New BMW R18 cruiser

A Rocket owner calling a BMW engine ugly. Beauty certainly is in the eye of the beholder.

The exhaust does give you an idea of what a German engineer's nightmares look like. I've owned a number of BMWs and probably wouldn't buy this one. Mainly because I don't think BMWs are meant to be bar hoppers. If its not comfortable for endless 500 mile days, what's the point?
 
$17,499 isn't a bad base price, but how did they get it to weigh 750#? Oh, the motor alone weighs 244.
 

Welllll their cruisers might be hoppers but... There are some GS Boxers and K blocks that can chew miles very well. I like the bike. Specially the low end torque that everyone seems to like. Ill go sit on one when they open the showroom. Im getting to a point where reliability is becoming a concern factor @ 60,000 miles. It's that BMW, a Valkyrie or a Thunderbird.
 
Those exhausts look like the cheap stamped tin toys of the 1930's and 40's. The bike itself is not bad retro looking, but stamped tin....? Who let the bean counters in?
 
Oh Philistines to vintage production technique and style - most early bikes had similar horrible exhaust mufflers to the German/Japanese/Taiwanese tin toys, ugly folded seams abounded right through to the late 70's. You want retro looks you get retro looks.

How many bikes are kept original after 5 years these days Zilch. Get your Euro 5 or whatever for the inspection if your unlucky enough to have them. No different to now, the aftermarket will meet whatever is required for a price or you put whatever you like on as the chance of being busted is low or zero!
 
I waited a few extra days to really digest the look and specs. I like the "Big Boxer", especially if it is not gray.

The options they have in place now are a good start. The Vance and Hines exhaust would be the way I would go if I got the bike. I like the look better, (see the rider in the back with the Apes).

I am not sure which seat I would go with, I like the single better and the look of the sprung seat works well for me. And I am sure Pretty Pillion would be okay as that one pillion seat does not look all that comfy and it appears to be angled back so she would slide off easily. Of course she would have to hold on to me tighter and that is a good thing, but she has become accustomed to a back rest and this design does not really support that thought.

I think I would go with the apes for myself, and with the sprung seat.

I am also not sure if I want the white BMW traditional pin stripes.

This is the first BMW that has caught my attention like this. My next bike plan is still a Ural with side car, but that too is based on a BMW R-75 from the 30's.
 
I have never gone the BMW route because my legs are too short, the valk I have put about 400miles on my friend's new valk and boy that is a nice ride, the thunderbird never took off in America but that too is a fine handling comfortable bike.
 
I am a little surprised that seam has been allowed under safety rulings - At 100mph it'll be a knife. And Germany is one of the few places you can do that legally.
 
Nobody has commented on the exposed chrome plated drive shaft. Looks good, but I would hate to get something caught in it.
 
idk said:
Nobody has commented on the exposed chrome plated drive shaft. Looks good, but I would hate to get something caught in it.
Click to expand...
Like grit! . But you are correct - many many years ago when I was an RAC/ACU riding instructor. We had a loss when a girl coming to the course had her scarf tangle in the rear wheel of her scooter - broke her neck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BMW Flying Brick custom project
Replies
3
Views
180
atomsplitter
1930 Muscle cruiser!
Replies
0
Views
195
Rocketdog
Another 8 cylnder option from China but a cruiser
Replies
7
Views
521
kipper
Happy New Year
Replies
1
Views
112
TURBO200R4
A new direction / solution
Replies
3
Views
240
Ishrub
Menu
Log in
Register