2021 BMW R 18 Classic Review | Motorcyclist

[@shaneyoungblood851]

If you have purchased an R18 make sure the rear suspension has been taken off of shipping setting the bump stop and set up for your rider weight and luggage weight. Or it will have a harsh ride and scrap the pegs because it's in shipping setting. A lot of dealers don't know this or don't do it..

[@MightyMike55]

Is this something I can do myself?

[@anthonymoore7706]

This thing is a beast! I bought one yesterday 💪🏾

[@theonlyredspecial]

How has the experience been ? I’m thinking of buying one.

[@anthonymoore7706]

@@theonlyredspecial I love it! It was the the first bike I bought new. Good power, balance, and came standard with hand warmers, cruise control and bags. I'm pretty satisfied with it

[@anthonymoore7706]

It's been amazing! Very smooth ride, I could be going 90mph but it feels like 70 mph. Plus it comes with all the bells and whistles like heated grips, and auto reverse etc. It's nice...

[@kellyco4139]

The R18 is a beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery and so much fun to ride

[@1990-t1j]

It does look really good. Less chrome would be better for me. I love the boxer engine.

[@kuikukui5077]

There is full black version for you

[@my.motorrad]

As usual Adam, thank you. The R18 and classic are going for even less. There are deals to be had.

[@jamesrobinson46]

At least here in Australia, demo models in particular are going for vastly cheaper than retail

[@my.motorrad]

@@jamesrobinson46 here it depends on the dealer. Some list the same price, they are the thieves.

[@Ironhawx]

What about parts and maintenance? Will the thievery begin with the first service?

[@my.motorrad]

@@Ironhawx It can. Get a quote up front. If it's more than 500 US, you're getting hosed. Really 400.

[@Big.Ron1]

This or an R1250RT. Hmmm. I guess I will have to ride it to make up my mind but I am getting older and not as strong as I was so weight is a consideration. Thank you.

[@54Bob]

Great review. What is the maintenance schedule vs a harley? Cost of maintenance?

[@tres311]

Should be up for bike of the year.

[@Firestorm637]

Beautiful bike for a super heavy cruiser.

[@alexanderhikel2350]

I think the bmw engine is either love or hate , for me it will always look like a suitcase with two toasters coming out the side , the good news is you valve covers double as your crash bars 👌

[@myname9252]

I saw one in person. Confused me at to how BMW thought this was a good idea.

[@martyn_g]

@@myname9252low centre of gravity, makes it easier to manoeuvre - I have a R1250GSA - which is far taller, and it works.

[@pistolpete6321]

Great review! Stunning motorcycle!

[@AdamWaheed]

Thanks Pete. Hope you are well in Austin.

[@pistolpete6321]

@@AdamWaheed thanks Adam, all is good here!

[@watchingitallhere]

Thats a whole lotta MC. Fantastic.

[@Organon1980]

Set playback speed to 1.25 and he now almost talks as fast as a regular person.

[@BB-1990]

He learned, to speak, by, watching shatner in, star trek.

[@UKMike2009]

Haha - I did the same even before I read this comment! 👍

[@internetcensure5849]

His speak is at a normal pace. Why are those viewers complaining: "too fast", "too slow", etc.?

[@bolutt]

Best advice EVER!!! Thank you! Such a better viewing experience now.

[@TheAlswied]

Your hair tells the entire story, lol

[@GaryBe403]

x1.25 speed in your settings. Thank me after

[@uytouytoo9944]

🤣🤣🤣

[@internetcensure5849]

His speak is at a normal pace. Why are those viewers complaining: "too fast", "too slow", etc.?

[@GaryBe403]

@Internet Censure it's a normal pace for a slow listener.

[@deadlyapollo]

Just milking the R18 videos aren't ya? It's a standard R18 with some catalog items added on.

[@waydegardner7373]

Not really. Well, sorta. The 16” front tire and steering damper make a difference on a longer road ride. The original FE doesn’t have cruise control. The Classic does and for the $1500-$2000 price difference you get much more bang for your buck.

