I had the RNineT 1200 scrambler, age 67 heading down interstate soon, my naked bike had 60000 miles. Yea I actually ride. This is a complete change for me, weight was a concern, absolutely stocked after my first few trips. Will not talk competition, BMW just makes a solid trouble free bike. Love my new 18 B!!!!
Honda Goldwing's have had reverse since 1988, that operates in the same way. In fact starting with the 2001 Goldwing, you just push a button on the H/B to put the bike into reverse, then use the starter button to move the bike backwards.
Great video by smart guys. I bought this month an R18 Transcontinental and I can confirm this bike is great for its unique engine, handling, suspensions, technological stuff, high quality level. Great job by BMW.
This looks like a cool bike. Prob not something I'd buy, but still pretty nice. But I must say, you guys did a super job on the review. Props for your video reviewing skills.
It’s 20k for the base I looked into it I think it’s over $30k for the bike like you see in the video. Still an awesome bike no matter what option you get but they’re not giving these things away.
@@madmak9 I couldn't forget, I stared at that style key for 18 years on my K1100LT. ☺ it always worried me that the little hinge pin might beeak. Now I have Fob failure anxiety 😳
@@flippy6553 LOL Nice! I saw a few broken hinge pins, but people were more likely to lose the key before it broke! BMW original key blanks were steel and my shop was one of the few that could cut steel keys in Seattle, so we got our fair share of seeing those keys in their time. BMW always has a cool little "this" or "that" with their bikes which is one of the reasons I love them!
Okay guys, the folding key was used to lock the front fork and if it didn't fold you could inadvertently break the head off by turning the forks when the key was in the lock. I had a 1976 r 90 / 6 and still have that key.
I always thought the key design was to keep a low profile to keep from braking off. I replaced a lot of broken keys and key cores on other manufactured bikes. Never did on a BMW. Always good fun on the rotating mass of the BMW motor! Another great video guys!
I had the pleasure of seeing a Transcontinental at a dealer recently. Beautiful bike....a real piece of art but the question i have is who the heck do they expect to pick this bike up? Getting the bike off of the kickstand was a shock to me. Holy heavy!!!
Cool. I’ve just Purchased the R18 Continental in Galaxy Dust, Carnot Wait to see and Ride her. When I took the bagger for a test and seeing the Continental in the showroom I fell for it. The Engine is Amazing, tech and build quality and detail is stunning. Bering in mind I am coming off a K1600 Grand America witch is a very good/cool bike. But I found the ridding position suites my ridding style. And carnt wait to take her on tour.. also the wight didn’t bother me. Good vid.
I picked up my R18 Bagger two weeks ago. A couple of things you didn't mention or don't know. The material over the instrument cluster is called sensatec. The bike has a sweet spot of between 2500 and 3000 rpm. When in this range, the bike has very little vibration. The ACC is brilliant when on the Autobahn (Highway). I have the Transcontinental screen on mine as it's higher. A couple of things aren't available at the moment like Sissy Bar and auxillery spotlights for the front (I have the crash bars at the front of the engine fitted to mine too). I used to have a Rocket III Touring which I loved and was a beast of a bike. As it's already winter over here in Germany, I haven't had much opportunity to get used to it so roll on spring. Liked your vlog, a bit more on the riding would have been nice to have too.
I wish that South Africa 🇿🇦 had similar price structures. Here I was quoted R500k for the TC and 480k for the B. divide by 13.... They take us to the cleaners
Beautiful R18B! I own a 2004 Harley-Davidson Road King # 15/100 made in the color that I have and I love it but I’m definitely gonna go and take a personal look at this R18B.
The biggest and the heaviest in the market. I would not ride this out of the Showroom without the Crash Bars. If your foot slips and you have a tip over (it can happen to the best of us) it will cost you Thousands to fix it. Looks amazing!
I had a BMW boxer bike for a couple of years. That cool engine torquey thing you speak of became an annoyance for me. Might be less of an annoyance in a bike with a lower seat height such as this one, but it was one of several things that annoyed me and I sold it. The Triumph triple, however... no annoying tendencies. So far anyway. :) Looks like BMW did some homework on this one.
Awesome review guys. We'll done. Seriously thinking of getting one of these next spring. I have to agree with you that the Bagger looks allot better than the Transcontinental.
I also prefer the look of the bagger. If you're mostly Riding Solo I think that's the right bike. You can always add a passenger backrest and throw on a biltwell soft bag for extra storage.
As usual, BMW never contradicts itself ... on a 427 kilos motorbike the reverse gear is of course OPTIONAL ... but the cost was contained according to the brand at only Euro 1,000.00 .... and of course also uphill braking called HSC is clearly OPTIONAL at a cost of only Euro 100.00. Now I can understand the Passionists of the straight lines and various chrome plating that spend thousands of euros more just for the pleasure of seeing the bike shine. But on a starting cost of Euro 28,100.00, how can you not include the two aforementioned accessories as standard is really shameful ... but from BMW we can only expect this ... plucking customers is its "DEFINITIVE" MISSION !!!! not to mention the other almost mandatory options that bring the bike in a NOT FULL version to almost Euro 33,600.00 !!!!!!!
I don’t know where those prices are, here all options are max 4K euro extra. I find that completely acceptable. Each brand would just raise the base price if they include something standard
If you're using the active cruise control and you're in high gear what happens when the vehicle in front of you slows down to a stop does it tell you to down shift?
Nice bike & certainly WAY better than their dismal try with the 1600. What is BMW’s obsession with black?! $2400 for another color close to black? Nope! I’ll stick with HD or Indian.
