2021 BMW R 18 Classic Review | MC Commute
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- čas přidán 27. 09. 2021
- BMW Motorrad continues to expand its presence in the heavyweight cruiser segment with the addition of its boxer twin-powered R 18 Classic ($24,015 as tested). This iteration of the R 18 adds touring-friendly accommodations, including a fixed oversize windscreen, and double-buckle saddlebags that allow for added practicality.
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Long and low the R18 Classic makes a presence. Of all the motorcycle reviews we’ve published over the past few years, there are few streetbikes that make the subtle statement of this Black Storm Metallic Beemer. It stirs quick gas station chats everytime we fuel up and it’s noteworthy how the non-motorcycling public understands that it’s an “old bike that looks new.”
Lifting the 805-pound machine off its kickstand isn’t the easiest feat, but with 16-inch wheels in motion it’s astounding how agile it is. A wide and pleasing handlebar bend makes it easy to cast direction changes even at parking lot speeds. Still with two giant cylinders protruding off either side, caution is exercised when negotiating curbed turns and while splitting California traffic.
Twist the throttle and the 1,802cc (110ci) boxer twin doles out a punchy spread of power with upwards of 90 pound-feet torque just above idle. The engine’s horizontal power pulses are visceral and make for an engaging ride. Engine vibration is present throughout the rev range, but it feels calculated and further adds to its pleasing cruiser motorcycle experience. Both the engine and exhaust note sound unique. Its crisp note makes you want to yank on the twist grip hard. Maintenance-wise the engine requires oil and filter changes every 6,000 miles. BMW Motorrad also recommends owner’s inspect the valve clearances too. A tad early for our tastes. During fast-paced riding, we recorded a 34 mpg average.
A heel-toe shifter makes it easier to row through the six-speed gearbox. We value its precise mechanical feel and the easy ability to notch it into neutral at stops. A beautiful mechanical driveshaft transfers power to the Bridgestone Battlecruise H50-shod 16-inch rear wheel. The final drive is nearly devoid of maintenance aside from scheduled 24,000-mile differential case oil changes.
The ride-by-wire throttle affords three throttle maps (Rock, Roll, and Rain), in addition to cruise control. Each setting provides a smooth, accurate sensitivity, but we like the Rock setting’s more rowdy response. Traction control (BMW calls it Automatic Stability Control) is standard as is ABS that automatically reroutes brake pressure to the front or rear circuit based on rider control input and vehicle load.
Similarly to the 19-inch front wheel equipped R 18, ground clearance is limited and it doesn’t take much lean for hard parts to scrape against the asphalt. Still, with its high level of stability, and strong triple-disc hydraulic brakes, the R 18 Classic responds well to hard riding as long as you keep the vehicle more or less in line. High-speed stability is equally pleasing and we were impressed how well it rides at triple-digit speeds. Still, we wish this R 18 Classic offered full-travel rear suspension like its bagger and Transcontinental siblings.
Our testbike was outfitted with the Premium Package ($1,450) which adds Adaptive (cornering) Headlights, electronic reverse, and Hill Start Control. These doodads make it easier to operate, however we wish the cornering headlamps were brighter through turns-which is surprising, considering its limited cornering clearance. The reverse feature on the other hand functions well and makes this nearly half-ton motorcycle easy to get out of tight parking spots. Our bike also had the $2,150 First Edition package, which adds chrome and white pinstriping around the fuel tank. We could easily forgo this pricey option.
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Photography: Joseph Agustin
Videography/edit: @AdamWaheed
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Another informative and entertaining review Adam, by far the best motorcycle review channel, thanks.
I’ll always like this bike simply based on looks. They did a great job!
Waheed looks like an entirely different person every few months
Thanks man. I am a work in progress.
@@AdamWaheed we gonna dig ya no matter what!
@@jonnycando thanks for the nice comment, John.
Somewhat surprised at such a positive review from a sport-oriented rider.
Brilliant review 👍I also love watching you ride around the USA where you are, looks so cool.
We'll be sharing this on our FB page next week since you did such a great review!
Very nice. Thank you for the note and for watching this content.
Sat on one yesterday, usually not into cruisers but this thing is very very cool, very comfortable and classy I feel like I need to be wearing a suit to ride one, great bike!
Excellent review
Gorgeous Motorrad
amazing looking bike .. I believe the R-nineT will have a version coming based on this to be just the R-9 then I'm interested. Great review as always Adam thank you.
