The MAM Journals-BMW R18 100 years

[@OsakaMotorcycleTours]

I was looking at the Triumph R3, but after discovering the BMW R18 I decided I am buying this one. This is the best looking bike I have ever seen.

[@michaelmam]

Very distinctive looks ! Have fun 👍

[@xs898989]

most beautiful bike in decades

[@lancerbiker5263]

I commented recently on anothers review of a cruiser that "we all end up on a cruiser if we ride long enough." Very nicely done. If I could get past the worry of dropping that "work of art", I would perhaps consider one. Cheers

[@honestlion17]

I had the engine guards installed before I took delivery 😄

[@ThatGuy-li8lf]

I love the pace of your review - easy to digest. It feels like R18 is also well paced bike for “getting it”. :)

[@MrZulPeace]

I'm buying the testride model with only 227.8km! I love this R18 model.

[@noelleahy7427]

Nice watch.... had my R18 (same spec as tested but a first edition) for about 4 months.... never owned a cruiser (I'm 62yo).... I added it as a second bike mostly for it's vintage looks and class.... plus they were going cheap as new old stock (10,000 pounds equiv..... in Australia)..... anyway.... mostly fast windy roads where I am.... added a +25mm Wilbers shock.... travel goes from 90 to 115mm.... plus fork springs and emulators and lighter fork oil...... makes a lot of difference on poorly surfaced roads.... anyway... a great bike in my view.... lot's of comments... and after adjusting the heel/toe shifter I would not be without it..... Wunderlich make bits to help with that..... definately the bike to ride to heavens gates on.... a GS would get you turned away.....

[@michaelmam]

😂 . Thanks Noel . Great comments 👍

[@ФедорГлебов-ч2ф]

Was itching for a bike few years. But when I first saw r18b last september, all doubts have gone

[@AndySmith4501]

I was loaned one for the day when my R Nine T was in for a service and loved it. My only criticism was lack of ground clearance. The novelty of scraping metal on tarmac at mini roundabouts soon wears off. People have said to me, well it's a cruiser and not designed for enthusiastic cornering. Well I own a 2003 Moto Guzzi California EV1100 which say's otherwise, and would leave the R18 for dust on a twisty road. I'm not ruling out the R18, but this issue is holding me back.

[@michaelmam]

In terms of performance , braking and handling the R18 is definitely at the softer end of the cruiser market . Stunning looking bike though and great for those not in a rush . I rode the Triumph Rocket 3 Storm this year . A much more dynamic bike which goes , stops and handles surprisingly well for such a big bike . Different interpretations of a theme . Both great , in their own way 👍

[@wilcisco1159]

the mechanical arrangement of the bike is pure art. it like i am looking at a vintage locomotive

[@jfro5867]

Thank you Michael for this wonderful and thoughtful review. I’ve had my R18 about 14 months now, I absolutely love it. When ridden as a cruiser it just doesn’t disappoint. Art Deco on wheels. 👌

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to comment !

[@theaustralianconundrum]

I owned a 76 R90S in that orange and yes I sold it for a Z1000. That monstrosity in this video is cheap looking, pastiche and such a waste of resources from BMW. LOVE to see a reproduction R90S though! Now that might be something special. @@michaelmam

[@michaelmam]

Each to their own. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 👍​@@theaustralianconundrum

[@theaustralianconundrum]

I know. Another obnoxious Aussie opinion. Stay safe. @@michaelmam

[@michaelmam]

@@theaustralianconundrum 😂

[@rajeeveravindran]

Great review Michael. I just got my R18 10 days back and I am loving it. To share an experience, I was on the Sydney M5 last weekend heading for the Southern Highlands. The long weekend attracted a lot traffic. I was moving bumper to bumper for an hr. Not something I had expect on my first long trip on this heavy beauty. After trying different clutch positions at slow speed, found that the bike could stroll easily with no clutch and no hand on the gas without stalling. Real beauty with character 😇

[@michaelmam]

Sounds like you are having fun ! Long may it continue 👍

[@wave6413]

I have had mine 3 months in North Queensland, still quite rare here. It is not much slower then my 1100 Honda on a very twisty road. It is rolling mechanical art.

[@jfro5867]

On a clear and safe stretch of road try this party trick, 6th gear just on tick over no throttle. 👍

[@michaelmam]

@@jfro5867 bike has gone back now but it certainly has plenty of torque! Your experience confirms just how much 👍

[@irvan36mm]

Love the color scheme of that R18. The seat color fits really nicely with the rest of the bike.

