After 6 HD Touring bikes in a row from 2015 to 2021 (Road King, CVO Street Glide, CVO Limited, Road Glide Ultra, CVO Street Glide again, CVO Road Glide) this month I bought an R18 Transcontinental full optional to try for something new and different. I must admit I was skeptical at the beginning due also to the many not so positive videos and comments I found on RU-vid, mainly from the US. In reality this bike is much better than it was "tested" by some wannabe reviewers who decided to give judgements after a 30 minutes test ride: ridiculous. The R18 Transcontinental has a Torque, in REAL life and not just numbers on paper, that is definitely in line with a 114 ci V-Twin engine. And the engine? The first time I saw, by the Dealer, this 1800 cc Boxer I understood it was like a sort of mechanical Piece of Art: it's Statuary and nothing similar can be found on the market. Handling in winding roads or hairpin bends is way better than with an HD Touring bike: when I see a "test ride" made on large straight roads it makes me lough... Suspensions are from another league with respect to HD ones even with Ohlins shocks as I always installed on my HDs. The 10.5 TFT can't even be compared to the small 6.5 TFT of an HD. The Audio system by Marshall is hands down better that the Boom Audio 2 by HD. The level of detail and attention to quality is, well... at BMW levels. The adaptive Cruise Control can only be dreamed of on an HD as it doesn't exist there. I was forgetting to mention the weight: it's EXACTLY the weight of a an HD Limited with full tank and, not on PAPER but in REAL life, You move an R18 TC with engine off in a parking lot a tad easier than an HD Limited. The rear gear is a nice tool but I never used it: I'm 5:10 or 178 cm and I'm 73 kg (not exactly Schwarzenegger...). I still love my CVO Road Glide and HD in general but... an R18 B or Transcontinental are GREAT bikes. Don't trust the many videos You find on youtube by people who tested these bikes for a 10 minutes Test-Ride or as HD fan-boys. One thing is loving HD bikes (as I do) another thing is being a childish HD fan-boy. Vibrations? Yes if you remain above 4000 Rpm a lot in rock mode. If You use Roll Mapping on a highway you can arrive till 3700 Rpm with vibrations under control: this means a cruising speed of 160 Kmh (more than enough if you're not in Germany). Scratch with floorboards: yes, but if you take off the protective bolts that are under the rider's floorboards you solve the issue.
I had a similar experience; wanted the bike then started researching it and could not believe how many negative reviews I read. Since I wanted a cruiser, I test rode a new Road King, Softail, and Street Glide. Then I did a test ride on the R 18 Bagger and was blown away and bought it. It's an awesome bike for sure. Love it. Looks amazing. Fast. Comfortable. The cruise control is mind blowing (puts on the brakes for you). Quick up to 85, excellent brakes, sounds killer. Traction control, ABS, different ride modes. The suspension is cushy but not wallowy. From what I've heard, the original R18s had a bunch of people test ride them with the suspension preload set in the shipping setting, which made them handle and ride poorly. I think the design will stand the test of time and not look dated in 10 or 20 years. The base model is also proven to be an excellent platform for customization. It's not a Harley; it's a BMW. Different vibe. The R 18 B is a luxury cruiser. Plus you get the added benefit of not having to let your friends sleep with your wife like you have to if you buy a Harley (kidding, I love all bikes including Harleys which are awesome too).
@@JS-nf1sn I ended up at a Harley gathering with a ktm Duke 😂😂😂. I bursted out laughing at the end of your comment. Believe it or not, I was offered somebody’s wife if I wanted her because the “brotherhood” was above all. W. T. F. I left 5min later
I’d like to know also, it’s nearly mechanically impossible to jump from 3rd to neutral. 2nd to neutral yes, not completing a definitive shift will get you that. Probably just a fluke.
This is the best channel on RU-vid for reviews, news etc. Bar none. The only downside is the treatment of staff. Dave told me to say that!!!😂😂😂😂. Bit hard on yourself mate, half a ton?? Surely not!!!😉😌
Can you understand Dave! Wow. I only know he's thirsty because he goes to the beer tap and starts licking it. Every sound he makes is like a growl from one of those large black dogs they have in Romania.
Lovely bike, but just way to heavy, even for a cruiser . Maybe, just maybe, a 1250 or so, could have made the bike much lighter and would easily reach over 190 Km/ h. Maybe a RT just with a cruiser looks/ ergonomics. Out of that, really don't quite understand why not purchase a K GTL 1600 if one really wants a long and more heavy BMWs cruiser.
