The shifter and brake just take some getting used to. After I did, I have zero issues, even with a size 13 boot. I think the R18 bagger is an outstanding motorcycle and my go to bike over my sports bike and my touring bike. It’s just a blast to ride.
Question. could you please tell me what RPM range are you turning at 80 miles per hour ?. My local dealership has a very short test ride area ( No highway)and I can't get the bike up they that kind of speed.
@@romesyoutubechannel5356 I took the R18 TC for a test drive, and I was chugging along at 80 mph, and the tach was reading between 2700 - 2800 rpm, with no vibration at all. It did start vibrating a little at 3000 rpm, but it wasn't bad.
The angle of the shifter levers can be changed. Thought that would be obvious. And why would you want to get your boot toe under the forward lever anyway, just use your heal. That's the point, isn't it? I have the R18 Bagger, have the Transcontinental screen on it, crash bars front and back, sissy bar and luggage rack. Love the bike
Well ! You could have asked the dealership ( if BMW authorized) to show you how to adjust the gear or break pedals 😆 as they are adjustable as we have all different sizes ! Regarding windshield, I’m agree with you! The rest is just a masterpiece
Good review. I'm on my 2nd BMW, K1600B, and I'm about to trade for a 2023 R18 TC. I've seen others complaining about the toe shifter, but you rarely, if ever, have to wedge your toe under there because all the up shifts are with the heel by pushing down. It grows on you. I have it on the K1600. There are 2 things I already think I'll miss on the K1600 that are not on the R18. Adjustable windshield and the quick shifter. All the Indian tourers have adjustable windshields, not sure why BMW chose not to include it on this top of the line model.
Good review….. but if you look you’ll see the shifter leavers are adjustable and the heal shifter is there for a reason. Enjoyed your review though. I have a 2022 R18 Transcontinental and a 2023 R18 100 year anniversary model. So you can see I love BMW’s. This is why I know your review is a good one. First time seeing your reviews but now I be watching all of them. I see you said you have a Honda Goldwing. Is that still current? Do you have a review on it? That’s another bike I have and would like your thoughts. Good job on you review!!
Thank you! If it were my bike, I would adjust the levers and make do. I'll leave that for the dealership. I don't have the Goldwing anymore, but I do have a review or two in the list! We had a great time with the Goldwing. One of the title sequences of a recent video shows the day we took the wing on the Million Dollar Highway in the rain. My trend now though is getting away from heavy road bikes, and looking for the perfect adventure bike/ all - rounder. I rode the wing on gravel roads, but the time it takes to change an air filter kept that to a minimum.
As far as my thoughts on the Goldwing, I don't think you'll find a better mile-cruncher. What other bike regularly lasts more that 300,000 miles? Mine had 106k, and still sold for $13k before all values went up.
Size 14 here even on my test ride had no issue shifting the regular shifter are brake paddle . Haven't tried thr heel toe except for the one on my ultra love heel toe
You dont typically want the clutch to engage right off the handle. One concern would be even a fully pulled in clutch hasn’t completely disengaged and while the bike may not be moving forward, you’ve got clutch parts unnecessarily rubbing on one another causing wear in advance of where it should be. Also, when the clutch throw is a little farther out, as you’re shifting through the gears, particularly if you’re going quickly through them, it ensures that you’re fully disengaging the engine from transmission and not slamming into the next gear. You dont realize it but when shifting quickly you’re not squeezing the clutch all the way back. Keeping a bit of throw in the clutch is smarter than having it engage right off the bar. Every rider has their preference of course, I’m just saying the facts.
That's like saying your stick shift car shouldn't move until your knee is in your lap. Try a Goldwing, ANY model,(except DCT) and you'll get 300k miles out of a clutch while having the control of pulling away at the slightest clutch release. It will spoil you to the "is this bike ever going to catch on and move" clutch release. The new Ducati Desert X is set this way as well.
@@ridingwithmarshall Nah, that’s not what I’m saying. Also, I never said that the clutch and/or transmission would suddenly explode in any capacity, i just said that the wear would be more advanced. Also, whats your point about the Goldwings? People don’t typically daily drive them and sit in traffic for hours at a time so spending miles and miles in 5th or 6th gear has nothing to do with the clutch. I know very well about being hard on a clutch in daily driving and what it can do to it. I’m just stating what can happen with your complaint about clutch throw. Chances are, manufacturers do that for a reason. Ride it like you want though.
Thanks for the detailed review, but one question. Your comments about your phone not being charged as much as you hoped, well from everything i've read there is NO Wireless charging feature. Sooo that might explain a few things.
