BMW R18 Biggest Complaints

A lot of people are apprehensive of this bike and in today's video I'll explain whether these points are warranted or not.




My name is Adam Sandoval and I travel the country with 2 goals, 1. Give back to our community and veterans. 2. Inspire people to live/enjoy the motorcycle culture. This channel is a window into my life and all these efforts.

Thank you for watching.

**Please give us a "share" and help us reach more people .


Our Links,

[sprezzatura]

Back in the day on my BMW 750, a cab driver decides to pull a U-turn right in front of me on Central Park West / NYC. I locked up the bike and slid underneath the back of the cab. The left cylinder dug into the pavement and protected my left leg, the right cylinder locked up against the underside of the taxi bumper and protected my right leg. It all happened in a few seconds. I was unharmed. I got up, picked up the bike, which only had minor scratches on the valve covers. The cab driver could not have cared less. I told him he could have killed me. He just shrugged, which pissed me off. So I reached inside the driver's window, put the column shift in park, turned off the ignition, took the keys and threw them into Central Park. Hopped on my bike and roared away. That's what comes to mind when I think of BMW motorcycles 😊

[acherouvis]

Your foot comments on foot placement are spot on. I think that forward controls, you are giving up some control of the motorcycle.

[stephenabril]

I’ve always felt the same way about mid controls. I’ve wanted an R18 since I saw the first one.

[steveallen]

I’ve owned 4 BMWs and 7 Harleys. I love the Boxers and the Big bikes. So I agree it’s a matter of choice on the day. Go ride!! 🤟

[stevenmandala]

I have been riding my R-18 Transcontinental after a Vtwin Indian Spring field and it is a massive improvement. The ride technology is outstanding no heated crouch while riding and the heat from the cylinders is a none issue. The controls are easy to adapt to and it is a better riding position.

[flippy]

Rode BMW 21 years and switched to an Indian a year ago. I miss standing on the mid controls on a long ride.

[JS-nfsn]

I have a 2022 R18B and love it. The quality of the parts is crazy good. It's quiet when you are idling through town but has a great sound when you open it up. More than enough power to be entertaining, and I've had liter bikes, 600s, 1300 (FJR) and a GSXR 750 in the past. It's not a sports bike, but you don't have any problem blasting away from cars at stoplights, mountain roads, or the interstate. I think that some of the long term winners from BMW have been slow or late to catch on. It's a luxury cruiser. Looking forward to putting 150K miles on mine, and I think it will do it no problem.

[karthikrudrashiva]

The best technical explanation I've heard. Straight to the point no nonsense even after a year sounds 👌

[CVO_MAN]

Very well said! I confirm on my side (I own an R18 Transcontinental) that the engine is ALWAYS cool even after 8 or 9 hours riding in twisty Alpine roads or hairpin bends. Demonstration is that I can lay my legs on the two cylinders to take some rest or to stretch them. With my CVO Road Glide the heat from the engine is strong in my inner legs when I stress the engine on the same roads.

[nathanielpina]

I just picked up a R18 Transcontinental and so far I absolutely love it!

[pistolpete]

Stunning motorcycle! I test rode one last year and didn’t feel any heat from the cylinders.

[DownTheRoad]

Great job reviewing. Love the look of the bike and maybe one day…
My Dyna was my first bike and I put over 50, 000 miles on her in 4 years including an Iron Butt. You are right, you ride what you have.

[nadirkaranjia]

Surprised no one is complaining about the harsh rear suspension . That is the ONLY thing that stops me from buying the R 18 . Love it to bits otherwise. Front suspension superb. Manoeuvrability great. Was not bothered by the engine heat because of the reasons you mentioned. Almost everything about this R18 I love with the exception of the rear suspension. I adjusted it to the max I could for my weight but it still beat the hell out of my lower back on roads that were less than smooth tarmac. It is a work of art - I agree. Its a pity BMW won't redesign the R18 to the same rear geometry as the R18B - which I hear has better rear suspension . I am not fond of TFT's and big fairings that is why the R18 appeals to me over the R18B. Its a pity they won't give the R18 the same rear as the R18B so that rear suspension drastically improves. This is a gorgeous bike. Cheers

[acehandler]

I rode an R1200C for years and loved it, my favorite bike. I wish though that they had kept the telelever 'wishbone' 3-point suspension in the front of the R18C. It was an award-winning design innovation in 1998 for the R12C and made for a rock-solid front end - no diving in a corner when having to suddenly decelerate with your front brake. I put over 100, 000 very enjoyable kms on my R12C through the mountains of BC and AB in Canada. Thanks for this - I won't shy from buying a R18C, great review 🙂

[snagy]

Everything you say in this video is 100% what I think about my R18.
top quality, lots of character in motorcycle, beautiful, unique.
I love my naked R18, no windshield no suitcases. Pure motorcycling.

greetings from bavaria the BMW country.

[AndySmith]

These bikes are dropping in value as fast as a boat anchor in the UK. I've seen first editions in dealers for around £8000 or $10, 000 with only a few thousand miles. Fair to say it's been a sales flop which doesn't take anything away from it. It just means the astute used buyer can get a great bike for bargain money.

[gigrigs]

Both my v-twins fry my ass in the Texas heat while my R-18 FE is the bike I now choose during the summer months. No heat issues at all. The ride is stiff and the seat is painful though.

[shoomapadoo]

You nailed it Adam. Definitely a city slickers ride to have fun and look good.

[jeremypetch]

Friggin bang on there buddy. I love mine. Its a thinking man's bike..

[vangoodwin]

Thank You Sir,
Adam as I've told you in the past; at 14 I learned to ride on my uncle's 47 Indian Chief, at 16 I bought my cousin's 65 Panhead Electraglide.
The latter was my my primary bike for 26 years until I got rear-ended at a stop light. I ride Ultras for " iron butt" and my personal touring bike. I've had Heritage, Roadkings, and an old 87 Goldwing I chopped.
But my current touring bike for my Lady and I is an 06 GL1800 Goldwing, soon to be pulling a trailer once I finish painting it for tent camping.
At 56, if I could afford that BMW bike I'd get it with panniers and tourpac that are removable because I believe it could be the best all round bike.
Thank You again for your enthusiasm and honesty.
You are in my prayers
Hoka Hey