This is without debate, without question, and without doubt the most thoughtful and thorough review/explanation of the BMW R18 I have yet seen. This man knows his stuff.
I own a 2023 100 year Anniversary R18 and absolutely love it !! Been riding my K1100RS for 30 years now but the R18 re-charged my “ motorcyclist “ batteries and I can’t stop riding it !! Great bike !
This is the best review of the R18. I have the R18b and have put more miles on it than any bike I have owned. Watching videos from guys that have riden for a hour has been painful.. learning to ride in the maximum torque range is key. maintenance is very simple.
Brilliant review sir! The most thorough I've seen. I've watched dozens of the classic version reviews and I actually learned new things watching yours. (adjustable heel/toe levers for example) Still dreaming of getting mine - hopefully soon! Thank you!
I live at Goolwa and ride the Adelaide hills on a R18 I've had for a year now.... your review is spot on. I also have R ninet and preffer the 18 for most rides. My first edition 18 benefitted from a Wilbers rear shock.... the +20 gives 115mm of travel and reduces scraping whilst working really well on our poorish roads. Also added Wilbers springs and yss emulators to the forks..... really fun riding fastish now. I also added a sprung BMW homage seat and the bike feels really sort of vintage... a real keeper.... quite well nehaved on dirt as well.... if you are down goolwa/medows/strath way happy to catch up.
Top stuff, I’ll definitely yell out when I’m next down in your part of the world. Love Goolwa ! Yes the one I tested in this review had the preload wound right back, didn’t help it in the bends as far as scraping but gave a lovely smooth ride. I’ll look into the Wilbers gear for future reference, thanks for the info & glad you enjoyed the video 👍.
What a fantastic review no over the top shouty commentary. You are a natural thanks very much best motorcycle review I have seen on youtube cheers from uk
Thank you for your in-depth, practical and well rounded review. I own the same bike. Same model, colour, everything, but in a 2023. After 6000 kms of riding, it has to be my favourite of anything I've ever ridden. The bike ticks SO many boxes. From having THAT motor, plus a reverse gear, , cruise control, the riding modes, safety features, beautiful styling to just the sheer capacity to eat miles, it can't be beaten, in my opinion. It has 10,000 km/12 month service intervals and a 5 year warranty, so ownership costs are very reasonable. Yes, I did research that prior to test riding. I am consistently getting 4.5l/100 kms, which is just over 52 MPG (U.S). I couldn't find anything similar that represented anything like the same value for money. I do not regret my decision one bit. Cheers
Thanks and glad you enjoyed the video, also thanks for your experiences as an owner. It’s feedback like this that really helps potential buyers of the R18.
Excellent review! I bought a Roctane. It blows my mind that the R18 lineup doesn’t dominate the market. Way more competitive than your typical cruiser. One of the unmentioned things of the R18 is it needs no modifications. With my Harley, you immediately had to start buying upgrades.
Agree! I ride a Honda Valkyrie which I feel in many ways is a precursor to BMW's R-18 Heritage line-up. And as such I'm predisposed to flat motors or Boxer engines. That being said, I salute the Motor Company for charging a premium price for the bikes and then being able to coax (coerce?) the buyer into financing or out-right paying more for performance & farkle upgrades. Now that's the winning formula!
I love the side to side shake of boxer twins, can’t help but smile every time you start the engine! I haven’t ridden the R18, but I have seen it in person and have sat on it. The build quality is out of this world, it feels really solid, and it looks amazing in the simpler trims imo. Thanks for the great review!
The mention of Lycoming/Continental motors, that is exactly what struck me test riding this bike - right down to the stagger. And as a pilot, that really spoke to me.
Yes spot on, although it can rev a bit higher than the L/C motors it’s really not necessary as seen in the video. I would imagine TBO would probably out live the rider in most cases if looked after. I was waiting for a fellow flier to notice the comparison.👍
Absolutely the best and most thorough, detailed review I have seen of any motorcycle, let alone the R18. Thanks Steve, for really doing your homework! You have sold it!
@@standupmoto when you ride down to Phillip Island please give me a heads up. You're welcome to ride with our little chapter of the BMWMC club, Vic. Some beaut rides around the Bass Coast area. Great undulating dairy country with coastal scenery and plenty of twisties. Ya never know, .... I may have traded my K1200 for an R18!
Gday Graham, yes pleasure to meet you. You’ll love the R18, it’s a hell of a bike. I was there by chance organising another bike to review, ride safe. Cheers.
Fantastic,professional and thorough review ! I owned an R1200C for 8 years and travelled all over Europe and it never let me down. Test rode R18 Classic a couple of years ago and was seriously impressed. Currently own K1600B which is a workhorse and suits my current lifestyle. Keep up the great work mate 👍
Hi Steve Thank you so much for your thorough video. I really enjoyed watching your no nonense review. Years back I owned a Ducati 996R, then got married, the years went on and I turned 40 this spring. Never believed I would dream of a cruser, but your video made me. BADLY. Greetings from Denmark
Hello Bjarke, thanks glad you liked it. The 996 was (and still is) a very nice machine for sure, the R18 as you would undoubtedly know a totally different type of riding. I would describe it as sit back in style and watch the world go by, sitting astride the big boxer is just a really nice place to be. So I’m thinking your wife is not going to be happy with me as you try to justify why an R18 should be part of your family? You’ll love it, great to hear from Denmark.
Yours is the best review of the R18 and its features. Great job, bravo 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Thank you 🙏🏽 PS. I own a 2024 R18 Roctane in Silver Metallic Matte and I love it 😻
Bullseye! Your review is spot on. I've had the opportunity to demo test ride three of the five R-18s; the Bagger, the Classic and most recently the Roctane. While I do have my preference, which would actually be the Transcontinental, all three left me grinning! And after the demo-ride was over, all three had me looking over my shoulder! BMW has indeed created a stunning piece of art. Well done video. The Kangaroo was a nice touch too!!! Cheers
It would seem to the uneducated listener that you work for BMW however I bought one 3 months ago and agree with everything you said in this review I’ll never sell this bike, so comfortable and easy to ride. I’m surprised there isn’t more of them on the road.
