BMW R 18

[Bulldog9]

I'm sitting at the tire shop waiting for the new tires to be installed on my truck and was looking through a motorcycle rag they had on the shelf. Came across review of BMWs new r18 transcontinental.

Looks great and to my eye very similar to the California 14 touring.

Has anyone put eyes on this monster or ridden one yet? Definitely outside of my weight and price limits but looks to be a great offering, and in my preferred speck limit of air cooled with shaft drive. Interesting that the shaft drive is open and I really like the look of the external push rods.

[guzziart]

I rode one about a month ago at a local dealer, BMW brought in a truckload for demo rides.  It's long and heavy, handles as well as any huge cruiser (RocketIII, Stratoliner, VTX, etc.), brakes & shifts excellent, ridiculous power.  Nice bike but not for me, not into cruisers or expensive stuff these days.

[Brand X]

I watched this last night. Funny he did not like the side stand.. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLeWLjJ_E6I&t=848s&ab_channel=LongWayHome

[Dirk_S]

I rode one about a month ago at a local dealer, BMW brought in a truckload for demo rides.  It's long and heavy, handles as well as any huge cruiser (RocketIII, Stratoliner, VTX, etc.), brakes & shifts excellent, ridiculous power.  Nice bike but not for me, not into cruisers or expensive stuff these days.

Similar experience and perspective that I had and have. I would hate to drive it anywhere that tighter cornering is required.

[Vagrant]

To each their own! But, a guy brought one to TWO campground over the past year and I'm sure it's longer and heavier than my Tundra! Also very low to the ground. Not made for the mountains.

[yogidozer]

At 1000 lbs., where does it end?
Just buy a Winnebago 

[blu guzz]

In person, you could say that it has a presence.

[Motormike]

Demo'd the R18 at Americade last September.  Thought it was perhaps the worst motorcycle I'd ever ridden.  When you hit the starter, the torque and flywheel effect all but yank the bars out of your hands.  I don't know what setting the rear shock was at, but on the bad roads around Lake George, NY, the think would put blood in your urine. Terrible stiff ride, slow steering. My buddy felt exactly the same way about the one he rode.   I wonder what the BMW engineers thought when the marketing dept. went to them and said "make this thing."

[grebmrof]

At 1000 lbs., where does it end?
Just buy a Winnebago 

Agree.  What a barge!  And customizers continue to create even uglier versions...good grief!  Thank goodness they are "one offs".

[Bulldog9]

I rode one about a month ago at a local dealer, BMW brought in a truckload for demo rides.  It's long and heavy, handles as well as any huge cruiser (RocketIII, Stratoliner, VTX, etc.), brakes & shifts excellent, ridiculous power.  Nice bike but not for me, not into cruisers or expensive stuff these days.

Yep, I agree.  I had a brief dalliance with a big bagger (MGX-21) Too big and heavy for my likes, and it was at least 150lbs lighter than the R-18. It was also the most I've ever spent on a motorcycle, and I felt guilty and uncomfortable. My usual price point is $5k or less, and I prefer 600lbs or lighter.  Will be interesting to see how well it sells.

Coincidentally, one of my riding buddies who was on a Scout sent me a pic this afternoon of him on his new R-18. He is 5'8 and maybe 160. More power to him! He just retired from the Army, and I thought he was going for the Indian Challenger or Super Chief.

[rschrum]

The dealers around here have a lot of them sitting in stock.

[nc43bsa]

Similar experience and perspective that I had and have. I would hate to drive it anywhere that tighter cornering is required.

Appropriate that you used the term "drive" it, seeing as it is only a little smaller and lighter than a Miata.

[twowheeladdict]

For me every bike has a place and time.  I think these BMWs would be fine in the many states that have few curves and a lot of just cruising along.  Just like I don't understand people buying supersports in those same states. 

Personally, I can't sit on a low seat bike with mid controls so even if I were interested in the 1800, it wouldn't work for me. 

But, people like what they like, and variety is the spice of life.  I believe Honda is the king when it comes to throwing out a new model to see if it sticks.  Of course when Honda realizes they have a marketing flop they will take 1/3 off the price to get them out the door. 

[LowRyter]

They sure look heavy, low and wide with little cornering clearance.  I turned down the test ride on the cruiser for those reasons after sitting on it. 

However, I'd guess the touring bike would be a totally different motorcycle other than the engine.

[Ncdan]

I’m still waiting for ANY make to come forward with a full dress midsize tourer, weighing in the 600LB range, give or take 50.
I may be wrong but I feel there are a bunch of older riders out there that no longer do two up, who are looking for this type of new bike??

[LowRyter]

I’m still waiting for ANY make to come forward with a full dress midsize tourer, weighing in the 600LB range, give or take 50.
I may be wrong but I feel there are a bunch of older riders out there that no longer do two up, who are looking for this type of new bike??