BMW didn't think the ergonomics for your feet through very well on this bike. It's a retro pain in the ass to shift and foot break this bike. 45.5mm Euro size foot here (11 in USA) and my boots don't work to shift on this bike, even worse with a raised heel than flat shoes. I've no idea what the german engineers were thinking, but I do believe it's hurting sales of the bike. The people coming to this bike are probably looking at it and coming from Harleys or Indians. BMW needs to do better if they want a slice of the Touring HD pie here in the USA, probably rest of world, too.
Beautiful to look at and everything else Sucks regarding this model! 22 models are going for $16K so that tells you that no one wants this bike. Company that builds those amazing GS and RT and RR totally screwed up this one. Just a Museum piece for Munich.
Great review as usual Marshall. I just find this BMW fugly and would never be seen on one. As for them pot's sticking out like that, just waiting to get knocked off. I can see them being good for keeping your legs warm, and that's about the only plus side I can think of.
Those cylinders are certainly something to stare at! BMW got something RIGHT though, that Harley and Indian got way wrong. If you have to air-cool two cylinders, it makes no sense to give all the air to one, and then have that one shielding the air from the second one. Hand two pistons to a mechanic, and they can tell you which one was the rear. The other advantage to a boxer engine, is that the bike can never fall ALL the way flat to the ground. That's a GS advantage in the ADV world. Here's a random thought I had while making the video; if they added water cooling, how heavy would the bike be then?? It never got hot on my legs. They were more than three inches away from the cylinders.
@@bobbyjunior55 I honestly was expecting to feel some heat, but never did on a 70 degree day. Unlike a V-twin ticked into a frame, both cylinders have adequate cooling.
The shifter and brake just take some getting used to. After I did, I have zero issues, even with a size 13 boot. I think the R18 bagger is an outstanding motorcycle and my go to bike over my sports bike and my touring bike. It’s just a blast to ride.
Yep, this one just had the shifter installed wrong. I liked the R18. Interesting and different.
Question. could you please tell me what RPM range are you turning at 80 miles per hour ?. My local dealership has a very short test ride area ( No highway)and I can't get the bike up they that kind of speed.
@@romesyoutubechannel5356 I took the R18 TC for a test drive, and I was chugging along at 80 mph, and the tach was reading between 2700 - 2800 rpm, with no vibration at all. It did start vibrating a little at 3000 rpm, but it wasn't bad.
The angle of the shifter levers can be changed. Thought that would be obvious. And why would you want to get your boot toe under the forward lever anyway, just use your heal. That's the point, isn't it? I have the R18 Bagger, have the Transcontinental screen on it, crash bars front and back, sissy bar and luggage rack. Love the bike
Well ! You could have asked the dealership ( if BMW authorized) to show you how to adjust the gear or break pedals 😆 as they are adjustable as we have all different sizes ! Regarding windshield, I’m agree with you! The rest is just a masterpiece
Good review. I'm on my 2nd BMW, K1600B, and I'm about to trade for a 2023 R18 TC. I've seen others complaining about the toe shifter, but you rarely, if ever, have to wedge your toe under there because all the up shifts are with the heel by pushing down. It grows on you. I have it on the K1600. There are 2 things I already think I'll miss on the K1600 that are not on the R18. Adjustable windshield and the quick shifter. All the Indian tourers have adjustable windshields, not sure why BMW chose not to include it on this top of the line model.
Good-looking bike, looks comfortable and has some class .
I like how different it is. Not my thing but variety is the spice of life.
I feel the same about it. It's a very ridable machine (with some tweaks), and quirky enough to stand out in the long line of bikes I've ridden.
Awesome looking motorcycle
I think so too!
Good review….. but if you look you’ll see the shifter leavers are adjustable and the heal shifter is there for a reason. Enjoyed your review though. I have a 2022 R18 Transcontinental and a 2023 R18 100 year anniversary model. So you can see I love BMW’s. This is why I know your review is a good one. First time seeing your reviews but now I be watching all of them.
I see you said you have a Honda Goldwing. Is that still current? Do you have a review on it? That’s another bike I have and would like your thoughts.
Good job on you review!!
Thank you! If it were my bike, I would adjust the levers and make do. I'll leave that for the dealership. I don't have the Goldwing anymore, but I do have a review or two in the list!
We had a great time with the Goldwing. One of the title sequences of a recent video shows the day we took the wing on the Million Dollar Highway in the rain. My trend now though is getting away from heavy road bikes, and looking for the perfect adventure bike/ all - rounder. I rode the wing on gravel roads, but the time it takes to change an air filter kept that to a minimum.
