BMW R18

[Rich A]

Curious looking beast. Ugliest silencers I've seen for a long time.




More pics at:

https://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-r-18-first-edition/#slide-2222031

Rich A

[kingoffleece]

Agreed.  Looks like something Polaris would put on a bike.
Hats off the BMW for trying-we shall see.  I'm hearing the limited edition is close to sold out already.  Not my BEST source but reliable in the past.

[bigbikerrick]

Thats weird that BMW built a bobber. It looks like they have 4-5 different models, one with apes. Whats this world coming to when a company known for touring bikes, makes a "T" to "T" bike?  I am so confused....
Rick

[bigbikerrick]

here is a video on it.
Rick

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AimNqh8nuiQ

[KiwiKev]

Pretty fugly looking bike all round.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Well, like Harley, the styling based on its own vintage bikes....Does the world really need another bloated cruiser?

[wrbix]

They tried this a number of years ago with the 1200C....with no apparent sales success.

[kirby1923]

Well regardless what James Bond could do w/the 1200C it had a wound up rubber band motor, this 1800 thing has some real grunt built in me thinks...

Not for me but might appeal.

I find it amazing how the "bagger"( HD) horsepower wars have turned out with these battleships running in 150 HP to the ground..

To me Madness..Ugliness personified.(w/power), it seems to work.

:-)

[blu guzz]

i don't see a machine such as this making conquest sales just as their last effort, the 1200c failed to do so.  but, if it is truly limited production, they may sell some to well-off guys that already have a more traditional beemer in the garage. however, it looks very heavy which does not bode well either as  the market for this type of bike in general has been declining for a long time anyway due to aging of the demographic (us). 

[Siamese]

Lame.  Sad. 

[oldbike54]

 Dunno , being a bit of a traditionalist , these retro bikes hold a certain appeal . The video showed a version equipped with what appeared to be a sprung hinged solo seat , something we put on my first old 500 CC Triumph that left the factory with a rigid rear section . Yeah , maybe overdone, but viewed not as a "cruiser" but as a vintage style motorbike it has a certain appeal . Like I said , dunno .

 Dusty

[bad Chad]

From my recollection the 1200 cruiser actually sold fairly well.

I’m not sure what I think of this new thing.   I do agree with most on the cans, they completely missed what they were going for there.

I suspect it might sell for a while to BMW types, but it’s not going to get conquest sales.   It might appeal to some nonriders, but I doubt there are a lot willing to pop 20k, even more as the world economy is heading down.

[kingoffleece]

I'd tend to agree.  A limited production run-something fun to make-why not?
Reminds me of Charlie talking about candy with Willy Wonka- "candy doesn't have to have a point-that's why it's candy!"

[kingoffleece]

And, there's ALWAYS a small market for very expensive exclusive motor toys.
My tenant has a fully factory authorized replica Shelby Cobra (not the Mustang, the real thing) in his shop for PDI and install of protective film on the hood.  This thing is a full on copy made from the original prints-hand made frame, hand formed body, full Edelbrock 427 Chevy, knock-off safety wired wheels-the whole 9 yards.  Over 200,000 worth of automobile.  There's a market-however small.  The distributor says about 200 a year pass thru.

And, I see ALL kinds of exotic automobiles all week.  It's like heaven.  Last week I saw the last of the 4 series Ferrari's-a black drop top 458 (I think that was the model) as well as a 275 Columbo.  Some will know what that is, but it's practically unobtanium.

[Seventy One]

Several of my H-D friends are very excited by this bike.

As for myself, if I had to spend 18k at a BMW dealer, it'd be on a leftover R9T/5.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Unless they're planning other models on the same platform, it seems to me to be an expensive folly - millions of Euros spent on design and development that will never be recouped. Even if they do use it for the basis of an even heavier(!) full dress tourer or just a bagger with fairing, I don't see how it's ever going to make money for them. Ten years ago, it might have, but in 2020 and beyond? Doubt it.

