Editorial Notice: The next characteristic seems within the November 2023 difficulty of Roadracing World & Motorbike Expertise journal.
TRACK TEST: KRAMER GP2-890RR
138 Horsepower & 313 Kilos In A Nice Chassis = Huge Enjoyable!
By Chris Ulrich
The KTM RC 8C took Kramer from a distinct segment model and thrust it into the highlight. Now, after its second run of the KTM RC 8C mannequin, Kramer has launched its personal model combining an 889cc KTM engine with its signature chromoly trellis chassis to create the GP2-890RR, besides with extra energy, a tunable ECU, and no wings. Now closing on its 10th 12 months of operation, Kramer Bikes is hitting its stride. The corporate not too long ago broke floor on a brand new manufacturing facility in Burghausen, Germany and has been pumping out a gradual stream of high-performance single-cylinder and twin-cylinder track-ready racebikes. The Kramer model’s reputation confirmed on the latest AHRMA Barber Classic pageant, the place there have been 22 riders racing Kramer. That breaks right down to 14 of the 690cc single-cylinder EVO2 690 bikes, six GP2-890R bikes, and two GP2-890RR machines. That’s fairly good market penetration.
I used to be on the Barber Classic Pageant to throw a leg over the 2024 Kramer GP2-890RR. Manufacturing was restricted to 125 items, with 20 allotted to the U.S. market. Priced at $39,995, the most recent up-spec Kramer packs a variety of worth whereas additionally having an air of exclusivity. Taking a look at choices in the identical efficiency orbit by way of horsepower, specs, and lap time manufacturing, a entrance operating race duplicate Subsequent Gen Supersport Ducati V2 runs $44,500 for the bottom package deal from HSBK whereas a Subsequent Gen GSX-R750 from Group Hammer is $44,500 for a brand new 2023-spec bike.
The efficiency numbers on the Kramer GP2-890RR look good; the RR places out a claimed 138 bhp at 10,100 rpm with 74 lbs.-ft. (100 nm) of torque at 8,200 rpm and weighs in at 313 kilos (142 kg). That’s roughly 130 bhp on the rear wheel, which places the facility output in keeping with the most recent Nationwide Sequence energy limitation map utilized in Subsequent Gen Supersport, and the SSP smooth minimal weight restrict is appreciable greater at 375 kilos (170 kgs).
Taking a look at lap-time potential, Chris Fillmore’s finest lap time on a GP2-890RR within the 4SR AHRMA Professional Problem race at Barber was a 1:28.414, whereas Xavi Fores on a Subsequent Gen Ducati V2 turned a 1:27.500 throughout the 2023 MotoAmerica Prolonged Supersport race at Barber. So, on-track efficiency is fairly shut.
Roadracing World featured the Kramer’s specs within the Inside Information part of the September 2023 version, nevertheless it by no means hurts to overview just a few issues. The Kramer mates a customized chromoly metal trellis body with KTM’s 899cc four-stroke Parallel Twin engine. The Kramer spec engine makes use of Pankl titanium rods, high-compression two-ring Pankl pistons, race spec camshafts, and titanium valves. A set of 48mm throttle our bodies can be used, with Kramer 3D printed consumption funnels. It is a cool characteristic for anyone who needs to check totally different consumption tract lengths.
The digital system makes use of a Mectronik MKE7 ECU that has an inner 6-axis IMU. The ECU unit is reasonably priced and succesful, with options like 10 ranges of traction management (+3, 0, -4, and off) accessible by the left handlebar change. The ECU makes use of inputs from the wheel pace sensors to detect slip, then removes energy by retarding timing and chopping the ignition. Anti-wheelie can be wheel-speed-based. The GP2-890RR can be geared up with a pit-lane pace limiter. The Kramer has three pre-set using modes, Dry with aggressive throttle; Dry with softer throttle maps; and Rain. There isn’t any engine braking adjustment on the sprint, though the MKE7 does have a characteristic that enables for engine brake trim. Hopefully that could be a characteristic for future upgrades because it makes adjusting the engine braking easier. Maps and techniques are adjustable although Mectronik’s Mecal software program and Kramer plans to have cloud assist the place Kramer house owners can crowdsource maps. This could possibly be both good or unhealthy, relying upon which wannabe geek has mucked round with the maps.