[@michaelmam]

Very stylish bike . Not to everyone’s taste but that is ok . Plenty of choice in the market today 👍

[@NorthOxfordBMWMotorrad]

Fantastic video with great footage and detail! Thank you for sharing your review of our R18 100 Years, see you again soon.

[@michaelmam]

Glad you liked it . It was great fun riding it .

[@larrymarvel8463]

I own a 2022 R18b, 32000 miles later I knew I had to have another “Starbucks Bike” for my around town rides. Great information on the video, appreciate the honesty and first hand ride opinion. I prefer to call it a one in 1900 plus bike to have parked and ready for a day of easy cruising.. Nearing 70 by age group this is most likely my last purchase, thanks for the encouragement of ownership with a great video. 😊

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Larry . I often think about my time on that bike . It clearly left a very striking impression . Have fun , ride safe 👍

[@edwardlong2478]

Test road a few well known cruisers…….. when I road the R18 ……. made the purchase…it’s different……. It’s a mechanical piece of jewelry…. Rides great….. love the engine and exhaust design….. it holds its own……

[@michaelmam]

Have fun Edward 👍

[@jamesmegill]

I love it when companies build over the top motorcycles! A regular person can actually buy one! It's hilarious!

[@1990-t1j]

I'm not really a cruiser man, but I like this one. Ah, Easy Rider. I watched that. Thought I was Peter Fonda after on my CD175. I even had a sissy bar on it. Tied my open-faced helmet to it and rode sans helmet until one of my father's employees saw me and told me he'd tell him if he ever saw me riding helmetless again. That did the trick. 48 MPG isn't bad for an 1800. If I was going to have a really big cruiser, it would be the Goldwing 'bagger'. I like bikes which are easy to ride slowly. Small capacity bikes rarely are. I could ride in top gear with no throttle through Spanish villages on my Suzuki B-King. I may have mentioned that before ages ago. I'm in the 'these videos are a bit too long' camp. Too much on the specs, but I watched it all from the riding onwards, after only watching some of the specs part. Nick J

[@michaelmam]

Good to hear from you . Thanks for the comments . I think a few feel the specs section is longer than they need but you have clearly cracked how to shorten it 😂 I work on the principle that people watch as much or as little , as suits them . If I was thinking of buying one I would like the detail , if I was just browsing , possibly not 👍

[@1990-t1j]

@@michaelmam Absolutely. I defininitely noy buying one. NJ

[@gl2856]

Well Michael great video enjoyed a balanced review not many about on the R18, I have the Classic with the panniers and screen and I love it. Bought it for my 80th birthday and just coming up to 8 thousand smiles , most of my riding is in mid or north Wales very rarely do less than 180 miles run , use it on Roll and return 54 mpg , I prefer foot peg s to floor boards and have only touched down once , takes a few hundred smiles to fully appreciate how good this bike is, I now need two new tyres the Bridgestones have been great I was going to change to Michelin but can’t see the point now as I’ve been happy enough with the originals , I also have the original cruiser had it years now another great bike imho that very few liked , argh well can’t please everyone , cheers Graham

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Graham . It is an emotive bike and provokes strong views , for and against . Like you , I speak as I find . Some of my bikes are “popular” , some aren’t . I don’t worry either way . Have fun on the Classic . 👍

[@DavidOwen-xd4yy]

Another great and enjoyable review Michael, I’m certainly more inclined to try one of these after watching your informative and brilliant review 👌

[@michaelmam]

Go for it David 😂

[@periyavasamayal7453]

Nice video with classy review

[@michaelmam]

Thank you 👍

[@David-uu3wq]

I love my R18 first edition. They are indeed a marmite bike, and probably made more for the American market. More room, bigger roads ect. They take a while to aclimitise to, and a long test ride is a definite must if you are thinking about buying one.

[@leightodd7335]

That beast looks like a Art Deco sculpture to me. I can imagine myself with long leather gloves, boots to my knees, round goggles, and my earflaps blowing in the wind. I have seen a few of them on the roads in the middle part of the US. It stands out in the sea of Harley's and Indian's. Kind of sexy! lol Plus with that much torque I could plow my garden. Not sexy lol

[@michaelmam]

😂

[@inar684]

Wonderful Michael! Keep producing more such gems bro. Love from Delhi.

[@xavier.antony]

Absolutely this is a great one.. This is my first bike I ever purchased in my life. I ride with BMW Pure-Boxer jacket and gloves. Gives immense riding pleasure.

[@michaelmam]

Great to hear! Have fun

[@honestlion17]

I have one, too. I need to get some BMW gloves also. I feel like I am riding history.