Like the look, parked my ole butt on one here in the states and you are right, can't handle not having forward controls and my highway pegs for endless hours of riding. Enjoyed the review.
Was on trip recently with a chap with a R18. I had a good look at it. That foot position is a dealbreaker for me. Other than that, I quite like it. Too much electro trickery for me though.
It’s such a pity BMW got sucked in to chasing US style cruisers again. I’d love to have seen this hard tail treatment applied to an BMW R6 style retro with the air cooled 1200 as more of a HD Sportster/Indian Scout competitor. BMW have plenty of their own heritage to call on.
unfortunately the Cruiser market makes more money on baggers and full dressers than Smaller cruisers like the scout or sportster 🙃 I love my sportster alot, A retro looking bmw bike without needing valve adjustments would be awesome to me. but most people out there want massive bikes 😕
A Harley riding journalist friend of mine had one of these on test for the weekend. His conclusion was that the brakes, suspension, and handling were no better than a Harley tourer, and the riding position was much less comfortable. I like the looks, the build quality, and tech like central locking and radar cruise control is nice, but I don’t think it’s going to convert many Harley and Indian riders.
I find the opposite to be true. I find the TC much more comfortable than my Road Glide Special or Street Glide Special I had before that. Everyone has different requirements.
honestly if you ride nothing but Harleys, you will hate this bike. Harleys has its own ride. I've had nothing but everything else (euro and Japanese) and i love this bike. I've owned one Harley and really tried to like it, but I sold it in less than a year later.
I sat on this at the BMW Welt in Munich. Lovely looking bike, but as a 167cm tall guy, I couldn't even see over the dash. I looked like a midget on the bike.
The rock setting is not for aggression - it’s for around town as it softens the response. On mine I’d like GPS speed - it doesn’t show I you don’t know your ‘real’ speed
I knew they would have to improve the R/18, and it looks like they did. The +first one looked like crap. This one looks like a motorcycle that youd ennjoy riding . It actually looks like my 1953 R/51/3 kinda-sorta. I like the styling. Its not made for any sissies for sure. What kind of actual fuel milage did you get and whats that about shifting from 3rd to neutral about? A shifting mistake you did? Is it a 5 or 6 speed transmission? My R/51 was a 4 speed. No problem with power when you needed or wanted it. Thanks for the great review!
I'm a gifted man. I can operate the brake leaver and throttle grip at the same time. And not only that, I can also use the clutch with my other hand. Can't imagine how would i start any motorcycle rolling without hill control if I wasn't gifted these skills. 🤣 The camera on your helmet, bad angle. Had no Idea Brasov, Pitesti, Bucuresti, Nadlac and Valsea were in Germany. Learning everyday. 😉 I can't prove its in Romania. 😂
Nice job. Refreshing to see a well produced review. I think I may have missed your thoughts on the highway wind noise and/or vibration? I still own my R1200c and am shopping around for a bike. I'm intrigued by the R 1800. Although I'm leary of buying another BMW cruiser that doesn't deliver comfort, power and an overall fun enjoyable ride. Thanks you very much
in what universe do you make a bike that will not allow highway pegs into a long distance hauler? Single leg position for 1000+ km at a time is a deal killer for me.
There's an old saying; "you can tell a German, you just can't tell him much." Clearly no-one was listening when R18 was in design. How a company like BMW could get a cruiser so wrong is nothing short of astounding. Don't believe me? Dealers across the United States of America, the intended market for this bike cannot give these bikes away.
That seems true. The BMW dealer near me, only has the R18 Tranny, advertised as an out-the-door price...this is the price I want...and no haggling. I bet next year he won't stock one on the showroom floor. You want one? Put down a deposit, and wait until your order arrives from the BMW warehouse....
I rode both didn't really dig them. I had some issues during my demo rides that pulled back my confidence in them. Almost like your 3 gear to N. The shifter didn't feel right, foot under the boxer didn't feel right. The clutch was producing some kind of clicking noise, and it seemed like there was some sturdy-ness issues. Oh..the rain mode on them was terrible. Didn't like that at all. There were probably a couple of other things. I decided to stick with Harley Davidson. Kind of upsetting in a way because you give up a lot in technology goodies with HD
Interestingly, my experience was the opposite; I thought about going back to Harley, but feel the TC is just simply a much better bike. No desire to own a Harley again after having owned 15 during my adult life, and growing up in a Harley family during the woeful AMF days.
