The BMW R 18 Classic // Funky, analog, large

A cruiser that's heavy, unrefined, expensive, and has timeless styling... Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Regardless of how it stacks up against its most obvious competition, the BMW R18 offers an interesting riding experience. I can't be the only one who thinks the motor looks like it belongs in a WWI biplane!
Come find me at BIKES & BREAKFAST!
www.bikesandbreakfast.com/
Clifton, VA on October 17
Follow me on Instagram to learn about other events I'll be attending: / van_blamm
**GET MY GEAR**
(contains Amazon Affiliate links; if you buy from Amazon after clicking one of these links, I may earn a tiny commission at no cost to you)
CAMERA GEAR
Mirrorless camera: Sony Alpha a6300 (amzn.to/3hPS1SU)
Current model: amzn.to/2GemcVS
Long lens for a6300: Sony 55-210mm E-Mount lens (amzn.to/31PGOfy)
Prime lens for a6300: Meike MK 25mm E-Mount lens (amzn.to/31N33mn)
Helmet camera: GoPro Hero7 Black (amzn.to/3hKNt07)
Helmet camera mount: RideTechMoto GoPro mount for Shoei RF1200 (rb.gy/zh2fgx)
GoPro 3.5mm mic adapter (amzn.to/3ilsS2V)
Housing for GoPro & mic adapter combo (amzn.to/3lUT9at)
Handlebar camera: GoPro Hero5 Session (amzn.to/2DlGgVn)
ND filters: Neewer Filter Kit for GoPro 5/6/7 (amzn.to/34RaATe)
Drone: DJI Mavic Air (amzn.to/2YX9VMi)
Current model: amzn.to/2F1ngf2
Audio recorder: H1 Zoom (amzn.to/3hX9KIk)
Mini shotgun mic: Rode VideoMicro (amzn.to/2EEXaPv)
Vlogging tripod: Joby GorillaPod (amzn.to/3lJsNb5)
Compact tripod: YoTilon Travel Tripod (amzn.to/34YSrmi)
Camera slider: Zeapon Micro 2 (amzn.to/3hPllZG)
MOTORCYCLE GEAR
Note: I am 5’8” (173cm), 160lb (72kg)
Yellow helmet: Shoei RF1200, L (amzn.to/3lImCnB)
Leather jacket: Rev’It! Flatbush, 48 (discontinued)
Mesh jacket: Rev’It! Eclipse, M (rb.gy/j7josc)
Cold/wet weather jacket: Rev’It! Nautilus, 48 (discontinued)
Olive armored riding pants: Speed & Strength Dogs of War, 32x30 (discontinued)
Blue kevlar riding jeans: Draggin’ Jeans Slim Fit, 32x30 (rb.gy/wuezi3)
Waterproof riding boots: Tourmaster Solution WP Air, 10 (amzn.to/3bj8IDE)
Breathable gloves: Scorpion EXO SGS MKII, M (amzn.to/2ERzLdv)
Cold/wet weather gloves: Rev’It! Boxxer H2O, M (rb.gy/vieady)
Bluetooth communicator: Sena SMH10R (amzn.to/2QSs0Gx)

[@VanBlamm]

Come join me at Bikes & Breakfast! Poolesville, MD on Sunday, October 3, and Clifton, VA on Sunday, October 17.

[@broadwaybart]

R18 100 Anniversary owner. Always was a Harley guy, but now I stand out amongst the others! My FAVORITE bike!!!!

[@VanBlamm]

Congrats!

[@neilljennings-nj7el]

I just bought one and have absolutely no complaints at all.

[@VanBlamm]

Glad to hear it!

[@juliaherrera6514]

Thanks for the review. I've been following your channel for a while and appreciate your unpretentious style. Too many "experts" and fully equipped youtubers out there. I found you relatable and down to Earth. Thanks again, love the content ✌️

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks so much! I hope I can always bring that authenticity to the table no matter where this channel goes.

[@davidberry5015]

I have one and it’s a perfect cruiser.

[@VanBlamm]

Nice. I like them more every time I see one.

[@JC-uq7tp]

Nicely done video. Pleasant to watch. The r18 classic to me on a recent demo was awkward yet satisfying. I loved it.

[@mvshtaq]

Awesome!! Very well done! 🎉

[@SrinivasGanesh]

Lovely!

[@dbonillab]

Great description of how riding this bike feels. Greetings from TX!

[@cg1288]

I had the Classic and loved how it road....seamless and smooth. I bought it knowing it only had around a 4.2 gallon fuel tank and no fuel-gauge. What I didn't know was that it had tubed tires. I am an odd duck and stuff like that festers in my mind. So after a while, I just got pissed-off every time I rode it, and i pondered why I spent that much money on something that should have had a 7 gallon tank and a fuel-gauge. My mistake really. A shame too, because it was comfortable gobbling up miles until you needed fuel.

