BMW R 18 debuts with R 5 inspired styling and a big boxer-twin
BMW has taken the wraps off the R 18 cruiser motorcycle, after showcasing the Concept R 18 last May. Compared to the concept, the production R18 looks a tad bit beefier, thanks to a larger seat and rear fender, and lesser gaps between the chassis and the engine.
The R 18's design draws heavily from the R 5 BMWs and follows a similar, lean and minimalist design theme. Take, for example, the teardrop tank with a simple pinstripe detailing, for the conventional forks with sleeves, or the classic shape of the swingarm.
The exhaust canister looks too bulbous for my liking, though. These can be swapped with a pair of (more conventional-looking) Vance and Hines pipes in a black or chrome finish. In fact, the handlebars can be swapped with monkey-bars too, and BMW has some custom options that have been designed with Roland Sands. Optional extras include a million options right from 21-inch front wheel options, headlamp designs, auxiliary lamps, a windshield and much more. There is a Bobber Kit which keeps the motorcycle barebones along with the side mounted number plate. If you want you can also build the R18 to be a complete bagger (pictured below) with the exhaust options, chrome packs, engine guards amongst other options.
The bodywork attaches to a double down-tube frame, which is suspended by 49mm forks up front, and a cantilever strut at the rear with 120mm and 90mm of travel respectively. At the heart of the frame is the 1,802 boxer-twin engine - the largest of its kind on any production motorcycle - larger than even the R 1250 GS. It churns out a more cruiser-friendly 91PS at 4,750rpm and 150Nm of torque between 2,000-4,000rpm. The power is fed to the engine via a shaft drive, mounted to the right-hand side of the motorcycle.
The modern-day equipment includes three unique riding modes - Rain, Roll and Rock - which in my opinion mean Wet, Comfort and Sport modes in layman terms. These come courtesy of a BMW -typical electronics package, which also includes automatic stability and traction control, engine drag torque control which limits slip under hard downshifting, a reversing assist and Hill Start Control, much like the new GS.
Seen here in black paint and white pinstripe detailing is the limited 'First Edition' of the R 18 which will go on sale in certain markets alongside a standard version. Given the ongoing pandemic that has hit the world, BMW hasn't revealed details on the availability of the R 18. The R18 is priced at $17,495 (approx. Rs 13.34 lakh) and the First Edition is priced at $19,870 (approx. Rs 15.15 lakh) before taxes. The R18, if it comes to India, will have the Indian Scout and the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy for competition.