The R-18s as you know are heavy weight cruiser designed & marketed to a well seasoned and veteran rider. Many who already have a bike that fits all their needs and are no longer in the market for something new.
Did a group ride to Tassie a few years when the R18 just came out and 1 rider had one. The group consisted of mixed bikes of all types, sport, adventure, cruisers but the BMW always had crowd around it when we stopped. An amazing machine and the guy loved it too. Great review 👍
I own a first edition love it, quality bespoke motorcycle, I also owned a honda rune I'm now in my seventies and owned many bikes I know my bikes this BMW is one of the best I've owned and ridden .
Yes a valid concern, I met a rider with an R18 while doing this review that had lower crash bars fitted. He had what he described as a cruising pegs fitted to the top of the crash bars, I didn’t try them but they did look quite high.
Depends how leggy you are Andy. The riding position is extremely roomy, I’m 5’11” with 31 inside leg. No issues whatsoever. You honestly don’t feel the need to stretch out, try not to think it’s missing forward controls, it isn’t. It doesn’t need them. If you must have them then it’s not the bike for you.
Great review and good to see Skippy !!. I'm likely to buy an R18 Classic next week. Your review helped. Have you done a review of the different seats that are available ? BMW stock seats are rarely any good. Pity they didn't do the keyless fuel cap ... I find that useful as I tuck my key well away in my jacket.
Gday no I haven’t done anything yet in regards to accessories, I did sit on a Transcontinental & it was very comfortable. Glad you enjoyed the video & glad it helps even if only in a small way, let me know how you go with your R18👍
Theyre such a value deal in the states too. I could get one with reverse, heated grips, and an active headlight for less than a standard road king (also a great bike, to be fair)
Yes both good big cruisers, I think reverse on the BMW is a big thing for some riders. They can get pretty heavy to move around in many circumstances as you saw in the video. Cheers 👍
I believe the R18 Classic is such a well balanced, designed bike with different riding modes, thst a beginner rider can handle it with care and grow into it. Since the center of gravity is low, this makes the bike maneuverable. I hope to test ride it one day! Beautiful classic looking bike as well!
I had a Ural outfit in the 90s, commuted to work in London every day and put the chair on at the weekend. Now I've been on a R18C for 10k miles probably because of the Ural.
A sidecar is the ideal accessory for the R-18. With that torque monster motor and of course the reverse makes for an outstanding combination. Perhaps, dare I say, better than an H-D trike or a Morgan 3-Wheeler.
Yep a 24, yes I don’t think they moved quite like BMW would have hoped. I recon a combination of things, when they were first released buyers thought they were too expensive for an unproven product compared to the competition, the fact that they were just so different to everything else, reviewers were just so used to the V twin. But in all honesty spend some time with one of these and you honestly fall in love with that beautiful 1800, it shutters and rocks at idle and gives a big throw to the left on start-up and just has so much character. Maybe the wrong bike at the wrong time, personally I thought it was great and as I say in the video I could own one of these but I will be interested to get feedback from owners after having them for extended periods. Cheers mate thanks for the comment.👍
Worldwide sales are actually on par with the R9T. No doubt the GS is the big seller for BMW but on the plus side it allows the company to make all these other bikes for us to choose from.
Hello, glad you liked the video. I think the seat height would be fine at 5’6" but would definitely see if you can get an extended test ride before you purchase. Let me know how you go.
Such a gorgeous bike and great review. I am looking forward to my full open license, though choosing between this and a BMW 1300 gs will be a very difficult decision. How do you choose? Can't afford two bikes...lol
The Norton looks very nice and did I see a sidecar on it? Could we please have a review on that as I think it would be of interest to a lot of people, especially if it has a chair fitted.
@@davidrochow9382 Nice! Good combo, are you staying with the std forks or going leading link? I would think std should be fine with an Inder, they are pretty light like the Tillbrook. Maybe just turn up a couple of spacers about 1.5’’ long to pop on top of the fork springs to stiffen it up a whisker but stay with the std oil.
@@standupmoto Dion at Adelaide Retro is doing all the work. He fitted a setup on a 2012 Royal Enfield 500 I had a few years ago. It was great fun but not quite fast enough. The front and rear suspension was updated just over a year ago at Hoey . It has YSS rear shockers and the front are standard suspension with slightly heavier oil in them. Unfortunately my knees aren't as good as they used to be and it's getting harder to get on and off the bike so hopefully the sidecar should help me ride for a while yet.
@@davidrochow9382 It certainly will, it also takes the worry out of damp corners if you are going for a ride in the hills. Suddenly dirt road bends are also not scary anymore either, I think you’ll love it. I’ve had many outfits over the last 50 years, they are not everyone’s cup of tea but I like them.
Gday mate i have to admit i have never been a BMW fan just personal preferance but if your a fan of them great i think it has to do with the cylinders sticking out from the side , how do you think this would rate against your goldwing ? i know there is a few years between them and i suppose they are slightly different bikes ie: tourer /cruiser ,i am a fan of the goldwing even though some of the maintenance is a bit overwhelming as in air filter replacement but for me i like there look and still believe they are the ultimate road tourer but as you showed in your review they are just at home in the city good review on this bike and for someone who likes the styling probaby a good buy for the money .
Hi mate good to hear from you, I was waiting for this question. These bikes are polar opposites really, or horses for courses may be a better choice of words. As old as my Wing is it’s a great old bike that I love and don’t think twice about riding from my city to Darwin each year for a motor race I attend (6000kms or 3700mls) return. When I ride out to the farm & it’s freezing cold on the freeway for a couple of hours with the heated grips,seat & feet heaters on it’s perfect. Then there’s the rear seat comfort that’s, well in a word brilliant. But on that beautiful sunny day when I’m going for a coffee cruising through the hills with a friend or two just soaking in the atmosphere with that giant boxer twin banging away & with no time agenda I’d say it’d be pretty hard to go by the big R18. Did I get out of playing favourites?
