BMW's R 18 Classic Cruiser

[@kellyco4139]

Great honest review 👍 The more I ride my R18 the more I want to ride it . It’s a beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery and a total joy to ride

[@nadirkaranjia3407]

Super review - enjoyed the observations and comments. you are also the first person (and I have scoured the net for reviews of the R18) who has astutely observed that this bike IS a potential alternative for a GS owner... that is EXACTLY where I am right now. It is the most unlikely of surmises .. but it is so intuitively true. My heart has always been cruiser - had a harley years ago, and after it, for the past 5 years have had the GS - I consider it the ultimate bike .... and that has been the biggest problem for me - never been able to find anything (in my personal view and taste) that can match up to comfort and capability of the GS. Nothing came close as a replacement ....Until I rode the R18. This is the FIRST bike in all the years I have owned the GS that has me thinking I could actually settle down with a bike for the rest of my motorcycling days, that is not a GS. The Only issue I am facing currently is the rear suspension - which on the kind of lousy roads we have were I come from, delivers a bit of a harsh ride to the lower back. LESS harsh than the Harley but harsher of course that the GS. Wrote to Motorrad and begged them to include Dynamic Electronic Suspension (DESA) to the 18 :-) for me that would be the game changer. Even the bobber "Harmony" seat would work ... but without some comfort to a pillion it is difficult to make the R 18 ones only bike. Watching the aftermarket closely. There is not a thing on this machine I dont like aside the seat and rear suspension. If I find a solution for those two things I can overlook the lack of fuel gauge and soft sounding exhausts... the exhausts dont bother me too much .. prefer those triangular ones on the Concept at launch thought 😀. Sorry for the long message but to find a review that resonates with exactly the stage in motorcycling that I am at ... is a gift. Cheers

[@Andre-hi9xn]

Curious, or even not, but no one(KZbin) has made a serious and honest review of this motorbike like you! And without sparing the criticism! Respect.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks!

[@stevengodfrey891]

After 52yrs of riding and most recently 6 different new Harleys over the last 15yrs, (Softail Deuce, V Rod, Street Glide, Fat Bob, Breakout and Softail Slim). I test rode the R18 back to back with a HD Lowrider S 117 over the same roads including motorway. I bought the R18. What a difference. Yes the Lowrider has more power, and yes it has better cornering ability but the R18 is smoother, better built and unique. It came standard with radar cruise control, heated grips, reverse, traction control etc etc. Also, the price was less than the Lowrider! I’m sick of riding a cruiser that everyone has and riding the R18 is an event. As for comfort, I find the R18 seat no worse than any of my standard new Harleys I had. It certainly stands out from the crowd.

[@tractioncontroldelete]

Only honest review on KZbin. Respect

[@jfro5867]

Well, I bought one and it’s terrific. Just ride it like it’s meant to be ridden and it does not disappoint. Its a beautiful bike very well put together and I love the fishtails. It’s by far THE most relaxing bike I have ever owned/ridden. I’m not a Harley hater either, I’ve had a few over the years and like them.

[@mnnic4292]

Great comments and presentation. Well done. Cheers!

[@gl2856]

Good video with sensible comments, had my Classic in June 22 , part exd my 1200 gsa, don’t regret it for a second , I do agree the seat is horrible, but I’ve fitted a Mustang all day long seat. What a difference that’s made , the screens a touch short for a 6 footer, but the rest is just sublime, has to be the best looking bmw ever.

[@gerardmontgomery280]

I'm torn equally between the new, ultra modern looking Indian Chief and the R18 if I was going for a cruiser. I think the boxer engine just nudges the Beemer ahead, you're right about BMW brand loyalty. Once you get used to their quirks you start to wonder what nobody else does thing the same way. I even liked the old three button indicators and wish they'd bring them back.

