What did you do to your R18 today?

You have read the first sentence of the post: "At the request of several clients" ?
R18 is a strong motorcycle for a minimum of 50 years of use and are you showing it with plastic bags? For me, the R18 has wartime roots - the R5 year 1936 and its development that drives in war. No chrome painted plastics or plastics, but that's only the opinion of a handful of people. Let everyone do their job. China is happy when people love plastic;) For me, manual work and noble materials are rated higher - we are a manufacture (we have never worked in leather - that's why I order such bags from specialists, although Europe is slowly turning to Eco-leather). Unfortunately, we cannot achieve shapes like plastic from metal, sorry. Think carefully
 
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estoma said:
I am not criticizing either, but you are missing the point (your market) entirely. Think of the R18 as exactly that - a German 'Harley'; BMW taking on Harley in Harley's own backyard, playing the ballgame that Harley invented. BMW will only win a small part of that market. We, the ones vocalizing our opinions here, represent that small part.

Also, appreciate Form and Function. Your products, e.g. solo rack and panniers, are practical and efficient (all Function) but do not even remotely complement the aesthetics, stride and pose of the R18 (zero Form). They might well fit in on a R1250GS, but not on an S1000RR and most definitely not on the R18.

With the possible exception of Black Dog, none of us here bought the R18 for how effective or how much of an all-rounder it is. I do not think that I have read even a single overly positive Motorcycle Review on it - well, scr3w those journos, influencers, et al. For some of us, myself included, this is the first BMW motorcycle or even BMW product that we have purchased - and mostly because of what it looks like and how much better, even, we perceive it could look like with our individual personal preferences implemented. In some respects, we are still only formalizing those preferences, which is why we hang out here.

The R18 is All Form - whatever we buy to fit on it needs to function well, of course, but the overriding consideration is what it looks like and how well it fits in with the rest of the bike. And with the emphasis on 'Retro' and what earlier Beemer pot-scrapers looked like.
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I believe you "nailed it" - at least from my perspective! hehehe
 
estoma said:
I am not criticizing either, but you are missing the point (your market) entirely. Think of the R18 as exactly that - a German 'Harley'; BMW taking on Harley in Harley's own backyard, playing the ballgame that Harley invented. BMW will only win a small part of that market. We, the ones vocalizing our opinions here, represent that small part.

Also, appreciate Form and Function. Your products, e.g. solo rack and panniers, are practical and efficient (all Function) but do not even remotely complement the aesthetics, stride and pose of the R18 (zero Form). They might well fit in on a R1250GS, but not on an S1000RR and most definitely not on the R18.

With the possible exception of Black Dog, none of us here bought the R18 for how effective or how much of an all-rounder it is. I do not think that I have read even a single overly positive Motorcycle Review on it - well, scr3w those journos, influencers, et al. For some of us, myself included, this is the first BMW motorcycle or even BMW product that we have purchased - and mostly because of what it looks like and how much better, even, we perceive it could look like with our individual personal preferences implemented. In some respects, we are still only formalizing those preferences, which is why we hang out here.

The R18 is All Form - whatever we buy to fit on it needs to function well, of course, but the overriding consideration is what it looks like and how well it fits in with the rest of the bike. And with the emphasis on 'Retro' and what earlier Beemer pot-scrapers looked like.
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Well said, Estoma. But I can't agree on all of what you've said, only because I don't see the BMW as a German HD at all. It's too nimble for that kind of comparison. And, while I did initially fall for the R18 based on it's retro-BMW appearance, I have been captured on how well it functions. It's a solid platform for the windshield/fairing/saddlebag/etc. folks and it's an outstanding naked, sport-standard for those of us who want an all around get-on-it-and-go motorcycle. I've been watching for another R50/2 for years because the one I had (back in the 90s) was so much fun. The R18 fits the bill better than I could have hoped for.
Having said that, I also agree that it's appearance is critical to it's success and why most of us love it. Big, square, metal saddlebags on the R18 would look about as nice as 80 pounds of blubber on Marilyn Monroe.
 