@@standupmoto ill let you of this time haha , what year is your goldwing as it is one bike i would love to own .i think that it is the pinacle of touring bikes and now in its 50 year of production (this year i believe) it says something for its following . I follow a couple of guys in the states who ride them one has just bought a 2024 model ,from 2001 -2017 they stayed moderatly the same then 2018 to current with minor re adjustments ,i think if i had both in front of me and money was not an object i would still go for the goldwing not saying anything bad about the bmw just personal choice take care .
@@crispernator Mine is an 07 GL1800, I did think of going for the latest version at one stage. Spent some time on one, it was of course lovely but didn’t know if it was mine & 30k more lovely if you get what I’m saying. Mine has 120k on it now with no issues but I guess one will have to think about updating somewhere down the track, we’ll see. Never say never.👍
@@standupmoto Hi mate from what i have seen and read 120,000km is not much the americans say that 300,000 miles is not un commen for a goldwing before any major repair may need to be done now whether that is true i dont know in miles i think if my maths is correct is about 75,000 so not much at all , i am only 5 foot 6 but than i look at cruisman and he isnt a big guy either and he seems to be able to handle his bike ok so shouldnt be a problem .
I was loaned one of these a while back while my R Nine T was in for a service. I loved everything about it except it's woeful lack of ground clearance. Scraping metal on tarmac at moderate lean angles is fun at first but the novelty soon wears off. People say to me, it's a cruiser and not meant for enthusiastic cornering, to which I reply, I have a 2003 Moto Guzzi California EV1100 which says otherwise, and would leave the R18 for dust on anything other than a straight road. This is the only thing that holds me back because in every other respect it's fantastic
Gday Andy, yes the clearance certainly slows you down. Especially if there’s a slight dip in the bend, she’s no race bike for sure but it makes up for it in character. Thanks for your feedback 👍
There are plenty of tow and hill shifter that are independent, and are adjustable that you can install on your Harley. Back to BMW - R18 is a pretty decent cruiser, but I'd say it's largely overshadowed by Harley's touring classes. They are just that good. R18 just falls largely short of comfort and prowess - and falls short on performance and functionality versus its Japanese rivals such as Kawasaki and Suzuki Boss. Kind of stuck "in-between" where no one really wants to buy.
Hi Jon, thanks for your thoughts. I did have a suz 109 for a while and it was a great bike, very quick for a cruiser (in a straight line) but not to offend any owners of one it was to use that word again “generic”. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it but it lacked character, the R18 I tested in this review is just full of character. I think a huge amount of this is due to that Boxer, it’s something that I can’t really explain. Riders that are into older machines that are different from everything else will understand and appreciate what I don’t seem to be able to put into words. You mentioned the Harley Davidson in your comment, not being that familiar with the brand what model would you suggest I review that’s an equivalent to the R18? I’d be really interested to do a comparison. Cheers.
@@standupmoto Travel back in time and test ride a Honda Valkyrie. A heavyweight cruiser from the 20th century that can still hold its own and maybe even best the Beamer IMHO.
Put simply extremely manageable, it’s deceiving. It looks heavy, it is heavy but the fact that it carries the weight so low you don’t notice it. Where you do notice the weight but in a positive way is on the country roads or freeway, you don’t get pushed around with the wind from trucks etc.
@standupmoto I think Americans prefer VTwin configuration more and legs up front stretched and why boxer engine with mid controls didn't resonate well here.I do prefer mid controls myself and do love BMWR18
@ Yes I get that for sure & being the home of HD, one of my machines is a Vfour cruiser (Yamaha) and I love riding it. Only problem I find is with bad roads & an all day ride I’ll have a sore back the next day, probably due to a couple of things-the arched riding position with the forward controls and I’m not getting any younger. The old back isn’t as tolerant as it used to be, I didn’t find the back thing an issue on the big Beemer because I tended to sit more upright. I do see the used prices here in AUS and get tempted.👍
Hi, personally I found it ok but as mentioned in the review but if you were sitting a little lower I think it could be an issue. It’s probably something that needs to be a trial & error thing until you find the right height screen.
They might as well give you the bike for review, they can't sell them, stockpiled in dealerships all over the place, begs the question how much is BMW paying there dealer network to warehouse all these bikes???
So my question to you is why do you even watch this video if you don’t like them? Is it just to post a snarky remark? These were never going to be mainstream bikes and there is a very healthy R18 forum where new members are joining every week from all over the world. Harley has had its own problems and has been rescued a number of times over the years. Many Harley dealers have closed in the UK. These are tough times and no brand is having it easy.
Great question, glad you asked. I watched with interest because there was a time back in 2019 when the concert bike dropped in a segment that I'm interested in. Year after year I walk into my local BMW dealership right here in Plano Texas seeing an ocean of R18's so deep you literally have to climb over them to get around. So I did some research and found out there not selling as BMW had hopped. There isn't anything in the HD portfolio I would shake a stick at. Forgot about the Italian job it looks ridiculous. I'm not going to give Neo $135k so that brings me to one of two possibilities Triumph -vs- BMW. While I couldn't see myself on a 900 pound R18, or a 750 pound Triumph, I can see myself on the brand new 2025 concept R20, that is of course if they stay true to the concept and not repeat the mistakes made on the production R18, only time will tell
@@tomkarnes69 out of the 58 posts (so far) at least 8 are from owners who love their bikes, the majority of the rest are very positive and then there’s a couple of negative posts including yours who don’t own one, have you actually ridden one? Probably not. The R18 was launched at the start of a worldwide Covid lockdown, they could not open dealerships, we could not even leave our homes for months. No wonder bikes weren’t selling. So yes bikes stockpiled. It’s true in America BMW has dropped MSRP to shift stock. Plus at launch some ‘click bait’ bike journo’s decided they didn’t like it but they wouldn’t would they, it’s not a KTM SuperDuke with 170bhp. Anyhow, this reviewer totally gets the bike, the longer you ride it the more you bond with it. It’s a bike for mature riders who’ve been around a bit and appreciate quality not just speed everywhere. I hope you find a bike that speaks to you, it doesn’t matter what you ride as long as it’s two wheels and makes you happy.
