The R18 is BMW’s second foray into the heavyweight cruiser market, after the now-discontinued R1200C. The R18 was launched in 2020 and is powered by a 1,802 cc (110 ci) engine, the largest two-cylinder boxer ever made.
Inspired by the legendary R5 of the 1930s, the R18 has shaft drive and a double-loop tubular steel frame: like the Softail range sold by Harley-Davidson, the rear shock is concealed, in an attempt to mimic a classic ‘rigid’ frame design.
The initial ‘First Edition’ model was soon followed by the R18 Classic, and in 2021 BMW revealed the R18B (bagger) and Transcontinental models—with slightly modified frames and an increased focus on touring.
Like the R nineT, the R18 is designed to make life easier for custom builders, with several easily removable parts and plug and play electronic connections. BMW has commissioned several custom builds to date, enlisting the services of leading shops during the prototyping and initial sales stage—including Revival Cycles, Roland Sands Design, Bernhard Neumann, Kingston Custom and Zillers Garage.
Here’s a custom motorcycle matchup we never expected: the wily custom bike builder, XTR Pepo, and the monstrous BMW R18. But the results are in, and they are jaw dropping. We have 911 MX Factory to thank for this. They’re a new outfit out of Madrid, Spain, with a mission to design and build one-off…
Read more »
Despite its initial lukewarm reception, the BMW R18 has become a regular fixture on the custom scene. Numerous workshops have customized the bulked-up Bavarian boxer in myriad ways—but there’s one style we haven’t seen yet. Until now, no one’s tried to turn it into a chopper. Enter Nick Acosta and his Toronto, Canada-based shop, Augment…
Read more »
We live in a world where you can stream entire discographies of music straight to your phone, yet vinyl sales are booming. Technology might be advancing at a relentless pace, but we’re still drawn to analog things—either for their charm, or for the sake of our own nostalgia. In this context, neo-retro motorcycles are something…
Read more »
Malle London describes their annual Malle Mile event as “a non-stop celebration of the speed, music and art of the motorcycle culture.” To see how that plays out, Bike EXIF will be hopping on a plane in just over a week to attend the 2022 edition of the Malle Mile. Held at the breathtaking grounds…
Read more »
Three-wheeled motorcycles get a bad rap, but we can think of a few good uses for them. They’re especially useful for riders…
Read more »
It’s no secret that we have mixed feelings about the BMW R18. But there’s one thing we’re sure of: in the right…
Read more »
It’s that time of year again! And once again, it’s been a year we’re glad to see the back of. The pandemic…
Read more »
It’s been over eighteen months since BMW launched the mighty R18. And if you count the teaser campaign, the biggest-ever boxer has…
Read more »
Shinya Kimura is one of the most enigmatic custom motorcycle builders working today. His bikes have zero respect for conventional styles, prevailing…
Read more »
We’re pushing the extremes this week: a BMW R18 with air suspension, a land speed project powered by a radial engine, and…
Read more »
This week we’re launching an occasional series of video reviews called ‘Fast Take.’ And we’re kicking off with riding impressions of the…
Read more »
Whenever a concept motorcycle becomes a production motorcycle, there are tears over how far the final product has strayed from the original…
Read more »