BMW R 18: The German Cruiser That Challenged Harley-Davidson

Generally speaking a cruiser, no matter where it is produced, is an American affair. That's because by definition the breed is meant to be reminiscent of the style the American bikes (and by that I mean, naturally, Harley-Davidsons and Indians) of the 1930s through 1960s used to have. All of that while packing the most modern of technologies and creature comforts a rider needs today.

There are many players in the cruiser segment today. From the less widespread Benelli and Royal Enfield to Ducati and Suzuki, all have joined Harley and Indian in offering something for the segment.

BMW Motorrad, the European bike-making powerhouse, used to play the game as well. It last did so starting in 1997 with a two-wheeled machine called R1200 RC, a spectacular-looking two-wheeler that for one reason or another failed to push the American cruisers from under the spotlight.

The relative lack of success of the R1200 RC (about 40,000 of them were sold in seven years) prompted BMW to stop making it from 2004. And the Germans didn't return to the cruiser segment until 2020, when the arrival of a new type of engine allowed the birth of perhaps the most incredible German cruiser motorcycle that ever was: the R 18.

Taking direct aim at the likes of the Harley-Davidson Breakout 117, Indian Sport Chief, or even the Triumph Rocket 3 (but also the Japanese-made Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S., Kawasaki Vulcan S, or Honda Fury), the BMW R 18 was rapidly pushed into the spotlight by BMW as the cruiser to have as-is, and at the same time the perfect platform for some truly incredible custom work.

Since its introduction four years ago the R 18 has grown from a single bike into an entire family of six distinct models. They share the basic makeup of a successful cruiser, but each is meant for a specific type of customer, making the German offering even more enticing.

BMW is selling all six R 18 variants as part of the Heritage line of bikes, alongside seven versions of the R 12 and nineT. In this piece we'll have a close look at each of the six models and what sets them apart. But first, let's talk a bit about the most important component they share: the engine.

The Big Boxer Engine

The R 18 family of cruisers would not have been possible without the arrival of the most powerful and highest capacity two-cylinder boxer engine "ever used in motorcycle series production." BMW officially calls it the Big Boxer.

The engine is 1,802 cc in displacement and it was initially introduced with a power level of 91 hp at 4,750 rpm and 158 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm. Those exact numbers are still valid today, across the entire R 18 range, where it works with the help of a single-disc dry clutch and it is paired with a six-speed transmission.

The unit is air/oil cooled and runs a crankshaft forged from heat-treated steel. Unexpected bending vibrations are offset by means of an additional main bearing installed in the middle.

The engine's pistons, just like the housing, are made of aluminum. The powerplant comes in an OHV configuration, and has fork rocker arms-activated intake and exhaust valves.

The Big Boxer somewhat predates the bike it was installed on, as BMW started rolling out bits of info about it one year prior to the arrival of the first R 18.

In fact, as if trying to make a point of the fact the engine will go into a motorcycle intended to upset the Harley-dominated custom motorcycle industry, it was initially shown on two custom builds, a Custom Works Zon-made motorcycle, and an American Revival Cycles known as the Birdcage. These two bikes, alongside a small army of other r 18-based builds, will be the focus of a separate story here on autoevolution.

BMW R 18 ($14,995)

The first motorcycle in BMW's new cruiser range was unveiled back in 2020 as the R 18. It was to become the skeleton on which the rest of the family would later be successfully built on.

Visually speaking the bike is a cruiser true and true. The double-cradle steel frame that holds the Big Boxer engine in its embrace is highlighted by a low and long flyline, and everywhere you look you get a classic BMW bike vibe mixed with the most modern of technologies.

The rear swingarm, for instance, has been designed to be reminiscent of the one deployed on the R 5 of the 1930s. Also harkening back to that model are the pear-drop tank, the open-running driveshaft, and the exposed drive shaft.

At the time of writing BMW is offering the base R 18 for $14,995 and in five color schemes: Black Storm Metallic, Black Storm Metallic/Vintage, Option 719 Olivine, Manhattan Metallic Matte, and classic chrome.

The most alluring of these trim levels must be the Olivine, which also throws into the mix the Option 719 package. That's a series of upgrades that includes a weatherproof seat with diamond-shaped stitching and distinct forged wheels.

BMW R 18 Classic ($17,995)

When it launched its Big Boxer-engined motorcycle in 2020 BMW launched it in not one, but two variants. The second was the so-called Classic, whose name caused a bit of confusion but ultimately worked out in the Germans' favor.

The bike was technically pretty much the same as the one we discussed above, but it did bring a few special items to the table to separate it from the other.

First up, on a visual level, we have a 16-inch front wheel in a different design and an extra LED headlight. BMW also installed a windshield, saddle bags, and a passenger seat, with all three items being removable in nature.

