EFirst one, then two, now three and four. With the launch of the R 18 B and the R 18 Transcontinental, BMW is pushing its way into the market for heavyweight motorcycles in the classic American style. This means that the Munich-based company is present in the four main sub-categories that Harley-Davidson has established and which has long been successful. The two newcomers are already at the door.
Only a year ago came the R 18, the undisguised cruiser with which Bayerische Motoren Werke unleashed their newly developed, huge 1.8-liter boxer engine into a world that thought they only had to talk about electric. The monumental engine, a sculpture in honor of the thrust, shocked some as well as the unabashed pride with which the BMW men presented it. The R 18 is the opposite of Harley models like Softail Slim or Fat Boy. Half a year later, the R 18 Classic variant followed with a windshield and side pockets, the creation of which evidently carried the spirit of Harley-Davidson’s Softail Heritage through the design studio. And now R 18 B and Transcontinental.
The former, now ready for a first test drive, takes on the role of the casual excavator (i.e. bagger) with side cases and a massive handlebar-mounted stem. The Americans introduced one of these in 1969 with their distinctive, now iconic, Batwing fairing, which is still used today in the Touring series. 400 kilos of sovereignty, streamlined shape, the finest workmanship – this is the R 18 B, which is clearly aimed at the permanently cool Harley Street Glide. Meanwhile, the more extensively equipped Transcontinental, weighing around 430 kilos, is competing for the title of the heaviest production motorcycle ever. She gives the rolling fairytale castle with dance hall, chapel and private room. Message: A ride from Neuschwanstein to Neuharlingersiel, from New Hampshire to New Mexico shrinks to a smile. The machine responsible for this at Harley-Davidson is called Ultra Limited. Higher windshield, more opulent seating, top case, running boards, more chrome jewelry are the most striking differences between the Trans and the B.
Transatlantic Bridge: What is rolling in here are not Harleys, but a BMW R 18 Transcontinental (left) and two R 18 B in different colors.
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Image: BMW
BMW proclaims the “American Way of Ride” and goes about it as if the entire wide west had once again been released for settlement: extremely self-confident. The basic version of the R 18 B costs around 27,000 euros, the Transcontinental a good 28,000 euros. Both prices, must be added, serve at best as a first reference point before the almost inevitable addition of accessories and special equipment for perfecting and personalization. An extensive range of parts is available right from the start, supplemented by elaborate varnish variants including a hallucination color called Galaxy Dust Metallic, which shimmers from purple to turquoise depending on the incidence of light. This “flip-flop varnish” creates effects that are otherwise only noticeable after consuming certain mushrooms, although we do not mean to say that we have experience with such mushrooms. It shows, however, that BMW is using all means to attack Harley-Davidson in full and also to attract the audience who are inclined to show off on their side.
As American as the style may be, the technology is originally German. As usual, the 1802-cc two-cylinder delivers 91 hp. A high torque plateau of 150 Nm and more extends from 2000 to 4000 revolutions, we have already described this with due awe in the driving reports for the R 18 and R 18 Classic. As is typical for the brand, the power is transferred to the rear wheel via a cardan shaft, as in the times of the ancients with an openly rotating, bright nickel-plated cardan shaft – a wave of nostalgia, so to speak. According to the on-board computer, we fed the boxer 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers on our lap, the sound can be described as full and satisfied. Three driving modes, fully integral ABS, cruise control, heated grips, electronic ignition key, and a cell phone compartment on top of the 24-liter tank are standard equipment, after all.
What BMW pulls additional notes out of the customer’s pocket is the new type of cruise control and the famous adaptive headlights with swivel module, both of which are already known from the BMW R 1250 RT. The Munich-based company also offers a reversing aid, but they also charge a surcharge for a hill start aid, which Harley-Davidson installs as standard. The 10.25-inch color screen is gigantic, brilliant in its display, but so dominant in the cockpit that the four pretty round instruments above are literally outshone. A navigation function is available, but unlike Harley-Davidson, unfortunately only in connection with an app and a connected smartphone.
Maneuvering can turn into a fiasco if you don’t have the colossus under control, driving is a feast. With astonishing agility he dredges through curvy landscapes. Changes to the chassis geometry – fork steeper, wheelbase shorter, caster longer – have a beneficial effect on agility and dynamics compared to the basic R-18. Despite the low windshield, we found the weather protection to be excellent, the wind noise to be low, listened to music from the Marshall sound system at 100 km / h and listened to the 4 p.m. news on the motorway at 160 km / h, every word of which could be understood despite the visor closed was. Hopefully the Christ Child listens well too.
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