[@wltrlg]

The R18. I enjoy watching your speed twin more😊

[@ronaldthomas9396]

I love the looks and am seriously considering it!

[@erolyalim2911]

The R18 Classic looks more beautiful when you see it in person. I would choose it over other cruisers because it's style is unique and very classic. I haven't tested one. But love a bike with character. So I think I would overall like it. The price could be an issue. I wish it were less expensive.

[@123456bpb]

You made a miss statement. The Classic does have a tachometer. You have to select it from the menu.

[@stevoone342]

Good vid. I’ve just purchased a R18 Continental. I test road the bagger and that engine is Fantastic and personally the wight was no issue but I am coming off a K1600 GRAND AMERICA witch is another awesome bike. But the looks build quality and features are awesome. Also compared to a equal specked Harly Davidson the bmw wins on cost. But a lot come down to taste and affordability. Carnt wait till I receive her.

[@VanBlamm]

Enjoy! That's gonna be a really fun bike for road trips

[@philipjosephbarker7737]

Good review, I've been considering buying the same model you just test rode but was hoping the company with a 22litre or more fuel tank option for my long distance remote country rides. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened and the only model with the larger fuel tank is the fully loaded top of the range model. Looks like I'll have to stick with my older BMW GS models.

[@chrismeyler]

I don't think I'd ever blow a wad on anything as ridiculous as a big heavy cruiser. However, I would be tempted by the bmw over an HD or Indian because it is different. There's no mistaking what it is.

[@VanBlamm]

It really is a special machine. Whether it's special enough to justify the msrp is up to the individual.

[@gypsywheels]

👍 👍 👍

[@rwfrwf100]

Rented one a couple of weeks ago to see if it was good bike for a two week tour. Plenty of admiring looks in the car park (the bike, not me) but it vibrates like a combine harvester and the windshield has the aerodynamics of an umbrella - the unfaired version is probably more comfortable without the buffeting. It also overheated at the traffic lights. 120 miles and I was done…. But then again you buy a bike like this to look at, polish, and occasionally ride to a steakhouse in the next town down the road.

[@JelloThatsMellow]

This is the real review we needed; whether or not this is a real bike or just a shiny toy

[@waydegardner7373]

@@JelloThatsMellow I’ve done 350-400 mile days with no issues. The windshield with some lowers on the forks make a big difference. It’s not for everyone but no bike is. It’s a low rpm cruiser with great torque. The bags are small and the seat atrocious. I can’t tell you how many people ask me what year is it? Riders that complain about the shake must not have ever ridden an HD. My RG shakes and shimmies at the light but smooth as glass on the highway. Same with my Classic.

[@123456bpb]

Mostly untrue. My 2022 does not vibrate. I do have bikes that do have vibrations at the handlebars, the R18 does not.

[@rwfrwf100]

@@123456bpb 👍

[@nickpallitto1578]

Thanks, I’ve already decided not to purchase. The price was 20k, as I walked away, it came down to 16k. I’m a lifetime Harley Bagger fan, like I said, you solidified my reason not to buy.

[@feloniousmonk3049]

This bike is for the Baby Boomers and maybe some Gen X that have owned American made Milwaukee type Cruisers, are bored with the Bar and Shield "Tax" on their new bikes, and know how to ride the torque and go cruising in the canyons. Take it for a ride in the Black Hills, maybe take the Trans Continental model for a ride down interstates in mountain states. 1800 to 3500 rpm is where this bike shines. Keep it in that rpm range, and it'll be a happy camper, and you'll be a happy camper. All you need to do is look at a torque curve graph to know what it does best, if you know how to read them.

[@talltimbot]

Begin with the chrome reverser lever

[@VVoltz]

Nice! Would you prefer this or an RnineT?

[@VanBlamm]

Tough question! In concept I prefer the R-NineT, but the only one I've ridden is the Scrambler, which I didn't like because of the tires. I might like the Pure or Urban GS more than the R18.

[@13elad49]

BMW R18 would be my first choice. Expensive though. The exposed drive is way cool!

[@waydegardner7373]

My Classic after BMW incentives was $15,600 out the door. A bargain for what it is.

[@garybaldwin1061]

Good review. You said it shakes from idle to cruising speed. To me there's a difference between a shake at idle which is nothing, to a vibration at cruising speed which is not good. Did it vibrate annoyingly while 70/80?

[@waydegardner7373]

I own a Classic. It is very smooth on the highway and 70-80mph is zero issue. This bike isn’t made to rev and does buzz a bit at 4800-5000rpm. It has gobs of torque. Not sure why he said it didn’t. 117ft lbs.

