Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
HPN - anyone got any experience of their specials? HPN - anyone got any experience of their specials?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Nov 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Hulme or India, this year
Posts: 285
HPN - anyone got any experience of their specials?
Er, that's it - has anyone got any experience of HPN specials. Good? Bad? Indifferent? Off-roadable? Cheers, Dan Walsh
__________________
Que el cielo exista, aunque mi lugar sea el infierno...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Dec 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Colchester, UK
Posts: 8
Dan.

I have a little bit of experience with HPN BMW's. I visited them in Germany earlier in the year and took an HPN sport out for a test ride. Absolutely lovely bike, very light, very flickable and lots of silky smooth power. Unfortunately they are very expensive and even if you can afford one the waiting list is something like 6 months.

In terms of using the bike for overlanding, it would be spot on providing you went for the "sport" or "rally" versions which use the R11XX oilhead shaft. The other versions use a modified monolever shaft which is extended by 100mm - if this snapped on you in the middle of nowhere, getting a replacement could be very time consuming although I do believe there is a company in Italy who also manufacture 100mm extended shaft drives.

There are also a couple of BM special builders who are based in the UK. If you are really interested in getting one it would be worth getting hold of the BMW club UK magazine and checking out the adverts. Andrew Sexton is very well respected and has built some fantastic BM specials over the years - actually owned one myself for a short amount of time.

HTH and good luck!


Alfie.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Town / South Africa
Posts: 207
Just wondering if you have grossed paths with any HPN's since.
I have been building these bikes over the last 6 years and have been riding them in some of the harshest riding conditions known to adventure biking, and I simply love them.

One note though on the previous comment; the welded swing-arm of the Paris Dakar with dual shocks is virtually indestructible and the best model for over landing or RTW tours.









Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Stockholm - Sweden
Posts: 317
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan 23 View Post
Er, that's it - has anyone got any experience of HPN specials. Good? Bad? Indifferent? Off-roadable? Cheers, Dan Walsh
I use the low 1st and high 5th gears in the gearboxes on all my beemer gearboxes. If/when I get a new one, HPN gears will be installed in it as well.

All HPN parts that I have seen have been top of the line products.
__________________
Drive Safely,
Albert
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Town / South Africa
Posts: 207
I agree, their workmanship is simply top notch.

I find that if I use the longer 5th gear on standard models with the standard final drive that the bike is very under powered in fifth gear.
Accelerating to overtake is very sluggish and on steep uphills I need to shift down more often.

My HPN is fitted with the longer 5th gear off coarse, but It has the Mahle 1043cc conversion and I am running a 32/10 final drive, the same ratio as on the R80GS.
With the shorter final drive ratio it is off coarse necessary to fit the longer 5th for highway cruising, although I like to avoid highway cruising as much as possible as you can see from the pictures.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 May 2011
Jake's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northumberland, uk
Posts: 761
Can anyone tell me are HPN shafts using the later sprung cush drive on the shaft or are they still using the older shaft with a nut coupling at the end - if so is this having any adverse effect on the gearbox more so on tarmac surfaces, do the shafts run in oil on the p/d twin shock model or dry like the later monolever ?.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Town / South Africa
Posts: 207
The shaft is the old solid drive and it runs in oil to lubricate the splines.
The advantage is that the shaft can be removed from the swing-arm without stripping.

If it will cause trouble on the gearbox I don't know but I presume the spring coupler was installed to reduce the shaft effect more than anything else.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 May 2011
Jake's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northumberland, uk
Posts: 761
Thanks Altus thats just the info stuff I needed Jake.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:26.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top