I won't get one based solely on the riding position. I'm a taller rider and need to stretch out on trips, which was one of the reasons I chose a Victory over a Harley in the first place. I've been through BMWs website, and even with the footrest shelves you tack on above the cylinders, I've seen some guys my height in other videos whose feet are directly above (sometimes touching) the exhaust pipes with their heels.
The bike will be a sales success since it's design is simply Superb. Looking at this bike makes Harley something out of the middle ages ... It is an amazing bike and yes it was made to look like a stunning Gorgeous head turner bike. A perfect look combining the old legacy and the modern high Tech features. Something missing on a Harley and competitors ...high tech ... And then there is the engine. Top Power is not a issue for this class of bikes but even so Harleys are like half the power of this behemoth engine. So yes it will be a success.
Silly Ape-Hanger handlebars aside, this thing is a trip. I recently got to experience a short test ride - and let me tell you, just idling, the whole bike shakes in an intimidating, odd way. From rider perspective the cylinders are so big that I felt I was riding a cartoon anime bike in reality - the thing was just utterly fun and also utterly outside Anything else I have ever ridden (hundreds of models since 1971). I am not sure I would get one of these but the novelty of this thing really is unique - there simply is nothing like it anywhere, ever... You simply must ride this at least once to truly get what I am suggesting - and NO this motor would not work as the basis of a new GSA unless Anime Adventure Bikes become all the rage... In any case, much thanks for all you do!
I totally get the novelty - it's like a muscle car. Most don't necessarily want to own them, but you HAVE to experience the chassis shaking power of a big block. Same with the R18 I'm sure, the BOSS HOSS etc. You're buying an experience rather than a bike in a way..
Hill start controll - ha ha ha my thoughts exactly, learn to ride propperly or stop before you hurt yourself or others. I would never spend 20k on a bike like this, there are better ways to show off. Excellent video, just like most of your other ones I've seen so far, good job.
It’s all about the seating position, the knees are way too bent and the seat is way too low for a boxer twin design. Simple as that. Too uncomfortable.
It always makes me happy when a “concept” design makes it, almost undiluted, into metal. (Those silencers though...) BMW haven’t really put a foot wrong for decades but they can’t have anticipated the upcoming global recession, which is the probable reason that these won’t sell.
I agree, the front mudguard plates look great. Trouble is in an accident with pedestrians they tend to become a bacon slicer!! So I doubt they will make a come back. Great channel Urge to Ride, thanks for the content!
I think you really hit the nail on the head with the seating position. Its not a cruiser if it doesn't feel like riding on a couch and anyone looking to stretch their legs while riding is never going to go for a boxer cruiser, and BMW is unlikely to my it any other way.
Yeah part of me thinks BMW should've swallowed their pride and put it out with a vtwin, or heck a longitudinal Vtwin a la Moto Guzzi which is like the perfect blend of 'keeping it a SORT of bmw boxer 😅', 'basically a vtwin so purists shut up', and finally space for forward controls. That would kick ass in my fantasy land
I love my BMW R nine T, it's agile, goes well into the mountain grade curves and I love the two big cylinders protecting my legs, but would I buy a 1800 ccm motorcycle with the same riding position for cruising? Definitely not, for long trips I expect a much more comfortable riding position with forward controls. This is a beautiful poser bike for a short ride to the next coffee shop in the neighborhood. They will sell it well in places like Palm Springs and Hollywood.
Precisely, its too compromised, it's only purpose is to look good, and frankly it does. So people will buy it. Most people ride VERY little, their only trips are to coffee shops so they don't need the comfort.
@@UrgetoRide absolutely agree, there are enough buyers out there with enough money to buy a motorcycle just because it's pretty and they love to show it, and not because they are looking for a workhorse.
But you gotta agree manufacturers trying new things and venturing out of comfort zones can only be beneficial to motorcycling as a whole. Sure seeing a nun running a sprint is funny and weird but hey she might be good at it !