[@rishon2951]

Where did y do the street triple vlog

[@VanBlamm]

Mostly Potomac, MD and Arlington, VA. I also filmed another vlog with it out in the Shenandoah area but I haven't edited that one yet.

[@duosable]

How was the wind noise or buffering? Thanks.

[@VanBlamm]

Hmm, unfortunately I think the ride was too short for me to judge that

[@kellyco4139]

I think your review would be the most critical I’ve seen of the R18 . Perhaps you should do some real miles on one and then do a review or are you just a critic of BMW’s ?

[@VanBlamm]

BMW dealers near me are putting some pretty heavy markdowns on these things and yet they're still selling slowly, so I believe I'm not alone in thinking the R18 leaves a little bit to be desired. That said, I do think it's a cool machine, and you're right that it would be best enjoyed over a long journey. I think the Bagger and Transcontinental versions are what this bike ought to be; the Classic trim I rode here doesn't really play to the R18's strengths. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@boxofmoles4057]

I own the Classic version. Love it. One flaw. The windscreen is abhorrent. Horrific wind buffeting. Shame on the design engineer who should be fired. Abysmal failure. However, there is a fix, at a very reasonable price. Clearview Shields (Fort Collins, Colorado). Multiple heights, widths, and curvature to redirect wind. Impressive, and a great price. 36 years making windscreen and shipping worldwide.

[@stevedotworld]

The technology some puts it above everything else. 10.5” screen and analog gauges, come on! How was the weight at speed though?

[@VanBlamm]

True, the full-blown dash on the Bagger & Transcontinental looks great. The Classic is minimalistic to a fault. It didn't feel heavy once up to speed!

[@stevedotworld]

@@VanBlamm I sat on and tipped up the TC and it felt very large. Like “ I don’t know about this…” large. Ha ha.

[@sunnyverghese8232]

Rocket or R18 ….what’s your pick….

[@VanBlamm]

Rocket 3 alllllll day. Not even close.

[@heathmantakeone]

I like this bike, but I also like to stretch my legs forward. I'm hoping there's a seat that can comfortably set me back 4 inches or so to make it work.

[@VanBlamm]

It's such a huge machine, there's got to be enough room for a more rearward seat (paired with some more swept-back handlebars)

[@heathmantakeone]

That's what I was hoping. Thanks, for the info!

[@tomislavstanich9379]

BMW R18, in its prime vesion, to be honest, is more the city self contained bike. It is the Parading Stallion. Screw all of these descriptions and craps of "she to be the cruiser bike". The CENTRE of the UNIVERSE is the "GROSSE BOXER Engine", which all the bikers and people around should respect and admire! If you want the cruiser get the HONDA GW DCT of 2021. The BMW R18 is the CONAN without ax or sword. Congratulation BMW. We are glad that the BMW R18 with all its versions is here❗❗❗

[@VanBlamm]

Kudos to BMW for making a version of the R18 for just about everyone

[@tomislavstanich9379]

@@VanBlamm What are trying to say?

[@007rockford]

I personally don't like engines sticking out like that, if it falls engine will get the first hit... what were the engineers thinking god knows!

[@thelost_woods]

Baffled why BMW would purposely give it a smaller tank than the competition. Anything under 5gal is a waste of money.

[@KingClashMedia]

I've tried the R18, and then the Road King Special... It was honestly a easy choice. The shaking of the engine, the (for me) awkward position of the pegs and the bad weight distribution made me glad the test drive was over... My Road King is just a fantastic bike in every possible way. But that's just me of course! It's a good thing that not everyone has the same taste....😊

[@lapinobel]

This or a Harley Fatboy?

[@VanBlamm]

I haven't ridden a Fatboy, but anything with the 114 M8 is pretty hard to say no to.

[@waydegardner7373]

A Fat Boy is a nice bike and certainly in the running. I bought the R18 Classic simply because it’s a different (and more enjoyable for me) bike. The simple single display works quite well once you understand how to roll through the modes. It’s remarkably nimble for an 800lb bike. I think the 16” ft wheel makes for a smoother and more easily maneuverable experience. Ride em both. Pick what’s best for you.

[@johnnydangerously7186]

Unbelievably heavy off the kickstand just like Harley. My Roadmaster has superior engineering and looks

[@feloniousmonk3049]

This bike is an absolute pig getting up off the kickstand, compared to any HD softail model. Porker. Low center of gravity, yes, but that left jug so far away from the axis center of gravity is a total pig. Start leaning, and you better have strong legs and upper body strength to get her centered again, quickly.

[@willhorsley2105]

Nice review of a silly bike.

[@willhorsley2105]

Other opinions are available

[@VanBlamm]

Nobody can straddle pretentious and weird quite as well as BMW does