BMW goes all in with the R18 platform.

[twowheeladdict]

https://www.motorious.com/articles/features-3/bmw-aims-harleys-heart/


I don't think Harley or Indian have to worry much. 

[Scout63]

https://www.motorious.com/articles/features-3/bmw-aims-harleys-heart/


I don't think Harley or Indian have to worry much.

If I were ever going to break the 600 pound mark it would be an Electroglide. I’ve owned airheads for almost 40 years but can’t see buying a styling statement when I can get a gorgeous used version of the real thing for probably a little lot less money

[aproud1]

I don't think Harley or Indian have to worry much.

I really want to like it. I really do, but it just doesn't work for me. I wish them luck.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

It will never work, the jugs block that prime "feet straight out in front of you" riding style that harley lovers crave

[sdcr]

Had a chance to these at Hermy’s BMW Triumph this weekend. While they are a pretty interesting machine, I don’t think I could ever buy one. Way to supersized for my taste.

The one thing that sticks in my mind, is the these massive jugs really do have a sideways inertia feel, when the throttle is turned. I’ve never really felt that before, with either Guzzi’s or airhead beemers.

[JJ]

Although interesting, twowheeladdict is right...Harley and Indian do not have to lose sleep on this new models from BMW...

[Kev m]

I've liked it ever since I saw the original R18 prototypes in the flesh at Barber's two years ago or so.



I'm not sure I'd buy it over my RK because of the many reasons I already have the RK.

That said, there was some rumor of an R9T based smaller version which would tickle me pink and I might just cave at that point.

Actually Jenn and I checked out an R9T Cafe (or whatever the model is called) at a local used bike dealer the other day and both liked it, though the riding position is way too extreme for my tastes. Still if I were to buy a new BMW RIGHT NOW it would be between an R18 and an R9T (with a nod probably going to a basic upright R9T).

[egschade]

I wonder if BMW really did a good market analysis before launching this model. Seems to me that the heavyweight cruiser market is limited to what buyers will accept in terms of looks and riding position. I suspect the layout and cost of the R18 will leave BMW a niche player in this market and have limited sales.

Will be interesting to see sales figures a year from now...

[TN Mark]

The R18 Transcontinental and the R18B are, IMHO, perfectly executed and drop dead gorgeous.
If I were in the market to replace my Victory Cross Country Tour this new BMW Transcontinental
would be my top choice. The more I see it and learn about it the more I like it.

If I could change one thing on it, I’d prefer the Moto Guzzi V Twin in 1800cc. It’s a shame
Piaggio abandoned the big bike touring market. But it’s also not surprising they did.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

That said, there was some rumor of an R9T based smaller version which would tickle me pink and I might just cave at that point.

I think they would sell, look how many Honda Fury they are churning out.

Actually Jenn and I checked out an R9T Cafe (or whatever the model is called) at a local used bike dealer the other day

This is to me, the best looking BMW

[inditx]

I like em! 
Probably not a buyer new but wait a few years and then.......who knows
In the same way I was smitten with the Rocket3 and had a blast owning one, these strike some of those same familiar chords. 
Carry on BMW!
inditx

[s1120]

Kev I rode one of those R9T cafe's a year or so ago, and lived it!!  I was surprised how well my 6'3" 250+lb self fit on it!!  I could own one of those. Power was great, as was handling. Powerplant was a little bland compeered to a Guzzi.. but I liked it a lot.

[chuck peterson]

I like this one..

[twowheeladdict]

It will never work, the jugs block that prime "feet straight out in front of you" riding style that harley lovers crave

Actually my Road Glide is like sitting on my dining room chair, but I have the option of moving my feet around. Further back, or further forward or highway pegs.

[Kev m]

I think they would sell, look how many Honda Fury they are churning out.

REALLY? I'm woefully ignorant of Honda these days (or maybe "willfully", could go either way  ).

