BMW R18 cruiser

[slowmover]

Saw one on the street and it seemed like too much bike.It is an attention getter though.

[sdcr]

I had a chance to demo one last fall. Massive machine, although once up to speed, it just feels like a big cruiser. More at home on an interstate, than a backroad.

One thing that is really noticeable about the R18, is the engine making a strong centrifugal movement, when you are sitting still, and rev the engine. Very pronounced, compared to other BMW twins.

[ScepticalScotty]

My favourite cartoon bike, along with the new Rocket 3.

[LongRanger]

There seems to be a good inventory of leftover R18’s and demo’s at the dealerships. The bike is not for me and I can’t say I’m terribly surprised at their poor sales. It’s a massive bike. With those big jugs, it’s probably impossible to mount forward controls or highway pegs — isn’t that what a cruiser is all about?

[moto-uno]

  It's not that much larger or heavier than our Eldorados guys ( and gals) !  Peter

[pebra]

My favourite cartoon bike, along with the new Rocket 3.

Hey, I like that categorisation!

Two guys chatting at a rally:
- What kind of bike are you riding? Sports, or cruiser maybe?
- No, I have a cartoon bike.

[blackcat]

If a bike has a reverse gear, it’s not a bike for me.

[bad Chad]

  It's not that much larger or heavier than our Eldorados guys ( and gals) !  Peter

That's so, however, as huge as the 1400 are, they don't quite get to "cartoonish".   The BMWs are 422cc larger!   That means each jug has more cc than the ever popular 200 Van Van.   That's more than adding a KZ400.  Anyway, they are nice example of "jumping the shark".

[Motormike]

I demo'd one at Americade last year.  While I don't know what setting the rear shock was on, it rode like a lumber wagon on the bad roads around Lake George.  Each frost heave and pavement seam was pure agony.  The ride couldn't end fast enough for me.  My buddy, also on an R18, said "mine rides just as good as a Harley...a 1940 Hardtale Knucklehead!"  Unfortunately for BMW, they have invested a tremendous amount of money and R&D in a bike that looks to be a sales flop.  Not exactly sure what they were expecting.

[Canuck750]

BMW has tried the cruiser thing before, as nice as the R1200C looked it didn't sell well either.



When most people think BMW motorcycle the image of a cruiser does not come to mind. Staying in ones lane is usually good advice.

[wymple]

Well if I weren't just plain too old I'd be seriously looking at one. I like it.

[sdcr]

It does make you wonder what BMW was thinking, when they developed this.

Was there any research done that would  uncover a desire by cruiser riders, for an 1800 cc boxer twin cruiser, that shakes so much, it could mix a gallon of paint? Quite a corporate investment by the Teutonic braintrust.

[OldMojo]

Well, the bike they showed everyone and the bike they wound up producing are 2 different things:

R18 concept




R18 production



They should have kept the minimal fender and went with a reach-around bracket for the lights and plate.

The loss of the fork pinstriping erased some of the retro appeal.

And what to say about the uterus pipes? While they look better live than in pictures, they're still atrocious. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING???

They gave us the generic version, while still asking premium price.

[blu guzz]

not my cup of kaffe.  they really don't understand us all that well.  when they brought in the 1200c, it was the height of the cruiser craze in this country.  HD had it's best year in 2005-2006.  I rode that model several times and it just seemed wrong.  The engine was dumbed down.  The bike was not made to cruise comfortably at lower rpms like cruisers were supposed to do.  Looks were controversial.  So, if they couldn't succeed then, with that market now shrinking, I can't see this bike being a hit.  well, to each his own.

[sdcr]

An answer to a question never asked.

I wish that they would have invested all that expensive R&D into creating a modern, light weight R 90S type of machine. Maybe a 100 hp, cafe faired boxer twin. It could have all the modern accessories, like ABS etc. Plus, leave the ugly back in Berlin.

[pebra]

An answer to a question never asked.

I wish that they would have invested all that expensive R&D into creating a modern, light weight R 90S type of machine. Maybe a 100 hp, cafe faired boxer twin. It could have all the modern accessories, like ABS etc. Plus, leave the ugly back in Berlin.

Well, there is the R9T range of models.

Maybe not light enough for what you have in mind?

[sdcr]

The R9t looks very nice, but I’ve heard, that it’s not very comfortable.

I guess I’m thinking something with a flatter, more comfortable seat, and some hardbags. I guess what I’m really suggesting, is another R90S, not far removed from the original. If Guzzi can pull that off with the V7 line, and Royal Enfield has their new twin, why not BMW?

 

Well, there is the R9T range of models.

Maybe not light enough for what you have in mind?

[Motormike]

Well if I weren't just plain too old I'd be seriously looking at one. I like it.

I have nothing against the looks of the R18, especially the "classic" version they first came out with.  The pipes are awful, but that's forced on them by noise regulations.  Easy enough to swap out with something a bit more pleasing to the eye.
The problem I have with the bike is it's a pig!  If your not ready when you hit the starter, the torque reaction will yank the grips out of your hands.  If you think a Harley has limited ground clearance, wait till you ride this thing.  A Harley is a veritable sport bike by comparison.  And the ride quality, OMG!  Think riding a REAL hardtail...on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in April, or any road in Chicago!  Put blood in your urine, I'm telling ya!