Is BMW Trying to Take on Harley Davidson and make a cruiser ?

This is the Brand new 2021 BME R18 first edition and its one of the coolest cruiser bikes I have ever rode. what makes it so cool is that its so unique from everything else that is out there, with its very large and very powerful 1800cc boxer motor that makes great power. and is a blast to ride

#srkcycles

[Firestorm]

Love the look how you can see the whole engine on display like a Lambo or Ferrari. No obviously wires. Very clean

[edgarsdzerins]

R18 is my first cruiser! I fell in love when I saw it and drove first! It is a peace of art, love riding it (and I am superbike guy).

[armandblake]

The only gripe I have with BMW big capacity lineup right now is that I can’t afford any of them. Amazing looking bike

[deferencetodusk]

I have an R18 Classic. The windscreen is damn near necessary to have on it. I absolutely love the bike. For people thinking about the price, check out what deals your local is doing. I got mine for 16, 500 last July when the msrp is 23, 500. You're pretty much always gonna have it in Rock mode. I don't mind the goofy names, its part of the charm imo. A swapped seat is very necessary as for some reason they chose such an uncomfortable stock seat (maybe it was intentional to sell accesory seats). I changed a couple cosmetic things, apart from that I don't need to change anything. You can fire the bike up on the kickstand as others said, just has to be in neutral. Ive dragged pegs maybe twice? Three times? Its really not an issue if you ride it normally and not like you're on a track. Though I will say the Classic model is more maneuverable than the base model because it has 16 inch front and back instead of 17 inch front and 16 back on the base.

[Parker-dief]

I absolutely love this bike, but unfortunately I can’t see buying one brand new. The pilot in me just loves the big air cooled cylinders with the exposed pushrods. So similar to an old piston aircraft engine! I’m sure this engine will be bulletproof. The exposed drive shaft is great too. It’ll be in my list to buy used down the road.

[deandesrosiers]

Great review. The questions about “target buyers” are spot on. At 56 years old, I just bought the R18-TC. I wanted a Harley but after every test ride, the quality and ergo’s turned me off the Harley’s. Yet, the thought of slower torqy cruises with my wife was always appealing to me. The Wing, RT and K just felt like too much machine and not enough character. After test riding them all, the TC is beautiful, amazing tech and at 6’3” I have lots of leg room. It’s fun to ride and like all bikes, that’s all that really matters. So far, it’s a win. (My wife even commented on the “quality” diff compared to Harley’s).

[tslash]

I've ridden an R18 yesterday and you absolutely can start it on the kickstand. You need to press the "black power button" first. And then after the bike wakes up, you just press the red starter button (assuming you are in neutral). Also no need for clutch to be pressed to crank the engine.

[phildstine]

I own the 2021 First Edition and I absolutely love it. It IS a piece of art visually and from an engineering standpoint. Im the only one in my area that has one, and everywhere I go, people stop and stare in awe of it. I wish the pipes were louder from a safety standpoint. Other than that, its been fun and safe to ride.

[shanehorn]

It's awesome to see you doing test drives again. That is one of my favorite parts of your videos

[nelsonphilip]

Sean I think you nailed it! This is a BMW heritage model designed and engineered for the Beamer faithful. I really feel that BMW is not so much as building their version of a Harley but picking up where Honda left off with the original Valkyrie. And IMHO I feel that the R-18 looks more proportional in either the Bagger or Transcontinental models. Thanks for your fantastic review.

[donwaltman]

You are quite the salesman Sean, you actually had me wanting a BMW motorcycle. I never would have thought about one. Great video, glad to see you back on a bike!

[kennethcooley]

I just custom built a bracket to mount a Harley Police seat on my R18 Classic.
Perfect height and crazy all day comfort.
I sent my stock shield off the Clearview and they now have windshields taller and wider for this bike.
I went 2 inches taller and one inch wide on both sides with a recurve at the top.
This bike has soul.
1900 miles and owned since May of 2021.

[db]

I own a harley but would definitely add this bike to the stable. Very unique and with the bobber seat it's a classic

[LimitedGunnerGM]

Forward controls puts any/all road impacts directly on your sacrum. Mid controls allow your legs to absorb some impact. Train tracks hurt with forward controls, yet you can stand up with mids. I’ll take mids all day without the fatigue on my back

[rmarvel]

At 67, most rides on Interstates for travel and work, I decided to sell the naked 1200 and move toward a bagger. Hard choice, I have never had a bagger or fairing in the 50 years of riding. Had HD’s along with all sorts of different bikes through the years. Shaft drive, engineering, low maintenance not to mention style and looks it was a no brainer choice for me. Love my new R18B, your video is spot on thanks, to all out there it’s our choice, it’s our butt in the saddle, do your homework before buying. Its all about the ride!!

[carlbrown]

You failed to mention the BMW's built-in feet heaters. Beautiful bike!

[seanpalmer]

They already made a full size modern Harley style cruiser at BMW. It was reviewed in the WSJ about 4 months ago and is on the market. It got excellent reviews.

[erikstillman]

Was so interested in picking one up when they first came out but the small fuel tank capacity completely turned me off and I can't see paying new car prices for their new touring models. They are pretty.

[daveco]

The BMW R bikes from back in the 40s, 50's and 60's are some of the best looking motorcycles ever made. They got the paint job correct with the R18, but the lines are wrong and the bike is huge. They should make a retro bike that's closer in size to the Triumph Bobber and captures the charms of those early bikes. I'd buy one.

[toddcooper]

I started out on dirt bikes and borrowed (from friends) street bikes. Then I bought a Harley and then six yeats later traded for a Suzuki V-Strom, which I totaled. I have sworn up and down that I'm done riding, but five years later I keep watching Triumph videos and this channel. It's a disease, I'm telling ya! Most important though, is the scripture in every video! Awesome channel.