Can The BMW R18 Compete With Harley-Davidson? 

I owned an 2002 R1200C BMW. That, to me, was BMW’s best attempt at a cruiser. It was an amazingly good bike. From the bullet proof engine, to the anti lock brakes (this was back in 2002!). Even before James Bond drove it on the big screen , it was a winner in my book.

Your channel getting a really professional feel to it and well put together features.

I suspect the reverse gear isn't motivated by weight. Rather, with that big boxer sticking out how could you push it?

I'm sure the price tag competes very well with Harley's.

The exposed rotation of the driveshaft is a nice touch and Harley riders should remember that competition breeds innovation and design. This is a good thing for the segment. Like it or not Harley can no longer rely on its aging core consumers to be around for their next bike.

No one is doing a better job of turning people away from harley, than harley.

I want a slippy clutch in all my bikes so I'm glad they're doing it. Quite the sell point for me tbh.

Bro, this looks so awesomeness. I'm sure there will be some more accesories that will make this comfortable for long distances. I alao would like to see you do a real life test of this on a bit patchy and broken roads. Regards Joy

Legs looks cramped big time. Also no space to stretch them out. I think this alone will stop them from selling many in the USA.

Gonna be very difficult to overcome the BMW stigma here in the states. But it will be interesting to watch.👍🏼

Harley owner here. First off I love the R18. I just want to say that i do not believe any non USA made Bike will ever compete with HD. The R18 will appeal to people that buy Triumps, and other metric bikes. Part of owning and riding an HD as an American is the feeling of heritage and patriotism. That is the secret sauce

People forget that one of the biggest selling points for Harley Davidson is the sound their engines make. A boxer will never sound as cool as a Harley in the American eyes. Plus, we like forward controls. Neat bike though.

Several things from a motorcyclist of 32 years with 480K miles on my Arse. 1) Mids only? no hwy, no way to stretch out. calf cookers, not good. 2)shaft drive is quiet/lo maint but suffers with to much drive train power loss 3)great low seat height/C of gravity thou 4)comes standard w/winter foot warmers

I'd love to have a rocket 3 motor to put in a custom bobber frame

I think it looks fantastic in the video, but how this translates into the production version, only time will tell, I remember getting excited about the R9T in concept guise.

The only problem I see is the engine blocks the option for adding forward controls or even highway pegs for relaxing on the highway.

Can’t believe I’m going to say this....Harley-Davidson is simply going to be more affordable. Always enjoy your videos.

So many me too, cars and bikes! Agree! You must look for emblems on cars/bikes to see who makes it.

Those obtrusive jugs and mid-mounted foot controls will kill the bike.

Love the naked olde skool drive shaft! Sadly, you’ll never break the American market, Americans are loyal to the brand and patriotic enough to ‘buy American’ regardless of quality. Something we Brits should emulate.

Only way I see this doing well in America is if it is priced below $18k USD. Better show good ways to attach aftermarket bags. I'd just be too worried about scraping those jugs. Also, ruining them either going down or just a tip over. Did he mention the weight of the bike?

Great German engineering and marketing, but a potential sales failure in the U.S. A few will be sold, a few customized for shows, and it will fade into the background as an odd ball experiment. IMO, BMW should focus on marketing the redesigned S1000 XR and R900 R and XR's which appear to hit a sweet spot in terms of price/performance/versatility for a younger market segment. But BMW's core issue in the U.S. is the number and location of dealerships. Increase the number of dealers and sales will follow.

if you want a cruiser which is different..... this is the one.. i like it alot..

I bet money that most of the guys that don't like the bike have never rode a boxer. They are awesome the center of gravity is low and u can still split lanes no problem. Oh and No the heads don't scrape the ground in a turn.😁

The bent legs riding position and hot cylinders right in front of my knees kills it for me

I love how that bike looks. But bikes fall, and I dont want to see the bill when repairing that engine.

