BMW R18 Classic Review | Better than Harley-Davidson?

The BMW R18 Classic is the touring version of the standard R18 - BMW's cruiser motorcycle, and it features a 16-inches front wheel fitted with a fat tyre, a big wind-screen, two leather bags, and some nice slim pipes. But is it enough to be a competitor to Harley-Davidson's cruiser bikes?

[@mavericksdad050]

Rest In Peace, my friend. You will be missed. Ride all the bikes in heaven.

[@zunaidkajee4540]

what happened? did he pass away? Any links to news? this is so sad 😞

[@mavericksdad050]

@@zunaidkajee4540 He crashed while riding in the rain on his GSA. Very sad.

[@zunaidkajee4540]

@@mavericksdad050 Gone way too soon May CHRISTIAN rest in peace 🙏

[@JsnHgl]

Test rode one yesterday for about an hour. I left impressed and strongly considering replacing my Bonneville T120 with one. Great bike.

[@wave6413]

I hope you swapped ........??..??

[@awkipintee]

Good & fair review. I like this bike. BMW took on the elephant in the room and most serious reviewers are very positive about this beautiful motorcycle that combines modern tech with classic, vintage styling, and the perfect torque curve for this style of riding, and it’s dripping with character. I’m not sayin it’s better than Indian or Harley but it’s about time we had another choice.

[@osamabinladen824]

Nice comment.

[@leighmcqueeney9848]

We have had another choice for years. Moto Guzzi 1400 is vastly superior to the BMW, due to it's excellent handling and performance. Triumph too. Thunderbird 1700 was a gem. Rocket 3 RS leaves them all in the shade.

[@safina7006]

I Have a BMW R18 Classic, I like it a lot.

[@osamabinladen824]

George Barger How about the sound? Tell us more about it.

[@rolandjosef7961]

If money is unlimited for me, an R-18 Classic will already be sitting in my garage.

[@edgarsdzerins]

I never liked cruisers. But I have just bought R18 because of retro metal, chrome and quality!

[@wunnaswe1340]

we miss u man :(

[@luigidinardo]

Great review of this great bike. On a side note, the last time BMW made a bike this big, it came with a side car and a machine gun...lol...:)

[@osamabinladen824]

Is it bigger than R1250? I'm not talking about the engine, but the overall size.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Brilliant idea - BMW should market it as a sidecar bike. The machine gun could go on the option list!

[@osamabinladen824]

@@MrAndrew1953 I would buy that.

[@adityachowhan3239]

@@osamabinladen824 hehe am scared

[@MrHornig]

The R18 is amazing and looks great 🏍🚀👍

[@wasimskhan]

Bro, appreciate your honest review. You did it with great enthusiasm. Well deserved like and subscribe. Cheers.

[@rolfpetermarti]

Very good review. Just completed the first 1000 km on my new R18 Classic and agree with all stated findings including the better factory side configured suspension compared to the R18

[@duosable]

How 's the wind protection or buffeting with stock setup? I heard there are buffeting that can be solved by adding fork deflectors.

[@COOLCABMAN]

Love the exhaust note while u were riding

[@lakevacm]

Thanks for the review, it was enjoyable

[@brucekendall52]

Good to hear your views,thank you.

[@gl2856]

Just dropped on your review, I can tell you like it a lot👍I have the Classic and your right about the improvements over the pure. The suspension /front wheel combustion is much better , you’re right about the screen , I fitted a screen deflector from Wunderlich, my only gripe is the seat very uncomfortable, I’m going to fit the day long from Mustang seats. Good review. Thanks. GL

[@stewy62]

I’m not a cruiser fan but I am a boxer fan, the lines of this bike are very nice and I especially like the classic black paint with white pin stripes and the deep chrome, including the exposed final drive. I hope they sell more R18’s than they did of my bike (RnineT Racer ❤️). I know Romania is a beautiful country but where exactly was this filmed? Some spectacular scenery (and I guess Communist era buildings, not so nice!) 🇬🇧🏍

[@travelinben1966]

It looks and sounds fantastic.I must give one a go.👍🏻

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Superb review my friend! 👌

[@steve-wu7jp]

Beautiful bike and nice review

[@kellyco4139]

A beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery

[@13elad49]

A beautiful motorcycle, when my ship comes in I will buy!

[@boxofmoles4057]

Speaking only for myself, I solved the wind buffeting by adding wind deflectors from Memphis Shades. I had tried various windscreen heights but that made no discernable difference. I love this bike. 💚

[@PatrizioBassoRicci]

best reviewer ever. Safe trip.

[@dwightcrooks4976]

Im glad Borat got new work.

