BMW R18 - Not so Cheap, Not so Easy Mods

[@esparka]

Greetings Chasing Adventure, I just purchased a 2022 R18 B with 1100 miles from the local BMW dealership. Someone who purchased this bike basically added every option that was available to their purchase. I still have over a year of full limited warranty (6 months of what they called "Demo warranty addition" was added). Compared to new I saved a *Fortune* on this bike. Watching this video was fascinating for me. I do NOT have any time on this bike as of yet, though I have enough to finally *Absolutely LOVE my new ride!!* Other than a coffee mug holder for the morning portion of any ride, I find I want to leave things be for awhile. (OH! The original purchaser put the chrome engine guards with the top rest for highway riding. I LOVE that particular style best. Living in North Carolina, I found the pressure to have a Harley Davidson to be quite strong among the riding community. I do know, though, that out in the country, a careless maneuver can incense a group of them Harley types. I'm hoping this bike will help me to avoid the drama in that regard. Finally, I plan to rewatch your video in order to better understand the "heat warning" issue you experienced and the remedy you added(BTMoto Tuner?) Thank you for your share.....,

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Congrats, it's a great bike! I mostly ride and hang out with Harley folks (some Indians). I've never had road drama with anyone on any bike I've been on honestly. The factory tune, as most are these days for emissions and fuel economy, is very hot and lean. The Ozarks (my area) are very mountainous, so stop and go can require some revs which can lead to excess heat. The tune itself is great for power, feel, sound and idle, but it fattens the mixture up and keeps the motor cool. You will lose 5-7 MPG, but it is a much better experience and will likely extend the life of the motor in general. Cheers! 🍻

[@lincoln4015]

Great video! Keep them coming. Please make a performance video after the DNA filter exhaust, and tune what the gains are: sound, MPG, etc. Make a video about those things, please, because I'm thinking of doing all that to my TC.

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Thanks! In terms of performance gains, I would hazard a guess that you wouldn't really notice much from the DNA filter and exhaust. I did both of those (along with servo buddies) mostly to get heat out of the motor. The FP exhaust sounds great, but the tune is really what changed the dynamics of the bike. I did all three within a few months of each other, but the tune definitely livens up rock mode, fixes the idle issues, and richens up the bike to prevent heat issues. In terms of MPG, I run in rock mode 95% of the time. I do change the tune back to factory when I go for a yearly check at the dealer (about 2.5 hours away), and the difference in MPG between tuned vs stock in rock mode is about 7MPG. I say that because if I'm doing a long haul IBA kind of ride I will switch to roll mode on the highway to extend gas stops. Roll mode with and without the tune seems very similar at 40-42MPG. In terms of sound, it doesn't translate well on video, but I did post a sound video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYLMpHqMZ7mIkJo

[@RidingintheOzarks]

good run down on your mods.

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Thanks sir!

[@SeanFisk]

Love your ride. So close to pulling the trigger. How tall are you? Do you find yourself having enough leg room?

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Thanks, been great so far. I'm 6'1", pretty average distribution of upper and lower. I don't personally have a problem with room, but I've previously been on adventure/naked bikes that have a pretty similar rider triangle. If you're used to forward controls, it may be an issue (or so my Harley friends have said). Cheers!

[@SeanFisk]

@ thank you for response. This would be my first cruiser. Want something to take the wife on rides with. I use a street naked bike now for zipping around. The price on these are to good to pass up right now. Always loved the look and fit and finish of the R18s. Weight will be something to get used to. Lol

[@Chasing.Adventure]

@@SeanFisk While my wife would prefer the transcontinental, she enjoys the bagger. Granted, she is used to a postage stamp for a back seat, so YMMV lol. Weight is definitely a factor as low speed, but you get used to how to handle it... all 900+ pounds 😆

[@SeanFisk]

@@Chasing.Adventure she is a beast for sure. But it can be done. Lol. Thanks

[@dhc8guru]

Haven’t had any heat warnings in 100 degree plus stop and go riding . Maybe something they fixed it in later models. You will get low idle in rock mode. It is designed to get you a loping idle. Roll mode it will idle about 100 rev’s higher. You can disconnect the exhaust flap cables which will leave the flaps open all the time and then you don’t need the servo buddy’s. It really doesn’t change the exhaust note except mid range. I recommend getting the Kert brand brake pedal and shift peg extensions.