Should have just called it "The Big Box"

Something along the lines of the K100 longitudinally mounted 4 cylinder liquid cooled motor configuration in an 1800cc + cruiser, to kind of sit somewhere between the old Indian Four and the modern Rocket3.

The number of videos about the R18 and the Rocket 3 suggest huge interest. That will translate into sales. You are EXACTLY right: it is hard to get excited about minor improvements. There are a lot of great bikes designs. They haven't just "stood the test of time"; they have been tweaked and improved over many years. If you are laying out hard cash for A bike, its risky to buy something "new and different." Look at the R18 and those cylinders... I wouldn't want to drop THAT bike. Similarly, put bags on it and the look is ruined. Finally, water cooling has hit Indian. It is just better tech. Its not on the R18 menu. I can't see people "leaving" Harley or Indian to get this bike. I can sure see people who can afford a few horses in the stable to snatch up one of these.

Agree with RWDTURBO, cant see how they can make a "cruiser" with the legs straight up and down. Doesnt appear to be any way around this issue. Long distance cruiser? bagger? not with that leg room!

Being a bit of a Harley enthusiast (I have a -02 FXSTB and a -18 FXFBS st. IV), I think this bike is the only thing BMW ever made that I would like to own. They took a giant step back in their design history and struck gold, picking up influences from the thirties, i think... Would it sell to the 'merrycans? I really do not know, but as a short range cruiser it may find its riders in the USA.

I like your more technical reviews and I think this bike definitely has a certain appeal but maybe not that practical in our cramped island.

I definitely love this bike I’m not buying simply cause I’m not in the market for a new bike but man I love the way this bmw is looking and I’d love to test one out and see them out on the streets

If it had "Harley Davidson" emblazoned on the side, would be the only way to get Harley riders interested. As a yank who rides a metric cruiser I find the design intriguing, albeit a bit broad. I do like the classic BMW looks, especially the front forks. Yes, I do question the legroom availability or lack thereof, but I do like what I see. The only way to know for sure is to put miles, or kilometers on it. I'd love to ride one. Thanks for posting this.

Judging by comments in other R18 videos, this bike will sell like mad when released. Dealers are taking deposits on customer speculation, that's not an every day thing. Glad I'm not interested in owning this bike! 🇨🇦

Can it compete... Hell yeah, anything in the Crouser / Bobber range made by any other manufacturer wipes the floor with Harley. The issue is the buyer/owners. Some just can't see beyond a Harley, it's a lifestyle rather than a motorcycle experience.

That open shaft drive is just asking for straps, shoelaces, clothing or anything loose basically to be caught up in it. Interesting bike though.

Love that art-deco look that motor has.

So I guess you won't need crash bars, since you can just put it down on the cylinder heads. :-)

Stunning looks ... comfortable for long trips ?? I doubt it ... great for week end city ride and you’ll get ... wow, uh, ah ... that’s it

Any updates about your street twin? I hope the next video is about your bike. Haven't seen it in a while.

Foot space is a problem with R18! The seating position of BMW will not appeal to the traditional Harley riders.

Honestly who gives a rats clacker about EXISTING Harley riders? I’ve put my deposit on a BM & am more than happy not to have “dime a dozen” Harley in my shed. Why target “just” Harley riders? We’ll probably all be stunned by how many will go for this cruiser over the others! And how many like myself who wants something bloody out of the box!!! Nice review Bob & Merry Christmas from Down Under!😎👍🏻

I'm not sure if it's going to tempt many American Harley owners away from their brand but I am sure it will definitely get some Aviation fanatics looking at changing their power plant brands 🤗.

