BMW unveiled a new, more track-oriented sportbike based on its highly-successful S1000RR. The new BMW HP4 is an evolution of BMW’s HP2 series with the S1000RR’s inline-four engine.

Like the S1000RR, the HP4 claims 190 hp at 13,000 rpm and 83 ft-lb. at 9750 rpm. The HP4 however has been tuned to offer more torque from 6000 to 9750 rpm. Also like its predecessor, the HP4 will have four ride modes, Rain, Sport, Race and Slick. On the HP4 however, horsepower will have access to its full power in all four modes including Rain mode. The Rain mode has also been tuned for a smoother torque curve from 2500 to 8000 rpm.

The HP4 will be the first production model to come with dynamic damping control (DDC), BMW technology that adapts the suspension’s damping characteristics to road conditions. DDC uses information from sensors to electrically control the suspension’s regulation valves to optimize damping. Continue Reading »

Moto Guzzi tuner Ghezzi-Brian unveiled a new motard based on the Moto Guzzi Griso.

Available either as a whole motorcycle or as a ready-to-install kit for a Moto Guzzi Griso, the Ghezzi-Brian V-Twin Motard turns the Italian eagle brand’s roadster into a supermoto. The V-Twin Motard even fooled some of the motorcycle press into thinking it was a new Moto Guzzi Stelvio production model when a prototype was caught by spy photographers.

Apart from the motard-makeover, Ghezzi-Brian equipped the V-Twin Motard with some fancy tech. The V-Twin Motard uses Dynamic Damping Action technology which adjusts the rear suspension automatically to adapt to road conditions similar to the Dynamic Damping Control system being developed by BMW. The Dynamic Damping Action system was developed by Dutch firm Tractive Suspension, which includes staff who worked on BMW’s ESA and ESA II electronic suspension systems. Continue Reading »

BMW has developed new suspension technology that automatically adjusts damping for different riding conditions.

The Dynamic Damping Control is the next evolutionary step in BMW‘s suspension technology, following its Electronic Suspension Adjustment systems (ESA and ESA II). While ESA allowed the rider to adjust suspension settings with the push of a button, DDC automatically makes adjustments as you ride. BMW already uses similar technology for its automobiles.

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