Test Ride and Review of BMW R18 First Edition: Performance Insights

We’re probably less than a decade away from motorcycle companies struggling to make their battery-powered machines unique. Now is the time when you’d think these companies would make it easy for us to slowly cut away the character of motorcycles of the past. But BMW doesn’t seem to have any such intentions. Whether it’s a final farewell or a smattering of German humor, the R18 delivers an internal-combustion experience you’ll never forget.

Engine magic

The reason for this is its massive engine, which it proudly shows off. Normally, our reviews do not begin with the engine, but it would have been disrespectful to ignore this one. The boxer engine has a long history with BMW; indeed, it powered one of their first bikes almost a century ago. It’s the same layout you’ll find on the company’s popular big GS. However, the big ribbed cylinders you see on this bike are 901cc, each! That makes it far bigger than the GS’s motor and the largest-capacity twin-cylinder boxer engine on a production motorcycle.

The center of attention

The result is an experience like never before. Thumb the starter and it turns over with a strong rock in the direction of its long crankshaft. Combine this with consistent vibrations and you have an engine that feels alive. As you twist the throttle, the intensity of the rock and rumble grows, promising to wake you up even from your deepest sleep.

On the move, in typical boxer fashion, it’s as smooth as can be, but there are just the right amount of pulses during acceleration. Despite its massive size, this engine is no powerhouse. It only produces 91hp which doesn’t feel like much on a bike this heavy. But this engine is a master at making torque – 158Nm to be precise, almost all of which comes at 2,000rpm. It doesn’t complain as much as a V-twin at low revs and you can ride it from 1,300rpm without much protest.

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Riding experience

It’s no surprise that the R18 picks up speed quickly, and it will max out its 200kph speedo pretty quickly. On the other hand, it will do it at idling RPMs (950rpm) at 60kph in 6th gear and at just 2,000rpm at a cruising speed of 100kph. Playing the throttle in the most aggressive riding mode, Rock, is a lot of fun. The huge wave of torque comes with a deep rumble and the bike shoots forward, it’s an amazing experience. The Roll mode is very quiet and the Rain mode felt very sluggish even in heavy traffic.

The element of surprise

Despite its average scooter weight of 110 kg, the weight of the engine is well masked, thanks to its low placement. The bike weighs 345 kg and can’t be hidden. The weight becomes apparent when you manoeuvre the bike at low speeds. Thankfully, the clutch is light, which helps a lot. What would have helped further in manoeuvring this behemoth would have been the availability of a reverse gear, but it is not available on the R18 in India.

The bike is not as difficult to manoeuvre in traffic as you would think. The massive cylinder heads don’t protrude beyond the handlebars, and as long as you keep that in mind, it is a smooth ride. Crawling in traffic on such a big bike also means heat, but still, the R18 doesn’t do too badly in this respect – it is better than the big V-twin American cruisers. However, the dry clutch does get quite hot after an hour-long traffic jam and we did notice some clutch slip in these conditions.

Performance on the open road

Go out on an open road and you will get used to the weight in a matter of minutes. At highway speeds, the R18 will do almost every move you would want. The bike is easy to change lanes and enjoys long, sweeping corners, the only limiting element being the low foot pegs – they scrape the tarmac just as easily as a big Harley. Sticky Michelins and suspension that’s a little on the firm side only help its handling abilities, and it’s only in very tight corners where you find the 1,731mm wheelbase becomes a limitation.

The suspension on this bike has 120mm of travel up front and 90mm at the rear; while that’s not a lot, we only saw it bottoming out once. In that situation, I felt every inch of that pothole in my bottom, but over smaller potholes and rougher roads, the ride was actually fine. What came as a pleasant surprise was the R18’s ability to clear speed breakers, it didn’t scrape even when approaching larger breakers. Four-piston brakes are used at either end, their initial bite is a little slow, but stop this giant with ease.

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Bike Styling

BMW has kept true to the core of the 1936 R5, which served as the inspiration for the R18. The raked front end with round headlight, mirrors and instrument cluster, as well as the thick fork covers are some of the elements that pay proper homage to the original.

Look at the bike from the side and you will notice that it gently flows downwards, the teardrop shaped tank only emphasizing this design element further. BMW has done a wonderful job of hiding the catalytic converters in the twin fishtail exhaust pipes, which look like pieces of art. At the rear, it is as simple as can be, with the tail-lights integrated into the turn indicators and a small BMW emblem. It cannot be denied that the R18 is an incredible looking machine, but there are a few angles where the proportions don’t look the best – one of them is the rear fender, where the rear fender is bent forward.
o seems a little wider than necessary.

The bike we rode is the ‘First Edition’ and at Rs 22.55 lakh, it costs Rs 2.65 lakh more than the standard variant. The extra cash gets you white pinstripes, extra chrome elements and a few other bits and bobs. BMW also offers an incredibly vast accessories list so that the bike can be further customized.

If you have your mind made up on the R18, there’s nothing stopping you from having one in your garage. It’s a very different experience from the usual big V-twin cruisers – in many ways even better. There’s nothing else that can offer the character and soul of this motorcycle, which will probably be hard to come by in a few years.

Conclusion

Experiencing high internal combustion-engine thrills on the BMW R18 First Edition is an altogether different affair. 1802ccs: this brute of an engine, delivering an amalgamation of brawn and spirit.

FAQs

Q1. What makes the BMW R18 First Edition stand out in terms of performance?

A1. The BMW R18 First Edition features a massive 1802cc air-cooled boxer engine, which is the largest in its class. It delivers ample torque and a smooth ride, making it a standout choice for those seeking a powerful and unique riding experience.

Q2. How does the BMW R18 handle in different riding conditions?

A2. The BMW R18 offers three riding modes: Rain, Rock, and Roll. These modes adjust the bike’s performance to suit various conditions, ensuring a comfortable and controlled ride in any situation.

Q3. What are the key features of the BMW R18 First Edition?

A3. Key features include a powerful LED headlamp, full-LED lighting, a round chrome instrument cluster with an analogue speedometer and digital LCD screen, and essential electronic riding aids like ABS, ASC (Automatic Stability Control), and Engine Brake Control.