This will have limited appeal here in the UK as it’s too wide to filter it through traffic jams. I prefer the feet forward riding position of Harley’s altho most riders here go with rear-set feet controls. The R18 will appeal to the custom bike poseur crowd, but not as a practical daily ride. For older riders, weight is the enemy! Finding a lighter-weight easy to ride practical bike is what is needed. My HD Dyna FatBob is a wonderful ride but way too heavy to back-up! Visually, BMW have made a fine show-piece bike which will sell but its no cruiser for the US market. I visit Daytona Bike Week each year where increasingly it’s mostly HD Streetglides or Roadglides that are the most popular bikes. US riders do ride very long distances State to State or even just within the vast long straight distances within their own State. It’s totally unlike the crowded twisty roads of the UK & a lot of Europe. BMW should develop their K-engine for a feet forward cruiser to appeal to the US market.

I've had (and have) Harleys all my life. Alongside my Harleys I've had Ducati's, and BMW. I have two Harley's for different riding styles. I sold my R9T and bought a Softail Slim. Love that bike. Earlier this year I saw the concept R1800 and I loved it. I told myself I would add one to my stable. The latest rendition in this video is not the same bike. It looks like a Honda Fury!! I'll have to wait and see what the final production will be. If it looks like the one in this video, I'll pass on this BMW. I loved the rear fender on the first rendition. Not so on this one.

Looks to be aimed directly at the HD Low Rider S. Would love to see a comparison video between the two.

I still have my 1998 R1200C I bought new and currently own a 2018 HD Heritage with the 107 engine. My BMW was a great tourer. With saddlebags, a duffle, and a windshield I took many a trip with her. And the 2018 Heritage will also be a good tourer. The new R18 is an exciting bike. I don't see myself riding one however. It doesn't seem like the kind of bike you could throw on saddlebags and go for a long trip. We'll need to see what the final production bikes look like.

BMW and Triumph will move some serious units...

It's interesting. I know my Harley, my Rocket 3, and my VTX1800. They are comfortable heavy cruisers. I reserve judgment until I twist the throttle on anything. Being 6'2" tall, leg room looks tight.

Yeah, the rear gear will stop you from smashing your shins into the cylinder heads when walking it backwards, good point Stephen. Beautiful bike! cant wait. That will look nice next to my 1600 GTL

I had BMW R1200C the cruiser BMW made untill 2004/2005 its is a great bike.Enough power and very good torgue and superb handling.There are cilinderprotection brackets on the market from BMW and Wunderlich.Its special made for laying your legs on it.I sure that they are going to produce something like this again.Nothing can beat German engineering.

I've put down my deposit, currently ride GSA 1250 and S1000xr, previously ridden Wings, never a Harley, my only concern is that your feet might get cooked underneath the pistons, looking forward to the test ride later this year

I have an issue with the foot position. Those heads block the bike from having forward controls and pegs. That makes for an uncomfortable leg position over a long ride.

I don't think this is going to sway many Harley enthusiasts. More likely it'll bite into Triumph's sales of the Bobber, Rocket 3 and Thunderbird as an "out there" alternative to the traditional v-twin cruiser. With that said, the concepts have shown that it could make for a great custom bike platform, but that distinctive engine will limit its appeal in that regard as well. Those cylinder heads are way too prone to getting scratched up, and the first time the bike lowsides or even gets dropped in a parking lot, it's on the tow truck heading back home. Personally I love it, it looks comfortable with gorgeous styling, and the competitive spec sheet makes me think it'd be a blast to ride, but it's not going to replicate Triumph's success with the Bobber or sway many from a traditional American v-twin.

Have a soft spot for boxer engines and the old school look but I wouldn’t swap my 19 Breakout for this thing and doubt it’ll be much like this on the floor and yeah, riding with your feet stuck behind the jugs with no options for forward controls (imagine how wide they’d be) isn’t good for us old arthritic blokes who need to be able to move around.

german engineering at its finest

Most likely will not take too much sales away from Both USA bike manufacturers , R18 isn't a land cruiser. More like a Bar hopper. Will be taken away sales from the Japanese . Just like there S1000rr did.

95% of Harleys over the past 45 years are still on the road. The other 5% made it home.

