BMW R18 Cruiser - Ride Review 

I am 60 years old and identify as a 20 year old tough guy. Been watching you, buying your videos and hosting parties at my house to help train new and old riders using your vids for 15 years, since I began riding. BTW I purchased a new BMW R18 Classic with shield and bags, excellent cruiser.

Great review, Jerry--not only are your skills as an instructor beyond reproach, you do a great job of reviewing bikes. You give an excellent real world perspective of what it is like to operate the bike--with your vast amount of riding experience, you really deliver the kind of information riders want to know about the feel of the bike. I am not into cruisers (when my time comes, I'll get a smaller Adventure style bike, most likely a Honda CB 500x, as it best suits the type of riding I will do), but I was just looking at this bike at the BMW dealership this past weekend. The one thing I do not understand: it looks to me like the oil cooler is about 4-6 inches off the ground--even before the crash bars to protect the cylinder heads, I'd get some kind of guard for that oil cooler. I can just see a rock smashing that thing to bits, and I am sure that is not an inexpensive repair! Anyway, great job and thank you for such great content.

Growing up, my dad had a BMW 75/5 he put a fairing and hard bags on it. I lived that bike. I like the look of the bike.

What are you asking me for? ... that’s a real doc right there. Motor man right on a mark... That’s Italian to you folks

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to film and edit it and of course for positing it for our benefit. Keep up the good work! -Migs

Another great job Jerry. Your skill as an instructor is number one. Thank you again, I love your videos.

My husband bought me one of these beauties this year when they came out. I'm not usually one to be the Guinea pig but for this bike I was down for it. I am so glad I did. What a great bike. Have had only two issues with it as an experienced rider but am working the kinks out. Totally different bike as many have mentioned like with the torque to the left. A great deal more cc than my old bike so large shall we say learning curve. Sometimes I feel like I'm riding for the first time. So I practice everything I can find on the web and RU-vid to help me progress my skills on a bigger bike. Thanks for your honest and thorough review of my baby. I am loving every minute of the open road and I can't take her anywhere without somebody going "dang!" Guess that's good. 😀

Keeps the r5 look, I think it is beautiful...

I really like the sound of that boxer in the mid and upper rpm’s.

Thank you for another great review. That’s a beautiful bike, I think they will easily gain that 1% with a well thought out machine like that. Look forward to the other models with that powertrain in the future.

You edited out the huge rock to the left from start up , that's the best bit man ...hi from West Yorkshire England 👍😁

I would bet that the BMW dealer is just beaming thinking about having one of his bikes tested by the one, the only, Jerry Palladino!!!!! Well done. This is about the only way most of us will get an idea what these bikes are really like.

You knocked it down again. That's why I really like your video specially the way you train your students. I wished you are really close to my area NY, NJ or PA so I can attend your class.

Jerry - I'd love to hear an updated review for the Classic, Bagger and Transcontinental. I have the Classic and it's a different ride than the "Pure".

Someone left it in the "Rock mode" that's why it shakes like that at idle. When you change it over it stops Shaking like that. The bagger version will have hard bags and fully fixed fairing with a TFT screen and 4 gauges. It also has the scroll wheel thats on all the bigger BMW bikes for controlling the the TFT functions. From the pictures the bagger is a little taller and will have a power adjustable windshield. It wont be for everyone thats for sure, but the attention to detail will be off the charts. Not sure if you are aware Jerry that BMW had some Harley engineers help design this bike, they work in the BMW design studio. Also these engines will last forever, I think it is good that they came out with something that is traditional to them and different than the standard V Twin design motors.

When I was living in Germany in the 70s, German bikers were making bobbers out of 60s BMWs, not a new idea, BMW needs to offer a smaller displacment version of this bike 900 - 1200cc at a lower price point.

I like the traditional look back to older BMWs. I sat on one and at 6ft I found it uncomfortable as my legs were bent too far. I might last for a half hour ride before getting lock knee. Not for me, but I am sure BMW will get some of HD's market. Thanks for the review. Ride safe!

Jerry I do like the your perspective on the new bikes. Please continue!

I had a Harley Heritage Classic and traded it in on a new BMW R18, which I like better. A more refined and beautiful bike!

Hi Jerry: I live in Detroit, Michigan, and 2 weeks ago I went to a bike in Royal Oak a suburb of Detroit, I saw 2 BMW R18's, one guy had it for a test ride, and rode it to the bike night, the other guy said he had just bought his. I love the look of the bike, and even the exhaust was not a bad looking to me as I thought it will be. As of late I'm LOVING your bike reviews. Having my owen RU-vid channel, and I know what it takes to put a video together set up, filming, and editing If you can please keep doing the reviews, but I do still love your Instructional bike riding video's, and I think doing the reviews will open up new viewership. Peace, and LOVE to you, your family, and your viewer's.

I ride that road "Patterson" Everyday. to and from work.. love that road.

