The only BMW R18 B Review That Matters!

This Bagger is the business. Can it compete with the Harley Davidson Road King & Street Glide? The 2022 BMW R18 B has introduced some geometry changes along with the Transcontinental with an updated rake & trail which sets this apart from the R18 Standard & Classic with refined cornering stability while touring solo or with a passenger. Join me as I talk about the feels & go for a rip through the canyons. I was a bit surprised...

Go try it for yourself @
West Valley Cycle Sales
20212 Saticoy St
Winnetka, CA 91306

Til the next ride folks. And as always, be sure to keep those sidestands up! Peace.

------------------------------------------------

RIDING GEAR

MOTORCYLE GEAR

SOCIAL MEDIA

MUSIC
Intro
Disfigure - Blank [NCS Release]

Outro
ÉWN - Feels [NCS Release]

Chuki Beats

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Music Provided by Dj Quads
Soundcloud:

------------------------------------------------

The content and materials contained within the Channel (including, but not limited to, video, audio, photos, text, images, logos are either owned by or licensed to Sidestand ("The Operator"). No Content from the Channel may be reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, reproduced, distributed, copied, publicly displayed or otherwise used without the written permission of the Operator.

[Yankeeman]

Transcontinental owner after many Harley touring bikes. Fit and finish superior. Great stereo. Reverse gear. TFT screen is the best in the industry. Heated grips and seats, standard. Similar power to a stock Harley RGU. Handles better due to the lower center of gravity. Riding modes. Adaptive cruise control is a game changer. Bags don't detach and are a little smaller than the Harley. Some customization available but nothing close to HD. Dealer network comparably small.

[deandesrosiers]

Excellent Review. Finally, a reviewer who can explain "why" bikes feel a certain way. Your opening comment about rake and trail is the best way to start understanding this motorcycle. It shouldn't be fun to ride, it shouldn't be "quick" to corner, and it shouldn't be comfortable, but it is all these things and well over 900lbs. Add in the linked brakes, three drive modes, automatically adjusted suspensions, reverse, 10 inch TFT display, and adaptive cruise control and you have a complete package sitting on the showroom floor. No need to customize for a wide range of riders. I am 6'3" and I have plenty of leg room and all the comfort features make it a joy to ride. After 25 years of sport touring and adventure bikes, I didn't immediately migrate to a Harley but the concept makes sense if I want my wife to join me. BMW nailed in my opinion. Character, quirky, fun, beautiful and techy. R18 TC for me was my best purchase of 2022. The vibration disappears when you use "roll" mode when touring.

[northerniltree]

My take on all this for those interested in the R1800 bagger is to step up another notch, and buy the T/C model. You've now got a taller windscreen, plusher, wider seat, crash bars and lowers, driving lights, improved sound system, and a top box you can remove and keep handy for the really long trips. It can be unplugged from a connection under the seat, but will trigger a harmless dash warning light, as the bike thinks the lights on the top box went dark. this leaves a square unfinished luggage rack that you could bungee a jacket to to cover it. This will give you the "uber" bagger experience with a top box at the ready. This is my plan, at least.

[williambaker]

Appreciate the review, I am actually going tomorrow to test drive my first bmw bike. I have owned many Harley Davidson bikes, but to be honestly they are all the same. I want to try something different, and bmw has the best warranty and rates available today.

[marvelsbagger]

Great review, paying this much, wanting a bagger, do the homework. It always your ride no matter what others think or say, it’s your ride and your decision. Test ride as many baggers as possible, research the engendering of the engine, chain vs. shaft, weight, horsepower, looks, etc etc etc TEST THEM WITH A RIDE. Having said that, I now ride an R18b.

[nikogdissis]

Thnx for a honest & thorough review, the joy & excitement in your voice says a lot. I was on the fence about trading in my ‘17 Street Glide. Took one for a test ride & sealed the deal. Your handling & suspension review is spot on. A 870 lb bike has no right to handle this well, almost effortlessly.

[nickyd]

A little late to the party but a great review of this bike.

Just traded my 2017 Street Glide for a new 2023 R18 Bagger. Had my heart set on a new Street Glide but the BMW just felt better for me. Better stereo, better suspension and better infotainment system. The gearbox felt smoother and the lower center of gravity makes the bike more agile in my opinion. The reverse gear is also great feature.

It vibrates a little bit more, the engine does not sound as nice (Vance and Hines slip on is on the way 😉).
The bmw Motorrad app is a must to use the navigation which takes some time to get use to. No button for heated grips 👎
Aftermarket is not even close to HD.

Other than that in my most humble and personal opinion ! The BMW R18 Bagger is a must to test ride if you are in the market for a Bagger. And I am very happy that I chose it over a new Street Glide.

[dolodaero]

That little struggle at 4:15 made me laugh too hard 😅😂 great review!!

[williamallen]

Thanks for the review, great stuff (especially the segments without music). I’m buying one of these in the next 3 weeks if I can swing a deal. Love the bagger aspect

[kellyco]

A great honest review of a beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery

[nelsonphilip]

Very much enjoyed your review. Very fair and you clearly enjoyed testing it. Perhaps the big take away for me was when you pointed out which components were metal and which were composite. In a recent YouTube review of Morgan's replacement for their classic 3 Wheeler, the all new Super 3, the lead designer pointed out the most of the bodywork was aluminium and that the components had a "cold feel" to it. While I understand the advantages to using plastic & composite material, kudos to BMW as well as H-D & Indian too for incorporating that "cold feel" into their models. Using metal adds to the visceral feel.

[viktorgubenko]

Great review. Thank you for your knowledge and enthusiasm. I’ve just discovered this bike about a week ago and am seriously considering purchase because it of all the cruisers available in the market this is only one that I was able to sit comfortably on without having to consider lowering it. I’m only 5’6 and had a hell of a time trying to find a bike that will first me.

[feloniousmonk]

The suspension on this, especially in the rear with 120mm of travel, is better on rough roads than any HD softail, except maybe if modded with Ohlins. Far better than the 2.5" rear travel offered on HD Road and Street glides. Important if you're older and get bouts of lower back pain. A very good option if you ride a lot of 2 lane roads in the country that aren't as well maintained, like much of the twisty roads here in California.

[johngagne]

As a BMW Motorad fan I have been thinking about an R18 but avoided it for now because long distance touring is unlikely for me but your review is making me rethink that. Perhaps I will go to my dealer and try one out. Thank you. For now I am on the GS1250 and love that machine.

[gabbyhayes]

If I were to buy the R18, I’d get the stripped down version for weekend rides. I wouldn’t want one for touring. It’s a beautiful bike imho. Fit and finish is just top shelf.

[jhguygih]

Really surprised with the low number of subscribers. Very good review

[johnrice]

Beautiful bike, I also like the K1600B. Thanks for the review.

[tmar]

One thing for sure it's unique..if u like different this is it..will have to test ride one n see for myself..ride safe😊

[aarondods]

bought one month ago loving it. brakes a bit mushy tho?

[walesqip]

I am going to buy it next month... can't wait :)