Big decision

[bergboxer]

Been bitten with the BMW bug for many years both 2 and 4 wheels.
for the hell of me i can't decide whether to purchase a HP 4 carbon or a new 1000rr sport, i love the colour and Finnish of the hp but realise that its been out for a few years, i won't be doing big miles i have other bikes to do that on, i ask the guidance of this forums experienced members who i am sure have deliberated over the same problem.
As a new member of this forum please be gentle.

 

[soofsayer]

Hi BB, welcome to the forum.

Hmm, so you will get two very predictable answers:

1 - All 3rd gen owners will say you need to buy a 3rd gen because it's newer, blipper, cruise control etc.
2 - Hp4 carbon owners will sit back and bask in the exclusivity of HP4 ownership.

I am the latter .

It really comes down to what you want to do with the bike and how you feel about the finances. HP4 Carbons are holding their values well, the 3rd gen bikes are doing ok but will always drop in line with the usual depreciation curve.

As for the bikes, the HP4 is essentially a track bike with road bits on, and that is how it feels to ride one. Fire it up and it kinda growls back, I personally love that raw'ness' because I dont want it for touring, pillions, motorways, or any other general stuff other than blasting around great roads or tracks. Ok, sometimes the gearbox doesn't like being used as though it was a commuter, but thats fine, its not designed for that. I do sometimes consider chopping mine in for a new sthou as the cost to change is negligible (not bad for a 4 year old bike with 14k on the clock) but I prefer the more analogue nature of the bike as it gives it character which I find personally is more interesting.

 

[Nick]

Been bitten with the BMW bug for many years both 2 and 4 wheels.
for the hell of me i can't decide whether to purchase a HP 4 carbon or a new 1000rr sport, i love the colour and Finnish of the hp but realise that its been out for a few years, i won't be doing big miles i have other bikes to do that on, i ask the guidance of this forums experienced members who i am sure have deliberated over the same problem.
As a new member of this forum please be gentle.

I've never ridden an HP4 but I can tell you that I've owned a 2011S1K and a 2015S1K and the difference is remarkable.

 

[MarkHP4]

Hi,

I was of the same dilemma, but only by chance and perseverance did the allure and exclusivity of the HP win for me, to which point I was lucky and negated the purchase of a zero mile HP4 Carbon registered just this year and don't regret the effort, cost or decision I've made to get what I decided one bit. Yes it doesn't have the refined bells and whistles of the Gen 3 bikes, but it also proves that there are these sort of delights still out there, as previously mentioned holding value, and whatever decision you make, you will not be disappointed either way.

 

[JimmyMac]

I'm tickled pink to have an HP4 Carbon.

JimmyMac

 

[stuartb]

Not sure I can add to this without sounding biased.

When I walked into the Dalkeiths showroom there were stacks of other bikes and probably 4 or 5 thou RRs right next to an HP 4... I never gave any of them a second glance except the HP 4... I couldn't take my eyes off it and slapped a deposit down on it there and then, it was then and still is a stunning looking machine.

Welcome aboard btw.

Stuart

 

[Loupe]

The Gen 3 bikes are amazing, I'm delighted with mine.
If I decide to only use mine on track then I'd buy an HP4 for the road, I know it should really be the other way around...

 

[soofsayer]

The Gen 3 bikes are amazing, I'm delighted with mine.
If I decide to only use mine on track then I'd buy an HP4 for the road, I know it should really be the other way around...

Makes complete sense to me .

 

[Chris b]

It just depends on what you want, the 2015 Is a lot more sophisticated with the electronics package and is claimed to have slightly more power, it has much more technology than the hp4 and is more based for both road and track.
the hp4 is however one of those bikes that even though it's older technology is a damn nice looking bike and it will always hold its value. What do you want a nice looking older bike or a up to date electronics package?
i suppose the other question is when will they bring out the next road hp4 or equivalent???

 

[FreudianSlip]

I own a gen 3 (2015) and am over the moon with it, even after about 8 months of ownership, riding in the cold and wet and the 20 mins of sunshine we had a week or 2 ago. From what you've described, I'd say, go for the HP4 - you're not going to be using it much and therefore probably wont get much benefit from the comfort and convenience that a gen 3 brings. Instead you'll have a more purposeful, focussed machine. Plus, you'll have all us genX owners cooing over your bike.

 

[Oli]

Welcome to the forum BB!

I can't really add anything more then what everyone has already said. There are pros and cons to both, but I guess it really comes down to exclusivity with the HP4 vs a technically and objectively better bike with the Gen 3's.

I have a 15 Gen 3 RR and think it's amazing, I don't regret my decision at all and there was an HP4 Carbon for sale at Cannon's at the time I purchased. I use my RR a lot and am putting high mileage on it, so for me the RR was the obvious choice.

Really though, whichever you decide on, you will have an amazing bike that I have every confidence you will be blown away by.

Enjoy the forum and good luck with your decision .

Oli

 

[Flyingscotsman]

I'm tickled pink to have an HP4 Carbon.

JimmyMac

So your bike is tickled as well as PINK ?