VOLUME 57 ISSUE 39 SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 P107
handlebars—there's more options
than ever in a BMW aftersales range
to make the bike unique to you, a
fact that will only grow over the years
as more bikes come from BMW in
this segment.
IN THE SADDLE
OF THE R 18
FIRST EDITION
If you're not used to the stance of a
cruiser, the BMW will be a bit of a
shock. With a seat height of just 27.2
inches, and a wet weight of, wait for
it, a claimed 760 pounds, the R 18
gives a feeling unlike any bike bear-
ing its badge before.
But if those numbers are a shock,
you should wait until you fire that big
twin up. Remember how old boxers
would pulsate from side-to-side?
This is something BMW has largely
tuned out with its modern engine
designs, but it's something they re-
manufactured with the R 18. Thumb
the starter and the boxer booms
into life with a proper, hard thump,
enough to knock you off your bal-
ance if you're not careful.
It settles down to an idle of just on
1000 rpm, but once you're going,
the excessive weight offers a coun-
ter by making the R 18 supremely
stable and surprisingly fluid in cor-
ners, once you get over the fact that
there's very little ground clearance at
your disposal before you start scrap-
ing the hero knobs on the pegs.
The 1802cc boxer, once you've
jacked the ECU modes up into Rock
mode for the most direct throttle
response and reduced traction
control, punches with the might of
a heavyweight boxer (excuse the
