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder |
|
Capacity |
900 |
|
Induction |
2 Bing constant speed |
|
Ignition /
Starting |
- / electric |
|
Max Power |
66 kW 90 hp @ 8200 rpm |
|
Transmission /
Drive |
5 Speed / shaft |
|
Front Suspension |
48mm Forks WP. 300mm wheel travel |
|
Rear Suspension |
WP. shock 300mm wheel travel |
|
Front Brakes |
Single 300mm disc 4 piston caliper |
|
Rear Brakes |
Single 285mm disc 4 piston caliper |
|
Front Tyre |
90/90 -21 |
|
Rear Tyre |
140/80 -18 |
|
Seat Height |
995 mm |
|
Dry-Weight |
190 kg |
|
Fuel Capacity |
Main front: 30 liters
Side (right) : 10 liters
Underseat: 3 liters (water) |
At the end of 1998, the management of BMW's Motorcycle
Division decided to run "Boxers" in rallying in order to have a means of
comparing two alternative design concepts.
A well-known specialist company, HPN, which had built the winning BMW bikes
back in the 1980s, was asked to develop a competitive rallying version as a
prototype.
The main features were to be, in addition to retention of the bike's classic
visual features, optimum weight distribution and enormous endurance
potential.
In April 1999 BMW Motorcycles ran one of these prototypes in the Tunisia
Rally, in order to compare it directly with rival bikes and reveal its
strengths and weaknesses.
Although a 34th place in this event was only a modest result, it was evident
that the project showed considerable promise and that there was no call for
resignation.
During the summer of 1999 the bike's handling was extensively revised.
Weight distribution was improved and the unsprung weight of the shaft drive
and rear suspension reduced.
Numerous tests were carried out and it was obvious that progress was being
made. The proverbial reliability of this bike as a whole was obvious from
the Tunisian Rally result.
A further direct comparison with the competition took place in the Dubai
Rally, held in November 1999. A new member of the team, the English rider
John Deacon, achieved a highly satisfying 4th place in the overall ratings
and thus demonstrated what the "Boxer" is capable of.
Once again, many detail design features have had to be modified if the bike
is to have a good chance of success in the forthcoming Dakar Rally.
John Deacon and the other newcomer to the team, Jimmy Lewis from the USA,
are particularly impressed by the bike's surprisingly agile handling and the
seemingly unlimited power from its engine.
Reducing the engine size to 900 cc in order to comply with the rules for
this rally seems to have had no adverse effects. Engine specialist Helmut
Mader from Erding, near Munich, had no difficulty in satisfying BMW's demand
for a healthy 90 horsepower from this engine, an output that gives it wings
when the track opens out enough for high speeds to be reached.
In its latest guise, looking great in its new "Gauloises blue" outfit, our
twin-cylinder bike is not only a serious rival to the single-cylinder
brigade but a visually attractive one as well.
The trade press has been full of praise for this new "Boxer" and has
recalled the successes which the earlier versions once achieved.
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