[@Chasing.Adventure]

I don't mind the potato attempt at idle, but it seems to only work in ideal conditions haha. I originally did disconnect the exhaust servo cables, but they were incredibly tight and the ends rubbed over time which I wasn't a fan of. Coupled with needing to potentially reconnect them (which was even more difficult then getting them out) if there was a service issue at the dealer, and the servo buddies were an easier solution for me. I've seen the extensions. Kinda on the fence about both, as I personally haven't had issues with the stock ones, and I feel like the stubby stock ones allow you to hang half your foot off the front of the floorboards without issues. Mostly a taste thing though for sure.

[@dhc8guru]

@@Chasing.AdventureI feel the larger brake extension is a must because it is key to low speed turns. I kept hunting for it and would slip off the stock pedal.

[@Chasing.Adventure]

@@dhc8guru I haven't personally found it to be an issue, but different feet, posture, positioning, etc. Ergo changes are built into the budget since every bike is made for a certain height/size average.

[@davidscott9687]

Hello Chasing Adventure, 😂I have a 2022 TC and over the years, I have added several of the items you have on your bike. I have the Freedom Exhaust 4.5 inch slip-ons as well. I want to add the DNA air filter next but before I do, I have one question. Do I need the BT Moto tuner first or can run it with just the exhaust and air filter without a tune?

[@Chasing.Adventure]

You should be fine with exhaust and air filter. The EFI will adjust the mixture automatically (over time, might chug for a couple of hundred miles). You'll pretty much just get sound though without the tune. Cheers 🍻

[@Birb_of_Judge]

Is that a bloody cup holder!?

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Yes, well really two of them.

[@mytoolfix]

did you upgrade your tires ? my front tire was bald at 8000 , i put on dunlop american elite

[@Chasing.Adventure]

I didn't have any particular issues with the Bridgestone H50, but I replaced both at 8,500 miles. Front want toast, rear had some life, but I didn't want to go back in a month. I tend to lean toward Michelin, and the BMW dealer had a set of Commander 2s on discount since the Commander 3 was replacing it. It may have slightly more predictable turn in. Both the Michelin and Bridgestone seem to have good wet performance, which is what I care about most. I know a lot of folks look at mileage as king, and mileage is going to vary wildly depending on riding conditions and how hard one rides. I've seen folks quote 12-13k on the Bridgestone. I don't want tires that are done at 5k, but I also don't want tires that are so "long life" they feel like marbles in the wet or cold. The Michelins seem to wearing better than the Bridgestones, but tire wear always falls off more quickly the last few thousand miles, so time will tell.

[@Texas2Tires]

Nice overview. The R18 gets a lot of bad press especially when they first came out. I ignored all the shade until I was able to test ride one. I rode a R18 B. I have to say I really enjoyed the ride. The only down sides of the bike that I could see is the inability to setup forward controls for those used to Harleys and the exhaust sound. With that in mind, do you have a video with the exhaust sound from your new pipes and tune? The stock sound is less than inspiring, so it would be cool to hear your pipes. Thanks

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Yea, that's pretty much what I say to everyone (98% cruisers around here). It's a great bike unless you need forward controls. I personally have always had standard or slightly sporty controls, so it feels normal to me. I have not ever tried to record the exhaust, but I certainly can. Always think exhaust translates different in videos, but setting a camera up behind the bike and firing it up is a pretty easy task. Might upload something today!

[@Texas2Tires]

@@Chasing.Adventure thanks for sharing your insights and experiences with the R18. My local BMW dealer has a R18 B in black with red pin stripping. It's really temping me to grab it. Let me know if you end up recording the exhaust. I'd love to hear it. Question, does your exhaust have baffles in and CAT attached?

[@Chasing.Adventure]

@@Texas2Tires kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYLMpHqMZ7mIkJo Just uploaded it. Being real, it sounds next to nothing like in real life. That's no baffles, stock headers with cats, exhaust flaps disabled (open), rock mode, BTmoto tune, Freedom Performance 4.5" slip ons. I love my bike, and having done a couple of IBA rides on it, I personally don't find the foot controls/position to be a problem. I'm 6'1" 200 pounds, and to me comfort is about being able to change positions slightly as needed, YMMV.

[@Miskini-tj6ec]

Does it feel quicker with the tune exhaust and dna

[@Chasing.Adventure]

So, I did the tune and air filter at basically the same time, and the exhaust separately. I would say the tune itself is far and away the biggest performance improvement. BTMoto has a list of what it's intended to do on their website, and I would say I personally think it lives up to what they claim. That said, it's an 800+ pound bike, so "quick" is going to be relative to expectations. Bummer they raised the tuner price to $900. At $600 it is an easy recommendation. Not that I wouldn't recommend it now, it's just not likely going to turn water into wine for anyone.

[@xanbiker]

🥸$$👍