The last Honda I REALLY liked was the CB1100

This is to me, the best looking BMW

 

Kev I rode one of those R9T cafe's a year or so ago, and lived it!!  I was surprised how well my 6'3" 250+lb self fit on it!!  I could own one of those. Power was great, as was handling. Powerplant was a little bland compeered to a Guzzi.. but I liked it a lot.

 

I'm a little shorter than you (though not nearly as short as my wife as shown in that pic) but I felt pretty stretched out.

[Kev m]

Actually my Road Glide is like sitting on my dining room chair, but I have the option of moving my feet around. Further back, or further forward or highway pegs.

Yeah, I kinda blew past that comment.

I really need to have Jenn take a shot of me sitting on the Police King. I was thinking about it this past week while riding it.

My feet are barely forward of my knees (like maybe my heels are still below my knees) when my feet are on the controls. But most of the time they are further back on the boards which puts my feet directly below my knees.

The Police seat probably helps a bit with that - the extra 3" of height and all, but still.

[JJ]

Bottom-line:  HD Road Glide...Indian Chief / Roadmaster / Challenger...THIS BMW R18 pictured below...my old 2014 Victory Vision or Cross Country...the Big 1400ccc Guzzi with windshield / bags....for a long distance touring bike,  I don't think one could go wrong with any of them...

Just a matter of personal choice and taste, IMHO...

[Kev m]

Bottom-line:  HD Road Glide...Indian Chief / Roadmaster / Challenger...THIS BMW R18 pictured below...my old 2014 Victory Vision or Cross Country...the Big 1400ccc Guzzi with windshield / bags....for a long distance touring bike,  I don't think one could go wrong with any of them...

Just a matter of personal choice and taste, IMHO...

 

[twowheeladdict]

That said, there was some rumor of an R9T based smaller version which would tickle me pink and I might just cave at that point.

Actually Jenn and I checked out an R9T Cafe (or whatever the model is called) at a local used bike dealer the other day and both liked it, though the riding position is way too extreme for my tastes. Still if I were to buy a new BMW RIGHT NOW it would be between an R18 and an R9T (with a nod probably going to a basic upright R9T).

I checked out the R9T Cafe when they first came out. The salesman said that design fairing would create lift at higher speeds and did not recommend purchasing it. I really like the look and tried hard to get the matching Italian fairing for my Cafe Classic.

[Stretch]

I like the styling.

Of course, I already have a Rocket iii Touring and the big Cali Touring,
so it's not like I really need this one.......

What I do NOT like is that HUGE video screen in my face. I'm in agreement
with Peter Egan here - I'd pay a surcharge to avoid all of that crap. Don't
need or want Bluetooth, stereo, phone connectivity, etc..... I can buy an
aftermarket GPS and/or get a cell phone. And what kind of lunatic actually talks on the phone
when riding on a motorbike?! (yeah, I know use the function as an intercom
with your passenger....)

But I do like the rest of the bike!   :-)

                                                       -Stretch

[Iron Cross Junction]

I've liked it ever since I saw the original R18 prototypes in the flesh at Barber's two years ago or so.



I'm not sure I'd buy it over my RK because of the many reasons I already have the RK.

That said, there was some rumor of an R9T based smaller version which would tickle me pink and I might just cave at that point.

Actually Jenn and I checked out an R9T Cafe (or whatever the model is called) at a local used bike dealer the other day and both liked it, though the riding position is way too extreme for my tastes. Still if I were to buy a new BMW RIGHT NOW it would be between an R18 and an R9T (with a nod probably going to a basic upright R9T).

I saw the R18 -- first time "in the flesh" -- last week at the new Guzzi dealer in Tyrone, Pa. 





As with so many motorcycles (including many Guzzis), I thought it much better looking in reality than pix.  Not my shot of schnapps, but a well-executed clean and crisp design.  Some of the new tarted-up versions are less appealing to me, but understandable from a marketing perspective.  They don't need to dent the H-D or Indian market very much to sell enough for profit.  In fact, they may even enlarge the pool of that segment.  OK, a small tad. 

