I'm 63 years old, 5'9" 180 lbs and ride an R18 100 year edition. 75% of the time we are 2 up. This motorcycle is much more manageable than my Goldwing. The weight is so low and with the seating position its fantastic. Best motorcycle I have ever ridden. Super stoked!!!
I've been a BMW rider for over 40 years now. I am totally amazed of the such big deal some people can make about the BMW boxer motor. I am european and a few things won't change : the sun shines, water gets you wet and BMW motorcycle boxer motor. Great review. Thank you very much. I don't owe a transcontinental right now but it is going to be my next motorcycle
The boxer is a big deal. It is a wonderful motor. While my friends were rattling their teeth out riding American and English motorcycles I was sitting comfortably on top of my boxer twin, which was smoother and faster than all their machines.
I learned to just not lift my toe so much on my drive if this smoothy... the down shift movement is actually more subtle then we can be used to. I love that hell shifter
Great review and enlightened. I bought this exact bike two months ago. Your review is spot on. I am 6’3” yet it feels “roomy” compared to the Harley Ultra Limited. I think if I got a taller seat, it would add even more leg room. The more standard foot positions makes handling much tighter. Roll mode nearly eliminates vibration at highway speeds. A gorgeous cruiser with all the tech and precision of a BMW, it’ a winner. Mine has the highway foot rests in chrome and they work well.
I always believed/thought the germans had enough of a reserve of "know how and trade secrets" to come up with their own motorcycle design(s) Looks like I was wrong ... here we have this "thing" that looks like a Harley, and, what's worse, airplane motors belong on airplanes, not motorcycles... so, if the BMW designers were not on drugs when they came up with this Harley carbon copy, well, perhaps they should be... WTF?!
@@Torstarsfitness I didn't realize Harley had a patent on ride height, rake and trail. Every brand has a cruiser and Harley now makes adventure touring bikes (and good ones at that). What kind of design were you expecting?
Hey Dean, id love to know more about your set up being a bigger guy on an r18, tips and tricks. Im 6'6'' and rode one a few months back. Loved it. Compared to the trumph III, the r18 just made me smile. I love airheads. Cheers
@@YoTonymj mine is the transcontinental, first edition. I bought the option 719 seat. It feels taller than the standard seat, which I still have. I have longer legs and a shorter torso, so says my wife. I also have the highway foot rests, which I haven’t used much. The 719 seat is flatter and it does allow we to sit farther back. Weather permtting I am heading out tomorrow for a 1,000km ride.
After I got out of the Army I got a job at a Germany manufacturing company in Germany, the master mechanic or Meister they called him would measure everything with his calipers and if anything wasn't perfect he tossed it, so everything you hear about Germany manufacturing specs is true. Been riding Harley's the last 40 years thinking about making the switch to BMW just haven't done it yet, love that model with the chrome valve covers.
May buy an R18 standard or Classic this year. Always wondered how you would shift gears with those massive cylinders sticking out. Now I know it's not a problem.
As an R18 Classic owner for about a year now, I can say it is very comfortable for 3-4 hours at a time. That’s usually with one gas stop at about 2hrs or so. I’m 6’4” 220lbs and a 32” inseam. I fit just fine. The C handles exceptionally well due to the power CoG. If you test ride one make sure you do several streets, highway, parkway, etc. to get a good feel.
@@waydegardner7373 Thanks for the feedback! I was very happy to hear it's a comfortable bike for 3 to 4 hours at a time. Since I will mainly be riding it around town, it seems like a good fit. I'm going to test both the Standard and the Classic to see which one I like more. Happy riding!
@@erolyalim2911 for me, the Classic was about $2k more than the standard but the bags, windshield, cruise control, 16” (fatter) front tire and a few other bells and whistles made it a much better bargain. For me at least, with a set of fork deflectors from Memphis Shades, wind is at a minimum with the Classic windscreen.
@@waydegardner7373 That's good to know! I'm leaning towards the Classic too. Instead of adding a Windshield and Bags on the Basic, which I ultimately will do, why not get everything from the start in one package. Like you said, it comes out less expensive.
Splitting lanes is condoned in southern California, I have to see an R18 in person to see if it's possible or get an Honda shadow 1100 or Triumph Thruxton
The bike doesn't jerk to the left when you rev because it's a boxer, it jerks because its a longitudinal engine with a ton of rotating mass including the huge dry clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate. The Goldwing is also longitudinal, larger displacement, more powerful, and has zero shake, vibrations, or jerk which is why you don't see 1 year old used Wings flooding Cycletrader with 200-3000 miles on them for half price like you do the R18.
