R18 cruiser

Moving this to Motorrad!

Not what I was hoping for

I'm sorry - the touring model is just plain ugly! What are they thinking over there in Deutschland?

But then again - beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I think it looks cool as hell!
I bet they sell.

Why would they make something like this? Did they observe what is happening to HD and cruisers?

Another take on the same bike: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/bmw-r18-cruiser/ However, nothing new.

Looks ok to me. I have liked the big front end and the three lights up front.



Should be a hit with the younger crowd.......before bmw ages out

OM

looks like bmw is trying real hard to make a bike that you can't tell is not a Harley......it is not just a "cruiser", it is a Harley wannabee. yuck.

Made in Milwaukee...!

Joe

That position won’t sell well with cruiser riders. IMHO, if BMW really wants to make inroads into the cruiser market they would be better served by recognizing that the boxer motor is just not a good fit for the cruiser platform. BMW should focus on the K16 bagger for the big-cruiser buyer then introduce a affordable “starter” cruiser based upon the F-twin engine, which would allow for a traditional cruiser riding position.

I support BMW broadening it’s market base, since every Deutschmark of profit there helps subsidize the production of bikes we really like, but I fear the R18 as shown below will be a dud in the marketplace. Rule #1 is build what the customer wants, and cruiser buyers don’t want their knees folded up in front of them.

Best,
DeVern

Nope

Not even interested in test riding the thing.

I see nothing wrong with BMW fleshing out their model line-up to attract riders who may not be interested in the current models offered.

As an example, as a Corvette owner I might have zero interest in a Chevy mini-van but I don't begrudge Chevrolet for building them. If this bike is actually produced no one is twisting your arm to buy it.

BC1100S said:

I see nothing wrong with BMW fleshing out their model line-up to attract riders who may not be interested in the current models offered.

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I agree.
BMW already has the R1800 so it makes sense to have several models based on the same platform.
No different than the R1250R, R1250RS, R1250RT, R1250GS, R1250GSA and maybe some day a R1250S.

But, but, but, if I don't like it nobody should like it. It isn't fair if somebody likes something I don't like. It just isn't fair!

Not my cup of tea, but I hope it sells well. In fact, I hope it sells so well that BMW has to open additional U.S. dealerships just to process the additional business.

E.

It really doesn't matter whether or not existing BMW owners like it, or don't like it. The question is, will the normal cruiser buyer like it?

This bike is different than all others in the BMW lineup, it doesn't lend itself well to add-on model development like the R9T either in layout or in engine & performance characteristics. Certainly the R18 is an important "look what we can do" design and development exercise, and BMW has produced such exercises in the past. They will sell a number during the first year or two to current BMW owners who want to taste the cruiser experience. But as a production model expected to carry it's weight in competition with H-D, Indian, etc? I am curious as to how many other non-V-twin big-bore cruisers, besides the K16, have been successful in the cruiser marketplace. I still expect the R18 will walk the same sort of path as the R1200C-- some movie placements to build identity and interest, an initial surge of sales to current customers and a relatively small array of conquest sales, then quickly tapering off to discontinuance of the model. But, as long as the ones they do sell are profitable and helping to subsidize other bikes or motorrad products, I'm all for it.

I can't wait to see the eruption in the forum when BMW introduces a trike model...

Best,

DeVern

Cruiser? Sorry, I can’t like it either!

GTRider said:

..... I still expect the R18 will walk the same sort of path as the R1200C-- some movie placements to build identity and interest, an initial surge of sales to current customers and a relatively small array of conquest sales, then quickly tapering off to discontinuance of the model.

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I beg to differ.

At the risk of offending some, the R1200C was one of the ugliest motorcycles ever produced - by any manufacturer. BMW learned their lesson and the R18/2 is, in my most humble opinion, a very attractive cruiser bike. I predict steady and impressive sales numbers. Even, perhaps, to those current BMW owners who also own Harley cruisers.

Bring on the trikes!

PGlaves said:

But, but, but, if I don't like it nobody should like it. It isn't fair if somebody likes something I don't like. It just isn't fair!

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It would be nice to see this kind of in the Muffler Thread
OM