Great Review Jerry, I have a very good friend that is a couple years older than you and I, he is/ was a certified BMW mechanic, he always said " You can always tell a BMW rider, you just can't tell em MUCH!" LOL

They made the early one I think in the early 2000’s. . It was okay. My big issue with BMW in the USA is parts availability. I hade a master cylinder go out and it was under warranty. It took over a year to get a replacement. I got it finally and sold the bike.

I believe that shaking at the start maybe due to the driving mode "rock" which the bike has

A beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery and a total joy to ride

I test rode the R18 a couple of weeks ago and loved it :)

Good road test, looking at those big jugs tip over bars would be a must.

Great to see one more classic cruiser with modern technologies hidden inside. Like it very much ! Interesting how it will looks like see with caferacing style fairing?

Like your video and review. Don't like the look of the bike! 🤣🤣🤣 Looking forward to your next review!

Thanks for the review Motorman.

Aesthetics looks great but I think the k1600b would be the more functional for touring..especially carving corners..Review on point!!😀

Nice one Jerry, I forgot about this BMW coming out!

You have to forget about instincts when riding, that's what you teach 👍👍👍

I rode this bike at a BMW test ride event I couldn't wait to get off of it. I found the gear selector and rear brake extremely difficult to locate instinctively as they are directly under the cylinder heads. I'm not sure I would ever feel comfortable with the bike because of that.

Yep as the guy below change out the mode from Rock mode and it is smooth.

Looks wise it's unmistakably a BMW, harkening back to old R bikes, like the R5 and R69. The heads have protection built in. Shawn Smoaks covers it in one of his videos. That chrome cover isn't a valve cover at all. Just remember that BMW uses partial integral braking. Front lever is front and rear, rear is just rear. I think it's a neat bike, but being 6'5 (with a 5'2 Sicilian inside), the ergos are probably tight.

BMW did a good job at having an updated retro look for the bike. I like the styling and all, the seat looks a little too far back. But with the shifter and brake positions where they are you are limited to where you can put your feet. Just like my old goldwing was.

That engine called "boxer" because two pistons located across each other and when the engine running they are just like two boxers punching each other.

I watched the Revzilla review the other day on this motorcycle, talking about this being a daily rider they definitely have an anti-cruiser bias, he did nothing but bash it and cruisers in general. It is nice to see a guy that rides cruisers often give an honest review. I honestly do not understand why you would test a cruiser, then complain about it being a cruiser.

That's a motorcycle that needed to stay on the drawing board, fantastic content as ever 👍

People either love or hate this bike. Personally, I like the looks, but then again I like the Boxer motors. But it is a novelty bike IMHO. Great for the Sunday morning ride, but not much else.

Rode one 4 weeks ago its uncomfortable shakes alot brakes terrible etc but i loved it its built for looks and character great bike it's not suppose to be a great ride it's a masterpiece and lots character.......picking my new one up saturday

This bike is priced low in USA to sell these , here in Ireland this bike costs € 27,119 on the road , I can’t see them selling too well unless they bring out a more affordable version , that bike is also scraping the pegs too easily

I sat on one last weekend. It’s not for me but I wish bmw luck with the bike.

Interesting. I love the low center of gravity. I'm 5 11 but have short legs.

Thanx Jerry! Excellent video. I think I'll keep my Road King Classic.

Nice classic look, indeed, I liked it! Thanks.

That particular model R18 is hard on the eye.

Great review as always. I get so much out of your evaluations. Would like to get your impression of this rig vs. a new Fatboy.

In 1969 I had a 1953 R68 with a similar frame. I remove the seat post and put a chopper seat on it and a ridged sissy bar. Extended the front end by twelve inches and added ape hangers. The tank on the 1953 looked exactly like R18, same shape and form. Front fender went on the back and I ran with no front fender or front brake. The 1953 looked just like the ape hanger version of the R18. Seat height was about 24 inches. There were only two like this in the Los Angeles area. I rode this bike all over California from LA to the Gold Country. Great bike but not a popular one with the police or BMW riders.

First and Last edition. Those sure are two big jugs sticking out. I prefer the Harley Softail Slim. Great review. Thanks.

I love how over the top that bike is.

Another great video with your perspective on the new BMW R18 Cruiser.

Excellent review of the BMW 1800 ! A great review and a great rider!

BTW at 6 foot and 32 inch inseam I have floorboards on my R18 and I have added a one inch thick foam pad to the seat for height.

Good review Jerry. 👍🏻🇨🇦

Thanks for doing these videos hope to see more harleys

I like the bike but I will never buy a new bike ever again. I bought a new bike back in 2014 and lost my ass when I sold it. I'll wait until one of these comes up for sale in a couple of years and then I'll try one.

