Відео

Also. The slight change in profile is a plus in my eyes.

Yea, I'm more used to the straight up and down windshields on less faired bikes, so not something I've really considered in the past. It makes sense that it would throw air up higher, kinda impressed by how much it does so.

Yea, I test rode a TC when I was shopping in 2022, and it was a bit much. I'd say this one is right under my LOS.

Thanks sir!

Luckily there will be more 🤘

Heck yea, they do 5 I think events a year. Y'all should come down for one!

For sure! It was really touch and go there until the day before. 24 folks came out (was really 60 degrees, overcast, foggy in the mountains), which was way better than we expected!

Heck yea! Bring her whenever! Cool kid, and appreciate the photography 🤘

Right. I'm always on the fence about advertising. I want more people to participate and for them to make money to keep it going, but I also don't want it to change or scare the squares haha.

I've met plenty of 20-40 somethings that live (as much as they can) for riding. Granted, being in a community that lends itself to finding folks that do so helps a lot. We were all new at some point. The folks that encouraged me, kept in touch, invited me to things, etc. were the veterans that lit the fire. I feel like that same encouragement for anyone who rides, 1 month, 1 year, whatever is what brings folks into the fold. Sure, a lot will drop out for whatever reason, but everyone with itch could end up being a lifelong rider. I ride 80% solo, 15% with the wife on the back, and 5% with others (that others part has been going up over time). Definitely still enjoy the catharsis of just going off somewhere alone, but the miles themselves with others get about 90% of the way there most of the time. That is all to say that there can be "exclusive" corners of the motorcycling world, but I don't personally see any reason to gatekeep the idea of riding, be it weekend warriors, new folks, etc. We're all just out trying to keep the shiny side up, as long as you aren't riding like someone with a death wish.

@ I’m sure you can find those 20-40 aged riders at any rally on any given weekend. I see them too. And I don’t think I was pretending to be a gatekeeper for riders belonging to a group or club. And I don’t give a rats ass who rides. But I do give a crap who’s riding with me. Inexperienced riders who think they’re more experienced than they are become a disaster in the making. Yeah we all started somewhere and in our own time. But back to the point I was actually making. Out of those 20-40 aged riders group riders you see at a rally or any spot you can think of, how many of that same group will you see still riding in 4 to 5 years?? If one of them has an accident or drops their bike. If one of them gets nervous about riding or decides the bike and insurance payments are beyond their means they sell the bike and quit riding.

Yea man, it's a lot of fun (not so much when its 100+ degrees...). I'd say it's really like a smaller, probably more off the cuff version of Buckhorn honestly.

You definitely need to make it down for one

Yea, I'm pretty bad about filming when I'm occupied haha. Most people thought it was a cool idea. Some were a bit skeptical, but after a couple of days of heavy winds, they seemed to come around. I'm going to make a few changes over the cold months to the basic setup and see how it goes in the Spring.

For sure (well, assuming it works as planned, which we will find out tomorrow night haha). Hmm, I did the front frame over a year ago, but if I had to ballpark: $100-150 in lumber, basically treated 2x4s and some cedar fence pickets, tarp would vary depending on thickness, I used 20mm tarp and used a 16x20 foot for the top piece and a 10x12 foot for what I had left, which total was $115. I'm not sure how many, but something like 160 feet of the heavy duty 3M velcro which was $17 per 20 feet or thereabout, and the hardware to secure to the trailer, maybe $30? I'd guess somewhere in the $300-400 range. It's a 6.5x10 foot trailer, though if I knew I was going to do this I would have gotten a 12 foot honestly.

@@Chasing.Adventure Thanks for the reply. So, all in under 3K including cost of trailer which I am guessing was right at 2k (Rual King price) and you can haul the bike on it too... Good deal!!

@@xanbiker It's a PJ Trailers U7 (77"x10') and it seems like I paid something between $1,500-2,000. So yea definitely under $3,000. We are planning on adding a generator/inverter and AC unit to it before we get back to camping next year, assuming it works out as it stands. We've looked at enclosed trailers and toy haulers, but with a Tacoma, I can't pull something gigantic, and even a 14 foot toy hauler is $30,000+. Obviously much more "equipped", but I don't really ever plan on spending much time outside of sleeping in such things when I'm out camping.

