- Production-version of Concept R18.
- Largest capacity motorcycle engine BMW ever built.
- Three versions available.
For a few years now BMW has been experimenting with different concepts to re-enter the market for big Cruiser after their last attempt, the R1200 C, failed at the beginning of the century.
Instead of using the existing air-cooled 1200-boxer-engine used in the rNine T the Bavarians decided to develop a completely new air-cooled Boxer-engine with now 1800cc and introduced the idea on a concept bike earlier this year.
Our photos now show, although partially covered, a first detailed look at the final bike which will be presented on the EICMA in Milan at the beginning of November.
The basic concept of the production-ready bike seems to be identical to the concept bike but will use fuel-injection instead of a carburetor.
Power output is unknown, but likely to be just below 100 bhp and, despite its classic looks, modern electronics, such as engine modes and traction control can be expected.
Three models are expected in the beginning: Our photos show a Classic Cruiser and a Touring-Cruiser and earlier this year a Bagger was spotted during test drives on the German Autobahn.
All of them share the same technical layout and basic looks previewed by the concept, of which some details found their way on the production bike nearly unchanged, like the exposed shaft drive, drop-shaped fuel tank and the straight line formed by tank and frame from the steering head to the rear hub.
Later on, more Cruiser-versions can be expected, most of which will be aimed at their main competitor on this market: Harley-Davidson.
