BMW R18 or something else from BMW?
Discussion
Has anyone on here owned or ridden the R18 from BMW?
My OH works for BMW and I have the abilty to lease BMW bikes quite cheaply. Initially had a F850 GS, and currently got a R9T Scrambler.
I need to order another bike for delivery in July but unsure what to get. I would quite like another R9T but they only have the standard or Pure versions at the moment. The other option is to try a cruiser and grab an R18 but unsure due to the low seat and odd position of the pegs. Im 6ft 2 and might be a little cramped on the bike.
The other option would be to go for something like an F900R? Not really interested in the big sports bikes.
My OH works for BMW and I have the abilty to lease BMW bikes quite cheaply. Initially had a F850 GS, and currently got a R9T Scrambler.
I need to order another bike for delivery in July but unsure what to get. I would quite like another R9T but they only have the standard or Pure versions at the moment. The other option is to try a cruiser and grab an R18 but unsure due to the low seat and odd position of the pegs. Im 6ft 2 and might be a little cramped on the bike.
The other option would be to go for something like an F900R? Not really interested in the big sports bikes.
I think you'll be fine on an R18. Get some foot forward pegs and a pisspot helmet with dark aviators. Frilly jacket is optional. Go big or go home. i say that because I really would like a triumph rocket 3 and still do, but I cant see past my KTM at the moment which does everything I want it too. If I did though I would definitely be buying a pisspot.
R1250R is a little less sporty than the 900. But I would be looking up the range at the thou, you can always get some handlebar raisers and lower the pegs.
R1250R is a little less sporty than the 900. But I would be looking up the range at the thou, you can always get some handlebar raisers and lower the pegs.
- pisspot as in pisspot helmet - layoff the report button please.
Niponeoff said:
I think you'll be fine on an R18. Get some foot forward pegs and a pisspot helmet with dark aviators. Frilly jacket is optional. Go big or go home. i say that because I really would like a triumph rocket 3 and still do, but I cant see past my KTM at the moment which does everything I want it too. If I did though I would definitely be buying a pisspot.
R1250R is a little less sporty than the 900. But I would be looking up the range at the thou, you can always get some handlebar raisers and lower the pegs.
Not looked at the R1250 R so will keep that in mind. Good thing its I only have to keep it for 5 months so thats handy if I order something and I hate it. R1250R is a little less sporty than the 900. But I would be looking up the range at the thou, you can always get some handlebar raisers and lower the pegs.
- pisspot as in pisspot helmet - layoff the report button please.
KTMsm said:
I'd strongly recommend a test ride - I don't get on with the feet forward position at all, both uncomfortable and too little communication from the bike
LMAO, that's a funny thing to say.You do know what an R18 is about, right? I don't think 'communication' was at the top of the designers minds, when devising this bike...
I was given an R18 as a courtesy bike when mine was in for a few days recently. Before riding it, I simultaneously wanted to try it and expected to hate it. I'm 6'3 and as I rode away from the dealer I thought, "I'll have to go back and change this for something else". But I kept it, and, well, I didn't hate it. It's very long, and it's ponderous to turn (even if you try to muscle it about, it won't have it) but tbh, in your shoes, if someone offered me one cheap for the summer (5 months you said?) then I wouldn't turn it down as long as I wasn't reliant on it as anything other than a sunny day toy.
I remember the riding modes were titled something mildly amusing, can't remember what now.
The only other thing is, it IS effin' huge, so if you are at all restricted for where you keep it at home, check first. It wouldn't go anywhere near the gate that I take my 1250GS through.
I remember the riding modes were titled something mildly amusing, can't remember what now.
The only other thing is, it IS effin' huge, so if you are at all restricted for where you keep it at home, check first. It wouldn't go anywhere near the gate that I take my 1250GS through.
KTMsm said:
gareth_r said:
Doubt if forward controls will ever be a problem on the R18. 
I said feet forwards - ie feet in front of the rider - which they are.I just see that position as normal. When I started riding the footrests were either there or someone had fitted rearsets.
-Cappo- said:
I was given an R18 as a courtesy bike when mine was in for a few days recently. Before riding it, I simultaneously wanted to try it and expected to hate it. I'm 6'3 and as I rode away from the dealer I thought, "I'll have to go back and change this for something else". But I kept it, and, well, I didn't hate it. It's very long, and it's ponderous to turn (even if you try to muscle it about, it won't have it) but tbh, in your shoes, if someone offered me one cheap for the summer (5 months you said?) then I wouldn't turn it down as long as I wasn't reliant on it as anything other than a sunny day toy.
I remember the riding modes were titled something mildly amusing, can't remember what now.
The only other thing is, it IS effin' huge, so if you are at all restricted for where you keep it at home, check first. It wouldn't go anywhere near the gate that I take my 1250GS through.