[@DaveDayve]

Need to update the firmware on yr right hand... Or the tires.... Or the dirty street.... Great video... Luv it ☺

[@carguybd]

I have one of every genre bike- sportbike, ADV, sport tourer, and a 6 cyl. vintage CBX for eye candy. What I no longer have is a cruiser. But yesterday I spent the day on the R18 and was incredibly impressed with the overall package. It’s just a riot to ride. Exiting corners in 2-3 and hammering the throttle yields a massive boot of do-whop 2-cyl. torque. I think BMW out-Harley’d them right from the starting gate! I am seriously considering an R18 Bagger.

[@leighmcqueeney9848]

You must have had very ordinary experiences lately. Ridden the 2.5 Triumph Rocket 3 or the new Indians. Leave the BMW in the shade.

[@Larry.Roberton]

The bike looks excellent. Even makes loud music.

[@erolyalim2911]

Very infinformative review. If the R18 first edition and the R18 Classic are virtually the same bike, why wouldn't one buy the first edition and put all the options that are on the Classic including the beefier front tire? Would you get the same ride quality, comfort and maneuverability if you did put all those options on the first edition?

[@Mellowcatden]

The oil cooler seems to be leaking. There’s a patch of oil beneath it where it’s parked. Anyone else noticed that?

[@steveross2280]

If it only had bigger jugs I’d like it! No, really, just test drove at Daytona Bike Week, call me when they put out a bagger with full fairing and floorboards vs foot pegs mounted forward. I’m 6’3” and my legs started cramping before we got out of parking lot. Same thing happened when I traded my Valkyrie for the new Gold Wing. Great power plant, though, and never put it in “rock” mode!

[@ashtonmarrero7932]

I cant believe he's gone... my condolences to him and family.

[@bwkern3]

I have the standard R18 1st edition. And I noticed when i put it in roll mode the vibrations are less at highway speeds than rock mode. I'm going to assume the small weight gain and the tire change to a larger wall tire help with the bumps

[@duosable]

It could be the weight and tire because from every artical I read, all of them says theres no difference in Frame, Suspension, Engine between the R18 and R18 classic

[@Dude_Virus]

I would love to upgrade to this from my Harley but the only thing holding me back, is the disproportionate tank. They should have given a bigger and beefier tank. Also the handlebar needs to be a 1.5 inches thickness like the fatboy.

[@dutch1171]

You’re right about the tank, I can’t unsee now how small it looks.

[@user-wo6ge5lz3m]

What a beauty

[@robertsutton3439]

hi looking for exhaust for my r 18 brand please

[@ohm5180]

i am a lover of harley and the r18 its a pice of museum and a number 1 !!!

[@mahmoud5461]

Just Amazing😍🌈🌟

[@apexxxx10]

BMW "BUILT IN BERLIN' Deutschland/Germany. Here is a BMW Motorrad Built in THAILAND (not Thaiwan) Johnny - BikeSanooK straight from BANGKOK (not Bangalore) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaW9dnysgLmZitk

[@inasuc]

Better than Harley Davidson but the new Indian Chief is my favorite!

[@bardenegri21]

Nice

[@RollinwithRoland]

Nice riding and review, especially draggin' hard parts!!! My opinion on the bike is Meh... I'll keep my '96 VF750 Magna for touring. It's setup with Jardine forward controls that give it around 47 degrees of lean and likely quicker in a quarter mile than the R18 and any Hardley... XD Would love to see you all review a third generation Magna.

[@ikust007]

I exchange my RT1000 1987 for a HD Nightster 2007. Still miss my Beemer…

[@sboy1955]

Sorry to hear about this man’s death. Good review, does anyone know what year this bike is?

[@sorinsrn5442]

Mi.a sarit un pic inima cand ai atins cu scarita de asfalt in curba:)

[@SuperWingdriver]

Like always, great review, I started visiting Romania in 2005 and I came back every year for 3 weeks, I just wonder in witch region the first minuts of this video are filmed, great roads and perfect views

[@theodoreberbach9562]

Rest in peace Cristian, ride all the bikes in the past, now, and future forever in heaven bro

[@saifrider1993]

What happened to him ?

[@dagconst1]

What kind of bags are they ?

[@scottcordero]

Stock

[@slowsteve3497]

May his memory be a blessing.

[@mrvoyagerm]

I don't like the buffeting, but I do like the reverse gear.

[@helmutweikert3054]

I don't like the way those huge cylinders stick out. It's garish. If they wanted to be different they should have maybe kept the 1800cc but made a in-line 4 cylinder so the cans are smaller and more symmetrical with the rest of the bike. What do you think?