Did you just bitch slap me with the "Covid card", now that you opened that door let me walk through it, you in the UK got royally screwed, sorry about that. I, on the other hand, didn't for one second lay down to it, proud to say my vaccine passport was a middle finger with a twist, the twist of course is my father's 44, you get the point, we across the pond don't take shit from nobody. Comeon over, buy you a pint, and we can hug it out. Cheers mate
@@standupmoto It's hard to put my finger on, but BMW created a lifestyle thing. Real simplicity, but contrived. It's not in BMWs DNA to build anything simple, and yet they now supposedly go and do it.... with a horrendous price tag to boot. That reeks of inauthenticity to me.
Yeah ok I think I get it but the big flat twin is BMW through & through, maybe it’s the cruiser thing that’s playing mental gymnastics. They did have the CL but I guess that was well not really a cruiser, actually I’m not really sure where to place it really. I think as time goes by & the thought of BMW making cruiser’s (if they continue with them) becomes more common it won’t seem as unusual.
@ Ha Ha, I guess that’s the impression some of the bike design engineers give off but he’s pretty good at what he does. His name is Edgar Heinrich, he’s the designer of many of the GS models & the rocket ship S1000RR. He’s only youngish (compared to me anyway) but he knows his stuff. But yes you may be right with the vegan exprsso thing, he’s a pretty trendy looking dude.
I am a Harley rider and I have to say, i like this bike and seriously considering getting one. I am not sure about the boxer motor but im sure its fine.
This is without debate, without question, and without doubt the most thoughtful and thorough review/explanation of the BMW R18 I have yet seen.
This man knows his stuff.
Cheers Bob, so you enjoy the review? Only kidding, thanks mate for the kind words.
I agree!
One of the best motorcycle reviews i've ever seen 💯
Thanks 👍
I own a 2023 100 year Anniversary R18 and absolutely love it !! Been riding my K1100RS for 30 years now but the R18 re-charged my “ motorcyclist “ batteries and I can’t stop riding it !! Great bike !
Fantastic to hear, yes they have that old school charm but with modern technology and reliability. Enjoy & ride safe.
I own the same 100th anniversary R18. I pick it up this weekend. Can’t wait. Glad you love your ride.
This is the best review of the R18. I have the R18b and have put more miles on it than any bike I have owned.
Watching videos from guys that have riden for a hour has been painful.. learning to ride in the maximum torque range is key. maintenance is very simple.
Thanks glad you enjoyed the video & yes I agree, this is a bike you have to spend time on before passing opinion on it. Thanks for the comment 👍
Brilliant review sir! The most thorough I've seen. I've watched dozens of the classic version reviews and I actually learned new things watching yours. (adjustable heel/toe levers for example) Still dreaming of getting mine - hopefully soon! Thank you!
Thanks very much, yes on many bikes that sort thing is an add on but BMW fit it from factory. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
I live at Goolwa and ride the Adelaide hills on a R18 I've had for a year now.... your review is spot on. I also have R ninet and preffer the 18 for most rides. My first edition 18 benefitted from a Wilbers rear shock.... the +20 gives 115mm of travel and reduces scraping whilst working really well on our poorish roads. Also added Wilbers springs and yss emulators to the forks..... really fun riding fastish now. I also added a sprung BMW homage seat and the bike feels really sort of vintage... a real keeper.... quite well nehaved on dirt as well.... if you are down goolwa/medows/strath way happy to catch up.
Top stuff, I’ll definitely yell out when I’m next down in your part of the world. Love Goolwa ! Yes the one I tested in this review had the preload wound right back, didn’t help it in the bends as far as scraping but gave a lovely smooth ride. I’ll look into the Wilbers gear for future reference, thanks for the info & glad you enjoyed the video 👍.
Best review I have seen on the R18. Well done.
Thanks very much 👍
What a fantastic review no over the top shouty commentary. You are a natural thanks very much best motorcycle review I have seen on youtube cheers from uk
Cheers Rod, thanks Mate👍
Thank you for your in-depth, practical and well rounded review. I own the same bike. Same model, colour, everything, but in a 2023. After 6000 kms of riding, it has to be my favourite of anything I've ever ridden. The bike ticks SO many boxes. From having THAT motor, plus a reverse gear, , cruise control, the riding modes, safety features, beautiful styling to just the sheer capacity to eat miles, it can't be beaten, in my opinion. It has 10,000 km/12 month service intervals and a 5 year warranty, so ownership costs are very reasonable. Yes, I did research that prior to test riding. I am consistently getting 4.5l/100 kms, which is just over 52 MPG (U.S). I couldn't find anything similar that represented anything like the same value for money. I do not regret my decision one bit. Cheers
Thanks and glad you enjoyed the video, also thanks for your experiences as an owner. It’s feedback like this that really helps potential buyers of the R18.
Going on 2 years on my classic. It still makes me grin and has that look-back factor when I get off.
Yes I agree, it certainly has the LBF👍
Well said. That "look-back" factor sums it all up!
Excellent review! I bought a Roctane. It blows my mind that the R18 lineup doesn’t dominate the market. Way more competitive than your typical cruiser. One of the unmentioned things of the R18 is it needs no modifications. With my Harley, you immediately had to start buying upgrades.
Thanks glad you enjoyed it, yes interesting point re Mods. Ride safe 👍
@@dhc8guru True that.
Agree! I ride a Honda Valkyrie which I feel in many ways is a precursor to BMW's R-18 Heritage line-up. And as such I'm predisposed to flat motors or Boxer engines. That being said, I salute the Motor Company for charging a premium price for the bikes and then being able to coax (coerce?) the buyer into financing or out-right paying more for performance & farkle upgrades. Now that's the winning formula!
