BMW R 18 - An In-depth Look at Concepts 1 & 2 

I love the concept and it's nice to see BMW testing the waters to gauge demand for what would be their biggest boxer engined bike yet. That said, I don't agree with your point about this is exactly what's needed for the USA. Motorcycle sales have been in a terrible slump for the past several years now, especially for premium, heavy weight cruisers. The reality is that Cruisers, which the R18 seems to emulate are among the lowest in overall sales among all the respective categories. There's still demand for Adventure bikes, Sport bikes, Heavy weight Touring bikes, but cruisers as a whole are a category of bike that many manufacturers are scaling wayyyyy back. Some of the big notable manufacturers no longer even offer a cruiser bike or have cut back their offerings to only a couple models. Even then, most of those bikes are ancient and haven't been changed in the past 10, 15 or 20 years, aside from different paint choices for every model year. The R18 if it were to come to market would be the first, the biggest, and the newest thing to hit the Cruiser market easily in the last decade. It would certainly make big news, but I fear that if Harley-Davidson sales are any indication, the only news the R18's might make is how BMW can't seem to move them off the showroom floors. Beautiful? Absolutely! Innovative? Yup! Visually appealing? Without a doubt? Market demand? Uhhhh......not so much! In short, I think BMW missed the mark by 2 decades. I think they tried something novel with the R1200C that made it's debut in the James Bond movie, Tomorrow Never Dies. That bike never sold well and BMW eventually put it out to pasture. I don't think the cruiser market was ready for a bike like that at the time. I do think however that the R18 would have been a sales beast had BMW offered it instead of the R1200C during that same period. Sadly, 2008 came along with the Great Recession in the US and frankly, motorcycle sales never returned to prior sales levels. The industry now is only a shadow of its former self. The last thing I'd like to mention is cost. I have no idea what the R18 might sell for, but if it's on par with offerings from Harley and Indian, it will be in the $20k+ territory and again, I don't see much demand in that segment compared to the lower end of the spectrum. I wish BMW luck. I own a BMW RT and would enjoy seeing them get in to different segments, but I don't think the Cruiser market is where it's at. My .02 cents worth anyway.

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I will take your word for it. It would not feel natural for me. I suppose it is what floats your boat.

I own a 2014 Goldwing Valkyrie. It has absolutely perfect ergonomics for my 5' 8" height. The Valkyrie has a Corbin two up seat and I often drive 10 hour day trips. Also drive a BMW R1200R (boxer) on 10 hour day trips. Never have had to extend my legs or get a painful butt on either bike. While driving my Moto Guzzi Griso on 10 hour trips, I have to stand on the pegs to stretch my legs and reset my butt, often. After four consecutive 14 hour days (across Canada) on the MG Griso, both my hands were numb for 6-8 weeks. The summary to this story is; No one bike is ever perfect for every application.

Then you must be a giant. I’m 5’11 and had plenty of room. Then added highway pegs and felt like a hammock. Great bike.

The old generation does not like forward controls either. They just do not work with normal motorcycles. Just floor board draging Harley operators seem to need forward controls. It seems to me that there is a sub culture group of Old Farts that relate to Peter Fonda. Get a grip! That guy was a Flake!

You don't have to wait for BMW, Ural is already building your dream bike!

Thanks Braca, will do! 👍

Yes. This works well for me as well. However it is only when 8 hours plus in the saddle that it is required to stretch my knees out. Definitely not significant criteria for me when shopping for a new bike. Drove my new Moto Guzzi Griso 4000 kilometers in 4 days. It was sufficient to just hang my feet off the pegs a few times each day. I was 68 years old at that time. Hardly seams to be a significant issue to be kicking around.

Never ridden one myself but just looking at the two bikes it would seem on the GS you are more over the top of them and the R18 your feet would almost be level with your hips. Not sure the two are comparable.

I take my shoes off and put my socked feet directly on the cylinders and heads on very long trips on my R1200R. It is quite a comfortable feeling having the wind rocket through your socks at 140 K when suitable ambients allow.

@@123456bpb ...I really want to see that, it sounds like a lot of fun:)

They sure have a good record. My 1975 R60 (black of course) is a timeless masterpiece, i would say every year they put out an new one is a classic. I am a 70 year old hippy and folks always say Man that motorcycle makes you look good.

The R18 sure is pretty. But just like beautiful bad girls, BMWs today are unreliable & expensive. If you love this big bad girl make sure you get an *_extended service warranty._*

the 1200 boxer heads dont stick out nearly as far and many people put highway pegs on their crash bars to stretch out. Not to mention that the seating position is much higher than that of a cruiser so your legs are less bent up to begin with.

