We love Harleys. They’re the ultimate machines for a lot of people, and it is because they have a great combination of style, power, and heritage. However, they also command a premium, and that can become a hurdle for those who want a good cruiser but aren’t fierce loyalists.
Luckily for the consumer, everyone has their own version of what a good cruiser should be, and some do it better than others. That means there is a lot of choice if you want Harley-style comfort at a more accessible price point. There is one that offers massive bang for your buck, and not because it is such a large motorcycle. And it comes from a brand that is just as prestigious as the one from Milwaukee.
The BMW R 18 Offers Harley-Style Comfort At A More Accessible Price Point
There are many cruisers that have been developed by manufacturers that want to get a share of the very lucrative pie that Harley-Davidson has enjoyed for over a century now. Some imitate the brand’s products, some try to better them, and others follow their own path. That’s what BMW has done with the R 18. It brings a unique BMW flavor to the cruiser segment, just like it has to the adventure bike segment with the GS series.
BMW R 18 Price: $15,395
BMW had originally positioned the R 18 as a premium product, but it wasn’t received well at the price. It has since made a few price corrections, and now the R 18 is genuinely a good value buy, with a base price of just under $15,500. This is a full-size cruiser, mind; the full-size, full-featured Harley cruisers are now priced at around $20,000, so this is a great price.
BMW R 18 Engine
This is the largest boxer engine BMW has ever made. It doesn’t have liquid cooling, preferring to use the air flowing over the cylinder heads to its advantage. It is also a decision to prioritize torque over a high power output, and it has worked. Peak torque of 120 pound-feet arrives at 3,000 RPM, but 110 pound-feet is available from 2,000 to 4,000 RPM. The peak power of 91 horsepower is generated at 4,750 RPM. This is an extremely flexible engine, and it has a relaxed 9.6:1 compression ratio.
There is a by-wire throttle with lots of electronic help like ride modes, cruise control, stability control, and engine drag torque control on other variants of the R 18. The six-speed gearbox is unique as well, being separate from the engine, and it uses a dry clutch. An exposed driveshaft is used to transfer power to the rear wheel.
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BMW R 18 Chassis
BMW has deliberately chosen an old-school downtube frame for the R 18 series because it sees it as a platform for customization. The suspension is a more modern combination of telescopic forks and a rear monoshock. There is a preload adjustment at the rear. The front wheel is a 19-inch one, while the rear wheel is an 18-inch one. This is a unique motorcycle because its twin front discs and single rear disc all measure 300 mm, and they all have the exact same four-piston fixed caliper. ABS is standard.
BMW R 18 Dimensions
This is a large motorcycle, and it can work against it sometimes. The numbers stand at 96 inches long (it’s a little shorter than the other R 18 variants because of the chopped fender). It is low, though, with a seat height of 28.3 inches. Its size alone means that it weighs a considerable amount, with the curb weight at 760 pounds. The tank has a usable 4.2-gallon capacity, although BMW expects customization, so the tank volume isn’t a big concern.
BMW R 18 Features
The R 18 platform is many things to BMW, but the base model is intended as a customization platform. That is why it is devoid of features that we’ve come to expect from modern bikes. The instrument cluster is a single round pod with an analog speedometer with the numbers around the perimeter. Inside it are the warning lamps, and at the bottom, a reverse LCD offers information like the ride mode, odometer, and gear indicator.
There are a few packages that BMW offers to customize the R 18’s look from the factory. One is a drag bike style with a quarter fairing, drag ‘bars, an all-black look, and Akrapovič exhausts. Another is the bobber look, with mini-ape hangers, a different 21-inch front wheel design, and a license plate hung out at the side because of the chopped rear fender.
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BMW R 18 Competition
At its price, the BMW R 18 competes with quite a few products. There are two Harleys that are priced at just under $16,000, the Sportster S and the Street Bob, but they don’t focus on comfort as the BMW does. There is also the Indian Chief at just under $15,000, but again, it is a bobber-style motorcycle, so its focus isn’t necessarily comfort.
That leaves us with the premium cruisers in the Harley range. The Low Rider S focuses on being a power cruiser, so we’ll leave it out. The Heritage Classic would have been a great option, but it comes with luggage as standard. That leaves us with the Fat Boy, an icon of Americana. You won’t mistake it for anything else, and it definitely has more safety in the form of the six-axis IMU.
BMW R 18 Vs Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
|
Model |
BMW R 18 |
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy |
|
Price |
$15,395 |
$22,599 |
|
Engine |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
45° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,802 cc |
1,917 cc |
|
Power |
91 HP @ 4,750 RPM |
104 HP @ 4,800 RPM |
|
Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
126 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
|
Curb Weight |
760 LBs (wet) |
694 LBs (wet) |
Source: BMW USA