Hi, is it possible to take side coffers off on Roctane?
We have owned one of these for about a year now your review is spot on excellent review thank you so much
Thanks Chris👍 Always nice to hear from owners.
I have had my R18c for a year. Amazing machine. Your review is spot on.
Great, seems to be the general consensus from owners 👍
I love the side to side shake of boxer twins, can’t help but smile every time you start the engine! I haven’t ridden the R18, but I have seen it in person and have sat on it. The build quality is out of this world, it feels really solid, and it looks amazing in the simpler trims imo. Thanks for the great review!
Thanks glad you liked the video, yes I completely agree with the smile factor 😁
Most informative review I have ever seem. Thank you for your time and effort.
Thanks 👍 Also (side note) Have done some time in a VP2, great dependable proper old stick & rudder aircraft.
Wow what a beautiful motorbike. Maybe the prettiest ever? Great reviewing. Thanks
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
I own this bike. This is a great review. I agree with everything. Great work.
Thanks! I appreciate you agreeing with my assessment. 👍
The mention of Lycoming/Continental motors, that is exactly what struck me test riding this bike - right down to the stagger. And as a pilot, that really spoke to me.
Yes spot on, although it can rev a bit higher than the L/C motors it’s really not necessary as seen in the video. I would imagine TBO would probably out live the rider in most cases if looked after. I was waiting for a fellow flier to notice the comparison.👍
@@standupmoto The reference stuck out for sure. What do you fly?
Aero engines are, after all, part of BMWs Heritage.
@@nelsonphilip4520 Indeed!
Absolutely the best and most thorough, detailed review I have seen of any motorcycle, let alone the R18. Thanks Steve, for really doing your homework! You have sold it!
Cheers Mate, thanks 👍
@@standupmoto when you ride down to Phillip Island please give me a heads up. You're welcome to ride with our little chapter of the BMWMC club, Vic. Some beaut rides around the Bass Coast area. Great undulating dairy country with coastal scenery and plenty of twisties. Ya never know, .... I may have traded my K1200 for an R18!
@@jamesryan2084 You’re on! 👍
@@standupmoto 👍
Based on your review I test road and purchased this exact bike from Moto Adelaide. Also met you today at the dealership.
Gday Graham, yes pleasure to meet you. You’ll love the R18, it’s a hell of a bike. I was there by chance organising another bike to review, ride safe. Cheers.
Thanks for your review, I'm going out to buy one.
Glad you enjoyed it, I think you will be very happy with your choice. 👍
Fantastic,professional and thorough review ! I owned an R1200C for 8 years and travelled all over Europe and it never let me down. Test rode R18 Classic a couple of years ago and was seriously impressed. Currently own K1600B which is a workhorse and suits my current lifestyle. Keep up the great work mate 👍
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed the review. 👍
That K1600 is the Velvet Hammer!
Great review...very comprehensive...wot a great exhaust sound too.. well done... keep up the good work..
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Excellent review. Thank you.
Cheers mate glad you enjoyed it 👍
Hi Steve
Thank you so much for your thorough video. I really enjoyed watching your no nonense review. Years back I owned a Ducati 996R, then got married, the years went on and I turned 40 this spring. Never believed I would dream of a cruser, but your video made me. BADLY.
Greetings from Denmark
Hello Bjarke, thanks glad you liked it. The 996 was (and still is) a very nice machine for sure, the R18 as you would undoubtedly know a totally different type of riding. I would describe it as sit back in style and watch the world go by, sitting astride the big boxer is just a really nice place to be. So I’m thinking your wife is not going to be happy with me as you try to justify why an R18 should be part of your family? You’ll love it, great to hear from Denmark.
Yours is the best review of the R18 and its features. Great job, bravo 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you 🙏🏽
PS. I own a 2024 R18 Roctane in Silver Metallic Matte and I love it 😻
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it.👍
Greetings,
As always another brilliant detailed video production 🇺🇲🍾🎉🇺🇲
Keep producing more videos
Cheers mate, thanks 🇦🇺 🇺🇸 👍
A beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery 😎 great honest review 👍
Thank very much 👍
Excellent review with great detail and depth! Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks 👍
I’m loving what BMW has done with this bike I think it’s my fav cruiser period.
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Bullseye! Your review is spot on. I've had the opportunity to demo test ride three of the five R-18s; the Bagger, the Classic and most recently the Roctane. While I do have my preference, which would actually be the Transcontinental, all three left me grinning! And after the demo-ride was over, all three had me looking over my shoulder! BMW has indeed created a stunning piece of art. Well done video. The Kangaroo was a nice touch too!!! Cheers
Cheers mate glad you enjoyed it & yes you wouldn’t have to twist my arm much to get me onto a Tcontinental.
It would seem to the uneducated listener that you work for BMW however I bought one 3 months ago and agree with everything you said in this review
I’ll never sell this bike, so comfortable and easy to ride. I’m surprised there isn’t more of them on the road.
Wrong side of the world to work for BMW & probably too old but glad to hear you agree with my review 👍
The R-18s as you know are heavy weight cruiser designed & marketed to a well seasoned and veteran rider. Many who already have a bike that fits all their needs and are no longer in the market for something new.
Great review. What a beast !
Cheers Des, yes it’s a ripper machine.
Did a group ride to Tassie a few years when the R18 just came out and 1 rider had one. The group consisted of mixed bikes of all types, sport, adventure, cruisers but the BMW always had crowd around it when we stopped. An amazing machine and the guy loved it too. Great review 👍
Thanks glad you enjoyed it, yes they certainly are a fine machine & they certainly get attention. Tassie is is a great ride also 👍
I have a 2021 and I love it!
I own a first edition love it, quality bespoke motorcycle, I also owned a honda rune I'm now in my seventies and owned many bikes I know my bikes this BMW is one of the best I've owned and ridden .