As far as my thoughts on the Goldwing, I don't think you'll find a better mile-cruncher. What other bike regularly lasts more that 300,000 miles? Mine had 106k, and still sold for $13k before all values went up.
The shifter lever are adjustable
Size 14 here even on my test ride had no issue shifting the regular shifter are brake paddle . Haven't tried thr heel toe except for the one on my ultra love heel toe
You dont typically want the clutch to engage right off the handle. One concern would be even a fully pulled in clutch hasn’t completely disengaged and while the bike may not be moving forward, you’ve got clutch parts unnecessarily rubbing on one another causing wear in advance of where it should be.
Also, when the clutch throw is a little farther out, as you’re shifting through the gears, particularly if you’re going quickly through them, it ensures that you’re fully disengaging the engine from transmission and not slamming into the next gear. You dont realize it but when shifting quickly you’re not squeezing the clutch all the way back.
Keeping a bit of throw in the clutch is smarter than having it engage right off the bar. Every rider has their preference of course, I’m just saying the facts.
That's like saying your stick shift car shouldn't move until your knee is in your lap. Try a Goldwing, ANY model,(except DCT) and you'll get 300k miles out of a clutch while having the control of pulling away at the slightest clutch release. It will spoil you to the "is this bike ever going to catch on and move" clutch release. The new Ducati Desert X is set this way as well.
@@ridingwithmarshall Nah, that’s not what I’m saying. Also, I never said that the clutch and/or transmission would suddenly explode in any capacity, i just said that the wear would be more advanced. Also, whats your point about the Goldwings? People don’t typically daily drive them and sit in traffic for hours at a time so spending miles and miles in 5th or 6th gear has nothing to do with the clutch. I know very well about being hard on a clutch in daily driving and what it can do to it. I’m just stating what can happen with your complaint about clutch throw. Chances are, manufacturers do that for a reason. Ride it like you want though.
Thanks for the detailed review, but one question. Your comments about your phone not being charged as much as you hoped, well from everything i've read there is NO Wireless charging feature. Sooo that might explain a few things.
My phone wouldn't fit if it did.
Yup I was thinking the same thing there is no wireless charging.
StreetGlide(Fork mounted fairing) not Roadglide(Frame mounted Fairing).
The jack at the 14:30 mark looks like for a battery tender.
Its called a Powerlet jack for accessories or heated gear.
standard DIN jack, every agriculture machines and east europian car, on his you must charge you battery on bike slowly
Good thing you don't have a ' Singing with Marshall' channel.
Great idea!! I'll start one tomorrow. Karaoke with biker songs! ( Lots of Bob Seger)
@@ridingwithmarshall You could start off with The Shangri-Las - Leader of the Pack
BMW didn't think the ergonomics for your feet through very well on this bike. It's a retro pain in the ass to shift and foot break this bike. 45.5mm Euro size foot here (11 in USA) and my boots don't work to shift on this bike, even worse with a raised heel than flat shoes. I've no idea what the german engineers were thinking, but I do believe it's hurting sales of the bike. The people coming to this bike are probably looking at it and coming from Harleys or Indians. BMW needs to do better if they want a slice of the Touring HD pie here in the USA, probably rest of world, too.
Beautiful to look at and everything else Sucks regarding this model! 22 models are going for $16K so that tells you that no one wants this bike. Company that builds those amazing GS and RT and RR totally screwed up this one. Just a Museum piece for Munich.
It's like Harley going back to an 88 motor, just for the nostalgia.
Great review as usual Marshall. I just find this BMW fugly and would never be seen on one. As for them pot's sticking out like that, just waiting to get knocked off. I can see them being good for keeping your legs warm, and that's about the only plus side I can think of.
Those cylinders are certainly something to stare at! BMW got something RIGHT though, that Harley and Indian got way wrong. If you have to air-cool two cylinders, it makes no sense to give all the air to one, and then have that one shielding the air from the second one. Hand two pistons to a mechanic, and they can tell you which one was the rear. The other advantage to a boxer engine, is that the bike can never fall ALL the way flat to the ground. That's a GS advantage in the ADV world.
Here's a random thought I had while making the video; if they added water cooling, how heavy would the bike be then??
It never got hot on my legs. They were more than three inches away from the cylinders.
I want to try a Moto Guzzi V85 next.
You never feel high temperature on your legs ! Or do you think this masterpiece is made by beginners?
@@bobbyjunior55 I honestly was expecting to feel some heat, but never did on a 70 degree day. Unlike a V-twin ticked into a frame, both cylinders have adequate cooling.