Adrian R
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2021
- Messages
- 443
- Location
- Far north Chicago suburbs
- Bike
- 2014 Honda Valkyrie 1800, 2006 Yamaha Warrior 1700
Finally, and I mean finally, we got some decent, dry weather with salt free roads to take out the new R18 for it's first real romp. The bike is still in break in mode so I had to avoid full throttle operation, and couldn't cruise at any one speed for long. I took off around noon with the woman on the back... temps were around 60 degrees F. I got to put about 150mi on the bike over about 3 hours. Stopped twice for a drink and to just take in the early Spring warmth.
First impressions are all positive. In short, the bike performed flawlessly as I did not experience any running hiccups, warm restarting problems..or any other issues I have read about.
The bike loves to cruise, and the power is adequate. What I found the most alluring is how EASILY it attains cruising speeds, and gives the impression you're going slower then you really are. The bikes feels wonderful at 90mph (indicated) solid as hell, and surprisingly for me, experienced no buffeting wind problems upon my 67" human frame. Even at speeds over 100mph it feels so well planted, and laid back...fantastic motorcycle.
It really loves 6th gear and 75mph...and offers plenty of roll on power to zip over 100mph without effort.
I absolutely LOVE the way it sounds. The stock exhaust is never leaving that bike, period
The cruise control is OUTSTANDING.
Suspension and ride? I dialed it in conservatively for for myself and a passenger. I don't know what the fuss is all about. I found the ride to be comfortable, a bit on the firm side *maybe*, but certainly not all hell painful like so many have reported. My arse never really got sore after a straight 75mi jaunt...and the bumps in the road were absorbed easily. I don't know, maybe I am use to stiff suspensions, but for me the ride didn't bother me at all.
The handling is excellent, just like my Valkyrie with it's boxer engine.. the COG is really low, so it corners well... It holds lines in turns with precision, and I hit some twisties and never once felt unsure in them. Slow speeds are simple. It's a very easy bike to ride.
Some people complain about the weight, but for me it was no biggie at all, in fact, I didn't even notice it. Perhaps the complainers are use to riding mini bikes. With it's low seat height, geezz I never once thought about reverse even though it is there... super easy to push around because of the low seat height.
I can only imagine how much better the bike will be once it is fully broken it and with the Brentune applied.
BMW put allot of engineering thought into this machine. It obvious. it's a really well designed motorcycle and a joy to ride!
First impressions are all positive. In short, the bike performed flawlessly as I did not experience any running hiccups, warm restarting problems..or any other issues I have read about.
The bike loves to cruise, and the power is adequate. What I found the most alluring is how EASILY it attains cruising speeds, and gives the impression you're going slower then you really are. The bikes feels wonderful at 90mph (indicated) solid as hell, and surprisingly for me, experienced no buffeting wind problems upon my 67" human frame. Even at speeds over 100mph it feels so well planted, and laid back...fantastic motorcycle.
It really loves 6th gear and 75mph...and offers plenty of roll on power to zip over 100mph without effort.
I absolutely LOVE the way it sounds. The stock exhaust is never leaving that bike, period
The cruise control is OUTSTANDING.
Suspension and ride? I dialed it in conservatively for for myself and a passenger. I don't know what the fuss is all about. I found the ride to be comfortable, a bit on the firm side *maybe*, but certainly not all hell painful like so many have reported. My arse never really got sore after a straight 75mi jaunt...and the bumps in the road were absorbed easily. I don't know, maybe I am use to stiff suspensions, but for me the ride didn't bother me at all.
The handling is excellent, just like my Valkyrie with it's boxer engine.. the COG is really low, so it corners well... It holds lines in turns with precision, and I hit some twisties and never once felt unsure in them. Slow speeds are simple. It's a very easy bike to ride.
Some people complain about the weight, but for me it was no biggie at all, in fact, I didn't even notice it. Perhaps the complainers are use to riding mini bikes. With it's low seat height, geezz I never once thought about reverse even though it is there... super easy to push around because of the low seat height.
I can only imagine how much better the bike will be once it is fully broken it and with the Brentune applied.
BMW put allot of engineering thought into this machine. It obvious. it's a really well designed motorcycle and a joy to ride!
