BMW R18 BAGGER REVIEW & TEST-RIDE! (YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT).

This is the official BMW R18 Bagger Review video where we put this bike up against the baggers of Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Honda. See how this bike stacks up as we dive into things like engine, technology, design, and ergonomics.
Special thanks to Irv Seaver BMW for letting us take this bike out and put it through the paces.
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[@stevoone342]

February this year I got my R18 Transcontinental in the 719 paint job witch looks amazing in the flesh. So far I’ve been on a 2 week tour two up in northern Spain 🇪🇸, and it’s been fantastic also I had concerns over storage but we have easily fitted everything we needed on tour with a little to spare. I have to pinch myself that I own a very special Moterbike and it’s mine, so far she has blown myself away also due there aren’t many in the wild in the uk she does get a lot of attention in the good way of fellow riders. The effort BMW have put into the building and design has be stunning the mix from retro to modern to me is perfect balance and the engine is also something very special and unique.

[@ridemotos]

Love to see the different perspectives! You’re right, it’s a very special thing to own such a nice bike!

[@byronruhter1480]

Thank you for that good and fair review. My R18TC has a sweet spot at 2,500 rpm whether in 4th, 5th, or 6th gear. At 70 mph in 6th gear it purrs.. At 80 mph there is a bit more vibe than I want.

[@ridemotos]

I completely agree with the gearing. I’m going to be texting the K1600 soon for a comparison

[@frankprohaska3794]

I bought the R18TC on Friday in South Dakota, had the first service in St Louis on Saturday morning and was home in Florida by Sunday afternoon. Almost 1500 miles on the first 3 days. I agree the saddle bags are tiny due to the liner. Overall performance wise, I had little issue with the vibration causing numbness, nor was the seating position awkward (I was coming from an Indian Chief with forward controls). I was able to easily do 100-150 mile runs between rest stops by using the cylinder heads as leg rests. This thing is heavy at low speeds (I even dropped it at a gas station, pride was the only damage). I also had a semi cut me off and due to the fact that the front and rear brakes are linked, I stopped much more quickly than I expected. Do I think this bike is for everybody? Not at all. But don't let the unusual (for Americans) design scare you off. I am enjoying getting to know it.

[@ridemotos]

Agreed completely man! I am stoked on mine

[@deandesrosiers6857]

Cool, congrats! I bought one yesterday. I test road the HD Ultra, full load and at 6’3” with my wife on the back, this bike seemed so much nicer in many ways. Stock bike for stock, the beemer is a work of art and truly a well crafted machine.

[@ridemotos]

@@deandesrosiers6857 dean hope you enjoy it! I’m interested to hear your thoughts after a couple months of riding.

[@deandesrosiers6857]

@@ridemotos Likewise. I chose it because it felt "roomier" that the HD Ultra. The foot pegs slightly back compared to the Harley's felt better to me. Mine also has the new highway foot rests but I haven't used those much. The adaptive cruise control is bomber!

[@deandesrosiers6857]

A harley D friend sent me a note suggesting the steering damper snd vibration with render the bike terrible for riding. It’s amazing what myths guys will say to support their brand. If this beemer was first, the list of concerns with harley quality and ergonomics would be too long to list.

[@robertw.1499]

I've had this self same bike now for nearly two years now. Bought it with all the bells and whistles including the cruise control with distance keeping you mentioned. Since then, I've had the Transcontinental screen fitted, fitted crash bars rear and front, luggage rack and sissybar myself. The only thing that's missing and not available, is the extra spots for the front crash bars. It does vibrate, everything from around town speeds to over 100 mph on the Autobahn. This wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't for the fact that my vision shakes with that vibration. Also, the air coming up through the front forks, over the tank, hits you in the chest. The Transcontinental has a load more wind deflectors which don't fit on the Bagger. Apart from that, I love the bike.

[@bikerinbeta]

I am surprised to hear that bagger do not have a wind deflector bottom of the fairing from a 3rd party seller

[@robertw.1499]

@@bikerinbeta Yeh, me too. Looked everywhere but couldn't find anything 😔

[@tmar0075]

This why i traded my Harley for the Transcontinental last yr.. great ride for the price 😊

[@douglaselliott8298]

I've ridden 45+ years, purchased many bikes from Irv Seaver motorcycles, Awarded 500K mile award from BMW of North America. Health issues have ended my riding, but DAMN I'd love to experience this bike.

[@ridemotos]

Take it out around the block!

[@douglaselliott8298]

@@ridemotos But then there is the pain of reality and having to give it back. Say hi to Brian for me. Tell him I got a sweet(but dusty) 2007 K1200R if he's interested.

[@nelsonphilip4520]

Valkyrie owner here and let me start out by saying kudos to the Motorrad Company for making a "heritage" model and well done video presentation. Your criticism is spot on especially about the aesthetic and how BMW has positioned this model line to be more at home on the boulevard rather than a true interstate touring machine. Go across the dealer showroom for the tour-de-force K1600 model for a more powerful & smoother mile-crunching purpose built touring machine. But if you want a bike that stands out at the local meet-up or on bike night, then the R-18 just might be your e-ticket. Thanks again for your review.

