BMW expands R 18 family

BMW Motorrad have added two new variants to their R 18 cruiser range – the R 18 B bagger and R 18 Transcontinental tourer – both of which bring specific features and distinctive styling, as well as a hefty increase in pricing over the base model.

The bagger styling of the B and full dresser tourer fitout of the Transcontinental may be more niche than last year’s launch model R 18, but they’re also targeted more specifically at existing rivals in the market, mainly Harley-Davidson products. Consider the Road Glide/Street Glide as a rival for the R 18 B and Ultra Limited as the rival for the R 18 Transcontinental. In Indian terms, we’re talking Chieftain and Roadmaster as rivals.

Carryover Boxer

The ’Big Boxer’ 1800cc twin remains unchanged for the new R 18 variants, producing 67kW at 4750rpm and 158Nm at 3000rpm. Even though it’s the most powerful BMW production engine ever, offering the same outputs in the new variants is a little surprising as the engine has to pull significantly more weight. Compared to the base R 18’s wet weight of 345kg, the B is 53kg heavier and the Transcontinental a full 82kg heavier.

The six-speed transmission with single-disc dry clutch and shaft drive is unchanged, too.

However, in introducing the B and Transcontinental, BMW has made some changes to the R 18 platform to accommodate the style and purpose of both. Some features will be make the debut on these new variants, too, including a premium sound system and exclusive paint finishes.

Familiar and New

Common to both the R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental is a redesigned frame that uses the same double loop configuration as the base R 18, but with a pressed metal backbone to allow a larger fuel tank to be fitted - now 24 litres instead of 16.

Sharpening the rake has enabled more direct steering response and reduced the wheelbase from 1731mm to 1695mm, but both new variants are longer overall thanks to their luggage and bolt-on extras.

Rear suspension travel has been increased from 90mm to 120mm – matching the front travel – for more comfortable long-range touring. The suspension itself deliberately dispenses with any adjustment options, meaning on-bike sensors measure variables like height and load, then automatically adjust damping and preload “to achieve the best possible ride response”. This applies to both front and rear suspension, with the latter featuring automatic load compensation that allows for pillions and luggage.

As both new R 18 variants are less “cruiser” and more “tourer,” mid-mount pegs are standard on both, with the R 18 B featuring wider pegs and the R 18 Transcontinental adding footboards. Both get two-up seats that are more sculpted and cushioned than the seat on the base R 18, with heating as standard, too. Seat height is listed at 720mm for the B and 740mm for the Transcontinental.

Continuing the touring ethic of both models, Active Cruise Control (ACC) will be fitted as standard on Australian-delivered examples. Taken from the R 1250 RT, ACC uses a built-in radar sensor to automatically reduce or increase speed to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. Distance and response of the ACC system can be pre-set by the rider and also used to reduce speed when cornering, ensuring a comfortable and safe lean angle through bends.

The wheel and tyre package on the B and Transcontinental is unchanged from the base model – a 19-inch front and 16-inch rear alloy wheel, shod with 120/70 R19 and 180/65 B16 tyres.

Braking componentry is unchanged, too, with dual 300mm discs and four-piston calipers up front, and a single 300mm disc with four-piston caliper at the rear. There is a change with the ABS, though, which is now fully integrated instead of partially integrated, meaning applying the brake lever or pedal activates both front and rear brakes.

Safety and Convenience

In addition to ABS and Active Cruise Control, other features as standard on both new R 18 variants include Automatic Stability Control, MSR (dynamic engine brake control) and Hill Start Control. The latter is normally an option, but will be standard on Australian-delivered units.

The three riding modes from the original R 18 – Rain, Rock and Roll - are unchanged for the new variants, but that big fairing allows for a more comprehensive dash display that includes a 10.25-inch colour TFT display (taken from the R 1250 RT) and four analogue instruments – a large speedometer and revcounter, flanked by smaller fuel and ‘power reserve’ gauges. The latter sounds like something off an electric bike, but actually shows the amount of engine power being used.

The customisable 10.25-inch screen displays everything from the sound system and phone settings, vehicle information, turn-by-turn navigation, speed, riding mode, fuel level, ambient temperature and more.

Lighting is LED all round, with Australian-delivered units fitted with the Headlight Pro option as standard that features a DRL and Adaptive Headlight that turns the low beam lights up to 35 degrees to illuminate your way through corners and also adjusts the beam to allow for changes in load.

The hard panniers are fixed, top-opening units of 27-litre capacity each (26.5-litre with the sound system fitted) and incorporate the tail lights, while the top box on the Transcontinental holds 47 litres – large enough for two full-face helmets – and has an integral tail/brake light. With the panniers being standard, both new variants run conventional pipes and mufflers, instead of the large fishtail-style silencers of the base R 18.

A clever feature is a dedicated mobile phone holder and charger in the fuel tank, with other convenience features including adjustable hand levers, heated grips, central locking, keyless start and ride, a 12V socket, electrically-operated reverse gear and tyre pressure monitoring.

Style and Sound

Styling features that define the R 18 Transcontinental start with its large handlebar-mounted fairing and high windshield. Wind deflectors and adjustable wind flaps are standard, too, along with auxiliary headlights, engine protection bars and the aforementioned top box, panniers and heated seats.

An abundance of chrome trim and a silver metallic finish for the engine is also standard.

By comparison, the R 18 B has typical bagger features, starting with a bobbed windscreen, while the top box, wind deflectors and engine bars are all deleted. Panniers are the same, but the seat is slimmer and the engine gets a matte black finish with gloss black detailing. The mirrors, bar ends and forks also get the black treatment, while the B’s handlebars have less pullback than the Transcontinental.

Three colour options are common to both variants, including an Option 719 Galaxy Dust metallic/Titan Silver 2 metallic finish that changes colour in different light. The First Edition package from the original R18 is also available on the R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental, adding retro-style black paint with double white coachlines, chrome detailing and special badging.

Finally, making its BMW debut on Australian-delivered R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinentals is a premium sound system developed in collaboration with Marshall.

Famous for their amplifiers, Marshall’s input on the R 18 sound system is offered in two levels – Marshall Gold Stage 1 and Marshall Gold Stage 2 – with the R18 B getting the former and the R 18 Transcontinental receiving the latter. Offering up to 280 watts of power, the difference is a four-speaker set-up for the Stage 1 (two in the fairing, two in the panniers) and six speakers for the Stage 2, with the extra two in the top box’s backrest.

Aus Arrival

Australian rollout of the R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental began in August, with the R 18 B priced from $39,310, while the R 18 Transcontinental starts at $41,675. That’s a serious premium over the $27,206 R 18 and $30,864 R 18 Classic, with the discrepancy partly explained by the number of optional features that are fitted as standard on all Australian-delivered units.

Even with the heavily loaded standard specification, option packs and accessories are available, including the First Edition package, plus seat and design options.

See your BMW dealer for more details.