Stunning motorcycle!
Seeing these in person and sitting on them changed my mind. Now I really want to demo one. Also, at least near me, the dealer has several in stock and they have huge factory rebates on them. That’s rare in this market where you’ll pay a huge markup for something like a new Harley-Davidson if you can even find the one you want.
Hi,thanks for great review ,but i wanted to know how you figuered the bike in corners.please teach the turning in your style, it would be great
Absolutely Superb Machine, No doubt one of my favorite Cruisers 👊✌️👍!!!, Thanks for sharing 👊👍✌️🥇!!!
Great review. One of the best I’ve listened to, you should get one , I have the same bike , I’m on holiday at the mo and listening to all you guys with various opinions. 😂. Some should have done their home work like you did, I like the way you ride it too, im not quite as fast. You’re the first who’s pointed out it’s a four valve head which amazed me on other tests ( it was a two valve head on their bikes ) 😂 you must get one though. Thanks for a great report. 👍 🇬🇧GAL, I’ve even subscribed 👌
A beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery and a total joy to ride
YES
Nice review, as always sir. I test rode the 18r with the 19 inch front wheel and immediately disliked it. Test rode the Classic and bought one; much better ride with the 16's. As you passionately pointed out, the fit and finish is spectacular! And, almost everything on it is metal. Very few plastic parts made to look like metal. I like that. I am 5' 7" tall and i will tell you it is a superb bike for short riders like myself. If you are short; it is a very confidence inspiring bike. That said, it is not a beginners bike as it can get away from you because it is deceptively smooth. 85mph feels like 60mph on most other bikes i have had. But there in lies the only problem i have with the bike. It can really gob up miles on the highway without effort from that big-ass low rpm engine, and BMW puts on a 4.2 gallon gas tank with no fuel gauge. I can see that on the 18R for bar hopping. The Classic should have a 6 or 7 gallon tank. They make a bike great at highway travel barring the next gas station had better be within 140-150 miles. Makes no sense. As a side note, the hill-hold function as well as the reverse gear is awesome. Some people might say those things aren't needed, but those are people that have never used them. The 1st time you use either one, you'll go "holy crap-that's nice". One last thing. The windshield is also removable if anyone didn't know. JMTC.
Well described!
🎉love the Classic 😊 version. Just bought one last month. Enjoying riding it. Love everything about it! Don’t know what no Fuel Gauge. Hello Motorraddddd?
Great review. Are you supposed to be splitting traffic at the lights? With the distracted drivers these days I would NOT advise you try it.
Great review. Sold me on this bike.
Thanks man. I will buy you lunch just for saying that, ha ha.
You’re really not a cruiser sort of guy, yet you were very enthusiastic about this one. That says a lot about the bike.
Thanks man. Yeah, I like this bike. It is good for my lifestyle.
Question? are the tires tubbeless? Thanks
The camera angle is much better today compared to the other version of the bike in the review last month 🙂
Fair enough.
that reverse gear is a seller. the peace of mind of not having to worry about where you park is great - nothing like trying to push 800 pounds up hill backwards while people walk by wondering if they should lend a hand to make you look tough
Love your work adam bike needs a passenger seat up grade and crash bars your enthusiasm is infectious stay safe top dude from blighty
Thanks man.
I agree 100 percent other than that more touring accessories like small back rack and better pannier options. To my mind these ones are ugly and don't fit the style of the bike.
This bike looks great. I love the BMW Boxer motor.
However, due to age I can never own or ride one cuz there is nowhere to stretch out my old legs. This is a cruiser, after all.
Where are u driving around, is it in California? Wonderfull surroundings.
When I first glanced at the bike, I was reminded of the 1971 Moto Guzzi except for the box engine versus the V-twin of the Moto Guzzi which was a great looking bike in my opinion. :-)
Yeah, and including the later California Vintage. Great look.👍
I had a 73 mg eldorado 850 great bike
Probably one of the best reviews I have seen on this bike, Adam. One concern I have, as you mentioned, is the low clearance. In spite of that, you would buy it... So, is the low clearance not that bad then? To me, it sounds like a deal-breaker, unless it is comparable to other cruisers. I really like the bike, but still have some doubts based on that. So... would you further explain? Is this a bike I could take with my girl to the Blue Ridge Parkway for the weekend? Thanks in advance!
