[BlitzSchnell]

Got it ….. that’s what I thought !

 

[Norbi]

Got it ….. that’s what I thought !

The amount of valuable, truly life-changing information on this little forum of ours is almost infinite, isn’t it?😂

 

[BlitzSchnell]

The amount of valuable, truly life-changing information on this little forum of ours is almost infinite, isn’t it?😂

Indeed ! That’s — “IN-DEED” 2cylicables sylabiles seelabuls …. Just like “pour-shaw” - “poor-schaw”
I can remember that ….. it’s like my friends truck “Fo - Rd” Two silly bulls ….. right ? ❤D😎✌🏻

 

[TimC]

R18 is a loss leader / proof of concept that made it into production. BMW never seriously expected the thing to be a door buster. It's a niche of a niche of a niche (seriously compromised luxury minimal cruiser made in Germany)

Which is awesome because 1.) It's a badass toy 2.) It's a badass toy made by a group like BMW who take themselves very seriously 3.) You don't see shit like this with the car industry.

I think it'll age better than the R1200C.

I agree for the most part. I think the R18 is BMW's attempt to lure buyers who want a Harley but who will absolutely not buy a Harley.

Personally, I love that it's different from every other cruiser due to its boxer twin. If I had the disposable income I'd consider buying one.

 

[Norbi]

I agree for the most part. I think the R18 is BMW's attempt to lure buyers who want a Harley but who will absolutely not buy a Harley.

Personally, I love that it's different from every other cruiser due to its boxer twin. If I had the disposable income I'd consider buying one.

Tim, how dare you to get back on topic!

 

[GenericUser1]

In my area it's largely cruisers, a few ADV's or dual sports and a smattering of nakeds and sport bikes. Out of hundreds of Harleys I have seen one R18 bagger and maybe one or two from the Japanese brands. When you think of the stereotypical HD owner that is what is mostly here and I'm in the DC metro area.

I just don't see the appeal, sitting fully on your tailbone, legs way in front or splayed on highway bars/pedals, hands above your head (I've seen it) riding an 800lb bike. I just don't get it.

 

[if0rg0t2remember]

In my area it's largely cruisers, a few ADV's or dual sports and a smattering of nakeds and sport bikes.

when I lived in the DC area I saw mostly nakeds and sport bikes or HD style cruisers. But I’d say it was 50/50 cruisers and sport/naked. Guess it depends whether you live on the MD side or VA side and how close to the City. More cruisers outside the beltway.

I agree about the typical cruiser riding position, forward controls never appealed to me and the arms up apes or mini apes bars also seemed fatiguing. Mid controls and swept back bars are definitely more appealing but the seats and riding on your tailbone is hard to fix without being Almost upright or leaning a bit forward. I think that is why ADV and Sports Touring is so much more common in most of the world now.

 

[GenericUser1]

when I lived in the DC area I saw mostly nakeds and sport bikes or HD style cruisers. But I’d say it was 50/50 cruisers and sport/naked. Guess it depends whether you live on the MD side or VA side and how close to the City. More cruisers outside the beltway.

I agree about the typical cruiser riding position, forward controls never appealed to me and the arms up apes or mini apes bars also seemed fatiguing. Mid controls and swept back bars are definitely more appealing but the seats and riding on your tailbone is hard to fix without being Almost upright or leaning a bit forward. I think that is why ADV and Sports Touring is so much more common in most of the world now.

Yep outside the beltway in a more rural area. When I stopped by a local dealer of various brands and talked to a sales guy in his early 30's came to find out he has 4 HD's and the dealer he works for sells European and Japanese. It's just synonymous with cruiser like Kleenax for tissue or Q-tip for cotton swab.

If I wanted something for long distance I'd look at a Tracer 9 GT+ or similar ADV road biased bike. Like you said excellent ergos an easy to stand up on and stretch how someone can ride a couple a hundred miles on a big cruiser......

 

[DaveSnowPros]

I just think that if it had more closely resembled the original concept (and I don't think it would have had to have been too compromised to keep close to it) then they would have sold loads more. I would have considered it because its so cool.

 

[Sundodger]

I think we all agree that the R18 is different and BMW are known in the bike world for innovation which is a great thing in moving us forward, but..... I sat on one in a dealers and despite owning and riding a 1200GSA at the time thought the R18 weighed more than the average planet. The serious amount of discounting would also put me off buying one and I feel sorry for the early adopters who paid full price at launch. No one buys a new bike expecting to make money but I think anyone who did buy an R18 at launch will be seriously disappointed when the time comes to sell it.

 

[JohanH]

I think we all agree that the R18 is different and BMW are known in the bike world for innovation which is a great thing in moving us forward, but..... I sat on one in a dealers and despite owning and riding a 1200GSA at the time thought the R18 weighed more than the average planet. The serious amount of discounting would also put me off buying one and I feel sorry for the early adopters who paid full price at launch. No one buys a new bike expecting to make money but I think anyone who did buy an R18 at launch will be seriously disappointed when the time comes to sell it.

