Search results

Here’s the two compared… almost identical

The bike that BMW used for its inspiration was the soft tail slim. It was a very retro Harley and it was $16,000. Cycle world did a great comparison of the two bikes. Yes, the First Edition R18 had a sticker of $21,780 ! They sold about 4 of them at that :). But still, even deep...

BMW openly discusses the soft tail slim as inspiration for the R18. I really liked the soft tail slim; it was one of just a few Harleys I really think capture some old Harleyness. Now BMW wanted a true plunger frame and it dropped the bike another inch. The plunger frame is one of the...

I think there’s some break in there. I used to have to wiggle my bike a bit. Now I dont and I’ve only used my reverse 5 or 6 times

Almost everything I own is illegal in California :-)

So, a follow up. Some of the packing must be loosening after about 500 miles. I removed the baffles at install but last night I went out and the bike was almost as loud as my thug dyna with “quiet” (only sounds like a helicopter engine) baffles. ANything above 2500 RPM and it was just...

1. The R18 is a complete sales flop. IMHO the first edition is a gorgeous bike and they basically had to give them away to sell any. 2. Who, in heavens name, cares about market value on a motorcycle? Vehicles are wasting assets and they are worth 0. You buy motorcycles because you love...

watch real craftsmen... err women at work

It is done, usually in one stroke, by hand. Back in the day they had specially trained ladies who could execute in 1 stroke all the time. But I know all the pinstripes on the R18 are done by hand... fast. I toured the factory and the ladies re-pinstriped the E75 I rode there in less than...

Here’s the best representation

There are a lot of YouTube clips of uncorked Vance and Hines on an R18; i think the phone mics aren’t picking up the thump, the bike doesn’t sound like that… but go out to YouTube you can hear the bikes uncorked and it does sound good. My advice is just do it. It sounds great

I don’t believe I can, actually. Does the site take video with sound?

Installed the Vance and Hines exhaust and removed the baffles. Now its a scary Beemer

Finally got around to putting on the Vance and Hines. First some install notes: 1. The Stock exhaust comes off in 15 minutes. Remove brackets and all, they’re is an additional bracket for the Vance and Hines. Easy Peasy 2. Install the brackets loosely slip everything on, then tight...

I would look for a buyer now. With an hour to remove metal and tupperware, an hour and a half for the fluid changes, an hour to check everything and bleed the brakes and the $150 for BMW transmission fluid plus a valve check... $800 sounds on the cheap side. Now I am guilty because I don't...

The R18 can be ridden fast. Heck people dont say it but i love its low slung nature in the twisties. Ha peg scrapers… ride fast enough and you wont scrape the pegs :-). Anywho, I still ride quite a bit like I borrowed my bike from my father in law. The acceleration of the bike is like...

Ha, to me that looks just like an R18 transcontinental :-)

Hey, the R18 is a flop. It is. I’m glad they made it. I wanted a retro BMW and they finally made one with modern safety features so I don’t have to waste my time wrenching on an old BMW. I don’t mind that its a flop; I wanted a unique bike; it is a head turner and a gorgeous bike and a...

This bike is turning out to be a lot like the R1200c. No vehicle has collectible value unless there is some kind of fond memory/nostalgia for it. The R18 is a very niche bike. I wanted a retro BMW, a real live retro BMW. And that is a very tight niche. BMW had to dramatically discount...

Oh its a thing The GS is notorious for them failing persistently and often… usually 300 miles from a gas station :-)