Impressive review. I have the ‘22 model and have 9,600 miles on it. I converted mine to heel-toe shifter so I can wear my Nick’s and Red Wing boots. I also replaced the gas cap with Monza style cap. I installed windshield and passenger backrest. I ride mine on Roll Mode and ride it like a I have a passenger. I like to ride smooth and enjoy the twisty and undulating backroads. This cruiser is very much capable of touring as much as I do daily riding with it. Most importantly, this bike brings a lot smiles from every mile on it.
I have to agree with you. The bike does bring the smiles in spades! I kept mine in roll for a while but lately i've been keeping in rock mode cause my other bikes have more twitchy throttles. Ride safe!
To get a better and louder sound out of these fishtails, Remove the connectors of the servo motors for the flap control and replace them by the servo buddys by revzilla. And its even not to annoying for the environment. Nice review!
Have you noticed the clutch/shifting being different from a sport bike? I'm used to slightly feathering it in, but this bike seems like you just need to quickly engage it in. I don't know if it's because it's a dry clutch, but I also noticed I still have to find the sweet spot of releasing clutch and adding throttle to get out of first. I noticed the different ride modes change this as well, which complicates the matter. The other thing is, normally I can tell where the shift point is and where the engine's comfort zone is, but this bike is not easy for me to find. It's there, it just doesn't seem obvious. Just two things I have to adjust to.
I notice that the engagement point out of 1st is a little vague but I got used to it. I find myself loading it/ giving it more gas than I think it needs and feathering the clutch out. When I switch to Rock mode everything is way more immediate and predictable. Overall It doesn't really bother me. I owned an Indian Chief as well and that was the same. I feel It's a combination of the mapping and it being a ride by wire throttle. Funny enough EVERY ride by wire bike I've ever ridden has had that vague feeling out of 1st. As far as shift points; my other sporty bikes like to be higher in the rpm. 3-4K for regular riding. On the Beamer it's happy to lope along in the low 2's. I like to keep it around 2.5-3.5 for regular riding. I've owned a few cruisers and you really have to be intentional with shifting on these types of bikes. My Z900 is so smooth, you can get away with a lighter touch. On cruisers I find the gear boxes to have a longer throw. They also feel more mechanical and clunky, So I like to "pre-load" the shifter before pulling in the clutch. Hope this helps!
@@bertsbike Yeah, it helped a lot. It's good to know that what I was experiencing was normal, because all the other videos just kept saying how effortless it was. Not to say it isn't a smooth ride, I just want to ride it in its optimal range.This is my first non cable throttle, so that info. is nice to know. I did notice as well in the ROCK mode, everything was more responsive. I highly doubt I will ever switch out of that mode. Thanks for the tips!
@bertsbike I tuned my k1600b and it was money well spent. The main reason for the tune was the annoying throttle lag. Now, my bike has exceptional throttle response in all gears at any rpm. The tune did yield a few extra ponies along with torque which is something ill never complain about 😁.
Hey Bert, I’m thinking of trading in my K1600 GTL for the R18; my question is how the lack of a fuel gauge on the R18 has possibly given you fuel anxiety on a longer trip, and how do you gauge that. Do you calculate total miles when you fill up ? Thanks for the update on the R18, I really love and miss that cruiser style bike.
@@edgonzo7079 The bike gets about 44-48mpg the way I ride. Just did a long trip on it. I fill up at about 150miles. The light comes on a little after that. I just reset the Trip Odometer every time I fill up. The fuel gauge thing is nice but honestly I don't really care if a bike has one or not.
Get rid of that ugly pigtail and treat yourself to a proper battery tender like the Optimate4 CanBus edition, then you can use the proper DIN a socket on the other side. Much neater setup.👍
@@jfro5867 Yes, I've messed around with the modes some, The throttle is more immediate. I don't mind the roll mode for just general riding and keeping in the limit. The rain mode might be useless tho. 🤣
Technology, design, very well bulit, all in one bueatiful piece of ingeniery.
@@edgargonzalez8035 Agreed.
@@edgargonzalez8035 Totally Agree!
Impressive review. I have the ‘22 model and have 9,600 miles on it. I converted mine to heel-toe shifter so I can wear my Nick’s and Red Wing boots. I also replaced the gas cap with Monza style cap. I installed windshield and passenger backrest. I ride mine on Roll Mode and ride it like a I have a passenger. I like to ride smooth and enjoy the twisty and undulating backroads. This cruiser is very much capable of touring as much as I do daily riding with it. Most importantly, this bike brings a lot smiles from every mile on it.
I have to agree with you. The bike does bring the smiles in spades! I kept mine in roll for a while but lately i've been keeping in rock mode cause my other bikes have more twitchy throttles. Ride safe!
I am thinking getting one but spoke tube tires are turning me off.Last thing I need a puncture out nowhere with no cell service
You can get them with cast wheels. In fact they come with them. The spokes are a factory upgrade.
To get a better and louder sound out of these fishtails, Remove the connectors of the servo motors for the flap control and replace them by the servo buddys by revzilla. And its even not to annoying for the environment. Nice review!
