Aussies test BMW Superbike

Kev Curtain and Steve Martin have tested the new BMW Superbike in Germany

The new BMW World Superbike has been tested for the first time at a circuit used by the Championship. The Eurospeedway Lausitzring was the location of the test, and as the German circuit was part of the Worlds Supers tour until last season, BMW were able to compare lap times with those from the last race at the venue.

Aussies Kev Curtain Steve Martin were joined by ex MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams for the 2 day test.

According to BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s General Manager Berti Hauser: “I am very happy with the professional way all three riders worked and the amount of feedback they have given us. We are under no illusions of the amount of work we have to do before the start of the season next year, but we are ready and looking forward to facing this huge challenge. Up to now, we have done very little work on the electronics and have preferred to get the bike’s basics working well and I think we have achieved that. If our project continues at this good pace, I think we could surprise a few people next year.”

Alpha Technik, who partnered with BMW to develop the BMW S 1000 RR,  prepare the Superbike racebikes in a brand new state of the art facility, incorporating 7,000 square metres of workshops and offices in a town called  Rosenheim, about sixty or so kilometres south east of BMW’s headquarters.

The main workshop area is split into three parts and has two dynos – one for the whole bike and another which can simulate any racetrack in the world. One of the three buildings will house BMW Motorrad’s Off-Road and Enduro team, while the other two will be for the Superbike project and for spares and parts. The progress of the facility’s construction has been rapid and eight months ago there was nothing but grassland where there are now workshops, offices, meeting rooms and a canteen for employees.