• Welcome to the BMW R18 Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

Broad spectrum of bikes available.

  • <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=1789222567#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter BER18 100
  • Start date Start date
HUNTS said:
But mainly the Brilliant R18… and some other stuff🤔😉😝
Click to expand...
It is all obviously personal preference and there is no discussing taste.
I personally líke the ´rugged road´ R models most and lóve the retro basic R18.
From a téchnical pov though the hyperbikes and the six cylinders are arguably their ´tour de force´.
Now what about a minimalist rugged road naked version in black with double pin stripe with the six.... :cool:
 
In the last week to 10 days I have come to realize that a dragon fire two tone red R18 would lead me to buy one even though I already have that model.
 
Last edited:
BER18 100 said:
In the last week to 10 days I have come to realize that a dragon fly two tone red R18 would lead me to buy one even though I already have that model.
Click to expand...
Bryon - buy the Model B in the Dragon Fire Red with the dark smoke chrome, so I can buy it from you when BMW introduces an even bolder color in 2027 or 2028... 😆
 
Maybe this isn't the best place to ask, but what are the thoughts of those who have ridden the K1600B?

Seemed like a rocket ship to me. Sport bike feeling with short stroke, super high rpm and probably massive horsepower. It had floorboards way out front like a HD bike.

I have heard from one that the single swing arm rear end is a bit swishy at high speeds.
 
BER18 100 said:
Maybe this isn't the best place to ask, but what are the thoughts of those who have ridden the K1600B?

Seemed like a rocket ship to me. Sport bike feeling with short stroke, super high rpm and probably massive horsepower. It had floorboards way out front like a HD bike.

I have heard from one that the single swing arm rear end is a bit swishy at high speeds.
Click to expand...
I have had a 1600B. I would have another but my licence, and guidance from the other half who could see the speedo, suggests it was not wise. They are indeed fast relative to size and the engine note that screams like a Grand Prix car of the 90’s is fantastic! Comfortable initially but the seat I found soft and that didn’t suit me on an all day run after I sank into it. I had the optional front floorboards which were comfortable on a motorway but with no access to the gear shift and rear brake were limited in use. Our motorways are too busy in the south to have long relaxed cruises but the boards were handy to change positions on a long day.
Mine was an early 2019 model and I believe they have since upgraded the suspension. The original issue at speed, and probably tied to the aerodynamics, was the rear end could feel a little wayward unless set to dynamic. The damping on the normal setting was a little soft and it could feel like a weave. Conditions that caused that were very rare and I forgot about it quickly. I noticed it as had come from a RT that was dead straight at all speeds and despite all the boxes was not affected by crosswinds as much as the B. I remember the forums at the time were full of fixes but I was not bothered it just added to the character of the bike which I still miss. Like any thoroughbred they have a few quirks. I only sold mine because it kept throwing oil seals which was more than likely due to being thrashed as I found out it was one of the early ‘Management Bikes’, meaning the press likely abused it from new.
Servicing costs are much higher than our R18’s and a valve check was virtually a full strip down including the radiator which needed cleaning regularly to avoid overheating issues. Simplicity is one of the reasons I love our bikes. You find a lot of K1600 bikes are part exchanged or sold shortly before the 18k service as that one is expensive with the full strip down and all six plugs changed etc. But if you want a Ferrari and can afford to buy one you do not moan about the upkeep.
They are no sport bike however and require a fair bit of heft to move quickly and you knew you had a heavy bike in the bends. The weight is carried a lot higher than our bikes and put one on the side stand leaning too far to the left and you would think someone had tied it to the floor when you went to lift it up. But tell me what sports bike can carry a pillion in as much comfort!

So the ‘swishy’ rear as you put it I would compare with the R18 initial reports of bad hard suspension which was the dealers not setting up the preload and the press then copying the reports so it becomes a thing. I personally find the suspension on my Classic, two up, to be better than any of the Harley’s I have owned.

With the later changes to the suspension I would have another in a heartbeat, I have read Anibals thread with a huge pang of envy. I still remember that engine and its sound at high revs. But I still find the R18 addictive and so enjoyable.

So don’t believe all you read and to really tell if your view would be the same as mine I recommend you take one for a test ride.
 