Gracias, yea there are things I would do differently from scratch (the top cover tarp was basically a two week nightmare), but a few hundred bucks added onto a utility trailer than packs down into a tote in the truck bed with the air mattress, rug, etc. is nice. The goal was to shrink the footprint a bit (not always a problem, but when we have X by Y feet of space it's nice), negate the need to "find a good tent spot", and not weight 26,000 pounds + not cost $100,000. Seems like it will fit the bill and be easier to cool when tents are just masochistic.

@@Chasing.Adventure can we see it in travel mode?

@@journeyofjerry820 Yep, planning on doing a wrap up when we roll out and use it this weekend. I'll break the frame down and strap it in Thursday or Friday most likely.

I actually came from an R9T. I loved the bike, but it was a couple of years after a wreck that took me out of commission. Didn't know how much I would ride.... then started riding a whole lot and it is a terrible touring bike lol. I have a Hex GS-911 diagnostic tool. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07994V1G5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I actually bought it when I got the R9T, and was planning on having BMWs for the foreseeable future, so 10 VINs and it's (as far as I'm aware) basically what the dealers use. If you are on android (I use iphones)it seems like there are cheaper app+generic diagnostic tool options. I can't speak to their features or capability though. If you want to crush some miles, the R18 is great!

Yea, it was a bit of a compromise between a bunch of framing to tear down/put up and how well it will handle adverse conditions. We tried to get it as tightly stretched as possible without making it impossible to velcro together. The plan is to leave it hitched to the truck, and run guy from the tarp grommets to the cleats on the truck bed cover on one side and do the same on the other side either to out pop up tent or just staked into the ground. We shall see. There is about a 0% chance of rain where we are camping next weekend, so it should be a good time to see how it works in practice in ideal conditions.

Slowly... mostly surely lol. I'll believe it when we finish the rest of the tarp parts this weekend and get it all set up 😅

We shall see lol

We will see how it plays out. Regular tents have their drawbacks, campers have their drawbacks. Hopefully this will be a fairly lightweight "tow the bike, turn into sleeping quarters" thing that we aren't sleeping on the ground and can air condition reasonably well for all these campouts when it's 100 degrees. Fingers crossed!

We shall see lol. I'm pretty decent at ideas, it's the execution that can sometimes be the problem 😆

@@Chasing.Adventure i understand that my dude! me too.

Haha I'm no exhaust aficionado, I just like bike sounds. Boxers have always sounded to me (at speed) like an A-10 Warthog firing its nose cannon, which just ticks my boxes as a kid who grew up during Desert Storm 😆

No problem. It's very quiet stock, especially with the exhaust flaps. I like the sound personally, but I'm also not a v-twin potato potato aficionado 😅

@@Chasing.Adventure some of my riding buddies have multiple bikes some of which are of the potato potato variety. I like both the inline 4 sportbike sound and the rumble of the V-twins with serious cams and pipes. With that said, they are really only fun on start up or when purposely ripping on them. The longer rides with those bikes can definitely get annoying after a while. Not to mention you're neighbors will begin hating on you when you head out on a Saturday morning at 6:30am to beat the heat of those Summer rides.

@@Texas2Tires Yea, a good thing about the R18 or any bike with ride modes probably, is if you're just chewing up miles you can flip it to Roll mode, quiet it down, and get 7 more MPG. If I'm on the interstate, I'm in roll mode enjoying my music in my helmet.

@@Chasing.Adventure very true. I ride around 100% of the time in Dynamic Pro on my RS. The only time I switch out is if I accidentally get caught in the rain, then rain mode it is. Dynamic and Road mode never get used on my bike. Mostly because I'm always riding in the twisties in Austin's Hill Country. Rarely am I munching miles on the freeway. But I too jam out listening to tunes in my shoei Neotech Sena SRL Mesh with the Harman Kardon speakers.

@@Texas2Tires I'm in Rock mode 95% of the time, and really only switch to Rain if it's literally pouring. I find that the change in throttle response can be more of a distraction than the conditions if they aren't too bad. Honestly never really used Roll until I discovered it helped MPG so much on 1000+ mile days and allowed me to stretch 50ish more miles out of a tank. (Rock = Sport, Roll = Normal, Rain = Rain FYI in terms of most bikes). I think Rock and Roll are closer together with the stock tune, but the BTmoto tune creates a lot more separation between the two.

