BMW R18

BMW Motorrad claims that the R 18 combines American and German engineering values. By the way, this cruiser looks, it is safe to say that the BMW R 18 is a quintessential American cruiser with a charming old-school design. The retro appeal, coupled with the large dimensions of the R 18, gives it a timeless appeal and authoritative stance on the road or even at a standstill.

The front profile of the BMW R 18 looks simple yet classy with a rounded LED headlamp with integrated daytime running LED light and sleek LED blinkers to its sides. The front forks of the R 18 also look huge and have thick covers in their upper halves, adding to the visual appeal of the R 18 from the front. 

The BMW R 18 is bathed in chrome, which is evident in the splashes of chrome for the engine casings, large and swooping dual exhaust pipes on either side, spoke wheels, rounded rearview mirrors, handlebar and bar end weights. The engine, with its Boxer-twin layout, makes the R 18 look heavy and bulky from the centre. The long, curvaceous and sloping fuel tank of the BMW R 18 look simple with no graphics or artwork and so do the sleek trapezoidal body panels and large front and rear curved fenders. 

The BMW R 18 comes with a single-seat configuration as standard, though the low-slung single seat of the cruiser motorcycle can also be accompanied by a pillion seat over the rear fender, which is offered as a part of the accessories. The large and swooping rear fender of the R 18 ends up with split LED lights, which incorporate both tail lamps and turn indicators. The R18 also has a single-pod instrument console and like many other retro motorcycles available in the market, it is a combination of an analogue speedometer and an LCD for other basic information on board. 

Measuring 2440mm long, 964mm wide and 1232mm tall, the BMW R 18 is quite a large motorcycle, and with a kerb weight of 345 kg, it is quite heavy too. This huge size and weight of the BMW R 18 makes it an unnerving motorcycle to ride and steer in urban conditions. However, the long wheelbase and rightfully-tuned suspension setup comprising a telescopic fork at the front with 120mm travel and a steel swinging fork with a central shock strut with 90mm travel give it a planted feel during long-distance, high-speed cruising. The ride quality feels a bit stiff, though. Riding on 120/70 R19 front and 180/55 B16 tyres over spoke wheels, the R 18 gets dual 300mm discs at the front and a single 300mm disc at the rear for stopping power. 

For the R 18, BMW Motorrad came up with an all-new, grounds-up developed air/oil-cooled, boxer-twin, 1802cc engine. This mammoth engine is paired with a 6-speed transmission unit and generates a maximum power output of 91.1 PS and a peak torque output of 158 Nm. BMW claims that the R 18 has a top speed of over 180 kmph, while the fuel efficiency is claimed to be 17.85 kmpl.

The First Edition version of the BMW R 18 on sale in the Philippines is decently equipped with safety features like a dual-channel ABS, cruise control, hill start assist, adaptive headlight, dynamic engine brake control, three riding modes – Rock, Roll and Rain, keyless ignition and dynamic stability control, making it one of the most safety equipment-loaded cruisers in the world. 

The BMW R 18 is not for beginners for its sheer size and expensive price tag makes it an intimidating motorcycle. However, for those who can afford and handle one, the BMW R 18 is a great combination of American visual appeal and German engineering under the skin.