I have an R 18 (no suffix) but they share the front/rear suspension, it's definitely a low bike but I haven't had any issues on I-95 commuting in the DC area, or any issues with things like speed bumps, but I've heard that a lot of dealers were not setting the pre-load on the rear shock which were causing a lot of the bottoming out so you'd have to adjust it yourself.
@@davidmumma3185 Thanks, David. I end up buying a Classic. I like it on country roads. It is a nice ride to go slow and enjoy the scenery.
you are supposed to adjust the suspension after buying it. Factory settings set the suspension to the lowest setting.
I know it's probably irrelevant, but it's so alien to me hearing you speak about fuel as impure as 87 octane when standard grade here in the UK legally has to be 95, and premium grade is 97+. It makes me wonder how that would impact the performance of the engine as far as fuel economy is concerned.
I loved the review, surprising positive. But I don't really like the bike. What is it trying to be? there are better cruisers out there. So are they trying to sell to HD owners? Sound.. note a fan of boxers twin sounds, I will take 'boring' parallel twin any day. Just note my cup of tea.
You’ve clearly learned the cool San Diego County backroads
Interesting they have a 21” front wheel and 18” rear wheel option , that would give you better clearance but what about handling?
The Classic has a 16” ft wheel.
Blew past the Harley guy hahaha
I love it when a manufacture ventures out of the normal lane of production, it forces the competition to wake up and offer some thing competitive to the market. I think the Bar & Shield brand should really shock the world and bring back an XA model and updated engine size.
Nice filtering.
Do a 2020 Rocket 3 soon
Seems to match up better to the Road King than the Heritage…
Love the engine, but 800 pounds wow! I remember the R69 and R69US we're the first beemers I saw as a kid, makes those motorcycle s look like minibikes 😆looks comfy though. If you drop it you better be Mr. Universe to right it
It’s low slung so you could get it back up pretty easy….in fact it may not be able to fall clean over it’d just waft over onto onto the cylinder…..
Adam is the best.
By dropping a couple of Viagra tablets in the tank, the boxer twin will soon resemble a Moto Guzzi engine.
I got one (second hand) on a wing and prayer based on looks alone and having never ridden a heavyweight cruiser of any kind . Not disappointed, not unhappy. In fact totally infatuated, I see why these machines are a "thing". The low CoG, amazing torque, mechanical symphony of dry gearbox to mechanical diff with unbelievable fueling and throttle control, adequate lean angle (rear suspension properly adjusted [BMW really screwed the pooch by not sorting that at the dealers - and probably cost hundreds of sales from bad reviews]) I am a happy camper and BMW have crafted a "Classic" (pun intended).
Fallbrook?
i dont know why people hate on the bmw r18 so much. They hate on harley for being behind, and they hate on bmw for being much ahead of harley and having a different engine.
Oddly enough HD has a ADV bike.
The R18 looks great, but I’m not sure which category their new cruiser bike beats any of Harley’s current Softail or Touring bikes.
I own the Classic version. Love it. It’s a retro metal art sculpture. One major flaw. The windscreen is abhorrent. Wind buffeting. Shame on the design BMW engineer. Abysmal failure. However, there is a fix, at at very reasonable price. Clearview Shields (Fort Collins, Colorado). Multiple heights, widths, and curvature to redirect wind. Impressive, and a great price. 36 years of experience. Ships worldwide.
The stock seat will wear you out. After an 800 mile tour over three days, I ordered the Day Rider seat (it’s actually made by Mustang).
He loves it! lol
they need to urgently make more parts for this bike, like it REALLY needs it.
I test rode the bagger version and didn't like it at all. The engine doesn't have the character of the the Boxer 1200. It appears retro but as too much (overengineered) technology for my liking. Foot controls, especially the brake felt very cramped. The Indian Challenger is better is every way except looks.
It's beautiful, great engineering and it doesn't have all that noise of a Harley, ;which is at least 50% of why some buy Harleys.
pretty
I like the B version than the Trans...
As a former 1100 GS owner, I love these flat twins. Not so sure of the style of this bike, and its too heavy, however low the weight is. For a bike of this price, the screen should adjust. 2,000 dollars for a pinstripe and some chrome. Ridiculous.
with 2000$ one can get a nice pinstriping job from Mexico!
2,000 for some chrome is a bargain if you have ordered a bike from harley
Is there anything at all that you don't love?