[@grippymud7545]

I already liked the R18 but the recent classic edition checks all the boxes for me with its big windscreen, classy saddlebags and sober exhaust. I'm all about adventure bikes but this one might make me buy a leather jacket. 😂

[@flex215]

I love it, flipping between this and the Indian Scout bobber.

[@ozziejim8472]

Fantastic job with this one mate! Loved the history section too. Must test ride one day.

[@steveh7108]

If they only made it more like the original R5 it would have been a much better bike and much more rideable. BMW is obviously aiming for the American Cruiser Market with this bike but it failed to acknowledge that a cruiser still has to be comfortable and rideable long distance. I guess BMW did not notice that retro bikes with a midsize engine are popular in the us as well. If only they made it more Nimble and rideable like the original R5 with any appropriate sized motor it would have been a huge hit!

[@chrisg4rr377]

I dig it. Plus its fun playing on the build planner to choose your own spec

[@Firestorm637]

Really great video. Thx. I like the looks

[@seanashenden]

As always, and it’s getting boring to say , but I just love your reviews. I feel you could probably convince Arabs to buy sand . And thought it’s not my bag , not that I have anything against cruisers having spent weeks on a road king touring US and Canada, I feel this is where you have the privilege of having twenty different wife’s all good at different things !! Having to own just one bike is really a difficult thing to do . This is probably why I love these reviews so much , it’s as close as I will get to riding so many different models and makes . So thanks John , top , top work by you and the crew again . 👍👍

[@stevereilly]

Brilliant video, thank you, helps with my decision making

[@Firestorm637]

Harley’s are on every corner. Nice to have other Choices.

[@luisribeiro4267]

I must say I'll now look differently (positive) at this bike, after enjoying your review. One can see you know what you're talking about... insights by a guy that really rides 24/7, for a change. Thks for sharing, love your style man(!) even though you weren't able to pronounce "CASCAIS - Portugal" in you Triumphs' reviews ... ah ah ah Cheers from PORTUGAL, take care, be safe, but keep on riding 🇵🇹😎✌🏼

[@johnhogan8816]

Luis I still feel bad for getting the pronunciation wrong! You have great roads down there, I hope we can get back to Portugal for a ride soon.

[@luisribeiro4267]

@@johnhogan8816 thank you for your kind reply 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Don’t worry about it; Hope you do come back here, either on official business or on your own, and please take the time do Ride up north, in the Douro Valley region, UNESCO heritage, nursery of the O’Porto wine; Now that is a route with landscapes and roads to ride and long remember ... And do visit the vineyards and the riverside cellars... You’ll see that your sweetened palate will ensure a correct pronunciation of Northern Portugal’s historical villas! 😉😋 Hope to meet you here by then 👍🏼 Keep up the fine work and excellent reviews. All the best to the entire team 🤜🏼🤛🏼 🇵🇹 🇬🇧

[@marcusmckay3668]

Nice review articulate and to the point.

[@colindeans5972]

I like the way you avoided the "it's not got a fuel gauge" issue. Nice review, thanks.

[@Andre-hi9xn]

A motorcyclist does not need to have a fuel gauge... A real one.

[@BlockHead805]

Oh and I think that they’ve been’skin deep’ making motorcycles for seventy one years. Plonka

[@johnhogan8816]

What are you trying to say? Honda? What’s wrong with Cyprus?

[@fabzrustrider9838]

That’s a beautiful engine wow BMW

[@tyroneshoelace4872]

