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Greetings from Wiltshire, UK

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MacGrooger

New member
Joined
Jan 19, 2026
Messages
6
Location
England
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Bike
2022 R18, 2024 Tuono V4 Factory
Hi all,

Thought I'd pop an introduction post in despite not yet being an R18 owner - but the purchase is imminent.

We had some nice weather on Saturday, so I dusted off my Tuono and took it for a spin. I forgot how much of an event it is to ride it - it just doesn't want to pootle along, and I'm too immature to be sensible with the throttle. I had a bit of a think, and realised that I need something to scratch the "it's a nice day for a pootle" itch. Something I could take the other half on for a trip to the coast for some fish and chips - that sort of thing.

Well, on a whim I checked AutoTrader a couple of days ago and found an R18 First Edition that ticked all of the right boxes. I found the cheapest R18 in the country, saw that it was approved-used with a 2-year BMW warranty, and so gave the dealership a call yesterday. I go to view the bike in person this weekend, and they've kindly arranged for me to have their demo R18 Classic for the day to get a feel for the platform again.

I'd test ridden one back in 2021, and loved it to bits. The only issue was it was too wide to fit through my garden gate, so the stars weren't aligned. Fast-forward to 2026, and I now have a 6ft wide gate leading to a massive 10x12ft shed, so suddenly a wide bike isn't an issue any more...

So, rambling aside, I wanted to ask if anyone has any recommendations on things to look for when I view the bike. It has a full main dealer service history, two previous owners, electric reversing gear and heated grips. Mileage is below 8,000 (miles not km), and it'll have a fresh annual service if I go ahead with it. Valve adjustment not due now until 12,000 miles, so that'll likely be next year or the year after. It doesn't have cruise control (not an issue) or a pillion seat/pegs (bit more of an issue), so I've been trying to source a comfy pillion seat which led me down an expensive rabbit hole, and I now have a Dayrider seat and pillion set being shipped over from Deutschland. I've also ordered the Vance and Hines silencers in black, as I love the look of them and they were a bargain.

Any tips? And I've also read the threads about adjusting the preload to reduce peg scraping, so will make sure that's sorted.

Look forward to joining the ranks!
 
Enjoy the ride and if you like it get it. I test rode an original (first gen) Tuono a long time ago and it went like stink so I can understand what you mean about them egging you on. They do. The R18 is at the other end of that spectrum tho, IMHO, and is a zen machine. Short shift, ride the torque, keep it in the RPM sweet spot range and waft along in silky elegance. Think Queen Mary ocean liner. If you hang into gears too long and rev it hard they vibrate like a road drill which isn’t pleasant. Depends what you want of course.
 
Welcome, with a two year BMW approved warranty on these bikes you have nothing to worry about. Enjoy the ride Saturday. Mine has certainly changed how I ride as it is much more about letting others dart around and you bring the presence to the party. With the state of our roads my stress level is certainly lower. Be prepared to have a conversation wherever you park. Switch between Roll and Rock mode for a bit of a surprise, as on these bikes it makes a difference. Good luck Saturday.
 
Mac said:
Welcome, with a two year BMW approved warranty on these bikes you have nothing to worry about. Enjoy the ride Saturday. Mine has certainly changed how I ride as it is much more about letting others dart around and you bring the presence to the party. With the state of our roads my stress level is certainly lower. Be prepared to have a conversation wherever you park. Switch between Roll and Rock mode for a bit of a surprise, as on these bikes it makes a difference. Good luck Saturday.
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Cheers, I'm certainly hoping the R18 will help calm me down a bit - as you say, our roads are atrocious so a more leisurely machine should be a lovely treat for a chilled weekend ride.

Counting down the hours until Saturday morning now!
 
I traded in a 2023 Ducati Monster on the R18 and it's similar to the Tuono in that it doesn't like just pootling along. It hated being under 4k rpm and the nature of it is such that to enjoy it, you need to be throttling from time to time (and always as a corner approaches).

You know what though, I STILL throttle up as a corner approaches on the R18 but on the straights, it'll happily just cruise along without issue. It's a win-win for me.
 
LBV said:
I traded in a 2023 Ducati Monster on the R18 and it's similar to the Tuono in that it doesn't like just pootling along. It hated being under 4k rpm and the nature of it is such that to enjoy it, you need to be throttling from time to time (and always as a corner approaches).

