BMW R18 Homage saddle

[Gilles]

I wanted to see how looks the R18 with the homage saddle and the original rear fender

@estoma gave us pictures which I used on Paint3D (I don't own Photoshop) together with picture I took of my R18 rear fender


Original R18




R18 with BMW Bobber kit and beach bar




Comparison of both




Original R18 with homage saddle




Original R18 with homage saddle and side license plate




Original R18 with homage saddle and beach bar




Sorry for the quality of the montages, I'm not good with these softwares, but it at least gives an idea of the result

 

[Luis]

I am taking long trips with the motorcycle. I love the bobber kit but I can't find a place for it to put my luggage. On the other hand, the option of keeping "everything" and only changing the saddle does not displease me at all, but everything would disregard for me its comfort and convenience.

 

[Black Dog]

I am taking long trips with the motorcycle. I love the bobber kit but I can't find a place for it to put my luggage. On the other hand, the option of keeping "everything" and only changing the saddle does not displease me at all, but everything would disregard for me its comfort and convenience.

The Idea behind a Bobber is to eliminate everything unnecessary.
The K1600B is for long trips.

 

[TodkaVonic]

Gilles I’m kinda wrestling with that too. I’d like my R18 to be my day trip cruising with Mrs. TodkaVonic for lunch motorcycle. And having my saddle bags adds significant convenience to that role. However, man, I love that bobber seat and rear fender so much. I want it both ways!

 

[Black Dog]

Gilles I’m kinda wrestling with that too. I’d like my R18 to be my day trip cruising with Mrs. TodkaVonic for lunch motorcycle. And having my saddle bags adds significant convenience to that role. However, man, I love that bobber seat and rear fender so much. I want it both ways!

Oh No, we have a switch hitter. At this point I Must invoke Baseballs "Pat Venditte Rule"

 

[TodkaVonic]

You probably know this Gilles & Luis, but I just now realized that, soon, a person can buy just the homage saddle

 

[Black Dog]

You probably know this Gilles & Luis, but I just now realized that, soon, a person can buy just the homage saddle

View attachment 1133

You will still need the adapter. Which from the looks of it, and is the reason I made my own seat adapter, requires the removal of the Rear Frame, PN 46 51 9 480 770, to which the saddle bags attach and the rear lights and license plate.
"Installation directly on the frame using an adapter" ??? Where is the adapter listed? How do you mount the signal lights and license plate? Enquiring minds want to know. \
I may be wrong, but, I may be right.

 

[Black Dog]

You will still need the adapter. Which from the looks of it, and is the reason I made my own seat adapter, requires the removal of the Rear Frame, PN 46 51 9 480 770, to which the saddle bags attach and the rear lights and license plate.
"Installation directly on the frame using an adapter" ??? Where is the adapter listed? How do you mount the signal lights and license plate? Enquiring minds want to know. \
I may be wrong, but, I may be right.

It really appears that you will need the entire bobber kit which is North of $1,400 and still no saddle bag mount.
Please prove me wrong.

 

[TodkaVonic]

I have all the same information you do Black Dog. Since these are Wave 3 items, we won't know for sure until late summer/fall. From the looks of it, there's a saddle and an adaptor to mount it to the frame. You keep the plate and signals in their original positions.

 

[Black Dog]

I have all the same information you do Black Dog. Since these are Wave 3 items, we won't know for sure until late summer/fall. From the looks of it, there's a saddle and an adaptor to mount it to the frame. You keep the plate and signals in their original positions.

I suggest you look on page 23 of the same literature from which you got the seat.
It shows the required frame adapter. To me, it looks like the removal of the Rear Frame is required to mount the seat adapter.
Removal of the Rear frame also removes the license plate mount and the rear light mount.
Again this is why I decided to construct my own adapter, still have the ability to install any seat that fits the stock mount, including the original seat, with one screw.
I may be wrong, but what would I know about how the motorcycle is put together?