[@desmondseetoh5208]

At first it looked a little weird at first, but it's grown on me and it's probably what makes it stand out from the regular American cruiser V-twin market. I had the S1000XR with the inline engine. 1800cc will turn this into an oven.

[@MrAndrew1953]

A beautiful big bike with character in spades. Concerned it might scrape too easily?

[@k16gt87]

I took one on a demo ride yesterday in Daytona. The pegs scrapped easily....

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@k16gt87 Do you think that’s a deal breaker for you or that you’d be prepared to adapt your riding style because the bike is worth doing that for?

[@k16gt87]

@@MrAndrew1953 , adapting to the bike is easy...I rode the classic version of the R18. While it is a interesting bike, it wouldn't be my choice, if I was looking for that style bike.

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@k16gt87 What would you recommend if you were interested in a Cruiser? I would appreciate your opinion. Thanks.

[@k16gt87]

That unfortunately is gonna be a personal preference thing. Try to sit on, and ride anything that catches your eye...

[@ikust007]

5:20 that’s terrible . I am changing my HD because I have too much issues with annoy noise and buffeting also

[@jeffreyolleres4891]

I like BMW so much.

[@TheFrenchXC]

nice

[@autonomousindividual7780]

Beautiful bike and it's growing on me. I know the trend is "less is more' and the mid and small displacement bikes are getting better and better. They can be a lot of fun too. However, there is something to be said for big lazy power and some heft on a long distance machine. Not a huge difference in economy when you consider the size difference. I say enjoy it all if you can while you can. We are spoiled with choices like never before. It seems assured we will be heading into a global economic collapse and reset. These things will likely be gone, at least for a time, with the reality of disposable income. I hope can grab one soon enough.

[@EminBastea]

R.i.p, Cristian

[@GenXBiker]

It is a very fun bike to ride around town and would make a good addition to a stable but not a replacement bike

[@ronaldthomas9396]

Love to have this engine in a homebuilt aircraft!

[@grantbradley5084]

As much as I’m a fan of BMW motorcycles (I’ve owned 6 currently a 2019 RT) the R18 is an albatross. I can’t imagine hoping on this for a 600 mile one day trip. Harley Davidson controls the cruiser market.

[@static369]

10:23 word of the day!

[@cpuuk]

It's more comfortable because of the chunky tires.

[@rsmith3033]

bmw needs to release a service manaul

[@441rider]

Well it scrapes smoother than my 82 r100rt or 72 r60/5 toaster! For 27k euros I can buy in Canada... A 91 750Ducati x 3, A project HD knucklehead with new AU knuckle engine or so many other bikes like 2-3 BMW R69's or r90ss. LOL!

[@northerniltree]

This bike would get you by in a scrape. But, it's pricey. So, scrape together a little cash. Oh, did I mention scrape?

[@p.r.abhijith5339]

Bro do a review of Ducati scrambler desert seld

[@martinboskovic4143]

Windscreen is fine, buffeting is coming from fairing. Bike needs lower wind protectors and buffeting is gone

[@alexsystems2001]

I dunno about this perspective 😅 it’s a “cruising” motorcycle but he keeps using the term “touring” I’m in touring I’m getting on my RT this bike even having saddle bags those are mostly to put your jacket and gloves in when you go in to a place to eat or pick up a few nic nacs at the store. This is definitely not a “touring” motorcycle and shouldn’t be reviewed as a touring motorcycle. The main reason I’m interested in it is because it’s beautiful! I also dunno why you keep highlighting the idle shake. My R1200c does that, my R1150RT does that, it’s just a characteristic of the engine. If you don’t like the shake at idle on these… go buy a Harley, I hear they are much smoother at idle 🤣.

[@AndyBondo]

R.I.P buddy

[@troymelandri1731]

I wanted to buy a BMWR18 I went to a dealership and there were about 3 second-hand bikes only two years old I asked the sales rep why where these bikes returned and he told me that the owners updated them to a new model I said bullshit two that. I took one for a test ride and I nether went back this bike is not for me thanks

[@jimwortham8634]

Would BMW all in luck problem been riding many years all of us now and then drop our motorcycle that scares me

[@mariohanzek712]

Imagine....New GS 1800 Adventure LOL :-)

[@osamabinladen824]

That would be nice.

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

Maybe they will sell two dozen in the USA - giving Harley Davidson executives sleepless night! LOL

[@uytouytoo9944]

rip brother.