You know what though, I STILL throttle up as a corner approaches on the R18 but on the straights, it'll happily just cruise along without issue. It's a win-win for me.
Click to expand...
I spent a few hours on the R18 demo bike yesterday and it is just as sublime as I remember when I first had a go in 2022. I was really worried about scraping pegs as I corner quite aggressively, but it was absolutely fine. I think all of the videos of bikefluencers on YouTube and the like had the rear shock set up wrong or something.

In Rock mode it is a genuine riot, so I'm sure I'll be a very happy chap.

I've ordered a Mustang Day Rider seat set as I did get a sore backside on the stock seat, and I've also ordered the Vance and Hines black exhausts for mine. If all goes to plan, I pick mine up 2 weeks yesterday!
 
Cool.... have fun. Fwiw.... last year I move to a smaller place that has a narrow side..... so removed the bar end weights, changed the brake/clutch lever.... mounted the "garden hose reel" with such engineering precision that it passes between the handle bar and engine cylinder (both for my R18 and R9T) that I surprise myself each time I take a bike out....

Anyway, you may find that you ride your R18 still like a hoon. I do at 64yo in the local hills etc. So now to the advice bit.... get a Wilbers +20mm rear shock. Bad me would say... get some open pipes*, dna stg 2 filter kit and a bren tune.... but I'm being good today.

* I still run cats because I am a good person (on the day I did the exhaust anynow).

Also.... once use to it.... you can hold speed latish approaching corners.... brake really hard.... front brake works well but needs a strong hand for extra extra retardation..... lots of fun.... I tend to move forward and into the turn at 9/10s..... my version of kenny roberts (my era) on a charging bull.... no need to grow too old just yet.
 
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Nothing to watch out for.
As to riding you need to change the chip somewhat.

Change up seemingly too early; ride the torque.
Because of the weight, cog and wheelbase the bike does not lend itself to quick corrections upon corner entry so go in controlled with the brake trailing.
Considering the weight it handles quite well but Newtonian laws apply so smooth is the word.

Ah and when going walking pace do not apply the front brake.

About the other half I would suggest you take her along. The pillion is a bit of an acquired taste and does not fit all.
I do not care much for how the handling changes two up. You would expect that such a heavy bike would not be much affected but it is. Do try.

@Noelpolar for the spirited stuff I have my little Vespas and looking forward for the trainer wheel on the R18 so I can at times unsmooth with that one too.
 
Y
Noelpolar said:
Cool.... have fun. Fwiw.... last year I move to a smaller place that has a narrow side..... so removed the bar end weights, changed the brake/clutch lever.... mounted the "garden hose reel" with such engineering precision that it passes between the handle bar and engine cylinder (both for my R18 and R9T) that I surprise myself each time I take a bike out....

Anyway, you may find that you ride your R18 still like a hoon. I do at 64yo in the local hills etc. So now to the advice bit.... get a Wilbers +20mm rear shock. Bad me would say... get some open pipes*, dna stg 2 filter kit and a bren tune.... but I'm being good today.

* I still run cats because I am a good person (on the day I did the exhaust anynow).

Also.... once use to it.... you can hold speed latish approaching corners.... brake really hard.... front brake works well but needs a strong hand for extra extra retardation..... lots of fun.... I tend to move forward and into the turn at 9/10s..... my version of kenny roberts (my era) on a charging bull.... no need to grow too old just yet.
Click to expand...
This was so funny to read because I’m an Oz, I understand it…. I’m not to sure about others outside our island 😉😳🤣
 
Petrus said:
Nothing to watch out for.
As to riding you need to change the chip somewhat.

Change up seemingly too early; ride the torque.
Because of the weight, cog and wheelbase the bike does not lend itself to quick corrections upon corner entry so go in controlled with the brake trailing.
Considering the weight it handles quite well but Newtonian laws apply so smooth is the word.

Ah and when going walking pace do not apply the front brake.

About the other half I would suggest you take her along. The pillion is a bit of an acquired taste and does not fit all.
I do not care much for how the handling changes two up. You would expect that such a heavy bike would not be much affected but it is. Do try.

@Noelpolar for the spirited stuff I have my little Vespas and looking forward for the trainer wheel on the R18 so I can at times unsmooth with that one too.
Click to expand...
Sadly the demo bike didn't have a pillion setup so I'm going to have to chance it. I've gone two up on a Z900RS and Aprilia RS660, and take things very carefully when taking the other half along, so I'm not too worried about performance with a passenger.

Roll on the 7th of February when I pick it up!
 
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