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Right, it's the easiest bike to work on that requires a $600 gadget, which unfortunately doesn't interface with the gadget to do the same stuff for my other 10 year old bmw, to clear basic codes. :-) But really, outside of that, it's a well engineered and easy bike to work on.

The R18 isn't any harder to service than any other cruiser, oil drain plug and filter is easier to get to than a Harley, as an example. Also- no belt or chain to adjust, no extra primary to change fluid in. The only thing that takes a special tool would be bleeding the brakes to get the fluid...

Oh man, I feel like we need a series of these. Typical Harley rider, Ninja rider, KLR rider, etc.

Love those bars, I run some like that on my old Sportster that sometimes I ride and sometimes my sweetie rides.

I use basic foam earplugs, I found ones that were the most comfortable for me and bought 250 pair a decade ago. I still have a lot. I don't wear them all the time, but if I'm doing a longer ride or wearing a half helmet. I find I can use them a few times each and they still fit and work just...

I didn't notice a difference in power when I got mine. It did make the throttle in Sport mode more responsive, which I actually don't care for. It is much more sensitive than any other bike I have, so switching between bikes has me over-revving the R18 in Sport mode unless I adapt my hand. If...

I rode one last year and ever since then have been looking for the right deal on a used one. That engine and chassis is fantastic.

I've been using Mobil-1 15w50 in my 1200 GS for a decade and my R18 since I got it (3 oil changes), as well in whatever Harley I have had for the last 20 years. Never caused an issue for me. I was an early adopter back when Harley mechanics said synthetic would ruin your engine. I don't use...

The new CEO has stated the goal is to sell less bikes at higher margins, and I think they are on their way to achieving that. The brand has some die hards and they can sell less bikes but at increased prices for a certain number of years before they run out of buyers. Whether that number of...

Welcome from St Louis!

Agreed on mesh jackets being cooler than no jacket. I have a Revit Eclipse jacket, and it's cooler than bare arms, at least while moving. At a stand still, it's probably warmer. Now, add a back protector or backpack to that mesh jacket and it is definitely not as cool as riding in a...

A boxer 8 sounds like an engine that could be an experience. Whether the bike is up to modern standards of quality is a crap shoot, but that engine design sounds like a good time.

I also noticed minimal difference when I installed mine. It smoothed out the idle, but didn't notice any increase in power or responsiveness.

Yes, the Rocktane is on the larger frame, like the Transcontinental and Bagger. It's longer than the R18 and R18 classic. It feels heavy off the stand, heavier than the base R18, but like many big bikes that weight feel probably goes away once it is moving.

It's not just the R18, I regularly see bikes that are 3 years old with less than a thousand miles on them for sale. To a lot of people, they make an emotional decision to buy a bike, then realize the actual practicality of using that bike doesn't fit their expectation or lifestyle. After a...

I've owned about all the major brands of bikes and more Harleys than any other brand. In my experience, there are three reasons to buy a Harley over a R18. Weight- the R18 is heavy, you can get a similar bike from Harley that is going to be 60-80 lbs less. The R18 weighs 761 lbs and the Fat...

I've got a 2013 GSA and a 2021 R18. They couldn't be more different. The GS is faster, handles better and takes bumps and potholes way, way better. On my commute there is a spot on the highway that launches me out of my seat on the R18 if I don't stand up ahead of time, my GS barely notices...

I've been running a Shorai lithium battery in my GS for 6 years and it's worked well. It doesn't love temps below 40 though, I have to turn the ignition on for a few minutes before I start to warm the battery up to get starting amperage out of it. Outside of that it's been great. Any bike I...

I had the factory bars on my R18 when it was hit by a van (while it was parked) and knocked over. They did get scratches on both sides but didn't bend at all. My valve cover did get scratched, as did my muffler on the side that met the pavement. I was very impressed with the quality and ease...

I'd put it midpack for my experience. Shy of something like a Low Rider S, better than a Breakout. It's precise and capable, but more stable than responsive. I was doing some cone work a couple weeks ago and it takes some effort to hustle it through a tight course.