Thanks for the feedback Dave, great to hear from owners of this beautiful big machine 👍
Cool preview, glad SA allows filtering, as we do in VIC.
Yeah cheers mate, I think we followed your lead in regards to filtering.👍
beautiful bike, could have in my garage - good review
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍
looks nice! the main worry for me is not being able to stretch my legs out
Yes a valid concern, I met a rider with an R18 while doing this review that had lower crash bars fitted. He had what he described as a cruising pegs fitted to the top of the crash bars, I didn’t try them but they did look quite high.
Depends how leggy you are Andy. The riding position is extremely roomy, I’m 5’11” with 31 inside leg. No issues whatsoever. You honestly don’t feel the need to stretch out, try not to think it’s missing forward controls, it isn’t. It doesn’t need them. If you must have them then it’s not the bike for you.
One of the best reviews ever on this bike. Please review the bmw r18 bagger version. I would to hear your take. Thanks.
Thanks 👍, see what I can do on the bagger.
Great review and good to see Skippy !!. I'm likely to buy an R18 Classic next week. Your review helped. Have you done a review of the different seats that are available ? BMW stock seats are rarely any good. Pity they didn't do the keyless fuel cap ... I find that useful as I tuck my key well away in my jacket.
Gday no I haven’t done anything yet in regards to accessories, I did sit on a Transcontinental & it was very comfortable. Glad you enjoyed the video & glad it helps even if only in a small way, let me know how you go with your R18👍
Excellent review. I am same build as you almost. And aligns with what you say. I own a 2023 bmw r18 100 years anniversary edition.
Thanks mate, enjoy that lovely R18👍
Theyre such a value deal in the states too. I could get one with reverse, heated grips, and an active headlight for less than a standard road king (also a great bike, to be fair)
Yes both good big cruisers, I think reverse on the BMW is a big thing for some riders. They can get pretty heavy to move around in many circumstances as you saw in the video. Cheers 👍
Very good review. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
I believe the R18 Classic is such a well balanced, designed bike with different riding modes, thst a beginner rider can handle it with care and grow into it. Since the center of gravity is low, this makes the bike maneuverable. I hope to test ride it one day! Beautiful classic looking bike as well!
Agreed, good luck with your test ride 👍
@@standupmoto Thanks! I will probably take a test ride when I save some more money for the purchase.
I have a 2023 BMW GSA and I want to exchange it for the BMW R18 Classic. Thank you very much for the video.
Great, glad you enjoyed it 👍
My Kawasaki Vulcan has the same 2 piece heel toe shifter they are separate and on a spline. i removed my heel shifter . never could get used to it lol
Yes I agree, the heel shifter certainly takes some getting used to.
I just had my first ride on R18 today 😎 This is the best R18 review I’ve seen. Thank you!
Thanks 👍
@@standupmoto now I want one 😂
Terrific review .
Thanks👍
Beautiful bike. A lot of heritage styling cues from 1930s BMW's. Incredible value for money especially here in the states compared to harley-davidson.
Yes agreed, also a totally different riding experience also. Much the same here in Aus, very good value used versions come up quite regularly.👍
@@standupmotojust sold my Moto Guzzi and considering one of these. But concerned about the engine width because I lane split here in Los Angeles.
Great job 👍🇦🇺
Still a great review mate
Thanks, I really enjoyed doing this one 👍
I love 💕 my URAL side car outfit. She is a 1998 Tourist. First year with the electric starter.l call her my "truck".
Yes they are a solid old mount for sure, had one a few years back 👍
I had a Ural outfit in the 90s, commuted to work in London every day and put the chair on at the weekend. Now I've been on a R18C for 10k miles probably because of the Ural.
A sidecar is the ideal accessory for the R-18. With that torque monster motor and of course the reverse makes for an outstanding combination. Perhaps, dare I say, better than an H-D trike or a Morgan 3-Wheeler.
No fuel gauge though. That’s a big bummer
Yeah, that surprised me also. I guess back to old school & set the trip meter or wait until the low fuel light comes on.👍
I am hearing you right, a 2024 model, I'm amazed BMW stiil make them as i always thought they were thier worst seller.
Yep a 24, yes I don’t think they moved quite like BMW would have hoped. I recon a combination of things, when they were first released buyers thought they were too expensive for an unproven product compared to the competition, the fact that they were just so different to everything else, reviewers were just so used to the V twin. But in all honesty spend some time with one of these and you honestly fall in love with that beautiful 1800, it shutters and rocks at idle and gives a big throw to the left on start-up and just has so much character. Maybe the wrong bike at the wrong time, personally I thought it was great and as I say in the video I could own one of these but I will be interested to get feedback from owners after having them for extended periods. Cheers mate thanks for the comment.👍
Worldwide sales are actually on par with the R9T. No doubt the GS is the big seller for BMW but on the plus side it allows the company to make all these other bikes for us to choose from.
Thank's
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The reverse features looks good
Yes agreed, once you use it a couple of times it becomes second nature.
Re-sale price? I have read they plummet in value! Nobody wants them! Mind you it’s a lovely looking bike great view! Thank you!!
Yes you can pick up lightly used R18’s at a very reasonable price, fantastic value really.
Excellent review. I think I want one but at 5'6'' I'm concerned about the size of the bike.
Hello, glad you liked the video. I think the seat height would be fine at 5’6" but would definitely see if you can get an extended test ride before you purchase. Let me know how you go.
Such a gorgeous bike and great review. I am looking forward to my full open license, though choosing between this and a BMW 1300 gs will be a very difficult decision. How do you choose? Can't afford two bikes...lol
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Which one? Both great bikes, I guess it’ll come down to what type of riding you’re planning on doing. 👍
I sat on a model that came with regular foot pegs, not floor boards and felt there was more room for my size 12 (US) boots......
Thanks for letting us know, haven’t had a chance to ride the peg model yet.