Went to test ride one of these. After doing a lot of research, asking questions, and sitting on the bike and starting it up, I walked out without test riding it. It's a massive fail in every way. for those considering this bike, here is a crib sheet for you; 1. no fuel gauged. Seriously BMW? 2. sparks fly at every turn from the footpegs scraping the road. 3. terrible suspension travel. You feel every bump. 4. instrument cluster is on a flexible rubber mount and so it vibrates. 5. entire bike shakes terribly. 6. the bike is thrown to the left when you rev the engine. 7. cannot fit your foot between the brake lever and the piston head unless you are wearing sneakers. 8. seat is as soft as granite. 9. cannot straighten your legs. For short people there will not be too much complaining, but for everyone else... 10. the engine has no more ability than any other bike in this class. 11. It's expensive. 12. No cruise control. 13.The only reason this bike isn't mistaken for a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan is because of that stupid engine design. Does that make it "beautiful" as every review proclaims? 14. Key fob is obnoxiously large, and some say it often fails to register it's presence when near the bike. 15. some report that your left foot is interfered with by the kickstand while attempting to change gears. 16. If this thing was intended for the American market, they missed the mark. No self respecting man wants to pull up along side a Harley or Indian with something that sounds like a Honda, especially for $22,000.00 (plus dealer costs, plus tax, plus plus...). There are more lovely features, but I'm tired of writing...

[@threethrushes]

It is a curiosity. Something that will tickle a collector`s fancy, or a rich hipster, I imagine. Good review.

[@captainaverage721]

Would've liked to have seen this styling ethos transcribed onto a more usable R9RT platform

[@captainaverage721]

@@justdad53 Indeed a cynical attempt to suggest a better bike for less money and deny BMW increased profit!

[@mrbookends]

Great intro about the history! I just sat on one of these at my local dealership when I was picking up my 9T from routing maintenance and I can definitely say that it's not something I'm interested in, as a rider, but I absolutely GET IT. Neat bike but certainly not for me!

[@bikerbuddy3166]

Another really good in-depth review as ever 😎☝️🇬🇧 I will definitely miss working with on press launches , stay safe out there

[@brucekendall52]

Excellent video work,thks.JHB-SA

[@funkyfin3023]

Great review again. Ugly in 1935 even worse in 2020. Rocket 3 spitfire over this any day.

[@med-3000]

Great perspective!

[@robbikebob]

I really like the styling queues, but I wish they had made it way smaller and lighter in the range of V7's, bonneville's etc. Like a far more retro R9T. I've owned lots of cruisers and far prefer the feet out position, even if mid pegs are fitted I like the option of highway pegs. If my feet aren't forward, I like them underneath me. It's also way too much money for what you get. I think it appeals to just too few people.

[@w00ey21]

Did your shins ever feel cramped in behind the heads?

[@landseverywhere2155]

would be cool to see this go up against blockhead's 131 ci dyna low rider this is an awesome bike.

[@nome5184]

Great video!! Love your style of presenting and production is at high level. Bike is shit tought😎

[@karamlevi]

Well sold, excellent communication. I ride a FatBob114 H-D, but this bike is also very interesting. The FatBob curves turns and traffic like nothing is even there... at 100mph it’s not planted. The short wheel base allows power commuting but not chilling at 100mph. I need a wind screen and narrower bars for that to occur but this R18 should be the opposite. Slower in traffic and faster on top end freeway. So if you want to cover allot of ground between destinations the longer wheel base is more comfortable and safer... However sluggish if your a asshole carving between cars and acting the fool like me 🤗. Coming off of the BMW 800ST and BMW 1150RS, Kaw 600RR I had trouble just getting a straight cruiser. So FatBob is a sports-cruiser. The up side is it’s very fun around town and on turns or power commuting, the down side is crossing the SF Bay Area requires more patience as mock speed crushing is NOT happening comfortably with a short wheel base. I hope this informs anyone choosing... as if one 🏍 can rule them all 🙈🙉🙊 (all LOTR references appreciated😜)

[@thatf_inguy8220]

This model is not for me, but if they do right by the R18/2 that may be the one. Shave a little weight, ditch the chrome, add the fairing, chop the fender and Im probably in.

[@jamsxr]

Good review. Does it have a blipper 😜?

[@barryholden5774]

Great review, but if i was spending 19K on a bike i would want a bit more. Cruise control, SatNav etc, its still a good bike though.

