BMW R18 in-depth review | MCN Reviews 

The best feature of this bike is the fact it's not a Harley. Not every man & his dog wants a HD. I think you were over critical of this bike, but I appreciate we are all subjective. I am eagerly awaiting my R18 to arrive here in Australia. Having ridden BM's most of my life & in boxer form mostly, this is going to be the ducks guts!😍🤤🤣😎 Cheers from "Down Under"!🇦🇺

This is a perfect motorcycle. I bought the R18 Classic. Don't want to get off the bike.

Could never afford one, will never buy one, but I’m very glad it exists

Really honest and thorough, such a good review! We need more from this Jordan!

What a good precise and professional review! Thanks for it. Beautiful sculpture and engine. When not moving.

Bought one and love it. The reverse gear is definitely helpful, but I found that regardless of the heaviness, becasue it is so low and the weight so well distributed, I found it quite easy to maneuver at low speed especially compared to my Moto Guzzi California. I come to like the bike more and more over time. Also, it is just dead beuatiful imo.

I think the quiet engine is a positive. Certainly that it starts that way. You can make it louder if you want but I think it's a positive that stock it is quiet. Thank you for the review!

Nice honest review,

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

Best review I've seen on this bike so far. I'm surprised it didn't get compared to a Triumph Rocket 3 GT. That has a ridiculously large engine, only costs about £1K more, and it is a little bit lighter ( say 320Kg wet ), more power, IMHO looks better, sounds better, and does have useful things like a fuel gauge and cruise control. You can have cruiser position pegs on a Rocket 3 too. If I was after a plus 300 kg cruiser I think I'd rather have the Rocket 3, although that is missing the reverse gear, which I do think is necessary on such heavy bikes. I'm not after a 300Kg plus bike, just over 200kg of bike is more than enough for me to push around and manouevre, and lighter bikes handle better.

Cruise control is available in the configurator... Might be worth it to mention. I have no idea why bmw would not put it on the press fleet, that seems like an oversight to me?

When your bike has a bigger engine than your car

Respect for giving a genuine review.

Spot on analysis!

Sounds like a twenty grand version of my Enfield bullet... Excellent review thanks BMW need more coffee or something to sharpen up!

"I own a Harley". Ahuh! I knew there'd be a reason I haven't seen you on the channel before.

Your review helped me decide to buy a new 2021 R18 First Edition today. Thanks for a great review.

Maybe because I'm old, but I love the looks of this thing, but I wouldn't trade my Guzzi California for one of these until it's been out for a few years. Long enough for the early adopters to work the bugs out for BMW. Oh, and if I ever do buy one, I will put proper fishtail silencers on it.

Nice to hear an honest review. 👍

This is a real honest review, subscribed

Demo’d it earlier this week. It’s very nicely finished and rides well. Not something I’d buy myself but if I wanted a Harley style bike I’d get this. Our dealer already sold one of two they got in. They apparently do a black accented version around the engine for £30k with different exhausts and other parts.

Nice, honest review!

Great review. Like this chap...👍

This bike looks like a thing a millionaire would have in his living room. to look at it in the evening & to stop him falling asleep when his wife is telling him boring stories about her shopping spree earlier in the day.

Excellent review!

SPOT ON REVIEW - I took the R18 for a 30 minute test ride and couldn’t agree more with your review. Hopefully BMW will listen and make some necessary changes on the next update and maybe take some kilos off as well.

Should've put a fat balloon tyre on the front too! (Triumph also made that mistake with their first gen bobber)! I think I'd prefer the Rocket 3 over this bike. There's too many short falls that you can not say are "characteristic"!

Good honest review.

Never buy version 1 of anything.

Great review! Didn't really have room in the garage for 1 more anyway. Also, I'm pretty tall and worried about setting position.

Refreshing to see a truly critical review.

Thanks for another great video! I'm scheduled to do a video on this bike for my channel (jaysbigadventure) as soon as the snow clears here in Salt Lake City, UT. We have some of the most spectacular roads in the whole US here - and I plan on exploring a bunch of them! Not sure this is going to go better than the R1200C did in the early 2000s, but I'm eager to find out...

best mc-review i heard...

wait name me a softtail slim that has reverse and cornering headlight and riding modes

Such a good review

Great informative review. I sat on my first R18 on the weekend and thought wow what a quality machine. But the first thing you notice as a cruiser is those flat bars. You have to reach forward in a way I don't have to on my Indian Springfield. Weight it is weird. This felt really heavy and yet my Springfield which much heavier at 365 kg or add another 55 pounds when the top box is on feels better balanced and manageable. The proof in what I am saying is I can manage perfectly well with out a reverse gear. I love BMW. I own an R1200R classic as well. And it has great touring bags ESA etc and a damn fuel guage! I would not buy a bike that doesn't have a fuel guage. My bike I don't want some stupid electro bubble telling me when to fill. Because in Australia we don't have fuel stations every 200 k. My son's Ducati is the same and it's a damn nuisance. Love love the bike. But I will stick with the Springfield thanks. A far far more competent tourer and it goes well and sounds fabulous. But the R1200R unquestionably with telelever has by far the best most versatile suspension ever invented. All cruisers are rubbish in comparison.