Thanks. It’s main job will be enjoying the summer with a few Sunday rides, trips to the office once or twice a week. I have a garage for storage so space isn’t an issue. I remember the riding modes were titled something mildly amusing, can't remember what now.
The only other thing is, it IS effin' huge, so if you are at all restricted for where you keep it at home, check first. It wouldn't go anywhere near the gate that I take my 1250GS through.
As I only need to keep the bike for 5 months before I need to change it for something else, I might as well try different models.
bgunn said:
LMAO, that's a funny thing to say.
You do know what an R18 is about, right? I don't think 'communication' was at the top of the designers minds, when devising this bike...
Someone who hasn't ridden one was asking advice, my advice was to ride one as they don't communicate and I find the position uncomfortableYou do know what an R18 is about, right? I don't think 'communication' was at the top of the designers minds, when devising this bike...
If you find that funny you must be very simple but hey whatever floats your boat
KTMsm said:
bgunn said:
LMAO, that's a funny thing to say.
You do know what an R18 is about, right? I don't think 'communication' was at the top of the designers minds, when devising this bike...
Someone who hasn't ridden one was asking advice, my advice was to ride one as they don't communicate and I find the position uncomfortableYou do know what an R18 is about, right? I don't think 'communication' was at the top of the designers minds, when devising this bike...
If you find that funny you must be very simple but hey whatever floats your boat
I'm on my second one and think it's a great platform. Unfortunately it was blighted in the beginning by poor reviews from people it wasn't really aimed at (adventure and supersport riders) as well as many dealers not adjusting the rear shock from the shipping position leading to an incredibly firm ride and scraping the pegs/ boards too easily. Releasing it in the middle of Covid without all the accessories available didn't help either.
I purchased my first one without a test ride having ridden cruisers before. I'd seen the old man from the Mr Darcy & The Ol' Man youtube channel had swapped his Softail Heritage 114 for one and felt confident from his review as a previous Softail Breakout 114 owner that it would be fine. As expected, the ride home from the dealer was a little unforgiving and I found my rear shock hadn't been adjusted. Once I had sorted this out and fitted a more comfortable seat from BMW it was an all day machine (I'm 6ft) and handled better than most will give it credit for. I did have the floor boards with heel/ toe shifter which make it far easier to ride and more comfortable - again my opinion. I would agree with one review I watched which said you need to ride it like a big r9t, it's great fun to ride hard, flip side of this being it doesn't do low speed cruising as well as the HD does.
I was concerned about shaft jacking but there is none and the quality of it is easy to see. No cruise control was an oversight on early models like I had which is no longer a problem if you're ordering new. I've seen moans about the lack of fuel gauge too which wasn't an issue. The light/ warning on the dash comes on with approx 1 gallon left. I averaged just over 50mpg over the time I had it, 170/180 miles a tank easily achievable. I even grew to like the exhausts, they don't seem as offensive in person.
I then had a ride on the B model which was better still IMO despite the increased weight and swapped to that. If you're able to lease one short term over the summer and not suffer the poor residuals, go for it.
I purchased my first one without a test ride having ridden cruisers before. I'd seen the old man from the Mr Darcy & The Ol' Man youtube channel had swapped his Softail Heritage 114 for one and felt confident from his review as a previous Softail Breakout 114 owner that it would be fine. As expected, the ride home from the dealer was a little unforgiving and I found my rear shock hadn't been adjusted. Once I had sorted this out and fitted a more comfortable seat from BMW it was an all day machine (I'm 6ft) and handled better than most will give it credit for. I did have the floor boards with heel/ toe shifter which make it far easier to ride and more comfortable - again my opinion. I would agree with one review I watched which said you need to ride it like a big r9t, it's great fun to ride hard, flip side of this being it doesn't do low speed cruising as well as the HD does.
I was concerned about shaft jacking but there is none and the quality of it is easy to see. No cruise control was an oversight on early models like I had which is no longer a problem if you're ordering new. I've seen moans about the lack of fuel gauge too which wasn't an issue. The light/ warning on the dash comes on with approx 1 gallon left. I averaged just over 50mpg over the time I had it, 170/180 miles a tank easily achievable. I even grew to like the exhausts, they don't seem as offensive in person.
I then had a ride on the B model which was better still IMO despite the increased weight and swapped to that. If you're able to lease one short term over the summer and not suffer the poor residuals, go for it.
KTMsm said:
Someone who hasn't ridden one was asking advice, my advice was to ride one as they don't communicate and I find the position uncomfortable
If you find that funny you must be very simple but hey whatever floats your boat
I refer you back to my quote. What exactly were you expecting when riding an R18? If you find that funny you must be very simple but hey whatever floats your boat
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