Thanks to these little extras, BMW liked to say at the time that whereas the R 18 was purist in nature, the Classic played the role of a nostalgic touring bike.

The BMW R 18 Classic can be had in the U.S. for $17,995. The same trim options as with the R 18 are still on the table, including the Opition 719.

BMW R 18 B ($19,945)

Just one year after it introduced its family of cruisers into the world the German bike maker significantly expanded its offering (it outright doubled it) with the launch of the R 18 B and the R 18 Transcontinental.

Unlike what its designation would have you believe, the B in the former bike's name is not there to point to it being second to something, but in fact it stands for Bagger. Intended to be used for long-distance rides, it was clearly another shot fired in the direction of Harley-Davidson.

The R 18 B presents itself as a ride with no top case at the rear (but it does feature two side bags) and with a low windshield at the opposite end. The seat was slimmer than on other models of the family, while the fairing came across as larger. Somewhere in between there is a 6.3-gallon fuel tank.

The R 18 B is selling off the BMW lot for prices that presently start at $19,945. There are four color schemes to choose from, namely Racing Blue metallic, Manhattan metallic matte, Black Storm metallic, and the rather rare Style Option 719 – a little extra that adds no less than $3,395 to the starting price of the bike.

BMW R 18 Transcontinental ($23,995)

At the same time it introduced the B variant of the R 18 in 2021 BMW let loose into the world the mighty Transcontinental. This model is particularly important because it directly targeted Harley's supremacy in the Grand American Touring segment where the big boys like the Road King and the several Glides play in.

Mechanically speaking the model is in no way different from the rest of the bunch, as it employs the same kind of build and the same powertrain. It does stand out, though, thanks to a series of fittings that make it special in more ways than one.

Among these features are the front fairing with a high windshield, an engine guard, and the heated seat. Items only this version of the R 18 brings to the table include a vibration-decoupled top case capable of holding 48 liters of cargo, the body-color wind deflectors, or the continuously adjustable rocker switch.

The bike rocks a Marshall sound system, side cases to go with the top one, and quite a large amount of chrome trim.

BMW is selling the R 18 Transcontinental for prices that start at $23,995. There are four trim levels on the table, namely the Racing Blue metallic, Manhattan metallic matte, Black Storm metallic, and, naturally, Option 719, which adds almost $3,000 on top of the starting price.

BMW R 18 100 Years ($18,990)

Two years after it stepped back into the cruiser segment spotlight BMW Motorrad was getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary. To properly mark the occasion, the German carmaker announced several high-profile novelties that year, including special versions of the R nineT and R 18.

The R 18 100 Years relied on the same kind of hardware as its predecessor, from engine to frame and everything in between, only it added a few special touches that made it stand out as a separate model. Maybe.

The bike came in classic chrome, black (a shade called Avus in honor of the namesake high-speed race track in Berlin, displayed including on the engine, transmission housing and rear axle drive), and high-gloss chrome topped by a 100 Years badge. The wheel at the front carried black side covers and a mudguard with double lining, an approach mimicked on the rear wheel cover.

The bike had right from the get-go the Option 719 installed which brought a seat in black and oxblood with diamond embossing. The bike was also treated to chromed Akrapovic silencers whose tailpipe trims were perforated in the propeller style of the bike maker's logo.

When it launched the anniversary model two years ago BMW said it would only make 1,923 units of R 18 100 Years, just as it would the R nineT. There seem to be some left still, as the bike is still listed as available for a starting price of $18,990. Because this is a special model there are no separate trims.

BMW R 18 Roctane ($18,695)

The most recent addition to the R 18 range of motorcycles is the Roctane. Born in BMW's stables last year, it's a model meant to blend the cruising and touring worlds and throw in a touch of bagger.

Positioned somewhere between the entry-level R 18 and R 18 Classic and the top-of-the-range R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental, the Roctane is even more of a nod to the R 5 from decades ago than all the others combined.

The vibes of the old bike are visible in the design of the rear swingarm, with a rear axle enclosed with bolted connections. At the opposite end, the telescopic forks' fixed tubes have sleeves, while the entire suspension system comes with no electronic adjustment options.

Visually speaking the bike lacks any touch of shiny chrome, and the paint job is of the dark variety. We have Avus black metallic matt on the engine, dark chrome on the exhaust system, and high-gloss black covers all around.

The bike was propped on a new set of wheels, sized 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear. Two bags capable of holding 27 liters of cargo each almost completely obscure the rear one.

BMW is selling the R 18 Roctane for $18,695 at the time of writing and offers three color schemes for it, all of them on the dark side of things: Mineral Grey metallic black, Manhattan metallic matte, and Black Storm metallic.