The R9T has always lured me toward moto-adultery.  So many seem to find it off-putting or some other defect of design or performance, but I like it.  Have only seen a few up close, and of those, liked the scrambler best, the cafe least, but all nice models ... including, btw, your demo rider in that pic!   

I don't see an R9T -- or, FTM, any new motorcycle -- in my immediate future and my longterm is pretty short!   But I still like them and wish BMW Motorrad success.

Bill

[egschade]

The Honda Fury was launched in 2010 to a dying chopper market. It's still in Honda's lineup but other than color, is unchanged since it's introduction.
As far as choppers go, it's well engineered and works well.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2020-honda-fury-mc-commute-review/

[Canuck750]

Every now and then BMW shits the bed, this is their current mess, there’s a reason one should stay in their own lane.

Agree with JJ, HD and Indian have nothing to fear!

[egschade]

Local BMW dealer has a used one for sale (already?). Asking price is $17K

https://www.crosscountrypowersports.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=10366592&p=1&s=Year&d=D&t=preowned&fr=xPreOwnedInventory

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

My local BMW/KTM dealer has 3 on the floor, and not much else from BMW.. Looks like KTM has had few/no impacts on their supply chain-- they were fully stocked with new models.  The big 4 japanese dealership a half mile down the road looks like it's having a going out of biz sale.. a showroom you could barely walk around in now has a grand total of 5 yes 5 new bikes on the floor for sale!

[Tom H]

I like the overall looks. The fairing is the only issue, it may be better in person. The top half of it looks good, but the way the lower is so up swept throws me off a bit.

Tom

[Moparnut72]

I stopped by a dealership a couple of months ago to look at one. I expected a huge bike after seeing pictures of it. It wasn't near as large as I expected. It is comparable to my Audace. I should have parked right next to it. I didn't ride it although they offered but I did sit on it. It felt like it might be more nimble than my bike.
kk

[Dave_NWTrophy]

I test rode one back in April:

Hits: good highway aerodynamics - I didn't feel like I was having to fight the wind on the freeway, even without a windshield.  The gearbox shifted very well, it had a nice engine note, and decent basic ergonomics for me.
Misses: Massive engine vibrations above 3000 RPM (think vintage British twin), geared too tall - I felt like I was starting in 2nd.  I have no idea what 6th is for after a 70 MPH freeway run.  Buckboard ride, low cornering clearance, the electronic throttle felt like the grip was connected to the throttle by an elastic band, and the idle shake in Rock mode was really over the top.

What baffles me is there was a ton of engineering time & expense put into developing this engine for what appears to be a very niche product, especially to make such a large twin Euro 5 compliant.  I hope their marketing research was correct and they can at least break even on the R&D.  The R9T series makes a lot more sense to me.

I can't say I would never get one, but I was very happy to ride away on my Cal 1400 at the end.

Dave

[JJ]

I test rode one back in April:

Hits: good highway aerodynamics - I didn't feel like I was having to fight the wind on the freeway, even without a windshield.  The gearbox shifted very well, it had a nice engine note, and decent basic ergonomics for me.
Misses: Massive engine vibrations above 3000 RPM (think vintage British twin), geared too tall - I felt like I was starting in 2nd.  I have no idea what 6th is for after a 70 MPH freeway run.  Buckboard ride, low cornering clearance, the electronic throttle felt like the grip was connected to the throttle by an elastic band, and the idle shake in Rock mode was really over the top.

What baffles me is there was a ton of engineering time & expense put into developing this engine for what appears to be a very niche product, especially to make such a large twin Euro 5 compliant.  I hope their marketing research was correct and they can at least break even on the R&D.  The R9T series makes a lot more sense to me.

I can't say I would never get one, but I was very happy to ride away on my Cal 1400 at the end.

Dave

Well...that little TEST RIDE testimonial did not sound too good...

[JJ]

Want a lightweight, nimble, reliable touring bike WITHOUT spending an arm and a leg?  Something like this fits the bill, IMHO.

This one has been ridden, but it appears, it has been very well maintained...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-bmw-r100-6/