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R18Holan said:
I'm against making the R18 Harley. That's why I have other leather and cotton canvas bags, but never anything like this. But I'm not criticizing. Something different for everyone
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Your main purpose here is to advertise your products and make a profit. They should be charging you for advertising.
 
estoma said:
I am not criticizing either, but you are missing the point (your market) entirely. Think of the R18 as exactly that - a German 'Harley'; BMW taking on Harley in Harley's own backyard, playing the ballgame that Harley invented. BMW will only win a small part of that market. We, the ones vocalizing our opinions here, represent that small part.

Also, appreciate Form and Function. Your products, e.g. solo rack and panniers, are practical and efficient (all Function) but do not even remotely complement the aesthetics, stride and pose of the R18 (zero Form). They might well fit in on a R1250GS, but not on an S1000RR and most definitely not on the R18.

With the possible exception of Black Dog, none of us here bought the R18 for how effective or how much of an all-rounder it is. I do not think that I have read even a single overly positive Motorcycle Review on it - well, scr3w those journos, influencers, et al. For some of us, myself included, this is the first BMW motorcycle or even BMW product that we have purchased - and mostly because of what it looks like and how much better, even, we perceive it could look like with our individual personal preferences implemented. In some respects, we are still only formalizing those preferences, which is why we hang out here.

The R18 is All Form - whatever we buy to fit on it needs to function well, of course, but the overriding consideration is what it looks like and how well it fits in with the rest of the bike. And with the emphasis on 'Retro' and what earlier Beemer pot-scrapers looked like.
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This bike was purchased for its looks and to be used for a day tripper, it fulfills these functions quite well.
For other functions I prefer motorcycles with other functionalities.
In other words "Form and follows Function".
If its Form fits your Functionality, good for you, it fits mine just fine
It is after all just a "Big Boy Toy"
 
For me, the R18 is not a Harley because there si not a Harley like the R18. Sport looking and touring performance...except for the stock seat (easy to change by the way). Sad that BMW is lack of accessories, I'll appreciate a Handlebar riser: 4" closer needed and that's it.
 
R18Holan said:
At the request of several clients, we started the project of aluminum panniers for R18. The panniers are black and lower than the standard. They have a capacity of 34L and a width of 24cm. Finally, there will be leather straps on the covers. A few warm photos. Unfortunately, from the garage because the day was rainy. More photos and details tomorrow
View attachment 1311
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Sorry, I just don't like them but to each their own. They look out of place to me on this bike like a square peg & round hole.
 
R18Holan said:
today a small change according to the rule: a minimum of chrome and plastic
View attachment 1241
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It is also clear why you made a 'small change according to the rule: a minimum of chrome and plastic'. You simply cannot do it locally where you operate from - neither proper bluer (less pale, greyish, or yellowish) chrome-plating nor quality plastic mouldings. And 3D printing of entire panniers is just not on (yet, anyway). So you can only offer black and fabricated from rolled/extruded metal sections and plate.

Where do you source your leather from? I have been working in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) for the last seventeen years, and I have only witnessed cr4ppy local leather there - and I hail from a third-world country. Any good leather would probably originate from Turkey and would therefore not be cheap.
 
I installed some driving lights from SuperBrightLEDS.com. Unfortunately these are no longer available but I had some extras. They are rated at 7W & 700 lumens each. The current drain is 520 MA ea.The brackets are Kuryakyn and fit the 38mm DK Design crash bar. Power is supplied from the connector under the left side cover. Let there be light!
IMG_4136.jpgIMG_4135.jpgIMG_4135.jpgIMG_4134.jpgIMG_4137.jpg
 
theMucker said:
Well said, Estoma. But I can't agree on all of what you've said, only because I don't see the BMW as a German HD at all. It's too nimble for that kind of comparison. And, while I did initially fall for the R18 based on it's retro-BMW appearance, I have been captured on how well it functions. It's a solid platform for the windshield/fairing/saddlebag/etc. folks and it's an outstanding naked, sport-standard for those of us who want an all around get-on-it-and-go motorcycle. I've been watching for another R50/2 for years because the one I had (back in the 90s) was so much fun. The R18 fits the bill better than I could have hoped for.
Having said that, I also agree that it's appearance is critical to it's success and why most of us love it. Big, square, metal saddlebags on the R18 would look about as nice as 80 pounds of blubber on Marilyn Monroe.
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I find this discussion very interesting. basically, some, like @R18Holan view this bike as a BMW cruiser while others, like @estoma view it like a German HD. I personally believe it is both: a badass looking motorcycle, clearly inspired by the US cruisers, but loaded with Deutsche engineering that makes it quite a different bike.