Jerry love the reviews thanks man

Would you buy one Jerry? I have owned a few BMW boxer motored motorcycles and to tell you the truth, I don't like that "kick to the left" on quick hard down shift. I also don't like the side-to-side vibration, it is more irritating than soothing. Nope, I will stick to V-Twin vibrations. Parallel twins (like Triumph's Thunderbird 1600) are OK, but nothing like the same size Harley on "feel." Cruisers are more that just "grunt" down low, they are a "feel" and "attitude" of taking your time getting there.

Torque spin is what makes it go left. Its needs to have bags. A full front fender, a full rear fender, some Vance and Hines pipes. Mustang seats will customize the seat and sell you a soft one, so long distance riding is no problem. I'd like a bigger gas tank than the one provided, and id like some golf ball turn signals on the ends of the handlebars for nastalga purposes, and even a windshield if there will be an offer on one.

Motor rotation is clockwise. Like my old CX 500.

The R18 unquestionably beautiful motorcycle which has all the design cues of a motorcycle that can trace its heritage all the way back to 1936 and the R5. I agree that it lacks the performance chops that have made modern BMWs what they are however in my opinion BMW just nailed it & i would happily say that it's a fantastic replacement for my 2006 Suzuki Boulevard m109r.

Good one Jerry!

Great review as usual. Thanks

TY for the review!! I had an R9T some years back and got rid of it because it was not the most comfy bike. had this bike been on the market I most likely would have gotten this instead and probably would have kept it. gorgeous bike and look out Harley!

Great review, thank you sir.

I'd like to see the non-ugly pipes version when it comes out

The curves in Florida are created by going around all the old people driving slow... besides that, you have to sign up for RLAP classes and get your swerve on!

I love how the motor is you crash bars, and the jugs are your highway pegs! lol what an Uggggly bike

Thanks!

Nice bike & great review 🏍️👍. I agree needs some engine protectors. Also needs a louder (nicer looking) after market pipes.

Thank you for your video!

gr8 Review Jerry

I'm 5' . 5 " and a 27" inseam and I manage just fine ...

my Mustang seat on the RK took 100s of miles to break in

I'll stick with Harleys.

BMW make some awesome bikes but in my opinion this baby has the looks only a mother could love . Terrible looking pipes, highway pegs built into the motor, I'll stick to my low rider...but it is different...

Love your videos!! Thanks for your review of this one. Beautiful bike, great sound on throttle up, proven engine - and a BMW... But scraping on a moderate lean would keep me away from this one. And I wonder about the heat with the pegs so close behind those big old cylinders.

The R18 looks nice to me. I wonder how it would handle on a curvy backroad?

It’s basically BMW softail slim for 4K higher price.

I think BMW will sale a lot of those. Thank for posting sir.

I’ve watched several reviews on this bike and personally don’t get it. I understand the “beauty of the machine” factor but too many compromises. I don’t think many Harley riders would make the switch. The ride position and no floorboards or highway pegs are a non starter for me. Nice to look at for a minute or two but wouldn’t want one. I ride a 16 Ultra Limited and a 09 FatBoy so doesn’t appeal much to me.

Go ride the new Classic with the different front wheel and tire and windshield

I’m not crazy about the sound of that motor, especially when you open up the throttle. Mmmmwuuuhh?

Do you have any Yamaha dealer next to you? It could be really amazing to see your test of new Yamaha Bolt and Yamaha Star-Eluder😉

Those opposing cylinders always put me in mind of an airplane prop motor. Just weird looking to me.

I'm thinking I'd really have to see it in person. I don't think that engine is going to win a beauty contest. I'm biased just looking at it, but I want to keep an open mind. How about test driving a V-max or a Triumph Rocket 111? Might be some fun.

Are you able to install highway pegs? Doesn’t look like it

I understand it has a dry clutch. How is that going to stand up while being in the friction zone since it is not lubed as in a wet clutch? Thanks.

Great bike. But I'm just not convinced that my 20k wouldn't be better spent on fatboy or road king, which in my opinion, are clearly better than r18 all around.

Groovy

It feels like a classic BMW. Like an R5 or an R32. It's a gorgeous retro cruiser. So darn glad I don't live in Florida. Most boring roads ever.

Not a cruiser rider but a Beemer fanatic. I am really excited about this bike but I am wondering how there is going to be any way to mount cruiser pegs on this bike. Cruiser riders want those. If you can’t do that, it’s really just an around town bobber. We’ve all laid our legs on top of the cylinders for a few minutes but obviously not the same.

You are so lucky in the us if this was the uk would have gone through 6 roundabouts 6 sets of traffic lights 6 junctions and a load of cars to get to the twistes or nice straight roads like this .

Why isnt the front fender stripped to match the rest of the bike??

The new BMW R18 classic is out now .. can you do a thing on it & let us know what you think ?

Nice bike but having no fuel gauge is not for me…. Don’t like range anxiety!

Sweet ride. What's the start price???

Shouldn’t have used the boxer engine on that style of bike.The pipes are hideous too, and there just isn’t enough going on with this bike to justify interest or cost.