[imagesource: BMW]
With the BMW R18, the company has decided to branch out with a model, unlike anything it’s produced previously.
It’s clearly a bid from BMW to tackle the cruiser market.
It’s a good looking machine, with that classic hardcore old-school vibe that you’d expect from something designed for the road and cross-country drives.
If it doesn’t look good with leather, is it even a cruiser?
In fact, the weight and overall look of the machine are telling. It’s clearly aiming its guns at Harley-Davidson.
Let’s head on over to Robb Report for the details. I’ve done a little digging of my own to see how it compares to two of Harley’s most popular models, the Fat Boy’s Milwaukee-Eight 107 and the Indian Chief.
The R18 is kitted out with electronic staples such as traction control, proprietary Motor Slip Regulation, ABS, and three adjustable ride modes.
The 49mm front forks are wrapped in period-correct fork covers, while the rear shock is completely hidden within the frame architecture.
The R18 gets spoked wheels too: 3,5 x 19 inches in the front, and 5 x 16 inches at the rear. The front brake setup features twin 300mm discs, and there’s a single 300mm disc out back.
Like most cruisers, it isn’t small – you’re looking at 345 kilos, which is 23kgs more than a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.
Onto the all-important torque, with 116 ft-lb peaking at 3 000rpm. Most of that torque is coming at you from a slab of grunt between 2 000 and 4 000 rpm, making it comparable to the 109 ft-lb pumped out by the Fat Boy’s Milwaukee-Eight 107 and the 119 ft-lb of Harley’s Indian Chief.
If you’re keen on one of these beasts you’re looking at a starting price of R299 900, excluding any accessories, limited edition packages, or custom parts.
I’ll leave you with the folks from BMW, for a more detailed look at the machine. Keep an eye out for some recognisable spots in Cape Town:
[source:robbreport]
