BMW Motorrad unveils R 18 cruiser with 1800cc boxer engine

BMW Motorrad has unveiled the R 18 cruiser bike. It takes inspiration from the 1936 BMW R 5. The R 18 is expected to compete with offerings from Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles.

The R 18 is built on a double-loop steel tube frame and gets a hardtail-looking rear end. It comes equipped with a single cantilever shock absorber at the rear, which is hidden from view. The bike gets an LED headlamp and chrome exhaust on either side.

The R 18 is powered by a 1,802cc, 2-cylinder boxer engine that is rated at 90 BHP @ 4,750 rpm and 158 Nm @ 3,000 rpm. This engine is claimed to be the most powerful BMW boxer engine. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed gearbox and a shaft-drive. The bike gets 300 mm twin discs at the front and a single 300 mm disc brake at the rear. The R 18 features multiple ride modes which include Rock, Roll and Rain.

The R 18 will be offered in two variants at launch - the standard version and the First Edition. The latter gets pinstripes, chrome parts, historically accurate tank emblems, slotted screws, a leather belt, gloves and a book consisting of the company's 97-year history.

In the USA, the standard R 18 is expected to be priced from $17,495, while the First Edition will go for $19,870.