Blows Harley away in style and technology! Still, Harley riders have it engrained in their head that it's Harley or nothing. It's the history and bad boy image probably

I’ll never switch up on Harley but you have to appreciate other motorcycles ... if I won the lottery I’d definitely get one though!

Yes, have 3 boxers, love the sound at rev. R90, 2 r100, r90 is super light weight

Compete? Yes, but it's Harley that will have to compete. This beautiful machine is in a class of its own.

INDIAN bagger over 26k massive and heavy is not the target competition.BMW will appeal to folks who simply love motorcycles and what's not to love R18 in black classic mode if they produce that! Most unique bike out there!Once released, I am thinking Tesla Cyber Track now...

Wouldn’t mind riding 1 of those R-18 .. they look pretty kool... more or less like da H-D Duce softail

They still don't have the right bike if they want to do well with cruisers in America...

I think you missing the point of a cruiser. It needs to be customizable with that big engine how can you even put highway pegs on the bike

Hey I like the look of it. Unlike most HD’s at least the brakes will be good and it will like going round corners. Not my kind of bike personally and I am sure it will sell ok. Sorry but all the HDs I have ridden are rubbish at corners, pegs hit the deck turning left at lights, sound like tractors with brakes made from milk bottle tops. Will stick to Jap or German bikes for me. Sorry people. Enjoy whatever you ride, and stay safe.

Hate to see those thumbs down... even if this motorbike is not your cup of tea, I reckon the video is well researched and nicely put together... recent sub to your channel, sir... please do carry on!

Can't stretch out legs on a long trip so it's a solid no for me.

Dude, where is the engine and exhaust sound??

When you tell people, who know little about bikes, that you ride a BMW they say “oh” Tell the same people you ride a Harley and they go “ooohh” And that’s the main difference. I ride both by the way..........................

very much look forward to see this in the flesh, looks fab! a big European twin cruiser, a mix of new and old without copying somebody else's design. I have both BMW & HD at the moment and whilst I love the HD, the BMW is far better for long distance mountain cruising in Europe, I've covered 600mls in one day in snow, freezing fog, rain a few years back on my old R1100. Wouldn't have done that on the HD. Forward pegs, just like ape hangers, not an issue as far as I'm concerned. Unsuitable for mountain cruising, very difficult to raise yourself and keep control in emergency situation, such as speed ramps in town, pot holes out of town. wide engine will take some getting used to but its not as supersport bike so ride it as what it is. I hope it'll be a success,if the price is right!

BMW looks mega. Harley and Indian riders all want forward controls. Bit of an issue with two 900cc cylinders in the way. River 3 GT is the new Cruiser Heavyweight Competition for H-D.

Has anyone checked out the 961 Norton Cafe Racer? I had a 850 Commando back in the day! The 961 Commando looks pretty good as well.

Seeing that u-joint spinning around reminds me of how, in The Great Gatsby, Isadora Duncan got strangled when her scarf got caught in the wheel

I dont think this is daft. BMW Mad beautiful lookin bikes back in the day. These are great for the cruiser world. Good to see a bit of change and competition cruisers are big in australia too

Everybody’s chasing Harley... Polaris (Faux Indian), BMW.... even as Harley haters scream how out of touch Harley is with the rest of the world...🤔... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I am not a huge fan of BMW, but I do like the boxer engine, I don't think this will sell well, but I could quite easily see it becoming a collector bike.

I had money at the ready to buy the earlier simple designed black bobber prototype but definitely not the newer red!

I dont like it. Engine sticks out to much

If the R18 was available now...... my Triumph Rocket R3 pre-order may have a wobble..... Reminds me of a WW2 aircraft..... love it - dare to be different.

I like it because it's reminiscent of the old BMW bikes from the warriors and 40s styling is very appealing but for anybody who likes forward controls, this bike won't work, I see a great for short rides and for anybody who likes to ride in a very upright position

So they want to go after the big V-Twin market by putting out a boxer???