I would think the biggest mistake BMW made with this model is not hiring a Harley-Davidson rider to critique it before it went into production. They would’ve probably (definitely) learned a “few” things about the “cruiser population”. (wants, desires, necessities, etc.) Great review..!! 👍👍

A cruiser in the America sense, is vehicle that is meant to be ridden/driven slowly alomg the main road through town in order to be seen and (hopefully) attract the attention and intrest of a potential mate (if even just for the evening). Setting a cruise control for long-distance riding is not at all condusive to cruising.

Nice review sir. Thanks

Good review. Hmm I think I will stick to my Springfield. Still has brilliant naked looks. Has a fuel guage! heated grips and seat and doesn't need reverse as ergonomics are much better. And it sounds magnificent standard. The indicator issue would drive me up the wall. My other bike a BMW is perfect comparatively.

Mine is the 2023 and I have cruise control and yes it is a cruiser

I love these!

FYI Cruise control is available as an option.

I test one rode yesterday. Cruise control is an option as is a host of other features. no fuel gauge is a bit NAF, however I think you're nit picking as these "complaints" are more than overshadowed by just how damn cool it is to ride..

Regarding turn signals self canceling, they turn off: Speed below 30 km/h: after 50 m distance covered. Speed between 30 km/h and 100 km/h: after a speed-dependent distance covered or in case of acceleration. Speed over 100 km/h: after flashing five times. If the button is pressed to the right or left slightly longer, the turn indicators only switch off automatically once the speed dependent distance covered is reached or manually.

Sorrz for offtopic question - what gear you are wearing? like the jacket :)

Thanks.

I would love to see the R2 styling on an R80 ..55 hp / 50 miles to a us regular gal (200+ range on the tank) good suspention 450 pounds .Basically an R69s in an 800 CC modern bike .. A modern version of the Earles fork ... A bike taken from BMW's history that would fill the everyday use of a simple bike in the complicated world we are living in ..

The R18 concept was a cool art deco modern retro beauty. This bike is just banal. The Softail Slim is way cooler, better and cheaper than this final version of the R18. I was waiting for the R18, but they stepped way too much from the concept bike. The Slim is the winner for me, and I will save 3000 euros.

Other reviews I've watched does have cruise control. To not mention it is available seems like an oversight to me and we expect better from MCN.

Looks great ......

do all r18 models have the reverse gear?

self cancelling indicators lol. I had them on my 1979 Suzuki lol. How is the engine heat on your legs?

We won’t bother watching you ride it then ☹️

Thank You,Sir. The cylinders and pipes look grotesque.

Truly surprised at how BMW would release a bike with so many "small thing" issues ...

How does it compare against a BMW R1200C ?

I think, you are not ready for a Boxer🤔...😉

MCN review: I cant hear my bike, I know the date but I don't know the time.

£19k OTR, that's not far off Triumph Rocket 3 money, a bike with quite a bit less weight and way more power and torque.

Great looking bike but the lack of forward controls or highway pegs discounts it for me and probably quite a few others in the age range of potential buyers. Reverse gear would be good though.

As an ex BMW R1100S owner I love it. But as a current Moto Guzzi California Audace 1400 owner I know my Guzzi is a better motorcycle more power more revs less weight(Audace is 300kg wet weight) I tried a HD Fat Bob 114 and my Guzzi accelerate better turns better and brakes better then the HD. I recon this is more of a Softail Slim od Deluxe competitor then the Low Rider S or a Fat Bob. I'm happy that BMW build it and I hope it will sell well!! Definitely better then the old R1200C!! It's a Lovly looking bike!! And if you Guys gonna do a group test make sure you take the Moto Guzzi California Audace 1400(it rides and have a ground clearance similar to a XjR1300) / Eldorado!just make sure that You put it in veloce mode(Italian for sport) wich is sport mode equivalent of BMW Rock mode! Roll mode = turismo on a Guzzi and rain = pioggia!

If the self canceling indicator are like the S1000RR, then If you long press the turn signal button it only cancel much much later

When fuel light comes , it shows how many miles you driven after the light . That’s more than enough for a smart driver to figure it out

That's one that should have stayed on the drawing board.

Its ART!!!❤❤❤❤

how does this bike compare to the r9t?

Ridden it, loved it @threesixmoto

That keyfob is for the BMW cars

That’s a great looking engine.

If you've also ridden the old R1200C / R1200CL - how does it compare?

When I get too old to ride 2 wheels or decide I need a sidecar this may become my choice.

What a perfect verdict...I think this verdict should be taken seriously by BMW...I agree with it every bit!

I don't like cruisers at all but holy damn this thing is breathtaking.