Sounds like you’re another Harley hater who really wants a Harley but can’t afford one. Sorry son, save your money. Maybe next year. 2020 is all over for you.

@@1941392 Wouldn't want nor ride one even if it was free. Farting ego trips!

Whatever you say son. They’re not free, that’s the problem with people like you thinking everything should be free. Brainwashed generation.

@@1941392 Listen scooter...Harleys are the 'Donald Trump' of motorcycles...under performing, overrated, loud obnoxious and overbearing!

@@1941392 What's with this elitist money and "son" bullshit? Very mature. It wouldn't surprise me if BMW priced this like a brand new Breakout, and most old school bikers wrenching on Harleys in their garage couldn't afford either one even if they sold a kidney and a leg.

Have you seen the new Transcontinental and B models? Might be what you're looking for. www.bmw-motorrad.com.au/en/models/modeloverview.html#/filter-heritage

What about the lack of fuel gauge?

I owned a 2009 K1300S and a 2010 R1200RT. To me the R18's seat is way lower in relation to the pegs than my R1200RT, you can see in the BMW R18 video the guys knees are level if not a little higher than his hips... very similar riding position to but not quite as extreme the Harley's Low Rider S which I found uncomfortable. I could spend all day on my R1200RT, I couldn't see myself doing that on the R18. I agree the factory Vulcan seat is uncomfortable, I've fitted a Mustang seat to my Vaquero, It's now a very comfortable place to be. Don't get me wrong, I believe the R18 is going to be an excellent and highly desirable bike, unfortunately it's just not for me.

BIKES I LIKE No problems!!! That is my only concern too! I’m 181cm & I see what you mean with seating angle. Again I’ll wait to physically sit on one before I pull the trigger. Then again I have several toys so if this turns out to be just as you said, a bar or cafe hopper, well I’ll get drunk then hit the caffeine! Joking of course!🤭😂

Agreed. Although too small makes it perfect for me. I may buy two R18's for that reason. As old age to causing me to loose inseam height, I am having to sell my taller bikes. Next to go is my MV Brutale 1090R. What a shame. It is simply too tall. Perhaps BMW know what they are doing? It sure looks that way!

Not for taller riders, I couldn't consider this over the triumph or harley. Looks good and is cheaper, but I wouldn't fit.

In Australia we use both terms... inverted...upside down. Re Nickel-plating... Quoted from BMW Press release "The propeller shaft and universal joint are examples of fascinating classic motorcycle technology since they are nickel-plated and open". I'm sticking with nickel-plated.

If you're riding a motorcycle 600 miles a day, your ass will not have a good time. Period!

Definitely not a Chopper craze wannabe. This Jewel is a recreation of days gone by when motorcycles were much simpler in style and function. The advanced technology including Euro5 compliance is mostly hidden to maintain this concept. I expect that the highly desirable inverted forks have been replaced as they contradict this "Simpler" design concept. I see this as a new concept, not a competitive model for any slot.

Hi Anthony, the original concept R18 looks like it might be still coming to market. I made a follow up video to this one, you can watch it here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sPPmVwg4SaA.html

Keep your Harley and buy a used BMW R. Eventually you will pick a favourite and drive it the most. Be for warned, you will not look back.

As a Beemer rider, HD is the expensive brand.

Now we've both shared our opinion ;)

As you grow so does your way of looking at things. Been riding 40 years now and my style has changed as my body changes. The next gen will get old too, even though at that age you can't imagine it ever coming:)

if a BMW shaft is out of balance it gets rejected off the assembly line

R51 for ever....

Thanks Jim!

They're two completely seperate concepts. Production bike has not been shown as yet.

Hell yeah...

@@1941392 thanks mate. Good to know I'm not the only one with crooked eye

BMW already make a 1600cc tourer.

@@PrimoStracciatella your right, sorry but more in the terms of a GSA 1600

Yes!!! A sidecar on this would be awesome

It is a German engineered 110 Cubic inch FLSTFBS Harley with no room for my legs. That is a pitty

I say wait and see. BMW always make several wildly different versions of the same bike. They are also still making PR for the first concept in their current " A Bavarian Soulstory" RU-vid-series.

Yup....stick to real crap. Harley is authentic shit.

Another jab at Harley. What is it with you Harley haters? Oh I know, you want one but can’t afford one.

Whoever at BMW made the call, they ruined it, and I suppose they will lose out at the end of the day - very unfortunate. Time will tell.