Man you have no idea what your talking about the seating position is mid mount like basically every thing out there unless you put forward controls on it. That doesn’t make it cramped. You just don’t get it at all
I had this bike for almost 2 years now and I never regret owning it. I owned a Harley and still a member of Eagle Riders but this R18 has a different riding experience and smooth ride 👌. It's not about the bike is how you use it. Enjoy the ride. ✌️
The boxster is just not a cruiser engine..period.I've driven a lot of cruisers in my life and the 1100 maxim was my first ,followed by a honda 1000 cbx,a triumph bonneville t120(my favorite) and currently a harley fxdl.I like the looks of a skinny bike and the comfort of a cruiser,this doesn't look like it would be comfortable for more than an hour or so.Anyway this won't be much competition for Harley(even though Harlies lack of diversity will/are hurting them).
I think theyre doing alright right now diversifying to be honest.. is it too little too late ? Maybe but better late than never. Personally excited about the Livewire (cant wait for it to find its way onto more dealers) and the Pan America which i find bitching.
You're the best thanks Christian ! I will sure try - my monitor is from 2008 so the difference isn't too obvious to me 😅 But I'll make sure its done when possible 👍
Its like marrying an ugly woman, she'll always be loyal, good in bed and by jove she can cook!! likewise this BMW is ugly but will probably never let you down and will stay by your side come what may! Solid as a rock.
While manufacturers typically strive to build a better motorcycle (Harley being the notable exception) the R18 is arguably BMW worst motorcycle. Very little ground clearance, terrible lean angle, low revving engine, bad seating position that no amount of lipstick (chrome) can change. Form over Function is typically frowned upon by the motorcycle community unless of course you play for the Other team.
Hahaha the casual HD jab. But yes BMW could get away with murder, they have a very strong customer base, kick ass marketing and network. They could badge a cow as a BMW and they'd sell it for silly money.
I have a 2021 Classic R18. And it’s amazing, but I also have a R1200 C cruiser which is also an amazing motorcycle. It’s over 20 years old now , trouble with TH-cam testers they go out for an hour on the bike an repeat what’s been said before by other testers who haven’t done their home work. Moan over. Thanks. Graham
R1200c’s are ASS ugly But they roll and roll and roll And comfortably I might add. I plan on buying this bike with beach bars and a bobber seat Probably will add the leg rests Say whatever you want about Harley, they 1; hold value 2; are likely the most comfortable long (500miles or more) ride bikes. And if you have an older one, they are actually very easy to rebuild because here in the states we still have greasy chopper guys all over the place. My nearest Beamer tech is over 100miles away.
Why the hell did they change anythingvfrom the concept R18? That lowrider bad ass look is lustfull.....but i think theyve screwed the designs...lumpy looking..that bobber looks awful.....the exhaust...well i think they were at the munich beer festvwhen they came up with that...colour? Gorgeous...the big risk us the riding position without forward pegs....just bring the concept original out...then ill get one
I cant think of a single time a production car/bike came out resembling its concept.. a part maybe from the Audi TT. So I kinda got used to lowering my expectations with concepts 😂
Mistake 1 : Ugly and wide Boxer engine sitting right in front of ankles, with no option for forward controls.. Mistake 2 : Targeting potential Harley buyers with “Made in Berlin” all over the Bike Other Pardonable mistakes : Aircooled, under powered engine with unattractive fishtail exhausts I don’t see this Motorcycle becoming a Harley killer as it’s expected to be..
Valid points, another commenter pointed out the Pan America is likely to take more sales from BMW than BMW will take of Harley and I couldn't agree more..
Urge to Ride : Harley has made its mark in Cruisers/baggers segment and the image that’s built over decades is that Harley loyalists are typically middle-aged who don’t care much about Performance, technology, refinement, reliability etc.. I’m doubtful if the above image can get erased and Harley will find loyalists in relatively younger buyers who buy Advs, Street Nakeds etc.. These buyers ( millennials ?) care much about cutting edge technology and performance in which the Harleys are quite far behind and the Japanese / Europeans are streets ahead...Anyway, Time will tell !
@@sathishrao7926 If the bike is competent and the price is right I'm sure it'll tempt more people to jump to Harley, they're ploughing a lot of money into 'evolving' the company and its image.. But lets face it the price won't be right haha They'll be expensive as heck. But as you say time will tell
Urge to Ride : Yep ! Time will tell.. Agree that HD is doing its best to appeal to all generations of Riders, But is it too little too late? I don’t see relatively young riders who’re aiming to buy tried and tested GS1250s, Africa Twins, Tigers etc.. switch their loyalty to a Harley Adv (even if it’s priced right) I guess they don’t care much about Harley as a brand and they probably realize that it takes a while for a PanAmerica to catch-up with a GS in terms of Technology, Performance and refinement ! ( On the other hand, those who value Harley for its brand name don’t seem to diversify into buying anything other then Baggers !)