[@a99miata]

on the road very nice but too heavy for low speed

[@stefan9945]

Oh yeah 😎

[@randomgirl-lj3xi]

I could tow a dirtbike with this

[@jamesonpace726]

Paul Harvey. Is dead. Long Live... Whahoo Weedhead.

[@freezuch5007]

It's nor a review, it's an infomercial. Completely misleading title. Thumbs down for sure, even though I like R18.

[@boxofmoles4057]

I own the Classic version. Love it! One significant flaw. The windscreen is abhorrent. Horrific wind buffeting. Shame on the design engineer. Abysmal failure. However, there is a fix, at a very reasonable price. Clearview Shields (Fort Collins, Colorado). Multiple heights, widths, and curvature to redirect wind. Impressive design and material, and a great price.

[@tomsavage9052]

Thanks to your comment, I ordered one for my '21 R18 Classic. I got the 21" windshield with the upper curve. Can't wait to get it.

[@boxofmoles4057]

@@tomsavage9052 Tom, I'll amend my previous post. We are always learning. Sometimes the hard way. On the R18, the majority of the buffeting is coming from below. A better fix for the wind buffeting is to place a order with Memphis Shades. You'll want Fork Deflectors for XV1900 Roadliner × 1 with Ghost / Polished Mount Kit. Will set you back about $100. Take your time installing. 👌👌👌

[@far0ashgar]

Cruiser = Forward Control

[@darylbushby9670]

Gee you talk painfully slow. How many joints did you smoke that morning?

[@laryangel4082]

1

[@CraigSmith568]

Its a pass for me.

[@tisbales]

absolute rubbish

[@adiuiri16]

😳🤣🤣🤦‍♂️

[@tisbales]

@@adiuiri16 you can waste your money on a bucket your choice

[@adiuiri16]

@@tisbales I was just a bit perplexed at your sincere opinion and had to laugh , doesn’t mean I buy it

[@tisbales]

@@adiuiri16 Do not be baffled my friend they have made rubbish bikes for a very long time nothing's changed up to now, one model 1000RR does not make the company great when every other creation they made is absolute rubbish but that's is my opinion .

[@adiuiri16]

@@tisbales well in the beginning there were boxers so we have to give them some credit ….

[@RmfDiz]

Damn man. I thought my scout bobber was easy to scrape on a turn, but id have this thing scratched tf up lol. Looks cool because of the opposing twin slapped on a cruiser platform. Has a that "this is what shit will look like in the future" design that the some bikes had in the 20s and 30s. But...the performance is lacking, imo. If harleys are cranking better 0-60 times and tops speeds, then you might need to gonback to the drawing board. I dunno. I might snag one when im 70.

[@snupermoto723]

Watch at 1.25 speed, you're welcome.

[@superscooty]

Actually made this watchable

[@corystansbury]

I'm at 1.5 and thinking 1.35-1.4 would be around perfect.

[@coyoteknight9321]

LOL, that made it sound normal

[@internetcensure5849]

His speak is at a normal pace. Why are those viewers complaining: "too fast", "too slow", etc.?

[@Shane-ln5zz]

@@corystansburyyea 1.5 is a bit Ben Shapiro

[@pelewads]

I liked the vid. It was informative. But when you are listing features, you tend to go into this Captain Kirk style of speech. Where, every, single, word...Is fallowed byapause. It annoyed me, when Shatner did it too. Try to be more conversational. Less dramatic

[@BB-1990]

Hah, i just, made a, similar, remark.

[@eugenious5314]

Just bought the R18 B. It is indeed heavy, but also very easy on the eyes.

[@NorceCodine]

Is it for really short guys? The seat looks very very low!