[@iivaridark6850]

Truly one of the most high value presentations we have seen! Thanks for the great video! Personally, I think this bike is a beauty and stylistically very nice, the only thing which does not get me inspired is the weight and the low seat - my back is for the upright riding postion where one can rise from the seat slightly when needed. Otherwise I would be all in! The usable torque is something most important, I do not like high revving engines actually.

[@michaelmam]

Yes , there is something about low rev torque that just feels good .. Glad you liked the video and thank you for taking the time to comment 👍

[@theaustralianconundrum]

I've unsubscribed from your channel. I think it's best for the both of us. Take care sir!@@michaelmam

[@michaelmam]

@@theaustralianconundrum and you 👍

[@philc4520]

Great review. Balanced, informative & honest.

[@michaelmam]

That is what we aim to do . Glad it delivered for you . Thank you for taking the time to comment 👍

[@murraylove3632]

Great review & the bike is a useable work of art...cheers from New Zealand..

[@michaelmam]

Thank you . It is a thing of beauty . 👍

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

I am not a cruiser fan but this is art on two wheels! I have to admit. I do like the BMW boxers though. An R NineT pure would do just fine ;)

[@TheHikrr]

Nice Video, thanks for your thoughts on the R18. I‘ll have it for a testride at some point. Greetings from munich.

[@michaelmam]

@@TheHikrr thank you . Glad you enjoyed it . Have fun 👍

[@rosarioroberto5823]

Greetings Mr mam, As always another brilliant detailed video production 🇺🇲🍾🎉🇺🇲 Keep producing more videos

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it . Thank you for watching !

[@wb1956]

My Mars Red R18 arrives tomorrow. Many thanks for your review. It helped me pull the trigger!

[@michaelmam]

@@wb1956 Have Fun .. 🎉

[@LesterPaul58]

Wonderful review. Liked and subscribed.

[@michaelmam]

@@LesterPaul58 Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@MGT.joseee]

Very interesting, as always 👍👍

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it . Thank you for taking the time to comment 👍

[@erolyalim2911]

Very informative video! Good to know that the bike was very stable at Highway speeds especially with strong gusts of wind. I am actually waiting for the R12 to come out and compare it with the R18 in back to back test rides.

[@michaelmam]

Not normally my style of bike but I enjoyed riding it , thought it rode well and the attention to detail was very high . Not a particularly popular bike and some good deals available . I like it 👍

[@erolyalim2911]

​@@michaelmam I also noticed that R18's are scarce on the road. I haven't seen any R18's on the streets in Fort Lauderdale where I live. I would probably get a lot of onlookers if I bought one!

[@AdyRider]

An enjoyable & honest review as always Michael.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Ady ! Hope to catch up soon.

[@amotorcyclerider3230]

Thanks so much. I am getting one within a few weeks.

[@michaelmam]

Have fun 👍

[@atomicdmt8763]

outstanding!

[@michaelmam]

Thank you !

[@byronruhter1480]

I learned a lot from watching this helpful video. It has me thinking about shopping for one if they are still available.

[@michaelmam]

It is a very “niche” bike so suspect that there are bikes and deals, out there . I was only talking to a friend today about these today . I am not a cruiser rider , but these are very special . 👍

[@ashtonmarrero7932]

I love your videos , very soothing and classy review with elegance. I too will be purchasing the Roctane version.

[@michaelmam]

Glad you enjoyed it . Thank you . There are some very well priced , low mileage bikes out there . Have fun 👍

[@andymushlarky7819]

Nice bike, but the R9T 100 is my favorite, would love one of those in my garage to run around the north Yorkshire lanes.

[@michaelmam]

That would be fun 👍 Thanks for taking the time to comment .

[@ryaandnice]

I have an R9T. Great bike. But the ergos are odd. The knee bend is more than standard, with no easy way to lower pegs or raise seat.

[@davidwiggins8886]

Currently on a R1250R which is super, but I can certainly see the attraction on an R18, especially this very attractive version Thank you

[@michaelmam]

@@davidwiggins8886 very different types of bikes of course but both interesting . Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment ..

[@bernardlesperance742]

And another brick in the wall crumbles. Walls divide. Celebrate !

[@QuietStormX]

I love the Bike and the seat of this model and color... ;-D nice review...

[@oliw3664]

A lovely looking bike, beautifully finished. Not my cup of tea though. Thanks Michael.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you . Suspect it is a small market in the UK for these but was delighted to have a few days on one 👍

[@somyldad9342]

Salut, c'est vraiment une tres belle moto. Je vais l’essayer et peut être en acheter une.