@@sathishrao7926 I think thats an excellent assessment. But I'm gonna trust HD did their market research and focus groups and the corporate jazz and determined they could take a decent bite to make it worth it. Colour me skeptical but I'm just glad manufacturers are getting out of their comfort zones (after a decade of economic boom and cheap/free money...), and with the likely crisis ahead we might not see new innovation for a LONG while as peoples purses tighten. Plus it gives me new things to whinge about 😂
Its gonna be interesting to see how Harley responds.. now even Honda is gonna put an Africa Twin engine in a Rebel and make a bigger Rebel... I dont get why the sudden interest in the cruiser market by two of the biggest manufacturers but I sure like seeing the competition !
I like the look of this bike. Yes but why would I choose this over a Harley Davidson much more to offer in their soft tail line for better prices and a lot more after market support? Also an extensive dealer network. I say Harley takes more sales from BMW with the new Pan America than the R18 will take from them.
@@harleycamper5577 Nail right on the head. Plus the Pan America looks gorgeous, I know beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that.. but it just has presence
345 Kg of scrap that should have never seen the light of day. manufactured by clowns for mugs with more money than any serious enthusiasm for motorcycling
It is indeed an issue for a lot of people. Its kinda paradoxical, buyers of this niche want comfort, not a 'dynamic' seating position. Sure if I want to ride around the canyons or in the city in a cruiser id pick the R18, but for everything else, its not fit for purpose. Long straight highway rides (which I'll wager is 99% of what cruiser riders do) will be a pain in the butt on the r18 i reckon. Literally, as the whole weight of your torso will be straight on the butt. Again, not convinced, willing to be converted if I ever get to swing a leg on one and take for a ride, but colour me skeptical right now.
This channel is new, but the content quality says it has a very promising future.
Appreciate the kind word very very much. Stay tuned indeed 👍
Everybody's talking about the r18. But nobody's saying anything about how much the motorcycle cost. That's kind of important.
To my knowledge the price for the showroom bike will be $17,495 for the standard model or $19,870 for the upmarket 'First Edition'
It's incredible, I'd like to haver It in my garage!
Very close to prototype too which is refreshing to see a manufacturer do ! Give it an aftermarket exhaust and I'd gladly take one too 😅
I think the R18 is an ideal daily commute bike, or maybe if you want to do a bit of green-laning, it looks like just the ticket.
I hear they're modifying a few to enter MotoGP with
I won't get one based solely on the riding position. I'm a taller rider and need to stretch out on trips, which was one of the reasons I chose a Victory over a Harley in the first place. I've been through BMWs website, and even with the footrest shelves you tack on above the cylinders, I've seen some guys my height in other videos whose feet are directly above (sometimes touching) the exhaust pipes with their heels.
Agreed, a boxer engine is simply not compatible with a comfort position. Now if they made it into a transverse V ........ 😄 Then we'd be talking
The bike will be a sales success since it's design is simply Superb. Looking at this bike makes Harley something out of the middle ages ... It is an amazing bike and yes it was made to look like a stunning Gorgeous head turner bike. A perfect look combining the old legacy and the modern high Tech features. Something missing on a Harley and competitors ...high tech ...
And then there is the engine. Top Power is not a issue for this class of bikes but even so Harleys are like half the power of this behemoth engine.
So yes it will be a success.
21 Classic, ride it as much as I can.. A lot of fun! 🎉
Silly Ape-Hanger handlebars aside, this thing is a trip. I recently got to experience a short test ride - and let me tell you, just idling, the whole bike shakes in an intimidating, odd way. From rider perspective the cylinders are so big that I felt I was riding a cartoon anime bike in reality - the thing was just utterly fun and also utterly outside Anything else I have ever ridden (hundreds of models since 1971). I am not sure I would get one of these but the novelty of this thing really is unique - there simply is nothing like it anywhere, ever... You simply must ride this at least once to truly get what I am suggesting - and NO this motor would not work as the basis of a new GSA unless Anime Adventure Bikes become all the rage... In any case, much thanks for all you do!
