BMW Motorrad introduces its first cruiser, the R18

MANILA: BMW Motorrad barges into the cruiser segment with a beauty that now sports the brand’s most powerful boxer engine to date and plenty of updates that aims to shift the focus back to motorcycle essentials.

The bodywork features metal on the 16-liter fuel tank, the front and rear fenders, the side panels below the seat, the fork sleeves and the housings of the headlights and circular instrument panel. The design of the bodywork is set up so that conversion, customizing, and modification is possible.

Holding up the R18 is a double-loop steel tube frame that uses forged parts as positive-locking elements to weld joints of the frame tubes together. Part of the design are locations where tube mounts are deliberately cut, sometimes at an angle, to make the connection especially attractive.

The rear swingarm is also made of steel tubes and cast or forged parts. It surrounds the rear axle transmission using bolted connections. As it’s inspired by the R5, the frame and swing arm not only form the core of the R 18 suspension, their rigid-frame layout also provides the so-called styling “flyline” – thereby ultimately defining the design of the new “Big Boxer” model.

Instead of using electronic adjustment options, a telescopic fork and a directly mounted cantilever suspension strut with travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload ensure superior wheel control and suspension comfort. The forks are encased in fork sleeves with a diameter of 49mm and suspension travel is 120mm (4.7 inches) at the front and 90mm (3.5 inches) at the rear.

It follows cruiser-style triangle ergonomics consisting of handlebar grip, seat and footrests. Other parameters taken in are seat height, width, handlebar height and sweep. The seat height of the R18 is only 690mm (27.2 inches) in the standard version. Footrests are in the laid-back position right behind the cylinders of the boxer engine.

For stopping power it uses a twin disc brake in front and single at the rear with four-piston fixed calipers. Brake disc diameter in each case is 300mm. The brake system is equipped BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (partially integral), which adapts the distribution of brake force between the front and rear brakes to the dynamic wheel load distribution and the load state.

Wheel diameter at the front is larger than the rear. The 3.5 x 19" front wheel is equipped with a 120/70 R 19 or 120/70 B 19 tire, while the 5.0 x 16” rear wheel takes a 180/65 B 16 tire.

A segment-first is state-of-the-art LED lighting with the R18’s LED main headlight and newly designed LED side indicators with integrated tail light function at the rear.

It uses an analog speedometer display and integrated indicator lamps that are “invisible” when not illuminated, and comes with the “BERLIN BUILT” inscription.

Like all BMW Motorrad models, is uses a Keyless Ride system with the ignition and alarm system controlled by a transponder (optional equipment item) integrated in the motorcycle key, which transmits a radio signal with vehicle-specific frequency. The allows the rider to keep the key in his pocket. The ignition button is on the right-hand handlebar instrument panel.

Riding modes “Rain”, “Roll,” and “Rock,” engine drag torque control (MSR), as well ASC and MSR come standard. It comes with an anti-hopping clutch that is opened from a mechanically preset threshold in order to prevent the rear wheel hop

In Rain mode, throttle response is gentler and the control characteristics of ASC and MSR allow for a wet and therefore more slippery road surface in terms of their regulation characteristics, thereby ensuring a particularly high level of riding safety.

In Roll mode, the engine offers optimum throttle response, while ASC and MSR are set to achieve ideal performance on all roads.

The Rock riding mode allows the rider to tap into the full dynamic potential of the new R18. Throttle response is very spontaneous and direct, while ASC allows a little more slip.

There’s also Reverse assist for convenient maneuvering, Hill Start Control for easy hill starts and heated grips as factory options.

A valve control system with overhead tappet guides is installed on the upper side of the cylinder. Cables and lines, as well as the entire system of sensors are concealed, including the intake silencer.

The new R18 will be offered worldwide as an exclusive R18 First Edition right from the start of production, with a standard model additionally available for select for markets. It combines the classic R 18 look with exclusive equipment features in paint and chrome. The selected equipment extras include high-quality chrome components.