You know, I've never had a cosmetic plate (prior to this), and I originally sent in for BOX3R.... but it was rejected because "can't have numbers imitating letters". Funny enough I think this version is better anyway haha.

No problem!

Yea, that's pretty much what I say to everyone (98% cruisers around here). It's a great bike unless you need forward controls. I personally have always had standard or slightly sporty controls, so it feels normal to me. I have not ever tried to record the exhaust, but I certainly can. Always think exhaust translates different in videos, but setting a camera up behind the bike and firing it up is a pretty easy task. Might upload something today!

@@Chasing.Adventure thanks for sharing your insights and experiences with the R18. My local BMW dealer has a R18 B in black with red pin stripping. It's really temping me to grab it. Let me know if you end up recording the exhaust. I'd love to hear it. Question, does your exhaust have baffles in and CAT attached?

@@Texas2Tires ua-cam.com/video/WQisGV2TUZ8/v-deo.html Just uploaded it. Being real, it sounds next to nothing like in real life. That's no baffles, stock headers with cats, exhaust flaps disabled (open), rock mode, BTmoto tune, Freedom Performance 4.5" slip ons. I love my bike, and having done a couple of IBA rides on it, I personally don't find the foot controls/position to be a problem. I'm 6'1" 200 pounds, and to me comfort is about being able to change positions slightly as needed, YMMV.

There are wires on each bag for the speaker/light. They run through 2-3 zip tie holders, and are plugged under the seat. Take the seat off, unplug them, snip the zip ties, should be good to go.

I didn't have any particular issues with the Bridgestone H50, but I replaced both at 8,500 miles. Front want toast, rear had some life, but I didn't want to go back in a month. I tend to lean toward Michelin, and the BMW dealer had a set of Commander 2s on discount since the Commander 3 was replacing it. It may have slightly more predictable turn in. Both the Michelin and Bridgestone seem to have good wet performance, which is what I care about most. I know a lot of folks look at mileage as king, and mileage is going to vary wildly depending on riding conditions and how hard one rides. I've seen folks quote 12-13k on the Bridgestone. I don't want tires that are done at 5k, but I also don't want tires that are so "long life" they feel like marbles in the wet or cold. The Michelins seem to wearing better than the Bridgestones, but tire wear always falls off more quickly the last few thousand miles, so time will tell.

Yes, well really two of them.

Thanks sir!

Thanks, I appreciate it! I personally have a Hex Code GS-911, which I had prior to getting the R18. It's not cheap, especially if you aren't planning on having BMW bikes for a number of years. Some folks have success with generic code readers, but that might require android use (I use an iPhone). This R18 forum thread has a good discussion on the various options folks have tried: www.r18forums.com/threads/service-light.2823/#post-39589

As far as I'm aware, there is no gap spec listed in any R18 literature. The manual specified NGK plugs are 1.0mm gap out of the box, and as they are plugs made specifically for the bike, I assume that is what they are intended to be. I don't think I've ever had to gap iridium plugs on a modern vehicle, but I don't have a TON of experience on that front to know if that's a thing folks do regularly these days.

I don't mind the potato attempt at idle, but it seems to only work in ideal conditions haha. I originally did disconnect the exhaust servo cables, but they were incredibly tight and the ends rubbed over time which I wasn't a fan of. Coupled with needing to potentially reconnect them (which was even more difficult then getting them out) if there was a service issue at the dealer, and the servo buddies were an easier solution for me. I've seen the extensions. Kinda on the fence about both, as I personally haven't had issues with the stock ones, and I feel like the stubby stock ones allow you to hang half your foot off the front of the floorboards without issues. Mostly a taste thing though for sure.

@@Chasing.AdventureI feel the larger brake extension is a must because it is key to low speed turns. I kept hunting for it and would slip off the stock pedal.

@@dhc8guru I haven't personally found it to be an issue, but different feet, posture, positioning, etc. Ergo changes are built into the budget since every bike is made for a certain height/size average.

So, I did the tune and air filter at basically the same time, and the exhaust separately. I would say the tune itself is far and away the biggest performance improvement. BTMoto has a list of what it's intended to do on their website, and I would say I personally think it lives up to what they claim. That said, it's an 800+ pound bike, so "quick" is going to be relative to expectations. Bummer they raised the tuner price to $900. At $600 it is an easy recommendation. Not that I wouldn't recommend it now, it's just not likely going to turn water into wine for anyone.