I totally get the novelty - it's like a muscle car. Most don't necessarily want to own them, but you HAVE to experience the chassis shaking power of a big block. Same with the R18 I'm sure, the BOSS HOSS etc. You're buying an experience rather than a bike in a way..
It is a thing of beauty but without the ability to stretch out my legs, I’d rather have my glide
A beautiful bike from the father land
To be honest - I prefer the old 1200C - but I’ll be having a look at the 18 out of interest
When not in horrendous colours the 1200c isn't that bad of a minger to be fair
Hill start controll - ha ha ha my thoughts exactly, learn to ride propperly or stop before you hurt yourself or others.
I would never spend 20k on a bike like this, there are better ways to show off.
Excellent video, just like most of your other ones I've seen so far, good job.
Thank you Den for the kind words ! And yes I understand for some 20k on a toy is chump change but damn thats a lotta money..
It’s all about the seating position, the knees are way too bent and the seat is way too low for a boxer twin design. Simple as that. Too uncomfortable.
Miss your content bro, hope you'll put out more.
It always makes me happy when a “concept” design makes it, almost undiluted, into metal. (Those silencers though...) BMW haven’t really put a foot wrong for decades but they can’t have anticipated the upcoming global recession, which is the probable reason that these won’t sell.
The silencers are actually quite true to the original R5 (and bikes at the time), but that styling has aged horribly and just looks awful now...
I think it’s a great looking bike
I'm enjoying mine!
BMW should continue to make Rice Rockets
I love it ,it’s fabulous,exept the wire spokes,would thr bodywork survive a European winter
That engine is amazing.
All it needs now is a front fender with a
License a la original
I love the full on retro look of front fender licenses ! Should be an option on new bikes 😂 Will turn heads for sure
I agree, the front mudguard plates look great. Trouble is in an accident with pedestrians they tend to become a bacon slicer!! So I doubt they will make a come back.
Great channel Urge to Ride, thanks for the content!
I would've thought a trike would've been the key platform to compete with h-d....too bombastic as a two-wheeler...
Brilliant you had me on red headed stepchild subscribed straight away. Great work please keep this sense of humour.
Appreciate the kind words immensely ! Thank you 🤜🤛
Whats your opinion on the R18 ? Do you think they missed the mark or was it a home run ?
Urge to Ride home run
what about the heat comming off the cylinders sinces legs are just behind them ???
Its not too bad since you still get the wind cooling
I think you really hit the nail on the head with the seating position. Its not a cruiser if it doesn't feel like riding on a couch and anyone looking to stretch their legs while riding is never going to go for a boxer cruiser, and BMW is unlikely to my it any other way.
Yeah part of me thinks BMW should've swallowed their pride and put it out with a vtwin, or heck a longitudinal Vtwin a la Moto Guzzi which is like the perfect blend of 'keeping it a SORT of bmw boxer 😅', 'basically a vtwin so purists shut up', and finally space for forward controls. That would kick ass in my fantasy land
I like the concept.
cool bike. I'd have to ride it. but a harley seems much more appealing. (comping from a sport bike rider)
Best motorcycle for short,short people
Still need long arms 😂
@@UrgetoRide true that!
I love my BMW R nine T, it's agile, goes well into the mountain grade curves and I love the two big cylinders protecting my legs, but would I buy a 1800 ccm motorcycle with the same riding position for cruising? Definitely not, for long trips I expect a much more comfortable riding position with forward controls. This is a beautiful poser bike for a short ride to the next coffee shop in the neighborhood. They will sell it well in places like Palm Springs and Hollywood.
Precisely, its too compromised, it's only purpose is to look good, and frankly it does. So people will buy it. Most people ride VERY little, their only trips are to coffee shops so they don't need the comfort.
@@UrgetoRide absolutely agree, there are enough buyers out there with enough money to buy a motorcycle just because it's pretty and they love to show it, and not because they are looking for a workhorse.
Fantastic bike
The Germans should stay out of a market they do not understand. The R18 will suffer the same fate as the R1200C.