You know a huge part of riding enjoyment is the sound and character of the bike. I've had an inline 4 Suzuki GSX-S1000 with 150 hp and I've now got a Ducati Scrambler L-twin with about half that. I enjoy the Ducati waaay more than I ever did the Suzuki (well except for the awful heat Ducati's are known for).

People describe the BMW inline-6 (as well as the Honda flat-6) as being 'sewing machine smooth' or 'like an electric motor'. That doesn't appeal to me at all.

I need to feel that the bike is alive under me with a pleasing character and sound and the R18 does just that.
 
In Australia, the 1600 would need a "life time get out of jail" card to make any sense. Without, one can only ride the bike at about 30% most of the time.

Part of the R18 appeal for me is it allows me to ride at 80% of the bikes capability, or so most of the time I feel like it..... lots of fun on the safe side of losing ones license on the spot, bike impounded and $3k fine (for 25mph or so over the speed limit.... and the limts are lowish).
 
Noelpolar, are there rules governing available riding times? I am curious about how the restrictions are applied.
 
BER18 100 said:
Noelpolar, are there rules governing available riding times? I am curious about how the restrictions are applied.
Click to expand...
My 30% is about how the bike performace is way way over the top for australian laws.... I can run my r18 really hard'n fast at least in the first 3 to 4 gears..... 45mph corners at 70mph feels really fast'n fun...... acceleration'n braking hard is not stupidly illegal.... a modern 1,000cc sports bike can only be ridden on the track this way.... or if caught the consequences are huge. The best roads in australia are 70mph max, most fun ones are zoned 50mph or 60 at most..... no fast interstates etc.

Back in my 20's sports bikes made sense.... as I had none (sense) back then. The K1600 hign speed touring capability can't be utilised to any great extent here.
 
Applies to near all motorcycles really. Ditto most modern cars. Over here it is draconian too.Yes you cán still make time on some stretches but it is unfun paranoia.
To add figurative injury to the insulting speed traps sowed all over, there is a plethora of high tech cameras which 'see' any infraction like in the car passengers legs on the dash or on the bike no helmet you name it. They measure sound level too. Automatic contribution to state funding...

Ergo sports bikes are simply uncomfortable, heavy bikes simply heavy etcetera.
Hence I locally use my Vespas and have hitched a sidecar to the R18.

Mind, you can still have unadulterated fun on wheels here. It is after all driver's heaven. The interior roads up, over, down the mountains and vv. are simply awesome. But again best no overkill as that will .... overkill unless pussyfooting. Hardly any traffic if any at all thus not worth it for the Hermandad.
 
Last edited:
Noelpolar said:
In Australia, the 1600 would need a "life time get out of jail" card to make any sense. Without, one can only ride the bike at about 30% most of the time.

Part of the R18 appeal for me is it allows me to ride at 80% of the bikes capability, or so most of the time I feel like it..... lots of fun on the safe side of losing ones license on the spot, bike impounded and $3k fine (for 25mph or so over the speed limit.... and the limts are lowish).
Click to expand...
No, I think we shall call it ‘Our Oz Pain’… no escaping the 3985610 speed cameras hidden amongst the wattle trees (and operated by Gumnuts).
 
HUNTS said:
No, I think we shall call it ‘Our Oz Pain’… no escaping the 3985610 speed cameras hidden amongst the wattle trees (and operated by Gumnuts).
Click to expand...

Add helicopters and drones here. On bank holidays and Sundays them focus the hunt on popular motorcycling routes. For our own safety of course. Equally of course nevvah evvah addressing the car driver whom unilateraly cause the vast majority of fatal accidents.

About that for our safety, last weekend was the MotoGP in Jérez. Town hall of the city where the main 'after school' fun is had by motorcyclists they sprayed the tarmac with water to discourage stunts. Real safe that.
 
Petrus said:
Add helicopters and drones here. On bank holidays and Sundays them focus the hunt on popular motorcycling routes. For our own safety of course. Equally of course nevvah evvah addressing the car driver whom unilateraly cause the vast majority of fatal accidents.
Click to expand...
Same here. Even the Paramedics, Firies and Coppers aren’t safe from the wrath of speed cameras.
Public Holidays are crazy here for speed cameras.📸
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top