[kingoffleece]

May be other reasons.  Honda admitted as much with both the DN-01 and Rune projects.

[Shorty]

Here's a video where they consider the foot position of the new Boxer vs. others in the segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDVsTYIh5y8

[sib]

I don't know if the open driveshaft will get US approval.

[steven c]

 I would hate to slam my shins into those cylinders!

[kirby1923]

Ha,
I have never hit any body parts on the cylinders  while riding  my beemer, even in heated track days but....

I have bruised my kneecaps on the cylinder heads on my CX, so bad that I had to put pads on the valve covers...

:-)

[rschrum]

I like the engine, has to be a torque monster. Will be interesting to see what the cafe boys do when they get their hands on one.

[TN Mark]

Define sell well please.

I suspect the R18 could (not will) outsell all versions of Guzzis 1400 combined (from the 1400 introduction to current year) in the R18's first full year of availability. So, is that a sales success or a sales failure? Yes, I know, outselling the 1400 isn't a real feat to begin with.

From what the dealer has told me there will be at least 5 models based around the R18 drivetrain. I suspect it to do well, especially considering the awful market this year.

I'm absolutely not in the market for one. I love some of the design cues but I'm just not in the market for that bike at this time. If Moto Guzzi were allowed to build a similar bike with an 1800, I'd certainly be in line for that one. I certainly wish BMW all the success possible. The industry needs sales, of all brands, of all models and in all styles.

If the industry had only to rely on the tastes of a limited few in the motorcycle community, the industry would be bankrupt in very short order.

Here's another interesting guy talk about the R18: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zClXSjZnStQ

[bigbikerrick]

I have always liked things that are weird or different.My first new car I bought after getting my first "real" job, was an 86 Saab 900. I had lusted over Saabs for many years. When BMW first came out with the r1200C "cruiser", I lusted for one because it was so weird. Then they came out with the same bike with full dress , including a really weird ass fairing, which I think was called the Montana. Aha!, a weird bike that was also practical, and I could commute to work on! I dug the teal blue green one! Luckily, I guess I never found a good used one to buy, and did not have the funds/desire to buy new from the dealer.
  Well, the lust for that bike faded,and I moved on to other things, like dirt riding with my son who was growing up.
I can see  some people lusting for this R-18 the same way. The details have a "high quality" look to them, like a fine watch. Gotta admit, other than the muffler, it qualifies as eye candy, for sure. The lines, like the real old one, kinda just "flow".
Rick.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

a weird bike that was also practical

I think that could easily describe my Convert. :)

[slopokes]

Ah yes that Bmw r1200 with fairing...I had to demo one to get the Bmw mini pocket knife...the power was pathetic—at the slightest incline you had to drop a gear..still have that knife.


why is gold so valuable to aliens

[bad Chad]

I don’t disagree with your prediction of first year sales exceeding total 1400 Guzzi sales, Mark.   Will it be what bmw is expecting, time will tell.   I do fear that what I see coming this year, a very deep recession or worse, is likely to pummel all motorcycle sales.  I sure hope I’m wrong.

[TN Mark]

I don’t disagree with your prediction of first year sales exceeding total 1400 Guzzi sales, Mark.   Will it be what bmw is expecting, time will tell.   I do fear that what I see coming this year, a very deep recession or worse, is likely to pummel all motorcycle sales.  I sure hope I’m wrong.

100%.

The motorcycle industry overall is doing very poorly. The big bike sales, over $25K, are seriously going to be having a bad year. It was going to be bad prior to the virus. Now, yikes. Pray for your friends and neighbors in many industries and jobs.

No one can stay in business at blow out pricing either. It’s a short term gain for the buyer but neither the manufacturer nor the dealer can sustain it.

Tip well at the Drive Thru window or the Take Out door.

[LowRyter]

It's got a clean look and standard riding position, torque-y motor.  Has a family retro look.  I won't open a checkbook but I'd test ride it.

[Tom]

ugly.....