But you gotta agree manufacturers trying new things and venturing out of comfort zones can only be beneficial to motorcycling as a whole. Sure seeing a nun running a sprint is funny and weird but hey she might be good at it !
Man you have no idea what your talking about the seating position is mid mount like basically every thing out there unless you put forward controls on it. That doesn’t make it cramped. You just don’t get it at all
"the God-awful exhaust which looks like a python that swallowed something it shouldn't have"....🤣
I had this bike for almost 2 years now and I never regret owning it.
I owned a Harley and still a member of Eagle Riders but this R18 has a different riding experience and smooth ride 👌.
It's not about the bike is how you use it. Enjoy the ride. ✌️
Hanno Davidsonne
R1800 - German for “what the fuck were they thinking?” 2 years out from this video and they can’t give them away.
The boxster is just not a cruiser engine..period.I've driven a lot of cruisers in my life and the 1100 maxim was my first ,followed by a honda 1000 cbx,a triumph bonneville t120(my favorite) and currently a harley fxdl.I like the looks of a skinny bike and the comfort of a cruiser,this doesn't look like it would be comfortable for more than an hour or so.Anyway this won't be much competition for Harley(even though Harlies lack of diversity will/are hurting them).
I think theyre doing alright right now diversifying to be honest.. is it too little too late ? Maybe but better late than never. Personally excited about the Livewire (cant wait for it to find its way onto more dealers) and the Pan America which i find bitching.
@@UrgetoRide Didn't know about the Pan American but it's what I was talkin about...nice...I'll be testing one :)
If only BMW had built this great looking bike around a R nine T, smaller, lighter and cheaper, nobs!
Love the channel and content. Subbed! Please make your content available in 2k/1440p if possible
You're the best thanks Christian ! I will sure try - my monitor is from 2008 so the difference isn't too obvious to me 😅 But I'll make sure its done when possible 👍
Relaxing voice
It's a trike natural...
I like the bike but I don’t want to dislike 😶
Dislike this comment so you can get it out of your system. Your sacrifice is appreciated ! 🤜🤛
If BMW have managed to sell 40,000 of these units, they must be getting something right??
Only needed BMW's gigantic distribution network, massive fanclub, oh and starring in a James Bond movie 😄
Its like marrying an ugly woman, she'll always be loyal, good in bed and by jove she can cook!! likewise this BMW is ugly but will probably never let you down and will stay by your side come what may! Solid as a rock.
@@theneutralplatform4834 Hahaha words to live by
While manufacturers typically strive to build a better motorcycle (Harley being the notable exception) the R18 is arguably BMW worst motorcycle. Very little ground clearance, terrible lean angle, low revving engine, bad seating position that no amount of lipstick (chrome) can change. Form over Function is typically frowned upon by the motorcycle community unless of course you play for the Other team.
Hahaha the casual HD jab. But yes BMW could get away with murder, they have a very strong customer base, kick ass marketing and network. They could badge a cow as a BMW and they'd sell it for silly money.
I have a 2021 Classic R18. And it’s amazing, but I also have a R1200 C cruiser which is also an amazing motorcycle. It’s over 20 years old now , trouble with TH-cam testers they go out for an hour on the bike an repeat what’s been said before by other testers who haven’t done their home work. Moan over. Thanks. Graham
there are a few drawbacks but what is he beautiful, mmm, it's like my wife!?!
Amen 😂
love video love the bike
Thank you for the kind word Harry ! Stay tuned for more 👍
R1200c’s are ASS ugly
But they roll and roll and roll
And comfortably I might add.
I plan on buying this bike with beach bars and a bobber seat
Probably will add the leg rests
Say whatever you want about Harley, they
1; hold value
2; are likely the most comfortable long (500miles or more) ride bikes.
And if you have an older one, they are actually very easy to rebuild because here in the states we still have greasy chopper guys all over the place.
My nearest Beamer tech is over 100miles away.
Why the hell did they change anythingvfrom the concept R18? That lowrider bad ass look is lustfull.....but i think theyve screwed the designs...lumpy looking..that bobber looks awful.....the exhaust...well i think they were at the munich beer festvwhen they came up with that...colour? Gorgeous...the big risk us the riding position without forward pegs....just bring the concept original out...then ill get one
I cant think of a single time a production car/bike came out resembling its concept.. a part maybe from the Audi TT. So I kinda got used to lowering my expectations with concepts 😂
love this bike !! bye bye harley
Mistake 1 :
Ugly and wide Boxer engine sitting right in front of ankles, with no option for forward controls..
