Bottpower XR1R
By Ross Sharp - 06 Jul 16
There are personal projects and then there are bikes like this. David Sanchez created Bottpower as a sideline to his day job as a data engineer. And we're not talking boring data, David has worked for some of the best Moto2, WSBK, Supersport and Endurance racing teams around the world.
Bottpower (Battle Of The Twins) has grown into a serious engineering entity and now produces some of the most fabulous bikes you'll lay your eyes on. We should know, we've had one of the earlier Buell based BOTT XR1s at most of our previous shows and one took centre stage in our Shoreditch HQ when we first opened. And there is a rumour we'll be seeing that bike again, perhaps with a set of keys and license plate.
The aim of this bike is simple, to achieve a power to weight ratio of 1:1. Power isn't an issue, the 1203cc Buell Thunderstorm V-Twin running 49 mm downdraft DDFI II fuel injection shouts-out 100hp in stock trim with plans to breach 150hp, yet somehow meeting the strict new Euro 4 emissions regs. Obviously data acquisition is an important part of the XR1R and David has created an ECU that will feedback information to continually improve the performance and ride.
Weight, well that's been slashed courtesy of a titanium spine frame with carbon fibre used for the bodywork and fuel tank. Trick Öhlins componentry suspends just 150kgs and with a wheelbase 1320mm the front tyre is unlikely to see much service. The finish on these bikes is stunning and testament to a very small crew of engineers, based in a laboratory like facility in Valancia, Spain.
Think supermoto, but not that weedy single cylinder pop-pop nonsense. This is the full fat, anabolic steroid abusing cousin with a list of ASBOs and a temper.
Customers will be able to order these parts in kit form or arrange for a full build but something tells me there'll be a waiting list for the latter. As if this wasn't jaw dropping enough, David and his team are planning and an assault on Pikes Peak. Now that's something I'm really looking forward to seeing.
For now though we'll just have to wait to be reunited with the original BOTT XR1 that should be arriving at the Bike Shed this summer, wearing it's new carbon party dress.
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