BMW R 18 Roctane a rockin’ Road King rival | INFO MOTO

BMW has launched its new R 18 Roctane, the fifth full-time member of the brand’s big-capacity cruiser line-up, priced from $27,890 plus on-road costs.

The Roctane bagger joins the standard R 18, which is priced from $24,870 rideaway, as well as the R 18 Classic ($27,650), the R 18 B ($37,950) and R 18 Trancontinental ($40,115), distinguished by stripped back styling elements reminiscent of rival Harley-Davidson’s long-running Road King ($41,495).

As standard, the BMW R 18 Roctane is finished in Black Storm Metallic, with optional Mineral Grey Metallic and Manhattan Metallic Matt colour options coming at a $475 premium. In all cases the standard-fit panniers are finished in the body colour, while the carry-over 1802cc boxer engine is finished in black.

Outputs are unchanged from 67kW and 158Nm, as is consistent across the R 18 range.

Other features include keyless ignition, three rider modes, a steering stabiliser, LED lighting, adjustable levers, cruise control, a one-piece bench seat and a 12-volt socket.

An optional package, priced from $3100, will also add a lockable fuel cap, hill start control, adaptive headlights, floorboards, a reverse gear, tyre pressure monitoring and an anti-theft alarm.

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[noelleahy]

Rode my R18 fastish in the Adelaide hills so much fun. Wilbers +25 rear shock gives 115mm of travel, wilbers front springs and emulators up front sorts the suspension with lighter fork oil (mine is a first amazingly quick and sure footed.... front brake is good.... just needs firm lever presure.

[angershark]

It’s a gorgeous bike. BMW hit it out of the park with this one. Bold and smart move with a slightly smaller gas tank. It looks great and sets it apart from the Road King.

[LesterSuarezGonzalez-dzns]

No doubt at all The Amazing BMW R18 Roctane it's my favorite Motorcycle!!!, Thanks for sharing!!!

[DigitalTheologian]

Thanks for the video! This bike looks incredible. I’m glad to hear the suspension and clearance issues have been tidied up.

[TheTripleDubya]

Just want a bigger tank, I bought a GSA over the arguably better GS just for the liters. Yes it was a great bike, one I wish I’d kept but yeah that tank made the bike for me.

[High_Desert_Tanner]

Needs the bigger tank from the other touring versions.

[alyx]

What are pros and cons of a bigger front wheel? (Except for visual)

[LesterSuarezGonzalez-dzns]

No doubt at all The Amazing BMW R18 Roctane it's one of the Best motorcycles ever built!!!, Truly love this Brutal German Beast!!!, No doubt at all The Amazing BMW R18 Roctane it's my favorite Motorcycle!!!, Great explanation and video as well!!, Thanks for sharing!!!

[lancerbiker]

As the German dude said, the bike has "some cruising ability." A true long distance bike requires some wind, insect and weather protection. That bike is likely Sportster competition.. Nice photography and review. 😎

[DM-cinn]

Texas here. I bought a Roctane 2 months ago. I love it. I love it so mych that im going to buy an R18 classic and trick it out bobber style with a loud obnoxious exhaust. I will never part with my R18, soon to be 2. Im also going to buy a side car. Claudia and Olivia are their names. I might even possibly buy a third. I get compliments and questions everywhere i go. Harley riders, sport bike riders, and non riders all like it. I love the BMW R18. It is a bedazzling machine.

[murraylove]

Great review..good on ya bro... love the R18 too...

[ryaandnice]

Love the shape. Wish that not all three colorways are dark and drab. Would look just as good in a real color and with some chrome.

[shimon]

Are you able to put a windshield on that bike?

[paolo]

Can you fit an 18 rear and a 21 front to a first edition?

[bobsullivan]

It needs shorty pipes (black), a fat solo seat height adjustable on the fly., a fat front bigger gas tank, Dogbones and drag bars....AND A CUPHOLDER!

[darwonboyful]

The R18 is probs the only cruiser id consider besides a harley except for maybe a suzuki m109r.
Is it just me or does the riding position look kinda stressful though?

[wave]

I like the last interview, a German with a sense of humor....go figure. "I like to cruise, but I also like faster". I work down the end of a longish twisty road the R18C is not much slower than my 1100 Honda that I wring the living heck out of. I have a hill that I can V max on, (going down) Engine braking on the Honda brings up the bottom 80k corner in a civilized manner doing 100 to 110. The R18 gets almost the same speed (but it's still pulling hard - where the Honda has hit peak, but I am running out of road by then) but its ALL brakes to make it a 95 - 100k corner, but I haven't scraped boards yet. The R18 is just so civilized but wrap the throttle and its more than a bit surprising. But I also know I am on a full weight machine. A couple of days on it and the 210 Kg Honda feels like a 125 when I swap back.

[roosterbird]

This version might actually sell like hot cakes if BMW did the bleeding obvious and put the B and TC's 24 litre tank on it or at the very least made one available as an option. It's an 1800cc motor FFS, it's not like it's going to be sipping it is it?