BMW R18 Cruiser Motorcycle Unveiled

• Published On: 7 April 2020
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1800cc BMW R18 Cruiser Motorcycle unveiled with options for customization.

Amidst the ongoing Coronvirus outbreak, Automobile Industry had something to cheer with the unveiling of BMW R18 Cruiser Motorcycle. BMW Motorrad earlier had plans to unveil  R18 at 2020 EICMA but it was scrapped due to Coronavirus. Given that, BMW instead opted for the digital unveiling of V-twin boxer engine powered 2021 R18 Cruiser Motorcycle. Retro styled cruiser is something different that the German Automaker has attempted this time around however the most interesting part is the continuation of almost a century old V-Twin engine. BMW will offer R18 in two trims - First Edition and Standard, all depending on the market with customization facility.

Concept R18 prototype was first revealed 10 months ago at Concorso d’Eleganza by BMW to the world and finally, we have the unveiling of the official production model. The BMW R18 Cruiser Motorcycle is powered by a powerful 1,802cc, 2-cylinder boxer engine churning out 91hp of power output and 158 Nm of peak torque with a six-speed manual transmission on-board. Standard R18 comes loaded with Automatic Stability Control and engine drag torque control. Also, 2021 R18 Cruiser Motorcycle comes with Reverse Assist for easy parking and Hill Start Control for safe uphill climb. It offers 3 riding modes namely - Rain, Roll, and Rock. 

We see BMW R5 inspiration in the R18 with the telescopic fork tubes (49mm in diameter with 120mm suspension travel) covered in fork sleeves. Design-wise, double striping and chrome design option can be seen in First Edition with the BMW sticker and logo. The Dual Tone-Black cylinder head covers made of milled aluminium lends an attractive appeal to the cruiser while a Fishtail rear silencer underlines the motorcycle's outline of R18. 

Braking responsibility is handled by twin 300 mm disc brakes at the front and a single 300 mm disc brake towards the rear in combination with four-piston fixed callipers.  The naked, chrome-covered driveshaft is a replica of the classic R5 model. The BMW R18 is an imposing motorcycle with a wheelbase of 1,731 mm and has a kerb weight of 345 kgs. BMW claims that the Cruiser Motorcycle does 0-100 kmph in just 4.8 seconds while clocking a maximum speed of 180 kmph. 

Expected to compete in terms of torque against Fat Boy’s Milwaukee-Eight 107 and the Indian Chief. Price of BMW R18 Cruiser Motorcycle will be similar to Harley’s cruiser range, including the Low Rider S, FXDR and Fat Bob models. According to media outlet the expected price of First Edition will be around Rs 15 lakhs while the Standard will have a price tag of Rs 13.5 lakhs. By the time it arrives in India, it will be more expensive courtsey the import duty considering that the company would be bringing it in as a CBU (Completely Built Unit).