[@kellyco4139]

Heavy ? It’s easier to ride and put into corners than my new Harley

[@robinpaydon7139]

@@kellyco4139 ikr. Is 80 lbs lighter than an Ultra Classic

[@mi6_007]

Adam sounds like a priest selling Jesus to you. This is probably one of the motorcycle with so much contradictory review from various journalists, some love it and some hate it.

[@painterboy454]

Just like Jesus, some love Him and some hate Him.

[@adiuiri16]

That’s true lol 😂

[@theonlyredspecial]

It’s the kind of bike that will always divide opinion. It’s also from a German brand so generally guys who like Harley won’t like it. I think it’s a pretty cool bike. But probably not one I’d buy as I like sports bikes. But I can appreciate it.

[@internetcensure5849]

@@painterboy454 Atheists hate Jesus, just like HD bigots hate BMW bikes.

[@painterboy454]

@@internetcensure5849, hating Jesus is a sure fire ticket to hell. Atheists don't believe in hell so they'll find out the hard way once they're dead.

[@kamoboko86]

This guy talks so slow. I watched it on 2x speed for him to sound normal.

[@internetcensure5849]

His speak is at a normal pace. Why are those viewers complaining: "too fast", "too slow", etc.?

[@Firestorm637]

Engine so clean. Love the driveshaft

[@jrbass62]

Finally a cruiser that doesn't have you riding with you're legs sticking straight out in front of you!!!

[@vagelistheodorulakis]

hey guys i'm 2m (6'7") tall. Will i fit in this beautiful indeed bike?

[@NickVetter]

Need one of these to haul my grom

[@byronruhter1480]

Thanks for that good review. I like the boxer and I am a chrome guy.

[@RealSuperRando]

Everyone said ‘no-way’ on this bike but Germans are stubborn if nothing else. Now they are stacking up in dealers with $6000 discounts. Still not selling. A cruiser bike with no forward controls won’t work. Everyone told them.

[@waydegardner7373]

Lots of us cruiser guys prefer the mid controls. It’s a very neutral riding position that is much easier on the lower back. Personal preference.

[@somara]

I hate forward controls. Unless all you’re riding is straight highways all day long, mids or rearsets all day long for me.

[@viperq]

This is the third review of the R18 series in the last two months. I know the bike looks awesome, but it is like Motorcyclist Magazine is getting paid by BMW.

[@AdamWaheed]

Nice. You can count.

[@uytouytoo9944]

@@AdamWaheed hahahahaha=)))

[@Bladsmith]

Good god can you please give at least *one* of these to someone who talks like a human being to review

[@AdamWaheed]

Huh?

[@Bladsmith]

These, videos, are nigh, unwatchable, with all these, Shatneresque, pauses. Come on, man, write yourself, a, script, ahead of, time, and read, the script, with some, semblance, of, flow. There's plenty of other folk talking about how they need to watch your videos on 1.5x or 2x speed. Come on, man, it's your job.

[@internetcensure5849]

His speak is at a normal pace. Why are those viewers complaining: "too fast", "too slow", etc.?

[@kuikukui5077]

Saw this bike in real life. It's really looks awesome

[@NorceCodine]

How do you use the reverse? Do you have to pull on the gas too?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

No you operate reverse by pressing the starter button

[@ddbhaha1529]

1.25x

[@internetcensure5849]

His speak is at a normal pace. Why are those viewers complaining: "too fast", "too slow", etc.?

[@ijaxon6675]

I always check in with Waheed to see what his hair is going to do today. No it's not a problem, but you can't not notice.

[@jaym2084]

I like the bike, but apparently BMW can't give these things away, so happy shopping...

[@MightyMike55]

This review eventually made me buy the R18 classic. Im so in love with the bike and agree with the points raised in the review

[@martind349]

As it is a rolling piece of jewelry BMW might offer twinkly panniers made of reliable old-fashioned fiberglass, like unto a little Twinstar from the seventies.