The Kramer options an AIM MXS 1.3 data-logging dashboard with pre-set logging channels which might be all streamed over the CAN line from the MKE7 ECU. As delivered, the GP2-890RR logs 14 channels, together with wheel speeds, throttle place, and suspension positions. Information will be downloaded wirelessly and analyzed utilizing AIM’s Race Studio 3 software program.
I met up with the Kramer brigade to trip the GP2-890RR throughout the Thursday observe day for the AHRMA Barber Classic Pageant. The 2 classes I received had been moderately lengthy and I used to be within the Professional Problem group, so the site visitors was gentle.
The GP2-899RR’s ergonomics have a racy really feel; the bar angle is aggressive, however the seat-to-peg spacing is sweet and there’s loads of room to tuck in. The bike match me fairly properly; in actual fact I didn’t even must the transfer the shift pedal for the take a look at.
I labored exhausting on getting going fairly rapidly; fortunately, I’ve a ton of laps round Barber. The set-up on the bike I rode throughout the first session had been modified from the bottom setting. A stiffer 90nm rear spring was put in and the entrance forks had been lowered within the triple clamps 3mm. These modifications made the bike pitch over on the entrance within the braking zone and it was slightly too unstable for my liking on the apex. It turned properly and completed the nook; I simply choose a much less aggressive entrance finish.
I rode the usual setting throughout the second session, which raised the forks again to straightforward and had a 84nm rear spring on it. This setting was slightly smooth for me within the rear, nevertheless it improved braking stability; the bike wasn’t pitching over and I had really feel from the entrance on the apex. Rear edge and drive grip was additionally improved. The most important achieve for me was how the entrance finish labored. If I had one other session I’d have raised the entrance extra and put in the stiffer rear spring to steadiness the bike. However the setting because the bike comes delivered labored properly sufficient, and I might have ridden all of it day.
The GP2-890RR engine has a broad and linear powerband, producing a misleading quantity of energy from 6,000 rpm to the 11,500 rpm redline. As I discovered after I rode the 2021 RC 8C at Jerez, the 890 engine makes a misleading quantity of torque, so I preferred operating the GP2-890RR a gear greater than regular in every nook, and let the torque do the work. At Barber, the bottom gearing was slightly tall for me to run third gear in some locations–like Charlotte’s Net–nevertheless it was sooner for me to lug the bike. The lightened rods, crank, and pistons assist with acceleration, too. Whereas operating a gear greater let the bike roll by the center of the nook and chug out for higher acceleration, it harm nook entry. The engine-braking pressure was too gentle within the greater rpm, so I used to be struggling to gradual the bike down on nook entry. I’m certain utilizing the rear brake would have helped, however I don’t know what that’s. I tailored because the laps went on.
I did discover myself turning down the traction management every lap throughout the classes, ultimately ending my second session on -3. Turning down the TC improved acceleration and didn’t have a unfavourable impact on rear grip. The powerband is linear and the rear finish has a variety of grip, so it’s exhausting to get in hassle on the throttle. I’d have preferred to attempt TC Off mixed with the much less aggressive throttle map if I had gotten one other session. I feel that might have been an excellent mixture.
General Kramer has constructed an amazing package deal that may get across the racetrack and has loads of adjustability to swimsuit any rider. I’ve been writing about attainable efficiency so much nowadays. And the Kramer mannequin line-up sits on the prime of the listing of bikes that supply excessive efficiency that’s attainable for many riders; add in its high-spec parts and it has a bit of glitz, too. The chassis will be pushed exhausting and there’s the correct amount of energy to steadiness the package deal. And it’s attainable to trip the bike exhausting all day lengthy with out sporting your self out mentally or bodily! That’s a package deal price $40,000!