 

[Luis]

You probably know this Gilles & Luis, but I just now realized that, soon, a person can buy just the homage saddle

View attachment 1133

Yes!!! Let’s wait for the third wave. No hurries

 

[TodkaVonic]

I just sent an email to the parts and accessories manager. Either he'll get back with an answer or we'll just wait until someone, someplace, buys the saddle and not the bobber kit.

 

[Black Dog]

I just sent an email to the parts and accessories manager. Either he'll get back with an answer or we'll just wait until someone, someplace, buys the saddle and not the bobber kit.

Do not hold your breath.

 

[Black Dog]

Yes!!! Let’s wait for the third wave. No hurries

And the second coming?

 

[Gilles]

I suggest you look on page 23 of the same literature from which you got the seat.
It shows the required frame adapter. To me, it looks like the removal of the Rear Frame is required to mount the seat adapter.
Removal of the Rear frame also removes the license plate mount and the rear light mount.
Again this is why I decided to construct my own adapter, still have the ability to install any seat that fits the stock mount, including the original seat, with one screw.
I may be wrong, but what would I know about how the motorcycle is put together?

Not sure you have to remove the rear fender




The hommage saddle shown in the catalogue (p20) already includes an adapter which seems to fit the threaded holes of the frame






Now I wonder what is the second adapter shown on page 23; The same ? or a second one to feel the hole when the rear fender is removed ?

 

[TodkaVonic]

I agree with your first point. The catalog is very thorough and doesn't omit instances where additional parts are needed.
Regarding the question of that second piece, it probably takes the place of the fender support bit under the seat. This [yellow X]

 

[Black Dog]

Look close, even in your superimposed seat picture it shows the rear frame interference.
It would not be a "Bobber" if it still employed the stock rear fender and fender support. BMW is attempting to adhere to the definition of Bobber.
It would just be just a John Deere seat.

 

[Gilles]

You're right Black Dog and I've already explained I do not want to make a bobber with my R18.
I prefer to keep it neo retro

This BMW saddle is a HOMAGE one (same as what you call a John Deere seat) and to me, not a bobber one

Anyway, we still have to wait to see it and of course check how it fits with the rear frame

 

[Black Dog]

You're right Black Dog and I've already explained I do not want to make a bobber with my R18.
I prefer to keep it neo retro

This BMW saddle is a HOMAGE one (same as what you call a John Deere seat) and to me, not a bobber one

Anyway, we still have to wait to see it and of course check how it fits with the rear frame

You buy one and let me know.

 

[OceanBreeze]

I wanted to see how looks the R18 with the homage saddle and the original rear fender

@estoma gave us pictures which I used on Paint3D (I don't own Photoshop) together with picture I took of my R18 rear fender


Original R18

View attachment 1123


R18 with BMW Bobber kit and beach bar

View attachment 1124


Comparison of both

View attachment 1125


Original R18 with homage saddle

View attachment 1126


Original R18 with homage saddle and side license plate

View attachment 1127


Original R18 with homage saddle and beach bar

View attachment 1128


Sorry for the quality of the montages, I'm not good with these softwares, but it at least gives an idea of the result

Thank you for these pictures and the rest of the information on this thread. I am quite surprised that all this information is already out there yet I have an email from BMW motorrad germany that says they are still developing the Homage and it will be released only post October 2021 ..... I feel a bit like a fool . Well, I will shut up now and digest all that this useful thread has to offer . Thank you TodKavonic and Gilles - much appreciated for the information . Dying to own this bike - its totally me ; except for the fact that i live in a country with the worst potholes and undulations on roads and so the rear suspension / rider seat / pillion comfort are the ONLY things that have stopped me from diving in head first. Hope there is a workable solution for this problem. In addition to the bad roads I have a tricky lower back with some disk issues ... that makes for a disaster when the rear travel is 90mm and the stock seat is like a plank of wood.