[@byronruhter1480]

This bike has floorboards. I would welcome any info on how this was done. The rider peg R18's don't receive floorboards.

[@michaelmam]

Apparently you can retro fit the boards and associated parts . Quite expensive but achievable . Maybe ask a BMW dealer near you to price the parts up for you ?

[@itchyhope.6782]

Kwacka 9. You've also watched STONE, 1974!

[@Tatonka88]

Is the tank black or not? I can’t tell haha some angles it looks 100% chrome, others it’s black

[@michaelmam]

The tank is traditional BMW Black , White pinstripes with mirror finish on the sides . 👍

[@paulsire]

Nice bike but you'd have to wonder why manufacturers produce this and the rocket, the market is miniscule, all things considered. Also, you would have thought for a collector, the first numbered bike in a production run of a limited edition bike would be greatly sought after, which makes it all the stranger, that it is a demo bike. Very good presentation

[@barrybarnes96]

Damn that's a big bike...a locomotive.

[@michaelmam]

😂

[@xs898989]

epic

[@ianhalliwell8604]

Not my kind of bike I've had a couple of cruisers and couldn't get on with them but each to their own. I watched your video and chat even though I didn't particularly like the bike which says everything about your style and presentation.

[@michaelmam]

Thanks Ian . Not sure I am into cruisers but I did respect the build quality and can understand what people see in them 👍

[@samporter4818]

Good morning Mike! I really enjoyed your concise review of what might be my next Bike. I have been continuously riding since 1962 and my current bike, a 2023 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is # 90. I visited a Dealer yesterday and finally got to see a REAL, in the flesh, R18 Classic, which apparently are extremely RARE on our United States roads. BMW doesn't have a lot of Dealers in the Heartland, unlike HD and the Japanese brands. My recent bikes have been a Triumph Rocket 3 Roadster and an African Twin Adventure Sports and I've had ALL kinds of bikes from Trials to Superbikes but I still enjoy a BIG cruiser. I have had four 'R' series and one 'K' series Beemer's and love the brand but my nearest Dealer is 150 miles away, which gives me pause about buying one. I really appreciate your professional Gentlemanly demeanor, with NO FOUL language or HIP Hop/ Metal music in the background. Thank you.

[@michaelmam]

Thank you Sam . Sounds like you have enjoyed a lot of two wheel fun ! I was quite taken by the R18 and have thought about it numerous times since I had it so it clearly left an impression on me . Enjoy #91 … whatever you finally choose .

[@andypandy9931]

It looks very good quality as you would expect from BMW but I cab't imagine there it much of a market for these, maybe America. Imagine if it fell over, you would need a fork lift to pick it up.

[@michaelmam]

Thanks for taking the time to comment ! Yes . A heavy bike , as most are of this type . I suspect the trick is not to drop them . Quality of build was impressive . 👍

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

Steampunk comes to mind

[@michaelmam]

I know what you mean . Modern technology but looks old 👍

[@honestlion17]

Yes, my thoughts, too. Like something Jim West would have rode in the original Wild Wild West series.

[@wilderbeestmcc6539]

Practice ‘heel and toe” on your Honda c50😂👍🇬🇧

[@michaelmam]

😂 long time since I have ridden one of them . The C90 was the one 😉😂

[@kwik2008]

😊👍🙏

[@julianroberts9757]

Another massively informative video with great footage and detail. One of, if not the best from the MAM Journals. It's an impressive machine. I learnt so much about this R18 machine by watching the video. Absolutely superb. Well done. 🫡

[@splodge57]

Harley have the right engine for a cruiser. The big V twin looks beautiful, that Boxer looks, well it's not for me.😂

[@michaelmam]

Each to their own 😂

[@honestlion17]

Harley is not the same class as this motorcycle period.

[@barrybarnes96]

760 lbs? ..thought for sure they were over 800lbs.

[@michaelmam]

Anniversary model is lighter than some of the others . Still pretty heavy though 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@apexxxx10]

LBS (Lot of Bull Shit) Just kiddin' I know U R goin' METRIC Inch by inch, like Australia, China and most of Asia except INDIA Your ex colonies in Africa still Imperial measurements Europe and Russia, METRIC, of course. Greetings from sunny tropical THAILAND John K. Lindgren - The Septuagenerian Kawasaki Vulcan 650 Rider.

[@stephenwilliams926]

I think in imperial I don't understand this metric stuff you talk 😅

[@michaelmam]

😂.. with 8 billion of us on the planet , I can’t help but think the chances of us agreeing a measurement system are slim .