[@jasenhaynes8046]

You need to ride out the scrape man. Welcome to motorcycling if your going to have a channel

[@abazdarhon]

This bike isn’t any competitor to Harley or Indian it has his own market like the bmw boxers before ww2. This bike should not compete with Harley that is wrong approach - it should stay away from that dying market and keep with his own heritage which with r18 have chance to wake up in Europe. I like the vibrations and sound of engine it remind me my old k75 194 and my m72 which was “copy” of bmw R71 ( I say copy as history shown that Russians engineers do to plan Ribbentrop Molotov and for oil and metals ores have access to German building plants to train they engineers as such m72 could not be a copy but actual concession build with Russian changes to they market and capability. R71 was tested by Wehrmacht in1939 on fields in Ukraine before it was introduce to army).

[@victorleonardobarbosa8020]

For many riders HD is a pain in their asses ..they are always talking badly about HD bikes.

[@bayramcelik5939]

14 inches ape handle and fishtail egzos that's all u need for this bike

[@fifiandmax]

The plastic type switchgear is ugly on this bike. Needs to be high quality metal

[@ebarenholz]

First!!

[@rubensahak9178]

Once again BMW instead of creating its own hike trying to be American Cruiser with ugly windscreen generic looking bags destroying the essence of R18.BMW should of molded beautiful hard polymer bags and sculpted screen instead we got ugly written all over otherwise beautiful R18

[@forumboss2620]

Bad windscreen, and I don’t like the idea of 16 inch front wheel. In my experience such wheels with fatter tires tend to cause the bike to lift if front brake is applied mid turn. Bad engineering.

[@osamabinladen824]

You're just oversensitive.

[@ujangjay6703]

Rip Bro

[@wilko527]

It's like the a-list celebrity of motorbikes. Probably OK in small doses, way overpriced, useless at most practical things, would really get on your nerves after a bit.

[@geneclarke2205]

Best review to date.

[@Xlac]

I would rather have a Harley-Davidson.

[@safina7006]

My HD 1200CC vibration caused repairs each year. I prefer to save money and ride more so I have a R18 classic.

[@lefterisbampaidis5446]

Better than HD? Hahahaha Pretty much anything.

[@MzeeWeeed]

In terms of quality. Yes.

[@jeffrichards2954]

Better then a Harley? Talk about setting the bar low lol!!!

[@dantilden3896]

RIP

[@ryanmalone2681]

A Vespa is even better than a HD.

[@omarsalgado9715]

Comentario de resentido. Jaja.

[@rorynicholson8558]

It sounds like a loose bucket of bolts. Very noisy engine.

[@hjpatrick88]

Too many this one.. i dont know

[@dungbeetlemovies]

0:18 :/

[@sll-tt6bj]

Just about any motorcycle is better than Harley-Davidson

[@leighmcqueeney9848]

Better than Harley Davidson is a low bar, but even then I don't think it is. Too heavy and not enough power. Harley gets away with it by being a Harley..BMW needs to be be like Indian, Moto Guzzi and Triumph - significantly better than Harley

[@macexpert7247]

Needs and automatic transmission 😜

[@asaasa6301]

Мотоцикл для лилипутов....

[@DerangedResponse]

I been watching a few of these videos concerning this bike. I've also seen the bar hopper version of this bike. I like it, but I think I like the tourer style more. It's a more practical ride. That being said, there are several things I DON'T like about this bike. One. sticker price. Sorry but if you're gonna go after Harley's market, putting your model in the same price range right off the bat isn't going to help. Also, The throttle setting traction control crap. Who really needs that? Get rid of that stupid garbage. I think that nonsense is ridiculous for crotch rockets man. Secondly, what all can you do so far with it? If BMW only runs this bike for five years, what are getting parts for it gonna be like? What about after market? What about the warranty? How good is that and how strict? As far as actually being any sort of competitor to Harley? Nah. It's more like a flavor of the week. And if that's all that bike is marketed for, it will go the way the rest of the "harley killers" did. A short run model with virtually no aftermarket support for it. Instead of going after the harley crowd, they should go after the gold wingers. Depending on how easy it is to swap the module and injectors, it would seem be a contender to the muscle bike crowd too. But a direct Harley competitor? LOLOLOL not "hardly".

[@northerniltree]

That was a deranged response.

[@zulkifalahmad2347]

Does this bike have a Parkinson's disease

[@strokenumber3]

Great video again, but that bike is just a stupid piece of engineering, which was designed only to pander to HD owners. And one thing is sure, that bike vibrates excessively.

[@MzeeWeeed]

I love this bike. In that case it isnt that stupid🙂

[@racingtag1237]

Stupid comments are usually coming from those who can never effort one.,Jealousy shortening life! GSA / RR / R18

[@ikust007]

Sadly not the bike for me . Just too cumbersome.

[@pureblood2020]

The horn on it is a joke & pathetic! Sounds like it should be on a moped. It is also geared way to high.

[@victorleonardobarbosa8020]

First Hd Bikes built IN 1903 had a better sound that this new BMW.