BMW Motorrad enters the cruiser market in a big way with the new R 18 while bringing the focus back to unadulterated motorcycling.
BMW has unveiled on its first take on the big cruiser bike and there’s no better way to do it than having the new BMW R 18 inspired by the classic R 5. This is a really good looking bike, and with BMW not giving two fusses on frills, the new BMW R 18 brings the focus back to the essence of motorcycling.
Let’s kick things off by talking about that big 1,800cc boxer engine. With having two cylinders pushing side to side, this engine makes 91 hp at 4,750 rpm and 150 Nm from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. BMW Motorrad is known for its signature flat-twin engines and this one is the biggest and most powerful of them all. BMW says that this engine has “elemental pulling power” and describes its exhaust note to be full and resonant.
In the theme of keeping things simple, BMW has two ride modes “Rock” and “Roll” with a third mode aptly named “Rain”. My guess is that “Rock” makes you go fast and “Roll” is for cruising, and “Rain” is pretty obvious. Speaking of active rider controls, the R 18 comes with automatic stability control and engine drag control. You can also opt for a reverse assists and hill start control to push this 345 kg bike up hills at a crawling pace.
In terms of looks, the BMW R 18 has all of the maxims of BMW’s post-war bikes with old-school fork sleeves on the front suspension, keeping the elements away from an advanced telescopic fork and a direct-mounted central suspension strut with travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload. At the rear, the R 5 influence continues with the double-loop steel tube swingarm surrounding an enclosed driveshaft which is bolted to the rear axle. It also comes with 4.7 inches of suspension travel at the front and a sufficient 3.5 inches of travel at the rear.
Moreover, BMW Motorrad made the R 18 easily customisable with collaboration with a bunch of aftermarket parts companies to make sure that customers can make their R 18 theirs. Optional homologated exhausts systems from Vance & Hines, seats from Mustang, and various other bits and pieces from Roland Sands Design as well as BMW Motorrad Accessories, your customised BMW R 18 will be unique in all the multiverse.
Written by: Breena Au