You're not wrong. But some people love the character and charisma of a BMW, Indian or Harley. I love Honda Gold Wngs. I rode a Honda Rune for many years, loved it. It was turbine smooth but it lacked character to me. To each his own. There are so many great motorcycles out there today. Used BMW r18 is an incredible value.
Just rode the R18TC this past Saturday and I have to say it is very heavy when not moving, the handling was meh.. and at 6’3” the seating position was not amazing. Rode the Challenger and it was head and shoulders better. (I am a BMW owner and have a K1600GA on order, but with the amazing offer BMW has on the R18 thought I would give it a chance.) Won’t be buying the R18
Call the service department at your local BMW Motorrad dealership, and ask what it costs for 600 mile service, 6000 mile service, 12,000 mile service and 18,000 mile service. It's June of 2023, and my local dealership was over $6000 for all of those services. What will your bike be worth in 3 years? Stop and think about that....
I am an owner. The speakers plus the tft absolutely suck! Whoever signed off on this system needs to be shitcanned. It sounds nice if you have the bike off and low volumes. Anything over halfway , the speakers sound like they are going to explode.
Classic. No touch screen to quickly make two small touches to do something you have to look down and fiddle around with the controls for 5 minute. 🤦♂️
I'm 63 years old, 5'9" 180 lbs and ride an R18 100 year edition. 75% of the time we are 2 up. This motorcycle is much more manageable than my Goldwing. The weight is so low and with the seating position its fantastic. Best motorcycle I have ever ridden. Super stoked!!!
I've been a BMW rider for over 40 years now. I am totally amazed of the such big deal some people can make about the BMW boxer motor. I am european and a few things won't change : the sun shines, water gets you wet and BMW motorcycle boxer motor.
Great review. Thank you very much. I don't owe a transcontinental right now but it is going to be my next motorcycle
The boxer is a big deal. It is a wonderful motor. While my friends were rattling their teeth out riding American and English motorcycles I was sitting comfortably on top of my boxer twin, which was smoother and faster than all their machines.
Yes you're right they are heavy but i have heart failure after open heart surgery
and 5.8" and 63 yrs old but after a few hundred miles love it.
Great review. FYI, you can adjust the front shifter so you can fit your boot underneath.
I learned to just not lift my toe so much on my drive if this smoothy... the down shift movement is actually more subtle then we can be used to.
I love that hell shifter
Great review and enlightened. I bought this exact bike two months ago. Your review is spot on. I am 6’3” yet it feels “roomy” compared to the Harley Ultra Limited. I think if I got a taller seat, it would add even more leg room. The more standard foot positions makes handling much tighter. Roll mode nearly eliminates vibration at highway speeds. A gorgeous cruiser with all the tech and precision of a BMW, it’ a winner. Mine has the highway foot rests in chrome and they work well.
@@itsmikecaudill Done!
I always believed/thought the germans had enough of a reserve of "know how and trade secrets" to come up with their own motorcycle design(s) Looks like I was wrong ... here we have this "thing" that looks like a Harley, and, what's worse, airplane motors belong on airplanes, not motorcycles... so, if the BMW designers were not on drugs when they came up with this Harley carbon copy, well, perhaps they should be... WTF?!
@@Torstarsfitness I didn't realize Harley had a patent on ride height, rake and trail. Every brand has a cruiser and Harley now makes adventure touring bikes (and good ones at that). What kind of design were you expecting?
Hey Dean, id love to know more about your set up being a bigger guy on an r18, tips and tricks. Im 6'6'' and rode one a few months back. Loved it. Compared to the trumph III, the r18 just made me smile. I love airheads. Cheers
@@YoTonymj mine is the transcontinental, first edition. I bought the option 719 seat. It feels taller than the standard seat, which I still have. I have longer legs and a shorter torso, so says my wife. I also have the highway foot rests, which I haven’t used much. The 719 seat is flatter and it does allow we to sit farther back. Weather permtting I am heading out tomorrow for a 1,000km ride.
A beautiful and magnificent piece of machinery 😎
After I got out of the Army I got a job at a Germany manufacturing company in Germany, the master mechanic or Meister they called him would measure everything with his calipers and if anything wasn't perfect he tossed it, so everything you hear about Germany manufacturing specs is true. Been riding Harley's the last 40 years thinking about making the switch to BMW just haven't done it yet, love that model with the chrome valve covers.
