BMW R 18: A first ride from the South African launch.

BMW's second attempt to make a cruiser that will win the hearts, minds and wallets of Americans.
Videography by Meghan McCabe: megmccabephotography
Produced by Full Access Media (Pty) Ltd
The Bike Show Website: www.thebikesho...
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Filmed in South Africa. Prices in South African Rands and may differ in other countries.

[@user-cn8vb9hh5z]

Its a beautiful engine to look at. That's it for me. If I wanted a cruiser then it would be Rocket 3 over this.

[@markmcintosh7095]

I bought the first one my dealer got in. I love the looks and people are always saying nice bike and beautiful bike. It did take a little time to get used to it. Now I really like it. The motor is the best part. It's way faster than you think. On the down side the brakes could be better and it's heavy. The rear shock could be better and the seat more comfortable. I have a 2018 Harley Heritage with a 114 and it stops better. Is much more comfortable and comes with bags and wind screen for about 7000 less. However I take the R18 9 times out 10 when going for a ride.

[@naduncan100]

Many thanks, greatly appreciated. Cheers

[@tigerick7291]

Definitely Rocket 3 for me if I was looking for a bike in that category. I think BMW tried too hard with this one.

[@Boxer1250RT]

As someone who has seen the the R5 in the BMW Museum, that bikes proportions are much better. A little shorter and a little taller, probably lighter too. 1800 cc is just to compete with the HD size. Totally unnecessary. A 1250 Boxer could have done the job, just like the other Boxers.

[@mark675]

We know how Americans like big engines

[@colberki]

I beg to differ. Without the 1802cc engine, it’s going to be much like my old R Nine T. I am loving my R18 First Edition.

[@josech]

That is 1800cc of pure marketing BS

[@JohnJay1745]

It's me. Really it's me, but I can't even make it through the reviews of this motorcycle. I have seen it in person and it's great to look at, but I have no interest in owning one. That said, I am sure BMW did its homework and there are many people in the States who love cruisers.

[@jamesfisher1827]

I have seen a BMW film that shows some brackets fitted above the cylinders which I imagine are instead of highway pegs. Be interesting to see how they work, might get a bit hot in summer, but great for colder rides.

[@pggp273]

BMW are plucking at straws now that they realise that this designers fantasy has no place in the American cruiser market and will never sell.

[@orangecrush1976]

I would love to see a comparison between Indian, Harley, BMW and Moto Guzzi.

[@pggp273]

This hideous piece of garbage hasn't any soul. What a hideous pointless heap of scrap metal this excuse for a motorcycle is

[@discogodfather22]

Take it from a lifetime vintage BMW rider, they totally missed the mark with this 761 lbs monster. My 69 R60/2 weights 435 pounds. Some of the /3's weighed half as much as this. It's just not cool.

[@digger8180]

Fantastic footage, hat's off to your camera team and edit. Fantastic looking bike, must have a go one one. If Freddie Mercury ever rode a motorcycle that machine would be it.

[@mark675]

Are you saying its gay?

[@Renown.]

Cant wait to test ride. 👌

[@zunaidkajee4540]

Nice bike, but definitely not 360k nice, imo. Will pick this bike up in January, with a few kilos on the clock, for 250k. the base model will loose at least 100k in the new year.

[@blikkiesblignaut6999]

You are right about the roads in the Cape. I am from Strand, 10km from Clarence Drive, the second best road in RSA. The best road is still Long Tom pass. Long Tom is like a combination of Clarence Drive and Hells Hoogte ( between Stellenbosch and Pniel).

[@joestrickland5153]

Press the authorities to remodel and upgrade kylalami to be the WORLD CLASS FACILITY IT DESERVES TO BE!!

[@jarrodwilson7702]

If you lean your body a lot more you can save some leaning of the bike to combat a bit of the scraping.

[@jonnycando]

If you run out of clearance in a curve that’s tightening you roll off throttle to slow down and stand the bike up a little, you won’t need as much lean at a lower speed......this is the nature of cruisers.....waft through the curves, don’t try to straighten them out as with a crotch rocket!

[@jfro5867]

Even a cruiser has to have some cornering ability, unless you want to take every bend at 20mph, just incase! Think they should have used the R9T motor in a smaller and more useable frame.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Looks good. It would look better if it was blacked out. Chrome on motorbikes is like gold on women. I'd rather have my MT-01.

[@Renown.]

🤭🤭🤭

[@cosef4491]

You guys always do a great job. Thank you

[@rsmith3033]

bmw needs to release tha service manaul

[@davidjones535]

They did that made in Berlin because the people their aiming this bike at in the States are more likely to by it if it's made in Germany , A third of us are part German from are Grandparents or great grandparents , one of my grandmothers was born in Germany

[@peter2679]

Foot peg positioning is a deal breaker.

[@bwxmoto]

Engine looks like an old Electrolux vacuum cleaner.

[@joestrickland5153]

Bring GP AND MOTO GP BACK TO SOUTH AFRICA

[@alq1967]

How comfortable is the seat? Glad you mentioned it. I used to have the Triumph Thunderbird Commander with the best most comfortable seat. So sorry I sold it but the BMW is air-cooled which is very cool. No radiator.

[@sabamacx]

Imagine releasing a boomer-mobile in 2020.

[@bwxmoto]

Dr. Seuss designed the mufflers

[@andrebotha5684]

it sounds like a 125cc delivery bike

[@splodge5714]

Not a nice looker with them big jugs sticking out and all that tacky chrome. I'd have a Harley Softail, better engine, looks and comfort.

[@pggp273]

Never before has a motorcycle made me want to puke. But this hideous monstrosity is so fucking ridiculous, it should have never left the drawing board. This is a designers fantasy that will be purchased by hooray Henry's with more money than any serious enthusiasm for motorcycling

[@RRSmurf]

Errr, not my cuppa tea.....