The paniers produced by @R18Holan can be shocking for some and quite slick and neat for others. A matter of taste. Yes they are inspired by GS panniers and I don’t think I would want them on my bike. But when I see certain other accessories that are “made in the USA”, typically for cruiser bikes, such as the Corbin seats, I would buy them even less, as I find them... not to my taste.

Finally, I would beg Admin to reconsider firing @R18Holan from this forum. Sure, he manufactures and sells products which may be interesting for us, but he does it while participating to this forum a great deal with photos, suggestions and the like. If it was just a merchant posting a pricing list, it might be different. But he is an active member and I find his posts interesting. After all, I am also here to find out what’s happening on the after-market with respect to products and I don’t mind useful information from merchants if they also act as true forum members.
 
Pss55 said:
I find this discussion very interesting. basically, some, like @R18Holan view this bike as a BMW cruiser while others, like @estoma view it like a German HD. I personally believe it is both: a badass looking motorcycle, clearly inspired by the US cruisers, but loaded with Deutsche engineering that makes it quite a different bike.

The paniers produced by @R18Holan can be shocking for some and quite slick and neat for others. A matter of taste. Yes they are inspired by GS panniers and I don’t think I would want them on my bike. But when I see certain other accessories that are “made in the USA”, typically for cruiser bikes, such as the Corbin seats, I would buy them even less, as I find them... not to my taste.

Finally, I would beg Admin to reconsider firing @R18Holan from this forum. Sure, he manufactures and sells products which may be interesting for us, but he does it while participating to this forum a great deal with photos, suggestions and the like. If it was just a merchant posting a pricing list, it might be different. But he is an active member and I find his posts interesting. After all, I am also here to find out what’s happening on the after-market with respect to products and I don’t mind useful information from merchants if they also act as true forum members.
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Holan was fired?!?
 
HerrFarber said:
I installed some driving lights from SuperBrightLEDS.com. Unfortunately these are no longer available but I had some extras. They are rated at 7W & 700 lumens each. The current drain is 520 MA ea.The brackets are Kuryakyn and fit the 38mm DK Design crash bar. Power is supplied from the connector under the left side cover. Let there be light!
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Dis you install a switch or are the lights always on along with the connector?
They seem to be much brighter than the stock additional lights.
 
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Gerard said:
Dis you install a switch or are the lights always on along with the connector?
They seem to be much brighter than the stock additional lights.
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Gerard, I did not install a switch for the extra lights. They come on when you power up the bike and shut off about a minute after shutting down. They are bright and have a wide angle as I found out on my Indian a few years back. At night in New Mexico I was bringing up the rear and I was able to spot elk in the ditch that no one else was aware of. I've had oncoming traffic flash me their high beams only a few times in the past 5 years.
 
Almost 5 weeks after a moment of weakness prompted my purchase of the WalzWerks headlamp lowering bracket, it arrived and has been installed. https://www.walzwerk-motorcycles.de/online-shop/bmw-r18-parts/headlight-brackets/

Stand back and prepare to be amazed by its loweringnessitude!

before
5F163945-AA91-4637-B043-06B417506C7C.jpeg

and after

F166738B-9714-46FB-8E19-DD52DCD66AB5.jpeg

let's see those together

F3835D04-F36C-4080-9A05-FFBFC9174520.jpeg

It's pretty dang subtle. I tweaked it a bit after the photos to make sure the headlight was perpendicular with the ground.

Not sure that I'd do it again. Maybe it'll look more pronounced from further away?
Anyhow, that's what I did with my R18 today. Tomorrow is TomTom installation.
 
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