[@stevengodfrey891]

I just bought one…. First Edition… came with radar cruise control, reverse, heated grips, traction control (which can be turned off - don’t know why) and the usual specs. Love it!

[@nycLPplayer]

Beautiful but a cruiser but only one riding position wont cut it for long miles. No one will put pegs on the engine covers.

[@Aint1S]

Harley's using pot metal and I'm almost 100% sure BMW is using Germany as well as other European metals... That said, I like it!

[@bwxmoto]

DRINK every time he says "balls", "bum", "butt", or "ass".. 😆

[@andrewharris3380]

It’s like Bovril, Marmite and Peanut butter on two wheels.

[@woodyjagla328]

,,,,, one cool bike - fact.

[@Miguelito0oO]

I was waiting for the engine sound 😞

[@ecrusch]

Great review as always, but this bike isn't for me.

[@johnclark1925]

I prefer the look of the older 1930’s bike. This has taken steroids and had a trip to McD’s.

[@peterhatfield5632]

Kartoffel, Kartoffel - LOL. I doubt many would understand.

[@Mtbjitsu]

Spuds!

[@Nekminute]

the hipster special

[@rsmith3033]

All this heratiage over 100 years of building tha boxer engine an yet some azz whipe keeps delaying tha service manaul for tha dam R-18 . if i own it i’am gona keep it n specs my dam self

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Too much chrome and it's heavy, albeit low-slung weight. I like the shape of the exhausts. They should be matt black. I don't like the exposed shaft. Cruisers: I'd rather have a Goldwing Bagger [which is also heavy etc].

[@veeken777]

I have a 5series car and bmw engines inc bikes just go forever

[@Ajieputra19]

Pertamax Gan....

[@jackchristodoulou197]

I parked beside one on the weekend even more ugly up close

[@twinwheels4717]

Loving the look but my ocd is killing me with the pinstriping, when you look down at the tank the thick line is on top but when you look down at the mudguard the thin line is on top no ,matter how good the bike is that'd drive me up the fekin wall !!!

[@pascalmg6209]

I had the same feeling and felt stupid. Good to know I am not alone in my madness 😂

[@twinwheels4717]

@@pascalmg6209 What were they thinking!!!

[@gentleman279]

I am a GSA rider, if i go with one of these type, which i am thinking in lot, it would be new Harley factory custom FATBOY. I am a real Beemer but i wouldn't like to pay a penny for this bmw disaster

[@user-mv1zu6cp9b]

Bmw usually copy the other manufacture's bike

[@599Dan]

No thanks

[@gsenna472]

ieuwwwww... my god .. it's a sofa on wheels... not my cup of tea..

[@UhuruFrontier]

That BMW's pipes are ugly as hell.

[@pggp273]

This ridiculous hideous monstrosity has no place on UK roads. Stupid contraptions like this should stay as the designers fantasy as it has no place in the real world

[@Szlejer]

Still a fugly bike with silly little handlebars and a grey concrete block in the middle... The old bike looks 100+ times better.

[@rideroll9609]

Video without sound of engine is useless= dislike

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

There's no audio on the tracking and very little audio on the GoPro footage due to wind noise. Do you want some fake motorbike engine sounds over the top?

[@lumazzoni]

What an ugly piece of metal 🙈🤮

[@_audacerider3838]

As a ex BMW R1100S owner I'm super happy that BMW had the balls to build the R18! Now I was hopping it will look closer to the R18concept/2 then what we got to begin with but i recon there will be more versions to come. Now I think I ride the closest motorcycle to it which is Moto Guzzi California Audace 1400 and I would love to see a test compering the two. Moto Guzzi Audace also has mid mouted pegs shaft drive 3 riding modes switchblade tracion control with a bit more ground clearance and more power and a but less torque and it weights 315kg instead of 345kg for the BMW. I would love to see this little transvestite moted twin showdown! If you can't get yourhands on one from moto guzzi UK I'm happy to lend you my one for the test :)