Awesome! More to come 🤙

Thanks sir! Definitely have! We are doing a Support Bikers Arkansas fun ride in a few weeks if y'all can make it 🤘

Motul 300V 15w50. Honestly not that I think it’s special or anything, any oil with the weight/correct specs would work I’m sure. Motul comes in 4 liter single bottles, is cheaper than BMW, and is regarded well. I’ve been using it for a couple of years in the bike without issue.

Gracias! They really are pretty awesome. I'm going to put them on my truck as well haha. You too, shiny side up! 🤙

Heck yea, love the feedback! I know BMW has gotten some flack (not sure how much it applies to other OEMs) for being slow to or outright not publishing real maintenance manuals for bikes in the past several years. On the R18, or anything with a brand new powerplant, I can understand them wanting to slow roll it in an effort to prevent unwarranted criticism from folks doing bad maintenance at home and blaming the bike. That said, it's been what, 5 years? At this point I don't think they really have any plans to actually make an official book, which is sad. However, other folks (definitely not me) went into uncharted territory to help us all out. Most of that was around the classic before the B/TC came out. Hopefully this saves folks some money and eliminates the unknown. It's a bike, couple of quirks, but nothing to fear!

@@Chasing.Adventure Have you had any success using the navigation system on the R18B? I usually just use my phone on the handlebar mount as the GPS. I recently got stuck in a huge rain storm and it was impossible to use my phone, as a result I started messing with the navigation on the bike using the BMW app. However, It’s very frustrating.

@@Austria4838 The BMW navigation is garbage. As I understand it, BMW didn't want to pay for access to the Google Play/Apple Universe when both were replacing OEM software. They may have conceded on the car front at this point, but as far as I'm aware there isn't a DIY from the phone map option from phones for bikes. Long story short, I use the bike for connecting headsets and music control. I use the phone for navigation. Tried a Zumo XT2, but I couldn't make it work with everything else on the bars.

@@Chasing.Adventure Got it. Thanks.

Yea, like I say, the chatter online was back and forth on if the GS-911 procedure was necessary. If I had the foresight to test it with/without the ABS cycle I could have seen if it threw a code. I sincerely doubt it would have as nothing was ever empty and no air was introduced. If someone asked, I would tell them they probably don't NEED a GS-911 to cycle the fluid. However, it might throw a code so be prepared to fix that if it happens. I already had a GS-911 from previous bikes, so no brainer for me. Has a lot of uses, but some folks may not want to pay $400. Pick your poison haha.

Hopefully my T50 discovery will save some heartache lol. Yea, I cut a bunch out of the middle while I was fiddling with it. Almost got out a breaker bar, but I had already spun a few bits in it so tried to be gentle. This is another reason I try to do as much of my maintenance as possible. According to the manual from BMW, transmission fluid is supposed to be changed once after the first year, then every other year or 24,000 miles. The way that fill plug snapped out of there, it was 100% still factory sealed. IE, the BMW certified dealer/service center I took it to for my first yearly service didn't change the trans fluid. It was nasty, and quite a bit of grit on the drain plug. DIY is a good way to know what you're looking at if/when something goes wrong, usually saves a ton of money, and you don't have to deal with unnecessary issues caused by someone working on the bike who doesn't know the specific model.

I put it back together and had a hell of a time getting the fill plug started. I didn’t torque it Down very tight. Just to be safe, I ordered a new fill plug For the bargain price of $40. When it comes in, I’ll finish torquing it. Anyway, great video chase

@@Miskini-tj6ec They definitely engineered it then tossed a bunch of wiring around it haha. Torque spec by the book is 28NM/20lb ft. I just maxed out my inch pound torque wrench at 200 and gave it an extra turn. Definitely no need for whatever was on it before. Yea, I plan on replacing it every time. More expensive than just a washer, but a new transmission is even more expensive! Thanks sir!

Yep! It was a good mix of vintage stuff, totally custom stuff, and some newer stuff. I really liked the mad max/steam punk one with the copper lines all over the place. Well, liked to look at it, seems unridable haha