[@xorbe2]

Rock, Roll, Rain. Which manuf uses Advanced, Basic, and Cautious? (or was it Aggressive, Basic, Careful)

[@ashtonmarrero7932]

I love your channel. You have the most descriptive visual movements of this bike and I love it. Keep it coming Bro!

[@MightyMike55]

Best review on the internet. I am sold

[@MightyMike55]

Finally bought the bike 8 months later and man what a gem 💎

[@tibork3845]

Excellent review, thank you!

[@Kemrer]

Thank you

[@Marco-cl9pb]

Beautiful bike

[@TheSweetasanut]

Top man as always

[@kentbristol948]

BMW transmissions tend to be clunky. How is this one?

[@deadlyapollo]

Your technique is clunky. Owned various beemers and not a SINGLE one was clunky.

[@mariogallardo2912]

Excelente descripción de esta R 18 muy detallado muchas gracias por compartir, saludos desde Mendoza Argentina.

[@treytucker5619]

Wishing BMW success! This maybe the first BMW that has ever interested me. However the exhaust note Sounds like a Briggs & Stratton meter maid cart.

[@kingsleyzissou5881]

Great video

[@wave6413]

YEEEEsssss I got one, its a rolling piece of art....... I am getting my head around it, its not slow its not exceptionally quick, it lives at the end a GREAT 20 min twisty road and behaves really quite well and I still haven't scraped pegs at similar speeds to my KTM 790R on the same course, it's heavy and this is my first "real" bike, its going to be a licence keeper - its like a Perry 40 vs an Open 40. My Honda & the KTM are trouble compared to this. But it allows me to smell the cow farts, give the middle finger to greenretards with enough time for them to register the nice hand signal and for me to move on down the road before I get a cow pat in the back of the head.......Nice review

[@kytobike4516]

Pls stop with the bmws do something else

[@Worshipbyruben]

They should make a 1200cc version of the R18. Then I would be interested

[@waydegardner7373]

Yeah, that was my initial thought too. Why 1800cc? Rode it. Love it. Bought it. Kinda like the Triumph Rocket. Why? But, heck. Why not?

[@internetcensure5849]

@@waydegardner7373 "bigger is better"😂

[@12masterr]

The perfect cruiser for 5.1 tall people!

[@internetcensure5849]

The seat so wide, and the big engine are made for overweight or obese US people of up to 6'3". The very wide seat will not make a less than 5'9" put both feet on the ground.

[@iandtexarkana4549]

Since there's nothing to protect those cylinder heads, the engine might be toast, if the bike is dropped

[@reoo6806]

Just a vanity cover. steel, and replaceable

[@sharomoini6655]

Crash bars. That's it.

[@afandou1966]

I don't care about his delivery, he's probably in the top 3 journalists I truly listen to like Neeves.

[@kfekadu55]

Excellent design on the engine but for me to consider this it needs to loose 300lbs, $8000, some features I don’t care about and maybe less powerful

[@Izmash]

sounds like you want a different bike. motorcycles arent just about specs and if the specs arent to your liking dont buy it. shit you werent gonna buy it anyways...

[@waydegardner7373]

300 lbs? A Bonneville T120 comes in just under 500lbs. A 500lb cruiser? Maybe a Honda Shadow (550lbs) or Vulcan 900 (620lbs). This obviously ain’t got you.

[@BB-1990]

Lose 300 lbs, LMAO! Sure buddy.

[@jamievidd775]

Ugliest engine layout ever. $24k. LOL.

[@internetcensure5849]

HD even uglier!

[@andrewvickers4487]

If this bike's a looker then so is the underside of my kitchen sink. If you want to pull off the classic style you better have soul - this is another BMW that doesn't. Not hate, an opinion, there's a difference. Respect to all riders.

[@waydegardner7373]

See… to me this exudes soul and vaguely reminiscent of the R5. In my mind, this has so much more character than a Harley. And I’m a former HD owner.

[@internetcensure5849]

HD bigot!

[@andrewvickers4487]

@@internetcensure5849 😉