Hmm. I have to look into that. Just need them about 15%-20% louder. Thanks for watching and the tip! Cheers!
thanks. Great video. I'm sold and glad you are happy with it. It is a stunningly beautiful bike. Blaze on.
@@mart7404 Appreciate it! Thanks for tuning in! Let us know if you pull the trigger!
Finally long road trip review of bmw r18! Can you ride it to canada next?
Hey, Thanks for watching. Am I meeting you there?!
Such a great bike, really nice addition to your Bonneville 👍
@@Here.there.andaware Tanks for tuning in. It does compliment the Bonnie nicely! Cheers!
Greetings,
As always another brilliant detailed video production 🇺🇲🍾🎉🇺🇲
Do you still have the crf300?
Hey, keep producing more videos about the R 18
Hey there. Thanks for the support! I don't have the CRF anymore. I'm absolutely loving the R18 tho. Yes. I have more videos coming soon!
Great reveiw thanks!😊
@@Wayne-j5j Thanks Wayne!
I have the Classic and it has the floorboards with heel shifter. Really helps with the up shifts.
Yes, Seems like the way to go especially with boards.
Thanks for touching on things that really matter.
@@GreenComotion-ei6zw Thanks! Cheers mate!
Have you noticed the clutch/shifting being different from a sport bike? I'm used to slightly feathering it in, but this bike seems like you just need to quickly engage it in. I don't know if it's because it's a dry clutch, but I also noticed I still have to find the sweet spot of releasing clutch and adding throttle to get out of first. I noticed the different ride modes change this as well, which complicates the matter. The other thing is, normally I can tell where the shift point is and where the engine's comfort zone is, but this bike is not easy for me to find. It's there, it just doesn't seem obvious. Just two things I have to adjust to.
I notice that the engagement point out of 1st is a little vague but I got used to it. I find myself loading it/ giving it more gas than I think it needs and feathering the clutch out.
When I switch to Rock mode everything is way more immediate and predictable. Overall It doesn't really bother me.
I owned an Indian Chief as well and that was the same. I feel It's a combination of the mapping and it being a ride by wire throttle. Funny enough EVERY ride by wire bike I've ever ridden has had that vague feeling out of 1st.
As far as shift points; my other sporty bikes like to be higher in the rpm. 3-4K for regular riding. On the Beamer it's happy to lope along in the low 2's. I like to keep it around 2.5-3.5 for regular riding.
I've owned a few cruisers and you really have to be intentional with shifting on these types of bikes. My Z900 is so smooth, you can get away with a lighter touch. On cruisers I find the gear boxes to have a longer throw. They also feel more mechanical and clunky, So I like to "pre-load" the shifter before pulling in the clutch.
Hope this helps!
@@bertsbike Yeah, it helped a lot. It's good to know that what I was experiencing was normal, because all the other videos just kept saying how effortless it was. Not to say it isn't a smooth ride, I just want to ride it in its optimal range.This is my first non cable throttle, so that info. is nice to know.
I did notice as well in the ROCK mode, everything was more responsive. I highly doubt I will ever switch out of that mode. Thanks for the tips!
@@oldhickory4686 Anytime! Yeah, Lots of guys in the forums say it's never been out of Rock. 🤘
The k1600b bikes also have bad throttle lag from the factory. I Bren tuned mine and it was well worth it.
I Think I may have to do that. You tuned your R18?
@bertsbike I tuned my k1600b and it was money well spent. The main reason for the tune was the annoying throttle lag. Now, my bike has exceptional throttle response in all gears at any rpm. The tune did yield a few extra ponies along with torque which is something ill never complain about 😁.
@@thollingsworth4910 Right on.
Hey Bert, I’m thinking of trading in my K1600 GTL for the R18; my question is how the lack of a fuel gauge on the R18 has possibly given you fuel anxiety on a longer trip, and how do you gauge that. Do you calculate total miles when you fill up ?
Thanks for the update on the R18, I really love and miss that cruiser style bike.
@@edgonzo7079 The bike gets about 44-48mpg the way I ride. Just did a long trip on it. I fill up at about 150miles. The light comes on a little after that. I just reset the Trip Odometer every time I fill up. The fuel gauge thing is nice but honestly I don't really care if a bike has one or not.
siiick 😮
Thanks Bra!
Get rid of that ugly pigtail and treat yourself to a proper battery tender like the Optimate4 CanBus edition, then you can use the proper DIN a socket on the other side. Much neater setup.👍
oh yea…..ditch the Roll mode, ride in Rock mode and the throttle response is way sharper and the bike feels very ‘alive’
I know right! Thanks for the tip on the optimate. I need another charger for the garage anyhow.💪
@@jfro5867 Yes, I've messed around with the modes some, The throttle is more immediate. I don't mind the roll mode for just general riding and keeping in the limit. The rain mode might be useless tho. 🤣
That charging cable is nowhere on the EU spec R18, just the small 12V socked on the left side....strange, looks like an aftermarket installment.
@@wickedtwix My dealer puts them on their bikes apparently.