I stand to be corrected, but I think that the 1200GS is one of the few bikes currently on sale that keeps a fair amount of resale value, most other bikes you lose some serious moola. I think the person buying the R 18 wants to have fun and experience that bike. It is unique and one of the biggest boxers I ever saw. The buyer is probably not to fazed about resale value, otherwise would have bought a GS and will keep it for how ever long he enjoys it and then pass it on. R nine T is also a niche market and owners buy them and have their fun and sell them. It is just slightly cheaper. I am glad a few riders could support BMW. I wish I could, I know the R18 does not make sense, but then few bikes do, we just ride as many as we can before our wife or doctor stops us.

 

[Sundodger]

I agree that most of the individuals with deep enough pockets to buy the R18 didn't buy it with resale in mind but regardless of what you buy or how much disposable income you have, buying anything for top dollar to find out a few months later that it is being massively discounted would piss most people off, IMHO.

 

[Assinine1]

At first I like many of yall thought it was ugly and overpriced however it grew on me. During maintenance on my K1600gt I took a Classic out for a spin, came back and traded my GT for it. It’s my first cruiser and I like mid controls way more than HDs or Indians, having spent time on both Road Kings and Indian Bobbers. The ride is vastly different from my R9t as well, more comfortable on longer rides albeit much less sporty. And the torque will rip your arms off if you’re not careful.

 

[BlitzSchnell]

At first I like many of yall thought it was ugly and overpriced however it grew on me. During maintenance on my K1600gt I took a Classic out for a spin, came back and traded my GT for it. It’s my first cruiser and I like mid controls way more than HDs or Indians, having spent time on both Road Kings and Indian Bobbers. The ride is vastly different from my R9t as well, more comfortable on longer rides albeit much less sporty. And the torque will rip your arms off if you’re not careful. View attachment 160510

It’s a monster man, a beautiful beast …. I really like that you got some more conventional tail pipes … that’s BMW one choice on this bike I just could not live with … It looked like the tail fins on some old HD, and they sucked ! Good choice ! I could live with that. What you need is a modest trailer for all your gear when you hit the road, you won’t even know it’s back there ,,……………………….. Really nice bike, BIG but nice. You da-man. I couldn’t handle the weight and throw it around like I do my 9T, it’s a cruzer alright. …………… StayUpOn2 Mate ……………..Blitz

 

[Noel61]

Well.... I haven't read the above posts (yet)..... but.... I just bought one.

Somehow, my wife agreed that I could get a second bike.... so my Scrambler stays as my back road blaster..... and a R 18 arrives in a few weeks as my sparkly bike.... I'm in basic bike phase so I like the R18 first edition version.... called deluxe down under.... the last of these models are in clear out.... I got a demo with 80 kilometers on the clock.... these have worked their way down fro $35k aussie to about $19k or so now.

I've already ordered a Wilbers rear shock and some fork springs....

I'll post more detail on the bike and how the desire grew in me in due course.... but.... how I got the wife to agree.... will go to the grave with me.... as one of my super powers that would just be too dangerous to be out there with mere mortals.

FWIW.... I'm not a cruiser guy; I'm not a Harley guy, I'm not into touring, I'm not looking to modify it (well not much), the versions with bags and screens etc are not me.....

In a way.... I stood back (for a year or so) without any "projected thoughts, opinions, judgements etc"..... and I began to appreciate it as a stand alone bike..... then began to desire it.... but... mostly as a secondary bike.... not one that has to fill any specific brief.... anyway.... will see how it goes.

Off course.... I'm not mainstream.... as I could never imagine owning a GS... go figure.

In 6 weeks or so.... I will do a ride/life comparison between my scrambler and R 18 on the roads I ride.... Adelaide Hills.... winding weekday roads.... 2 hour rides..... both bikes with decent and well set up suspension..... not test rides by mouthy idiots that haven't even set the preload on the rear shock..... let alone "got the bike".....

I sorta like how it points backwards a bit (ie the R 5).... but gives a middle finger to the "Wokeness" of this era....

 

[Noel61]

Not my image..... but how could you not like this rear.....

My Scrambler is function with some form..... the R18 (naked) is form with just enough function....

 

[tarby]

Like your style! I don't think you'll be disappointed. Like you, I'm not a cruiser/harley guy. But with the R18, there's something different there. Here in the UK they have tumbled in price. I was very tempted. I like the R9T too much though. And with that beast in the garage, space would be an issue. I think AUS/ USA roads will probably suit it better though.

 

[Norbi]

Just my 2ct: at the handbuilt show this past weekend, the company “Jekill and Hyde” presented among others an R18 with their on/off button exhaust system. The difference was enormous. How it sounds

Any way, have fun!

 

[TimC]

Congrats on your R18, @Noel61 !! 👍

 

[Noel61]

Just my 2ct: at the handbuilt show this past weekend, the company “Jekill and Hyde” presented among others an R18 with their on/off button exhaust system. The difference was enormous. How it sounds

Any way, have fun!

I quite like the stock exhaust looks wise (go figure).... a english place does this to them....