@@timozman5308 Ah, well perfectly understandable. In my case, I've never owned a Harley, and I thought it was time to try the thing out and see what all the talk is about. This is probably my last bike due to my age, but I would consider a different bike if the right circumstances come up later. That said though I'm enjoying the bike, and that's what should matter to all of us.
I watched your review with interest as I did the 1 hour BMW test ride on this bike and was horrified at how BMW could release a bike like this. The vibration through the foot pegs at 3000 RPM was insane to the point of severe discomfort and the handling , even on long sweepers (never mind twisties) was dismal. As soon as you tip the bike in it wants to stand back up unless you counter steer quite aggressively. Not very confidence inspiring.. I also found the riding position cramped for a bike with so much real estate available. The new dash is awesome though as is the sound system. I could not see myself buying this bike.
I rode into my BMW dealer on my 2018 Yamaha Star Venture Transcontinental. I sat on the bike in the showroom, and at 6'4", with a 12 inch shoe size...I was cramped. I had very elevated knees, and my 12 inch shoe was half off the trailing edge of the very small floorboard. They asked if I would like to book a demo ride. I politely declined, got off the showroom bike...walked out to my 2018 SVTC, with the 14 inch long and wide floorboards...my thighs and knees level with the tank...and I rode home SO GRATEFUL to be riding what I already owned. That...was that.... Post Edit..."...and oh...while in the city waiting to get out soon on the highway...I lowered my windscreen to the low city setting...which one could not do, on this $37,000.00 CDN bike. No thanks, on that as well. Will be happy to stay riding my current mount...many years into the future! BMW puts out a great boxer...in other models, but this one...I predict is going to be a slow sell, low volume bike for North American BMW dealers..who won't bother stocking them in, probably starting with next year's riding season. My other prediction, is if you wait a couple of years, you will be able to pick up a new one perhaps at 40 to 50 percent off the current MRSP...just to get them off the showroom floor!"
Just the fact you can't strech your legs is a big no. I ride the Indian Roadmaster and I think the Americans really know better how to build this kind of bikes. Also it looks terrible in my opinion , I like the big screen though. I don't think it's a serious bike for touring , more as a dentist bike to show off , also BMW low reliability ?
I don't understand how that is a big no? If that was so critical then the GS, RT etc, etc would not have sold and we would all be riding Harleys. Not everyone wants to sit on their tailbone, in fact most don't want to and prefer their legs to take some of the weight. Equally look at the Goldwing, it's the same and it sells like sweet cake and is arguably the best tourer on the planet...You are basically saying all these other bikes have a massive flaw in them but Harley got it right. Every reviewer I've seen, even the ones on Revzilla in the US prefer bikes with mid mounted pegs...Surely we all climb off our bikes to stretch our legs...Even on my GS I can stretch my legs putting them on the scaffolding on the engine but it's not comfy and I cannot ride like that.
This bike and the B model are such a sales disaster it just is staggering how BMW got the whole R18 line up so wrong. The clutch problem was mentioned by more than one reviewer when BMW had American journalist test it in August 2021. What they determined is that even though it has a hundred pounds more weight it has the same clutch. It also overheats in warm weather. At this price point it should have had an adjustable windshield and ESA. However nothing excuses this weight. Put it this way, the B model which does not have a trunk is almost as much in weight as a full dress Indian Road Master. The B model weights 50lbs more than either a Streetglide or Chieftain. The Transcontinental is 25 to 45lbs heavier than equivalent Harley or Indian Only recently has that large display been usable across multiple models as buggy software pretty much meant it would not stay connected to your phone. No Apple Airplay or Android Auto
You want a BMW Cruiser? Get the new K 1600. You want an authentic cruiser? Get a Harley Road Glide Limited. Like you said "once it is moving it feels so light" is really a bull crap statement. When a Shit is heavy, it is heavy. This bike is heavy, bulky and lengthy that it did not have to be in this scale. It will be hugely discounted to sell here in the US. Is it a competition to Harley, absolutely No! Is it a lost opportunity for BMW, Yes. Keep on building the best selling GS, GSA, RT and the K Series. Get rid of the noise that makes no sense.