The BMW cylinders go where feet should go. So the rider must assume the duck walk position. Great for 1,000 miles in one day.

No chance of forward controls on the BMW. That would be a deal breaker for me

Triumph Rocket 3 has entered the chat. Room empties The end 😂

After almost going out of business in the eighties, Harley’s resurgence at a time of increased patriotism here in the states, cemented an intense brand loyalty that runs deep here in the states. There are dealerships all across the nation as well as thousands of independent repair and customization shops. Victory made better bikes and they never made any serious inroads into that market. I don’t see BMW doing any better. I own a Triumph Thunderbird 1600 I bought used. It’s a very good machine, better than the Road King 103 it directly competed against. Where is the new Thunderbird? There isn’t one because it couldn’t meet the sales figures Triumph set for it. Triumph and BMW have the same issue, a thin dealer network here. My closest Triumph or BMW dealers are two hours away. There is a Harley dealer right here in town and two more not more than an hour’s ride away. I’m sure the moto mags will love the bike and praise it to the heavens and it will probably sell well in California and the northeast where BMW has a good dealer network and that’s about it.

Can a Harley compete with my mothers old sowing machine?(At least they sowing machine is useful!)

Compete with Harley - what are you smokin?

Too wide. No feet-forward is a nogo on a cruiser. Probably the same pricerange so why buy the "copy"? I do not think they will customers from H-D. Maybe new buyers, but not Harley-owners. But again, most Harley-owners are older ones and H-D are also making new, other models now to reach into other buyers. (Bronx and PanAmerican)

I want to check to see if I got this right. BMW is trying to introduce a bike to compete with HD cruisers to gain market share in a market that is collapsing for HD? Now that's a plan! what could go wrong? P.S. This is from a retired marketer with 47 years in the business. :-)

Very authentic informative video, tanks keep going

Very nice... I am already a big fan of BMW's flat twin motor. I can't wait to try it....

I appreciate the BMW video and thank you for your effort. My comment is, as a Florida resident motor heat is an issue while in traffic which is about 70%of the riding/waiting for lights time. I do not believe that BMW, Indian nor HD solve this problem. Cooler engines mean less dehydration, less discomfort and more driving time for us older guys and gals. So, what will BMW do to lead the pack?

It's a nice bike, I think it could capture a small but significant share of the market. Thing is, there's so much more to it than that. Harley have a long history of solid commitment to this market and their customers. They give them a range of bikes with customisable configurations and a huge range of options. Then there's the aftermarket on top of that. Plus they're American made, with a storied history in their home market. All that and we haven't even mentioned the mystique of the brand, possibly their most compelling feature of all. Taking them on is a tall order, one many have failed at including Victory, who were American(!). BMW are going to need to show some real commitment here, and over the long term, if they've any real chance of making inroads into Harley's market. That said, they also have a solid history, make durable machines for the long haul, and have form with air cooled twins. They probably have as good a chance as anyone of pulling it off. I wish them luck. An alternative to a Harley can surely only be a good thing.✌

I ride a Guzzi V9 Bobber so my legs are somewhere between mid and forward controls cause the engine cams are near the knees but the boxer is on your shins which means only mid controls. It just doesn't look to comfortable to me...

Heated grips? Heated seat? Foot and shin baking standard!

BMW missed a major selling point by making crank pins 180 degrees apart. Meaning it won't have that "potato potato potato" thump that US riders love so much.

First, from an aesthetic point, the engine just doesn’t appeal to me as a current Harley owner. And from the looks of it the center of gravity seems low, which seems that it would be less agile in the canyons and the twisties. Finally lane splitting looks like it would be challenging. IMHO oh and probably the most important thing, is that Harley Davison represents a lifestyle and culture, which means I love my Harley Davidson not just a motorcycling. It’s gonna take time for BMW to create something similar.