[@krdmoto]

new subscriber here! Great video! I def want to test ride one! Looks like a smooth ride! Cheers from Texas

[@ridemotos]

Love my brothers from Texas!

[@garybaldwin1061]

I don't care if it "shakes" at idle...that's the boxer style. I'd much rather like to know if it vibrates at freeway speeds.

[@justjames9775]

I currently ride a 2014 Moto Guzzi California Custom 1400, but test rode one of these yesterday. I am between 5'7" and 5'8", and the seating position is just about perfect on the R18 B. The vibration, however, is bad. The one that I rode vibrated significantly starting at 2,500 rpm. Also, the engine doesn't have as much power as I expected (my Moto Guzzi would easily clean its clock in acceleration).

[@Diap842IV]

Would have liked more specifics when variously bringing up “rumble.” H-D shakes at idle but vibration is otherwise pretty isolated. Indian is smooth all the time. Guzzi 1400 shakes at idle but is rubber isolated and said to be smooth. Reviewers say the R18 is quite a vibrator outside of 2000-3000 rpm. Guess I’ll have to demo one for myself. I like everything about it but if it buzzes my contact points in cruise it’s a deal breaker.

[@ridemotos]

It’s ok at idle, but if you get over 3,000 you’re going to feel it. If you’re looking for something that feels smooth and refined, definitely consider going RT1250 or the K1600B

[@Tonycrossfit]

Today 11-18-2023 I bought the R 18 B and the reason I decided to go with the R 18 B is because is unique and different. The fit and finish are above Harley-Davidson and Indian. Excellent video 👍. Ride safe and be safe 🙏

[@bikerinbeta]

Its been a while. How do u like it? I am thinking about getting one

[@feloniousmonk3049]

The bike runs much smoother with less vibration in "Roll" mode vs "Rock' mode. Rock mode seems to start vibrations much past 3200 rpm, whereas Roll mode seems to be vibration free up to 4000 rpm. The liners in the bags take up way too much space. The fairing should have done a better job covering your hands on the handlebars. People are complaining about adaptive headlights failing at $3300 to replace if not under warranty, being on backorder for 2 to 3 months, and the design not being improved. Parts are very, very expensive... price out replacing a fuel tank before you think about buying one of these at a fireside sale price.

[@Peter-wc4kr]

The wind buffeting is a deal breaker for me.

[@boxofmoles4057]

Bro, you can tour on the Classic. I do.

[@ridemotos]

Heck yeah!

[@garythomas9841]

cool..subbed

[@ridemotos]

🙏

[@berardi3]

Love my BMW Bagger

[@ridemotos]

Heck yeah 👊🏻

[@311fan312]

Do you like this bike more than the road king?

[@craiggoldstein2461]

The Goldwing doesn't have Adaptive cruise....Yet....

[@ridemotos]

We anticipate every touring bike will have it in the next 3-5 years

[@markman7]

​@@ridemotosHarley probably doesn't even know what adaptive cruise is.

[@ridemotos]

@@markman7 true. They need to solve bolts falling off first…

[@HDlife518]

too much hand movement, its very distracting..

[@ridemotos]

Thanks for the critique BigSky! 🙏🏼

[@tomhiers9025]

You has me on it very much man until you said it was nine hundred freaking pounds

[@ridemotos]

It’s a beast 😂

[@MrKcire7]

Good review! Just got mine a week ago and only 450 miles and my ride side middle panel flew off.. I was wondering if bmw would cover me on that missing piece that flew off.. hayyss!

[@ridemotos]

Oh no! Sounds like someone didn’t clip it in all the way. Hopefully they make it right

[@MrKcire7]

I'm really hoping as well.. so far there's 3 person that has same issue on that panel.. watch out for yours or maybe put some zip tie on it.

[@MrSmith-ok7tl]

Video is almost unwatchable because of you WAVING YOUR HANDS IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA! TERRIBLE!

[@marphy2004]

Boring

[@ridemotos]

So are your comments 😏

[@tmar0075]

Ditto brother 😂

[@angershark88]

I really appreciated this review. Down to earth and not a PH.D. Paper in length. I can’t wait to buy one of these. I really wish the R18 would gain in popularity. Harley deserves to be knocked down a peg.

[@ridemotos]

Thank you! We agree, this bike is starting to gain major traction

[@illiniwood]

BMW doesn't stand a chance. Only an American born company can knock Harley off their pedestal and that company is Indian. Indian is the only other American motorcycle company where its history goes as far back as Harley Davidson. If it were that easy, Honda would have overtaken Harley Davidson decades ago.

[@ridemotos]

@@illiniwood Indian makes a great motorcycle, but on paper, BMW is making the superior machine for the price. When you weigh in the brand-equity Harley-Davidson has, which does hold value in the buyers decision, that brand outweighs the performance benefits a lot of time. Just so long as we don’t start thinking HD (of which I’m a fan), is actually outperforming BMW

[@feloniousmonk3049]

@@ridemotos Until you choke on the price of spare parts that BMW charges. They may be losing money on the front end selling these bikes, but the price of replacement parts will sour the most enthusiastic among us, while BMW Motorrad smiles all the way to the bank.

[@ridemotos]

@@feloniousmonk3049 agreed. Replacement parts are very expensive when compared to American V-twins