Wonderful motorcycle
May buy an R18 standard or Classic this year. Always wondered how you would shift gears with those massive cylinders sticking out. Now I know it's not a problem.
As an R18 Classic owner for about a year now, I can say it is very comfortable for 3-4 hours at a time. That’s usually with one gas stop at about 2hrs or so. I’m 6’4” 220lbs and a 32” inseam. I fit just fine. The C handles exceptionally well due to the power CoG. If you test ride one make sure you do several streets, highway, parkway, etc. to get a good feel.
@@waydegardner7373 Thanks for the feedback! I was very happy to hear it's a comfortable bike for 3 to 4 hours at a time. Since I will mainly be riding it around town, it seems like a good fit. I'm going to test both the Standard and the Classic to see which one I like more. Happy riding!
@@erolyalim2911 for me, the Classic was about $2k more than the standard but the bags, windshield, cruise control, 16” (fatter) front tire and a few other bells and whistles made it a much better bargain. For me at least, with a set of fork deflectors from Memphis Shades, wind is at a minimum with the Classic windscreen.
@@waydegardner7373 That's good to know! I'm leaning towards the Classic too. Instead of adding a Windshield and Bags on the Basic, which I ultimately will do, why not get everything from the start in one package. Like you said, it comes out less expensive.
Splitting lanes is condoned in southern California, I have to see an R18 in person to see if it's possible or get an Honda shadow 1100 or Triumph Thruxton
The R18 TC is actually narrower than R1200RT. It doesn't look it but it is.
I am also a SoCal Rider concerned about the width for lane splitting. Definitely would be a deal-breaker.
solid review. dont forget to put your foot down when stopping.......... happened to me once/ long ride, fatigue!
Have a R18 First Edition and a R18 Transcontinental. Great objective review!!!
The bike doesn't jerk to the left when you rev because it's a boxer, it jerks because its a longitudinal engine with a ton of rotating mass including the huge dry clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate. The Goldwing is also longitudinal, larger displacement, more powerful, and has zero shake, vibrations, or jerk which is why you don't see 1 year old used Wings flooding Cycletrader with 200-3000 miles on them for half price like you do the R18.
You're not wrong. But some people love the character and charisma of a BMW, Indian or Harley. I love Honda Gold Wngs. I rode a Honda Rune for many years, loved it. It was turbine smooth but it lacked character to me. To each his own. There are so many great motorcycles out there today. Used BMW r18 is an incredible value.
Have you done a review on the Can Am Spyder Sea to Sky?
did you experience helmet buffeting on the transcontinental?
That's one amazing motorcycle...damn
Amazing bike , nice coverage @_@
Are they expensive to service?
I have to disagree with you on the weight of the bike. The bike feels light and nimble given the low center balance, making the bike easier to ride.
Just rode the R18TC this past Saturday and I have to say it is very heavy when not moving, the handling was meh.. and at 6’3” the seating position was not amazing. Rode the Challenger and it was head and shoulders better. (I am a BMW owner and have a K1600GA on order, but with the amazing offer BMW has on the R18 thought I would give it a chance.) Won’t be buying the R18
I think I keep my 1993 R 100 all original 😂❤
bmw needs to release tha service manaul
Agreed. I have one and it's two hours each way to a dealer. I still do the service myself.
Call the service department at your local BMW Motorrad dealership, and ask what it costs for 600 mile service, 6000 mile service, 12,000 mile service and 18,000 mile service. It's June of 2023, and my local dealership was over $6000 for all of those services. What will your bike be worth in 3 years? Stop and think about that....
BREAK
MY
WALLET
Only live once 😮
Yes that is a deal-breaker for many. But I've heard the servicing on these is very simple and DIY friendly.
It feels twice as heavy when put it straight up😢😢
any owners out here that think th speakers suck ? i cant seem to find a sweet spot , studio sounds best overall but its so quiet ...
I am an owner. The speakers plus the tft absolutely suck! Whoever signed off on this system needs to be shitcanned. It sounds nice if you have the bike off and low volumes. Anything over halfway , the speakers sound like they are going to explode.
Shhh..don’t tell my 930-pound Electra Glide I’m 70.
Classic. No touch screen to quickly make two small touches to do something you have to look down and fiddle around with the controls for 5 minute. 🤦♂️
Nawww imagine getting plastic surgery to look “beautiful” when it doesn’t 💀