[@Ali.086]

لا يوجد تبريد مائي ، وهذه مشكله ارتفاع درجه حراره المحرك

[@michaelmam]

Unlikely to overheat in the UK ..🌧️ but clearly other parts of the world are significantly warmer . Have you got one and experienced overheating ?

[@Ali.086]

Yes, I have a 2018 model. Note that the temperature in Saudi Arabia is 50 degrees Celsius, so it must be used to cool the bike.

[@OsakaMotorcycleTours]

It is air/oil cooled which should be fine even in the heat.

[@apexxxx10]

​@@Ali.086*THANKS FOR USING CELSIUS/ CENTIGRADE! The Gold Standard Temperature Measurement*

[@123456bpb]

No such design. You said "push rod activated overhead cam".

[@michaelmam]

You are right . I should have said push rod activated rocker arms .. sorry ..

[@oldhickory4686]

I love the bike, but when I heard about not releasing a service manual, I was completely turned off. Maybe all manufacturers will go this way, but until then, I refuse to give BMW a nickel. Because that attitude tells me, "Yeah, we own this bike, and we're just leasing it to you." Complete turnoff. I saw the video where they gave this guy all these phone numbers to call and just gave him a run around. They basically are playing a game of not publicly telling their consumers, "Yeah, we're basically lying to you, we're going to send you on a wild goose chase, until you just give up."

[@michaelmam]

Been like that for a few years I believe ? Personally it is not an issue for me . I use my local dealer for servicing but can understand why it would put off those, that can and like to , do it themselves .

[@oldhickory4686]

@@michaelmam The first time I heard about this was from John Deere, who was forcing farmers to have their tractors come in for "software updates". Imagine trying to haul that equipment into a dealer!

[@duncansteedman9986]

That’s interesting - thanks - I hadn’t considered this 👍

[@anthonydraper1231231]

@@oldhickory4686bit different

[@oldhickory4686]

@@anthonydraper1231231 So insightful. Thank you.

[@stevenCox-oj8uu]

What crap ! I stopped watching when He said it had "PUSH ROD OVERHEAD CAMS " ?????/

[@michaelmam]

Yes . They are of course chain driven ! 🤦 Sorry ..

[@stevenCox-oj8uu]

@@michaelmam ?

[@michaelmam]

@@stevenCox-oj8uu I should have said pushrod activated OHV , with 2 , chain driven cams … I make the occasional mistake when filming as it can be tricky talking to a camera . I spotted it after we had launched the video and you can’t edit then . Sorry it annoyed you . It annoyed me as well …

[@356cruzer4]

Enjoy your Asian bikes in good health

[@michaelmam]

Sorry, not sure I understand this comment?

[@JsnHgl]

Then we learned that Germany is in Asia.

[@jackwood2328]

There were unsold R18 first editions in dealerships last spring. You can buy new for £12k. It's a total flop because it's a hipster kiddy pram. Do your homework.

[@michaelmam]

I review bikes in their own right and not on the basis of how they are selling . If we only bought bikes that are popular we would all be riding Honda step throughs ….

[@jackwood2328]

@michaelmam Hmm, smart. I wish you wouldn't encourage people to buy something susceptible to plummeting depreciation on a pretext as thin as that. Aren't you trying to be helpful? I am.

[@jfro5867]

@@michaelmam well said Michael. Unfortunately some people are just arseholes and troll for the sake of it.

[@michaelmam]

@@jfro5867 😂. Yes . Fortunately I don’t get many . I normally reply once , as politely as I can muster and then let them get on with it …

[@jackwood2328]

​@@jfro5867I am truly flattered😂

[@sbsb4995]

This is a very stupid machine. You drop it and you are done with. Boxer engine is simply idiotic. 😢

[@michaelmam]

Horizontally opposed twins have been about an awful long time . The R18 is an extreme example but drop most bikes at any speed , they are likely be written off …

[@honestlion17]

2 words.....engine guards 😅

[@ryaandnice]

Nope. Drop a boxer, even without protection of which there are a multitude of options, usually worse case is you need a new valve cover. And in the meantime it saved your feet from being crushed. Try again.

[@apexxxx10]

​​@@honestlion17 *Crash Bars*

[@ФедорГлебов-ч2ф]

You dont know what youre talking about. Had a serious accident with my r18b. Had to change only cylinder cover (100$), and an ignition coil under this cover (140$). Super solid bike

[@fifiandmax]

Such a shame BMW couldn't put a springer front end on this beauty. I would have laid my cash down on one. A wider fuel tank would be more in scale for both visually and touring range