Wish BMW all look in a world how a engineer could design a new motorcycle with tube type tires apples me also hope fairing is available cannot go long distance without some wind protection

change exhaust and its beast but we need that auto cruiser

It needs a bigger gas tank. You ride until the reserve needs to be kicked in. It needs to be like my R/51/3. It had a reserve switch. It also needs to have stylish full fenders on it . Some bags , and Vance & Hines pipes, and a custom Mustang seat for riding comfort. I'd even love the golf ball turn signals on it that my R/51 had. Either the R & D department will add these features to it or you will find in the not too distant future , a catalog of Aftermarket strictly for this R/18 so a person can "personalize it." BMW used to have a reputation for being the Rolls Royce of motorcycles. They have obviously lost their first love. It's not only about the R/18, but you immediately have to add a bunch of stuff on a GS too if that's what you bought. Stuff that's a no brainers to have on it when you first purchase it. I think you and I are on the same page when I say this.

I like it but after i saw the r18 hommage, original engine +compressor, 40hp,i like that better. The engine is fully exposed and the looks just a little better. A 450_700cc in an oversized frame with 45-65hp would be ok if only it looks like that

Function following form by quite some distance. Each to thier own but I really can't see the point in having a bike that performs so badly by all the normal measures.

Okay so it’s not perfect. Personally I think it’s a really cool bike . Hopefully BMW will correct the few issues the reviewer mentioned. Overall though I would definitely consider it . I’ve owned a Harley and it had a few issues that should have been covered under warranty. I paid over $25,000 for it . However I could not find a dealer including where I purchased it to do the warranty work. So I purchased the parts and did it myself. Also I should say I attempted several times to contact Harley Davidson hoping they would contact a local dealer and advise them to do the work. No luck with that either I would leave messages that were never returned. I’m guessing BMW hopefully has better customer support then what I experienced with Harley Davidson. I’m sure there are good dealerships out there but it was a major turn off .

Ok review. But would of been better if you put some clips up of the exust sounds in different modes of riding to explane You issue with the exust sound. Has the bike been fully bed in including the Exust??. Personally I took out R18 bagger and yes it’s a bit different to the classic But really enjoyed her even in situations that I thought she wouldn’t do well or out of her comfort zone. Maybe it’s down to Ridding Style. The exust sound sounded good even in comparison with my shotgun exust on my K1600GA witch I love. But if it came an issue I could always swap exhausts. Over watching and reading many reviews it seems you iver love it or Grow to love it OR NOT. So I’ve ended up swapping my K1600GA for a R18 Continental. I compared HD equivalent Bike at the closes spec and it was way more expensive over £10000 more expensive and that was missing some things like a premium paint job. Maybe it would be interesting to see what you say about the other models in the range especially since the continental and bagger have a better suspension and frame along with a lot more tech.

At 6'4 tall I spent the whole test ride I craving forward controls, instead I just got bruised shins. 😭

👍🏾💯🏍

Thanks: finally a decently thorough review of this beast. So far everyone else seems too easily impressed because of its looks, which I agree are good. It was helpful to state the reviewer’s height (5’6”), crucial when locked into knees-at-right-angles and a super low-slung seat. Even so, the reviewer looked like he was about to slide off the rear of the saddle: imagine that while trying to appreciate the well-advertised torque. And no fuel gage, really? Would have liked to know the rake; looked to be in the low 30s, which would be typical for a cruiser, but typically ungainly in cornering for such a heavy bike. This bike looks like a concept doodle from a kid in grammar school - (remember, I said I liked it, but on paper only) - a motorcyle akin to Peter Fonda’s Captain America bike in Easy Rider, or the “Cholo” machines in Southern California, all outlandishly styled bikes, ape hangers you can do pull-ups on, fishtails almost IN the sea, sissy bars a mile high, etc., etc., etc.: but how, and where, are you really going to ride them, other than in your imagination?

I cannot say enough good things about my R18 and it’s so much fun to ride and better in every way than the new Harley I also bought this year

No fuel gauge, no cruise control, but traction control off button??? makes no sense on a cruiser!

The BMW S1000RR has cruise control, but not their flagship R18 cruiser? It's like fitting supersports mode to a Harley..

It does have cruise control, I saw it on the configurator it’s an extra

Everytime I click on a MCN video, I secretly hope Neveseey is there

What about being a future or even an immediate classic , and the investment potential ...hmm

Dragging the floorboards brilliant? @ 22k EUR lol

Its looks alright

I hope the design & marketing department are listening, as the management will soon note the limited sales....

a cucumber to drive straight ahead

You just don’t understand BMW turn signals. Slow speed they are what you expect. > 100 kph they go into highway mode for quick lane changes. If exiting at >100 kph, push turn indicator control twice for standard turn signal delay. FYI.

Nice Bike..but i am happy with my Kawasaki Vulcan S .

The BMW 1000 RR has cruise control & this doesn't ?????

No fuel gauge!

vs R1250RT?

Only thing missing is shots of you actually riding the damn thing, but good review nonetheless. More need to be as honest and precise as this review.