Test: BMW BMW R 18 Classic (2021) // Shaking Ground

He was not the only one. This Bavarian bomber attracts attention and admiration, especially among mature men. HM? Maybe they were impressed by the long, elongated line of this retro cruiser, maybe the abundance of chrome or the huge two-cylinder boxer?

This is something special. It is the most powerful two-cylinder boxer in a production motorcycle. The rest of the classic design, that is, by controlling the valves through a pair of camshafts per cylinder, he has a model with an R 5 engine from 1936. BMW called it Big Boxer.And for good reason: it boasts a volume of 1802 cubic centimeters, a capacity of 91 "horsepower" and a torque of 158 Newton meters at 3000 rpm. It weighs 110,8 kilograms.

Last fall, when we tried the cruising retro new BMW R 18, I wrote that it is surprisingly manageable, well made, has tradition, charisma and history, and that the version of the model First Edition that's not all, the Bavarians promise a few more surprises. This surprise sounds like a classic title. This one is now in front of us.

Compared to base model with richer equipment: front windshield, side airbags, different exhaust system, more chrome, footrests instead of pedals, passenger seat (co) and heel-toe gearshift. This is an old school shift that may be unfamiliar to young motorcyclists. The system works on the principle of shifting the toes and heels. You bring your toes down, your heels up. An addition to a well-documented classic story, reminiscent of the story on the other side of the Atlantic.          

The past is engraved in the present

The engine hums in three operating modes: Rain, Roll and Rock, which the driver can change while driving using a button on the left side of the steering wheel.... When I run it, the handles and pistons horizontally next to the motorcycle make the ground shake. When driving with the rain option, the engine response is more moderate, it does not work on full lungs. Roll mode is optimized for versatile driving, while Rock makes full use of the engine's power and sharp response.

The systems also come as standard. ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and MSR, which prevents the rear wheel from spinning, for example, when gear changes are too harsh. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a clearly visible power take-off shaft, which, as in previous BMW models, is unprotected.

When developing the R 18, the designers paid attention not only to the exterior and the engine, but also to the steel frame structure and the classic technical solutions used in the suspension of the R 5, of course in keeping with the present. The stability of the front of the motorcycle is provided by telescopic forks with a diameter of 49 millimeters, and at the rear - a shock absorber hidden under the seat.... Of course, there are no electronic tuning assistants, as they do not fall into the context of the motorcycle. Especially for the R 18, the Germans have developed a new brake kit: a two-disc brake with four pistons at the front and a brake disc at the rear. When the front lever is depressed, the brakes work as one unit, ie they simultaneously distribute the braking effect to the front and rear.

It's the same with the lights. Both the headlights and the direction indicators are LED-based, and the dual taillight is integrated in the center of the rear direction indicators. The overall design of the R 18, with an abundance of chrome and black, is reminiscent of older models, from the drop-shaped fuel tank to the windshield. BMW also pays attention to the smallest details, such as the traditional double white line of the fuel tank lining.

In response to competition in America and Italy, inside the traditional round counter with an analog dial and other digital data (selected mode, mileage, daily mileage, time, rpm, average consumption ...) is written below. Berlin is built... Made in Berlin. Let it be known.

• Basic data

  Sales: BMW Motorrad Slovenia

  Base model price: 24.790 €

  Test model cost: 25.621 €

• Technical information

  engine: Air / oil-cooled four-stroke twin-cylinder boxer engine with twin camshafts above the crankshaft, 1802 cc

  Power: 67 kW at 4750 rpm

  Torque: 158 Nm at 3000 rpm

  Energy transfer: six-speed transmission, cardan

  Frame: steel

  brakes: front two discs Ø 300 mm, rear disc Ø 300 mm, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS

  Suspension: front fork Ø 43 mm, rear double arm aluminum with hydraulically adjustable central shock absorber

  Tires: front 130/90 B19, rear 180/65 B16

  Growth: 690 mm

  Fuel tank: 16

  Wheelbase: 1.730 mm

  Weight: 365 kg

We praise and reproach

cumulative

appearance

position on the motorcycle

production

too little legroom

difficult maneuvering on the site

final grade

The R 18 Classic will find buyers among those who want Bavarian quality with retro touches typical of the first BMW passengers. This is a bike that doesn't want to be caught up to higher revs, it loves a smooth ride and best of all, it also responds well to corners. Um, I'm just wondering what they think of Milwaukee ...