Big Dan, it seems there're several on the market.  Yamaha 900 and Honda twin 1000, Duc MS V2.  I wouldn't call them two up. But certainly fill the bill for comfort and touring features.  And then there is the new Guzzi.

[Moparnut72]

I sat on one at the dealership. It didn't feel too heavy to me but then again I was riding my Audace which has a long wheelbase and a 31* headstock angle. I traded it for a Bonneville last week because I just couldn't handle it anymore, too heavy and awkward. I lost my confidence in my riding on it. I think the R18 would be the same but not as much.
kk

[JJ]

The R18...aka...."The Black & Chrome ORCA!!" 

[Old Jock]

I know all the problems with the MGX and I'm not a cruiser type, but IMHO that was one helluva looker



Was in my Bee-Emm dealer the other week purchasing some odds and ends and seen it................. First thought was WTF, not another Munchen Kroozer.

Remember this


We now have


Anyway Schaff seems to think it goes Ok

https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/q_glossy,ret_img,w_1068/https://journal.classiccars.com/media/2020/09/2000-BMW-R1200Ca-1068x683.jpeg

[Ncdan]

Big Dan, it seems there're several on the market.  Yamaha 900 and Honda twin 1000, Duc MS V2.  I wouldn't call them two up. But certainly fill the bill for comfort and touring features.  And then there is the new Guzzi.

Thanks, I’ll pull them up and take a look see.
However I would be looking more for a cruiser style with factory luggage and full fairing and I do not like the duel purpose models.

[LowRyter]

Thanks, I’ll pull them up and take a look see.
However I would be looking more for a cruiser style with factory luggage and full fairing and I do not like the duel purpose models.

Then I wouldn't bother about it.  I don't know of any light cruiser tourers. 

[JJ]

Then I wouldn't bother about it.  I don't know of any light cruiser tourers.

For another perspective...

https://www.carlogos.org/reviews/best-lightweight-cruiser-motorcycle.html

[xackley]

They were going for an R68 look from when BMW made beautiful motorcycles in the 50s,  but then made the engine twice as big as it should be. 900cc would make that a well balanced bike.
https://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/File:Bmw-r68-1952-1954-3.jpg

[Dirk_S]

…We now have


Anyway Schaff seems to think it goes Ok…

Heck, I wish we HAD that.

They promised the world this:




…but gave us this:






Comparatively speaking, the concept bike is sexy. The second one, what we got, reminds me of a beat-up Harley sitting in the back of a garage owned by someone too embarrassed to even list it for sale.

[Ncdan]

Then I wouldn't bother about it.  I don't know of any light cruiser tourers.

Yep, none of the brands are going in that direction. Probably because of the lack of demand for them.

[Darren Williams]

Lightweight cruiser? Checkout the Honda Rebel 1100. Use your imagination to outfit it like a Road King for touring...

https://powersports.honda.com/street/cruiser/rebel-1100/specifications

[JJ]

Lightweight cruiser? Checkout the Honda Rebel 1100. Use your imagination to outfit it like a Road King for touring...

https://powersports.honda.com/street/cruiser/rebel-1100/specifications

Not a bad choice!  At 487 lbs. (wet), just add a proper windshield and nice set of quality hard bags!

[sidecarnutz]

It sounds to me that what most folks actually want is a new '99 Cali EV1100! ;-) With factory HB luggage!

[TN Mark]

I’ve looked at a lot of R18 Transcontinental videos and read a lot of reviews on it.
I stopped at my local BMW/Ducati/KTM/GasGas dealer last Friday. They had one
R18 Transcontinental on the floor, but it was sold. They also had the other 3 R18
models on display.

I’m used to a big bike having spent the last seven years on
my Victory Cross Country Tour. I was invited to come back and test ride the
Transcontinental when they get another one in. The salesman was very knowledgeable
and good to talk to. His wife rides a Norge. The fit, finish and attention to detail of the
big BMW is simply excellent. Far surpassing most brands and what you’d expect at that
price point of $32K.

I was clear right off with the salesman that I was looking, not looking to buy. Still, he was
great to talk to.

At the end of the day the big BMW offers little over my old Victory. My HP and Torque
at the real wheel are well above the R18 at the crank. Plus my big Victory is lighter,
has amazing ergonomics/legroom and also has a lot more saddlebag and trunk capacity.
The BMW does come with reverse though. Something that was an option on my Victory.
So after being impressed with BMW’s attention to detail, fit and finish, I appreciate my
Victory even more. Plus it’s been paid off for many years and at my age, a $32K
new motorcycle isn’t a reality. 

[Kev m]

Yep, none of the brands are going in that direction. Probably because of the lack of demand for them.

A few years back Harley had the XLH1200LT (Superlow T).

It was a 1200 rubbermount sporty with factory adjustable windshield, luggage, mini-floorboards in a mid-mount configuration with available abs weighing in just under 600#. The negative was compromised cornering from a low suspension though that is upgradeable.