Mistake 2 :
Targeting potential Harley buyers with “Made in Berlin” all over the Bike
Other Pardonable mistakes : Aircooled, under powered engine with unattractive fishtail exhausts
I don’t see this Motorcycle becoming a Harley killer as it’s expected to be..
Valid points, another commenter pointed out the Pan America is likely to take more sales from BMW than BMW will take of Harley and I couldn't agree more..
Urge to Ride : Harley has made its mark in Cruisers/baggers segment and the image that’s built over decades is that Harley loyalists are typically middle-aged who don’t care much about Performance, technology, refinement, reliability etc..
I’m doubtful if the above image can get erased and Harley will find loyalists in relatively younger buyers who buy Advs, Street Nakeds etc.. These buyers ( millennials ?) care much about cutting edge technology and performance in which the Harleys are quite far behind and the Japanese / Europeans are streets ahead...Anyway, Time will tell !
@@sathishrao7926 If the bike is competent and the price is right I'm sure it'll tempt more people to jump to Harley, they're ploughing a lot of money into 'evolving' the company and its image.. But lets face it the price won't be right haha They'll be expensive as heck. But as you say time will tell
Urge to Ride : Yep ! Time will tell..
Agree that HD is doing its best to appeal to all generations of Riders, But is it too little too late?
I don’t see relatively young riders who’re aiming to buy tried and tested GS1250s, Africa Twins, Tigers etc.. switch their loyalty to a Harley Adv (even if it’s priced right)
I guess they don’t care much about Harley as a brand and they probably realize that it takes a while for a PanAmerica to catch-up with a GS in terms of Technology, Performance and refinement !
( On the other hand, those who value Harley for its brand name don’t seem to diversify into buying anything other then Baggers !)
@@sathishrao7926 I think thats an excellent assessment. But I'm gonna trust HD did their market research and focus groups and the corporate jazz and determined they could take a decent bite to make it worth it. Colour me skeptical but I'm just glad manufacturers are getting out of their comfort zones (after a decade of economic boom and cheap/free money...), and with the likely crisis ahead we might not see new innovation for a LONG while as peoples purses tighten. Plus it gives me new things to whinge about 😂
God awful exhaust system . But quirky enough to be cool .id give it a test drive before saying to much
Harley will suffer even harder with the presence of this R18...BMW owners are not fanatics to cruiser only, they may try to this one as well
Its gonna be interesting to see how Harley responds.. now even Honda is gonna put an Africa Twin engine in a Rebel and make a bigger Rebel... I dont get why the sudden interest in the cruiser market by two of the biggest manufacturers but I sure like seeing the competition !
I like the look of this bike. Yes but why would I choose this over a Harley Davidson much more to offer in their soft tail line for better prices and a lot more after market support? Also an extensive dealer network. I say Harley takes more sales from BMW with the new Pan America than the R18 will take from them.
@@harleycamper5577 Nail right on the head. Plus the Pan America looks gorgeous, I know beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that.. but it just has presence
345 Kg of scrap that should have never seen the light of day. manufactured by clowns for mugs with more money than any serious enthusiasm for motorcycling
That's hilarious, I love a good rant 😄
No forward controls, no thanks.
It is indeed an issue for a lot of people. Its kinda paradoxical, buyers of this niche want comfort, not a 'dynamic' seating position. Sure if I want to ride around the canyons or in the city in a cruiser id pick the R18, but for everything else, its not fit for purpose. Long straight highway rides (which I'll wager is 99% of what cruiser riders do) will be a pain in the butt on the r18 i reckon. Literally, as the whole weight of your torso will be straight on the butt. Again, not convinced, willing to be converted if I ever get to swing a leg on one and take for a ride, but colour me skeptical right now.
I use to ride a 1975 gold wing.
I use to ride down the freeway with my feet on the cylinders. I’m sure u can do it with this bike too
@@PInk77W1 I do that on my Yamaha's chunky engine crash bobbins haha
Hahaha