The Norton looks very nice and did I see a sidecar on it? Could we please have a review on that as I think it would be of interest to a lot of people, especially if it has a chair fitted.
Hi Dave, yes mate a 52 Norton Dominator 500 with a 600 fitted. The chair is a 55 Tillbrook fully spring single. 👍
@@standupmoto Very nice. I'm in the process of getting an Inder sidecar fitted to my 82 VF 750 Magna.
@@davidrochow9382 Nice! Good combo, are you staying with the std forks or going leading link? I would think std should be fine with an Inder, they are pretty light like the Tillbrook. Maybe just turn up a couple of spacers about 1.5’’ long to pop on top of the fork springs to stiffen it up a whisker but stay with the std oil.
@@standupmoto Dion at Adelaide Retro is doing all the work. He fitted a setup on a 2012 Royal Enfield 500 I had a few years ago. It was great fun but not quite fast enough. The front and rear suspension was updated just over a year ago at Hoey . It has YSS rear shockers and the front are standard suspension with slightly heavier oil in them. Unfortunately my knees aren't as good as they used to be and it's getting harder to get on and off the bike so hopefully the sidecar should help me ride for a while yet.
@@davidrochow9382 It certainly will, it also takes the worry out of damp corners if you are going for a ride in the hills. Suddenly dirt road bends are also not scary anymore either, I think you’ll love it. I’ve had many outfits over the last 50 years, they are not everyone’s cup of tea but I like them.
merci!
De rien
Best bike review hands down, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍
@@standupmoto You're welcome. Liked and subscribed!
Gday mate i have to admit i have never been a BMW fan just personal preferance but if your a fan of them great i think it has to do with the cylinders sticking out from the side , how do you think this would rate against your goldwing ? i know there is a few years between them and i suppose they are slightly different bikes ie: tourer /cruiser ,i am a fan of the goldwing even though some of the maintenance is a bit overwhelming as in air filter replacement but for me i like there look and still believe they are the ultimate road tourer but as you showed in your review they are just at home in the city good review on this bike and for someone who likes the styling probaby a good buy for the money .
Hi mate good to hear from you, I was waiting for this question. These bikes are polar opposites really, or horses for courses may be a better choice of words. As old as my Wing is it’s a great old bike that I love and don’t think twice about riding from my city to Darwin each year for a motor race I attend (6000kms or 3700mls) return.
When I ride out to the farm & it’s freezing cold on the freeway for a couple of hours with the heated grips,seat & feet heaters on it’s perfect.
Then there’s the rear seat comfort that’s, well in a word brilliant.
But on that beautiful sunny day when I’m going for a coffee cruising through the hills with a friend or two just soaking in the atmosphere with that giant boxer twin banging away & with no time agenda I’d say it’d be pretty hard to go by the big R18. Did I get out of playing favourites?
@@standupmoto ill let you of this time haha , what year is your goldwing as it is one bike i would love to own .i think that it is the pinacle of touring bikes and now in its 50 year of production (this year i believe) it says something for its following . I follow a couple of guys in the states who ride them one has just bought a 2024 model ,from 2001 -2017 they stayed moderatly the same then 2018 to current with minor re adjustments ,i think if i had both in front of me and money was not an object i would still go for the goldwing not saying anything bad about the bmw just personal choice take care .
@@crispernator Mine is an 07 GL1800, I did think of going for the latest version at one stage. Spent some time on one, it was of course lovely but didn’t know if it was mine & 30k more lovely if you get what I’m saying. Mine has 120k on it now with no issues but I guess one will have to think about updating somewhere down the track, we’ll see. Never say never.👍
@@standupmoto Hi mate from what i have seen and read 120,000km is not much the americans say that 300,000 miles is not un commen for a goldwing before any major repair may need to be done now whether that is true i dont know in miles i think if my maths is correct is about 75,000 so not much at all , i am only 5 foot 6 but than i look at cruisman and he isnt a big guy either and he seems to be able to handle his bike ok so shouldnt be a problem .
🙂👍.
Great Review!
Thanks 👍
I was loaned one of these a while back while my R Nine T was in for a service. I loved everything about it except it's woeful lack of ground clearance. Scraping metal on tarmac at moderate lean angles is fun at first but the novelty soon wears off. People say to me, it's a cruiser and not meant for enthusiastic cornering, to which I reply, I have a 2003 Moto Guzzi California EV1100 which says otherwise, and would leave the R18 for dust on anything other than a straight road. This is the only thing that holds me back because in every other respect it's fantastic
Gday Andy, yes the clearance certainly slows you down. Especially if there’s a slight dip in the bend, she’s no race bike for sure but it makes up for it in character. Thanks for your feedback 👍
Does it have a center stand?
Not on this one but I’m not sure about the other models 🤔
No. For maintenance use a stand.
Can you lock the panniers? and it need crash bars to protect those cylinders
No on the panniers & yes I think I would be putting the same roll over crash bar that’s on the Transcontinental.
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Slow speed maneuvering is rather awkward. The Bagger and Roctane handle better.
I haven’t ridden the Roctane yet but found the Classic pretty easy at low speed, I hope to be looking at the Transcontinental soon to compare. Cheers
There are plenty of tow and hill shifter that are independent, and are adjustable that you can install on your Harley. Back to BMW - R18 is a pretty decent cruiser, but I'd say it's largely overshadowed by Harley's touring classes. They are just that good. R18 just falls largely short of comfort and prowess - and falls short on performance and functionality versus its Japanese rivals such as Kawasaki and Suzuki Boss. Kind of stuck "in-between" where no one really wants to buy.
Hi Jon, thanks for your thoughts. I did have a suz 109 for a while and it was a great bike, very quick for a cruiser (in a straight line) but not to offend any owners of one it was to use that word again “generic”. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it but it lacked character, the R18 I tested in this review is just full of character.
I think a huge amount of this is due to that Boxer, it’s something that I can’t really explain. Riders that are into older machines that are different from everything else will understand and appreciate what I don’t seem to be able to put into words. You mentioned the Harley Davidson in your comment, not being that familiar with the brand what model would you suggest I review that’s an equivalent to the R18? I’d be really interested to do a comparison. Cheers.
