2022 BMW R 18 Transcontinental | Biggest, Heaviest, Most Powerful BMW

We go down mountain roads into small villages and open her up on the German Autobahn.

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Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:40 Powertrain
7:00 Chassis
10:02 Ergonomics
14:44 Wireless Charging
17:18 Controls & Display

[NothingToProve]

The Phone Compartment: Ok guys some clarification is needed here. When BMW announced this bike they did say it will have "wireless" charging but when they launched it, well, it does NOT have it. I talked with a BMW "insider" and he said that there was a problem with parts in the "logistics supply chain" for the inductive charging and they didn't want to stop the launch of the bike just because of this. This is why during the BMW press launch there is no mention of the type of "charging" (I watched it twice to see for myself) in the phone compartment but there is a USB C type connection for charging in the pocket. This is why the inductive charging didn't work for me while testing for this review. I just assumed that it was too hot out and what little charging it did or as in this case didn't do was due to a heat issue.

[CVO_MAN]

After 6 HD Touring bikes in a row from 2015 to 2021 (Road King, CVO Street Glide, CVO Limited, Road Glide Ultra, CVO Street Glide again, CVO Road Glide) this month I bought an R18 Transcontinental (about one month ago i wrote a comment under this video) full optional to try for something new and different. I must admit I was skeptical at the beginning due also to the many not so positive videos and comments I found on YouTube, mainly from the US. In reality this bike is much better than it was "tested" by some wannabe reviewers who decided to give judgements after a 30 minutes test ride: ridiculous. The R18 Transcontinental has a Torque, in REAL life and not just numbers on paper, that is definitely in line with a 114 ci V-Twin engine. And the engine? The first time I saw, by the Dealer, this 1800 cc Boxer I understood it was like a sort of mechanical Piece of Art: it's Statuary and nothing similar can be found on the market. Handling in winding roads or hairpin bends is way better than with an HD Touring bike: when I see a "test ride" made on large straight roads it makes me laugh... Suspensions are from another league with respect to HD ones even with Ohlins shocks as I always installed on my HDs. The 10.5 TFT can't even be compared to the small 6.5 TFT of an HD. The Audio system by Marshall is hands down better that the Boom Audio 2 by HD. The level of detail and attention to quality is, well... at BMW levels. The adaptive Cruise Control can only be dreamed of on an HD as it doesn't exist there. I was forgetting to mention the weight: it's EXACTLY the weight of a an HD Limited with full tank and, not on PAPER but in REAL life, You move an R18 TC with engine off in a parking lot a tad easier than an HD Limited. The rear gear is a nice tool but I never used it: I'm 5:10 or 178 cm and I'm 73 kg (not exactly Schwarzenegger...). I still love my CVO Road Glide and HD in general but... an R18 B or Transcontinental are GREAT bikes. Don't trust the many videos You find on youtube by people who tested these bikes for a 10 minutes Test-Ride or as HD fan-boys. One thing is loving HD bikes (as I do) another thing is being a childish HD fan-boy.
Vibrations? Yes if you remain above 4000 Rpm a lot in rock mode. If You use Roll Mapping on a highway you can arrive till 3700 Rpm with vibrations under control: this means a cruising speed of 160 Kmh (more than enough if you're not in Germany). Scratch with floorboards: yes, but if you take off the protective bolts that are under the rider's floorboards you solve the issue.
This is the only video or one of the very few I could find on Youtube that was fair and by a rider who knows how to ride a big Bagger.

[YangCalgary]

Ii can’t unsee the robot face staring at you. Not my thing but as usual an informative review. I like your style.

[riverosdan]

This bike is in my bucket list of bikes. Thank you for your amazing reviews... I have owned over 16 bikes so far, and with your reviews it feels like if I was riding the bike. I wish I would have known about you a few years ago, I would have saved some money lol. Great channel!

[shcfullspeed]

Hello. I'm watching the video well. I'm a rider in South Korea, and I recently got a BMW R18TC. It's winter in Korea these days, so I don't ride it often, but I think the feeling of the boxer engine is really good. Have a nice ride...

[stevoone]

Absolutely Brilliant Review. Lots of useful info especially since there aren’t many proper Reviews on R18 Transcontinental. I’ve ended up buying one witch i am looking forward to picking her up this week and start putting the miles on.

[itatadanicalqui]

Nunca había visto un motorista instructor ser tan feliz con su moto.! Felicitaciones y gracias.

[Porschedriver]

“Nichts zu beweisen!” So funny I turned on the German subtitles just laughing along with you! I guess that’s automatic Google/YT translation right? Fun way to learn German and new vocabulary ha! Great bike for sure. I’ve got a ‘62 R69S — funny how the Boxer motor still has that similar sound and characteristics! Vielen Dank! 👌🏼

[andrewedmond]

Huge bike, big price, but hey if this bike fits your style, then go for it. Great review as usual Scott. Can't wait for your review of the new Triumph Speed Twin. Stay safe brother.

[GazVanDyk]

That just fits in your camera shot! Great review, thanks.

[MrTurcao]

Great video. Best R 18 review available.

[hawkwood]

The typical boxer exhaust note and clatter comes through loud and clear on your sound track Scott. Music to the ears. I spent 400KM listening to the boxer symphony on my R1200s this riding through the Rocky Mountain foothills this afternoon. The under seat Zard exhaust that I installed, wile possibly a little loud. certainly adds to the tone. I don't think I've seen you have so much fun doing a review. That bike suits you Scott.

[ricks.]

Absolutely ENJOY your reviews ... (no matter what bike it is...) Clear, informative, and you tell us what we need to know .... Grateful for knowledge and insight !!

[andrewd]

Well Scott here in Australia we have early spring. Yesterday was a beautiful 22C so I took my bog standard R18 First Edition for a 200km blast, no not 200KPH! We have draconian speed laws here. Anyway mate I was just like you. Having a chuckle, smiling at the mere thought of riding my beast & Nothing To Prove! 🤣😎👍🏼🇦🇺

[nelsonphilip]

Excellent video presentation and fantastic review. This I feel is BMW's best effort at the heavyweight touring cruiser segment and challenging Harley-Davidson. Yet all the while I can't help feel that BMW has just really launched a 21st century Honda Valkyrie. It will be interesting how the franchise dealers tale to and if the are able to sell it to Both Beamerphiles and non-BMW riders alike. Either way I wish BMW well and hope that it entices Honda to relaunch a 21st century version of their own classic tour-de-force Valkyrie!

[danzeman]

"Go to work, watch a screen, go back home, watch a screen, go for a ride, watch a screen ", says the man watching a screen...

[tango]

Great video Sir!!! Keep up the awesome work.

[LesterSuarezGonzalez-dzns]

Absolutely Spectacular bike!!, Truly love this Amazing powerful and impressive German Beast!!, Great video and explanation as well!!, Thanks for sharing!!!

[CVO_MAN]

Great review! I've been riding HD Baggers for years but, after HD 2022 launch event with CVO models still with the 117 engine (really bad!) as the ST models, I'll wait for 2023 with the new engines introduction in the CVO line to come back in the HD world and so this year I'd like to take a break and try something different. BMW R18 B or Transcontinental (with Triumph Rocket 3 GT and Ducati V4 Multistrada Sport) are in my list of choice and this review was exactly what I was looking for. Highway speed and, most of all, Alpine roads and passes because here is where we usually use our bike. Well done!

[robpeters]

Great review love the channel, I picked up the G310R because of your review