"What is BMW’s obsession with black?!" If you bothered to have a look at the history of BMW Motorrad you'd have a clue. In the early days, you could have your BMW motorcycle in any color. As long as it was black.
You guys ought to review a Gold Wing, not necessarily the new generation. You’ll never believe how light and nimble another 975 lb bike can feel and handle. I have a 2002 and ride ALL OVER your state and beyond. NEVER had even a minor issue with it in 20 years, and can’t count how many Harleys I’ve helped out on the road….. 5-10 every year!!! The shared braking system and reverse was on Wings back then. Key fob activates the alarm, opens or locks the trunk and side bags, and a call button makes the bike come to you at the mall !!! (Okay, maybe that “call” button is going to be on a future model ! ). See you on the road…..
I think it's great, but I would hate to pay dealers for maintenance and non-warranty repairs. You'll be paying for Munich's heating costs. I'll stick with Honda.
Awesome video guys! I agree with you Kase about the color choice. The only thing I do not like about this machine, is it is not water cooled. That is a LOT of heat being displaced on that machine and on hot days, that bike may not have performance issues with it, but it will def. bring your legs to a boil faster.
Wrong. I own one. The heat from the cyclinders is not felt through your feet as you'd think. No where near as hot as your legs get from the rear cyclinder on an air cooled vtwin.
It's something different and that is just fine by me, i'm tired of looking at Harley's where i live. More so... i'm tired of looking at overweight bald guys with little legs thinking they got a deal for $40K for 40 HP!!!!!!! :-)
I feel like having the motor as the widest part of the bike makes me nervous if it ever falls over. I know that sometimes you think you have the kickstand down or down all the way and oops. Or at a light you tip over because it being such a big bike, you out your food down wrong and bam, it lands on the motor.
You can purchase engine guards to help protect your engine. There is also also highway bars you can buy to place on the engine guards so you can stretch out your legs. It's definitely a different look!
Look at the GS BMW’s…same engine configuration in an off road type bike, the engine meets the ground often with no issues. Engine bars or head covers help prevent scratches.
This is again typical for BMW, in the USA the motorcycle costs a lot less than in the home country. It is produced in Berlin, but comes on the market for at least € 26,600 / $ 31,190 in the base price. The goodies described in the video again hit the bill with horrific surcharges. A motorcycle with a few extras then costs a good € 33,000 / $ 38,700 in Germany Thank you, BMW - this is what a rip-off looks like.
I can actually see your behind shakes as it idles. The handlebar could be a drink stirrer...LOL. The is the price of a massive opposite cyl. That is not for me. After riding a Goldwing. I am too spoiled. Strongly recommend to hold tight till all the complains will start coming down the pipe and BMW took care of it.
Giving today’s supply chain issues, would not take the chance. Bought a 2020 Triumph Speedmaster about the time of the COVID-19 blowup. Could not get parts or OEM accessories, including a rear tire. My beautiful Triumph sat unridable in my garage for almost 3 months before I sold it, slick tire and all. The dealership also sold BMW’s. Bought a 21 HD Road Glide. Loved the Triumph but couldn’t deal with the frustration. Maybe you will have better luck. Do your research about availability of OEM parts and avoid making your monthly notes on a bike collecting dust in your garage. Just saying
Most likely branding.Just like those that will only buy GM trucks and never look at a Tundra or Titan. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this BMW gives you a lot for not a lot of money, relatively.
BMW dealer network is very Limited compared to Harley as for Example in my Motorcycle Heavy area of South Carolina the closest BMW dealer is 150 miles in and area with multiple big Harley and most other brands
@@tommays56 I’ll second this. There’s one BMW specific dealer within 40 miles of me in Baltimore. There are 4 HD dealers in the same range. If you increase that by another 10 miles you’ll find another HD dealer and one Triumph location. I get excited whenever I see anything other than a cruiser or GSX-R
So basically it’s a street glide knock off with no ways to position your feet other than the floor boards.... seems like H-D did a better job at the ADV bike than BMW with a bagger.
The Beemer won’t have to make the BMW Shop its first stop on ride day though. Also, if five people want to ride a 3,000 mile road trip, ALL 5 can ride…….. they don’t have to take turns driving the “sag wagon” or support truck & trailer that I see many of those Harley groups with. HD has cheapened out so badly, it’s a shame & a wonder they’re still alive. I ALWAYS wanted a Harley until I went and road one. I was SO heartbroken….. moneyed up ready to buy, already told friends about it, went in to buy it & put the skids on the idea right then and there. Finding out they were still in the dark ages on drive train probably was the biggest downfall, that stupid belt is cheap, cheap ! That little 3watt single taillight bulb made the bike where you couldn’t find it in night traffic with a search warrant!
I personally don't listen to music when I ride. The worst part about this bike is the lack of the ability to install highway pegs. I would take a Goldwing or even a K1600 over this bike. BMW needs to stick to what they do best instead of trying to build a Harley.
The r18 concept looked pretty promising, however the bike is flawed because of the size of the engine and no place to put your feet. If you're looking for a true Cruiser look elsewhere. If you're looking for a garage Queen and proof you just spent a lot of money get the r18
"Real man" must be a 60+ year old man missing 3/4 of his hair that thinks the lady at Hooters actually likes him despite his ED and whose wardrobe consists of $25 Harley dealer shirts that he is sure to pick no matter what forgetful city he's in.
This is a miss. Its quite ugly. The performance isnt impressive. Most baggers have all of these gadgets. The engine bulge is not good when you deal with the torque and the heat right at the feet area. Just pony up a bit more money and get an iconic Harley or Indian. If youre looking for refinement and power go look at the Honda Goldwings.