@@standupmotoRoad King obviously
@@standupmoto Travel back in time and test ride a Honda Valkyrie. A heavyweight cruiser from the 20th century that can still hold its own and maybe even best the Beamer IMHO.
@@nelsonphilip4520 Yes , have spent some time on a Valkyrie. Was & still in (in my opinion) a great classic heavyweight ride.👍
Sold mate!! :)
Thanks mate, it's a great bike! 👍
How'd you find the weight?
Put simply extremely manageable, it’s deceiving. It looks heavy, it is heavy but the fact that it carries the weight so low you don’t notice it. Where you do notice the weight but in a positive way is on the country roads or freeway, you don’t get pushed around with the wind from trucks etc.
You plan to change your channel name to 'Sit Down Moto'?
You never know 👍
Here in US R18 didnt sell well hence many under 5k miles selling 10-12k in pristine condition.Great for me its a bargain at this prices.
That's a great deal for those looking for an exceptional cruiser, especially if you can find one in pristine condition.👍
@standupmoto I think Americans prefer VTwin configuration more and legs up front stretched and why boxer engine with mid controls didn't resonate well here.I do prefer mid controls myself and do love BMWR18
@ Yes I get that for sure & being the home of HD, one of my machines is a Vfour cruiser (Yamaha) and I love riding it. Only problem I find is with bad roads & an all day ride I’ll have a sore back the next day, probably due to a couple of things-the arched riding position with the forward controls and I’m not getting any younger.
The old back isn’t as tolerant as it used to be, I didn’t find the back thing an issue on the big Beemer because I tended to sit more upright.
I do see the used prices here in AUS and get tempted.👍
How's the highway wind buffeting? Heard some owner mentioned there is, someone said no.
Hi, personally I found it ok but as mentioned in the review but if you were sitting a little lower I think it could be an issue. It’s probably something that needs to be a trial & error thing until you find the right height screen.
They might as well give you the bike for review, they can't sell them, stockpiled in dealerships all over the place, begs the question how much is BMW paying there dealer network to warehouse all these bikes???
And I would gladly accept, sadly that’s probably not going to happen I would suggest 😕
So my question to you is why do you even watch this video if you don’t like them? Is it just to post a snarky remark? These were never going to be mainstream bikes and there is a very healthy R18 forum where new members are joining every week from all over the world. Harley has had its own problems and has been rescued a number of times over the years. Many Harley dealers have closed in the UK. These are tough times and no brand is having it easy.
Great question, glad you asked. I watched with interest because there was a time back in 2019 when the concert bike dropped in a segment that I'm interested in. Year after year I walk into my local BMW dealership right here in Plano Texas seeing an ocean of R18's so deep you literally have to climb over them to get around. So I did some research and found out there not selling as BMW had hopped. There isn't anything in the HD portfolio I would shake a stick at. Forgot about the Italian job it looks ridiculous. I'm not going to give Neo $135k so that brings me to one of two possibilities Triumph -vs- BMW. While I couldn't see myself on a 900 pound R18, or a 750 pound Triumph, I can see myself on the brand new 2025 concept R20, that is of course if they stay true to the concept and not repeat the mistakes made on the production R18, only time will tell
@@tomkarnes69 out of the 58 posts (so far) at least 8 are from owners who love their bikes, the majority of the rest are very positive and then there’s a couple of negative posts including yours who don’t own one, have you actually ridden one? Probably not. The R18 was launched at the start of a worldwide Covid lockdown, they could not open dealerships, we could not even leave our homes for months. No wonder bikes weren’t selling. So yes bikes stockpiled. It’s true in America BMW has dropped MSRP to shift stock. Plus at launch some ‘click bait’ bike journo’s decided they didn’t like it but they wouldn’t would they, it’s not a KTM SuperDuke with 170bhp. Anyhow, this reviewer totally gets the bike, the longer you ride it the more you bond with it. It’s a bike for mature riders who’ve been around a bit and appreciate quality not just speed everywhere. I hope you find a bike that speaks to you, it doesn’t matter what you ride as long as it’s two wheels and makes you happy.
Did you just bitch slap me with the "Covid card", now that you opened that door let me walk through it, you in the UK got royally screwed, sorry about that. I, on the other hand, didn't for one second lay down to it, proud to say my vaccine passport was a middle finger with a twist, the twist of course is my father's 44, you get the point, we across the pond don't take shit from nobody. Comeon over, buy you a pint, and we can hug it out. Cheers mate
This bike lacks authenticity
I’m curious, in what way?
@@standupmoto It's hard to put my finger on, but BMW created a lifestyle thing. Real simplicity, but contrived. It's not in BMWs DNA to build anything simple, and yet they now supposedly go and do it.... with a horrendous price tag to boot. That reeks of inauthenticity to me.
Yeah ok I think I get it but the big flat twin is BMW through & through, maybe it’s the cruiser thing that’s playing mental gymnastics. They did have the CL but I guess that was well not really a cruiser, actually I’m not really sure where to place it really. I think as time goes by & the thought of BMW making cruiser’s (if they continue with them) becomes more common it won’t seem as unusual.
@@standupmoto I just have a hard time imaging the designer sitting in Berlin with his vegan lunch and espresso built this bike for himself
@ Ha Ha, I guess that’s the impression some of the bike design engineers give off but he’s pretty good at what he does. His name is Edgar Heinrich, he’s the designer of many of the GS models & the rocket ship S1000RR. He’s only youngish (compared to me anyway) but he knows his stuff. But yes you may be right with the vegan exprsso thing, he’s a pretty trendy looking dude.
I am a Harley rider and I have to say, i like this bike and seriously considering getting one. I am not sure about the boxer motor but im sure its fine.
They have been at that boxer a long time, I’d say they’ve got it pretty well sorted by now. 👍