Not for me. I do wish more bikes came with shaft drive.
BMW - “No goofy things”
Don't know how journalist know for sure that some motorcycles have vibration engineered into them and how some are bad engineering. Were they involved in the whole manufacturing process?
I had a 64 Pan head that would do 110 MPH and got 38-40 mpg WTF? 36mpg? Try using high test you might get 38 (which still sucks ) FMTT
17:03. Ouch. I felt sympathy pain in my testicles after that one.
Looks a lot like the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring to me.
A bagger is a bagger…..
I can't believe splitting the lane is still legal.
It's not legal. It's just not "illegal." That said, I never do it when there is an offramp coming up, when I am tired or hungry, when a car has room to change lanes (I wait to pass when the cars are side to side), and I tend to wait until another bike passes then I follow them. The CHP says we are not supposed to go more than 10 mph faster than the cars so that is a good practice as well.
Not ultra powerful - but is Ultra comfy!
Nice looking bike, but for 24K I much rather the Ducati Diavel or Triumph Rocket 3
Classic “Demo” versions are out the door at $17500.
No bike makes financial sense really.
@@mikemerrill175 it does when BMW is willing to make 6 mos of payments. It saved me another $2k. That translates to a new Classic priced at about $14.5k to $14.7k. Crazy value for what you get. I guess it boils down to personal choice.
6k miles for valve inspection does seem low but I guess atleast they are easy to get to
12k for valve service.
I was really looking forward to an extensive review on this bike, but I can't listen to this. Guy. Taaaaalk.
Riding along while traffic splitting makes me want to puke. Love the bike though!
Damn opposites! No place for legs!
9
... You can ride it straight up and down, extremely hard. 😅
Yeah. Just like a Harley !
👍🇵🇱🇵🇱👍🤓🤓😉😎
Worth repeating: It still reminds me that it's the type of bike that the leather clad, handle bar mustached, 'macho, macho man' from The Village People would ride....all 800 lbs + of 'road hugging weight.
Simply awful...imho. But, hey...'there's an ass for every motorcycle seat' as one of my sales managers used to say waaaay back in the day.
Sorry you don’t like it…..but to me it’s a bodacious work of mechanical art! If I was going to dispense that much cash on a motorcycle I’d have to consider it.
@@jonnycando Not sure why you're apologising to me...lol.
To each their own...obviously.
Its art deco styling, i dig it.
Adam sucker punching the hog rider nice
Love the bike but gosh you're really counting your words huh? 🙃
This bike f@cks. Really.
Stop splitting traffic! Drive safe and respect the road man!
splitting is the safe way to ride
Drive? He's not driving
“For all intensive purposes”???? 🤭 The expression should be “for all intents and purposes.”
What is your problem with speech issues? It is boring.
Someone needs a haircut
Wow another positive journalist review! This bike is too heavy, too big of piston overhang and there are at least 20 better touring bikes. The R18 will be another failed attempt to mimic the looks over function appeal of HD.
Have you ridden it?
@@waydegardner7373 I got a chance to ride it when BMW had a booth at Sturgis last month. My mind wasn't changed. I ride a BMW R1200RT and have never owned HD so I'm not cheering HD as much as knocking BMW for chasing a marketing trend rather than stay true to what they already do better than anyone else.
@@grandpaissues4156 fair enough. I have the Classic and really enjoy it. As a former HD owner, I think it’s less about being as HD knock off vs setting a different trend in the cruiser type market. That and it’s an homage to the classic 1936 R5 (I believe that’s the model). The boxer in a hard tail looking frame is their roots.
I cringe every time I see a test rider split lanes as you did here. I think it's very dangerous and no doubt leads to bad feelings on the part the part of all the people you are passing. Also illegal in Maryland.
I'm pro, man.
@@relate97 I met a guy this summer at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca where the same thing happened. Now he is a quadriplegic. Life is wild and anything can happen. Stay safe out there.
Nice looking engine? I dislike it so much I wouldn’t consider buying one just based off looks alone. The rest of the bike is soooper sexy though.
I love it! Its almost as good looking as the moto guzzi california.
A stupid motorcycle, but good job all the same, Weed.
Don't ride between cars, dude. Some of us in those cars are bike riders. You were going to turn right anyway so why not get in the right hand turning lane? It was empty. Now, go ahead and delete this like you did before and see if it doesn't come back on you.