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BMW gives up the R18 !!!!

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1758297946#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Gerard
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The news are correct:

- Since 2024 the sales of the R18 didnt reach the expectations of BMW.
- So here in Germany you can't configure a R18 online to order from your dealer.
- You can only buy a R18 from the online marketplaces.
 
Love mine as well. Would like to have a stripped down R18 bobber as as 2nd bike, think I'd be happy with a R20 bobber.
I had a R1200c for a few years, thought it was beautiful. Maybe I'm not the best judge.
 
When riding a motorcycle, I want a comfortable sit. Yes, young folks like the aggressive, lean forward over the tank posture (as if racing). Not me.

I’m convinced that R18 sales would increase if handlebars reached back to the rider as on the R1200c. I have a slightly modified set of R1200c bars on my R18 now.

I fashioned my own floor boards that allow feet forward so that lower shin almost touches the chrome inlets.

Summary: I ride the most comfortable R18 out there.
(and it has terrific wind management due to the fork deflectors)
 
BER18 100 said:
When riding a motorcycle, I want a comfortable sit. Yes, young folks like the aggressive, lean forward over the tank posture (as if racing). Not me.

I’m convinced that R18 sales would increase if handlebars reached back to the rider as on the R1200c. I have a slightly modified set of R1200c bars on my R18 now.

I fashioned my own floor boards that allow feet forward so that lower shin almost touches the chrome inlets.

Summary: I ride the most comfortable R18 out there.
(and it has terrific wind management due to the fork deflectors)
Click to expand...
Show it off. Lets see some pics!
 
If you can believe AI internet hits, BMW does not like to disclose official figures, maybe so that potential buyers don’t get cold feet if they see the specific bike they are after is a sales flop. According to Google AI, 2024 saw record sales on the R18 as a whole, with 210,408 units sold worldwide and Europe being their strongest market. Not the answer you wanted but if we take a quarter of this figure for 2020 and 2021 then add a conservative 20% increase for 22 and 23, it should give you a general idea for the overall number.

To me the R18 has a very niche market, and I am sure by now BMW knows that. Limit production within the profit margins and the demand may increase. Flooding the dealerships with R18 that will sit for years will have a detrimental effect on the line. I think they have realised this now, hence you don’t see many 2025 models on the floor, yet you can buy them by order. I just tried to play around with things for the hell of it and order a Dragon Fire red Bagger with all the bells and whistles I have on my Mineral White B, and the price was an eye watering GBP 31,715.00
 
Thanks Anibal.
That is WAY more than I would have guesstimated based on Germany sales only.
It´s rough anyway so a ball park of say 750k. Not real ´niche´ is it?
Also, in Europe at least it will have bitten hard into HD sales although is Spain??, not so sure.

BEEJEEZUS!!!! that´s over 33k € :eek:
And then some here in Spain say HD´s are expensive.
Good strategy by BMW I say.
Not bad for future resales prices either.
I paid delivered at the door 14.7k € for my ´22 (reverse gear) with under 4,5k Kms on it.

Despite the otherwise quite solid BMW marketing, the R18 is all but totally unknown over here in Spain. Even BMW riders are miffed. I assume that the BMW crowd of mainly all-roads and sport bikes simply has not registered the big cruiser bruiser. Same goes for the cruiser buyers; it would not occur to them look at BMW. Well, and never mind HD buyers; they buy an experience.

Me, I only ´tripped´ over the R18 because I have ´39 Nimbus (sidecar) and geneal interest in vintage bikes. The open shaft drive was the common denominator and the peardrop exhaust I had on my dominator (Norton).
Of modern models basically only the Royal Enfield Classic 350 (w/w.o. sidecar) sparks my interest so no way I would have come accross the R18 looking for modern wheels.

See the sidecar element? Am positively surprised by those being fitted to the R18. Now thát seems to be proper niche but mán would that 1800 twin be suiteable. Just carry a (aptly named) jerry-can with petrol in the back of the chair.
 
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