adamchandler
Well-known member
Disclaimer:
First, the elephant in the room. You can purchase a BMW R18 TransContinental for roughly $2,000 more than a Bagger. For that price difference, you are gaining:
In this guide, I will highlight the things I've done and what is guaranteed to work. I will include part numbers and prices (today's prices).
------
EASY:
The TC windscreen is quite a bit taller and you can see the side-by-side comparison here:
Here are your official BMW Parts Options:
The windshield at $509 is the Transcontinental windscreen and is part number 77 33 9 444 312. You can go for a non-OEM windscreen from a company like 7Jurock https://www.7jurock.com/products/bm...1-2022-windshield?_pos=1&_sid=99a35b66b&_ss=r. for about half of the price. It is a perfect fit but some think their screens are a bit ugly.
Note, when you buy a windscreen, you will need to move over the Grommets and hardware from your windscreen to the other.
Also, you can go TC to Bagger by purchasing the $375 windscreen which is part number 46 63 9 899 428. This would be great if your'e a TC owner and live in New Mexico or Florida and want some more wind on your helmet.
I put together a video showing how to change the windscreen:
The same instructions apply to no matter which one you change over. It's a very simple installation.
------
EASY:
Similar simplicity. This is much easier if you have a bagger where that rear T30 is accessible. the OEM seats are very easy to swap and while Mustang seats is an option among RDL, Corbin and others, I'm just focusing on an OEM+ build here.
Bagger Seats:
TransContinental Seats:
I have no idea why the OEM standard height heated TC seat is $1021 but it's safe to say you should just avoid that one entirely. I purchased the 760MM TC Heated seat because I'm a tall rider. The R18 isn't a tall bike anyway so this is what I'd recommend for most people based on price and the additional foam padding. Your pillion will thank you and the amount of back-rest area lost by getting the comfort high will be minimal (20mm over stock)
The TC seat also adds pillion heat. This is entirely plug & play for your bagger. You can buy any w/ heat TC seat and plug it in and you'll have front & rear heating. The TC seat minus the top box looks a bit weird just like the Bagger seat on a TC would put a huge air gap between the top box and pillion seat so keep that in mind. You're bastardizing the look of your bagger by adding just the seat but if you just want comfort, this is very easy.
Some photos for you:
STOCK:
TC 760MM seat added:
Top Box Added:
I also put together a video on how to do this and showing off how the heated seat now works. Pillion has their own button which is convenient. No shoulder taps asking you to heat up their ass.
----------
EASY:
I have NOT done this modification yet but I will over the Winter. Your bagger fairing on the bottom on both sides has two T25 screws sitting there just hanging out. You can retrofit the winglets easily and if someone has done this and wants to share a pictorial, please comment below and I'll link to it.
You can see the winglets on this page: https://www.ascycles.com/bmw/2020/R18Transcont/Frame and mounting parts/Front panel.html#PartsTable
Here's what it will cost you add those winglets today - $380:
Part numbers:
SCREW - 46638527780 $12.68
Spacer buffer - 07147446440$12.72
Wind deflector left B0 - 46639899431 $181.74
Wind deflector right B0 - 46639899432 $181.74
Adding these should take no more than 10 minutes. Some people have acknowledged the reduced turbulence by having these installed. There are some home-made options as well.
NOTE: At this point in your build, you are better off having just bought a TransContinental if you're going whole hog!
----------
This is a controversial one because there are aftermarket options available. I wanted to mount BMW's leg rests so I had to go OEM for my build. SW-Motech and others offer lower cost options but if you are wanting to install the $199 leg rests on top of the cylinder heads, you'll have to go OEM for this.
Engine Bars:
ENGINE PROTECTION BAR SET
77 14 7 924 349
$499.00
That's the part number. I will add an install video when these finally arrive. They're still back ordered at the moment.
- This is a guide and not a technical document such as I am not including torque specs because I don't know them. I'm following the resistance + half turn method + Loctite 243 on most of my parts
- No guarantees implied or otherwise no matter how authoritative / confident my word choice is
- I have only done this one time so your experience may differ from mine
- This is a 2022 BMW R18 Bagger in North America so instructions may be different if you're reading this in Scotland in the year 2040
First, the elephant in the room. You can purchase a BMW R18 TransContinental for roughly $2,000 more than a Bagger. For that price difference, you are gaining:
- Larger windscreen
- Leg wind deflectors
- Fairing mounted wind winglets
- Larger pillion footpegs
- larger seat
- pillion seat heating
- Engine guards
- Auxiliary lights
- Top case
- 2 extra speakers
- larger brake light
- grey/silver forks & fairing (rider facing) instead of black
- More chrome on front fender
In this guide, I will highlight the things I've done and what is guaranteed to work. I will include part numbers and prices (today's prices).
------
EASY:
Bagger to TransContinental Windscreen:
The TC windscreen is quite a bit taller and you can see the side-by-side comparison here:
Here are your official BMW Parts Options:
The windshield at $509 is the Transcontinental windscreen and is part number 77 33 9 444 312. You can go for a non-OEM windscreen from a company like 7Jurock https://www.7jurock.com/products/bm...1-2022-windshield?_pos=1&_sid=99a35b66b&_ss=r. for about half of the price. It is a perfect fit but some think their screens are a bit ugly.
Note, when you buy a windscreen, you will need to move over the Grommets and hardware from your windscreen to the other.
Also, you can go TC to Bagger by purchasing the $375 windscreen which is part number 46 63 9 899 428. This would be great if your'e a TC owner and live in New Mexico or Florida and want some more wind on your helmet.
I put together a video showing how to change the windscreen:
The same instructions apply to no matter which one you change over. It's a very simple installation.
------
EASY:
Changing your seat to the TransContinental Seat:
Similar simplicity. This is much easier if you have a bagger where that rear T30 is accessible. the OEM seats are very easy to swap and while Mustang seats is an option among RDL, Corbin and others, I'm just focusing on an OEM+ build here.
Bagger Seats:
TransContinental Seats:
I have no idea why the OEM standard height heated TC seat is $1021 but it's safe to say you should just avoid that one entirely. I purchased the 760MM TC Heated seat because I'm a tall rider. The R18 isn't a tall bike anyway so this is what I'd recommend for most people based on price and the additional foam padding. Your pillion will thank you and the amount of back-rest area lost by getting the comfort high will be minimal (20mm over stock)
The TC seat also adds pillion heat. This is entirely plug & play for your bagger. You can buy any w/ heat TC seat and plug it in and you'll have front & rear heating. The TC seat minus the top box looks a bit weird just like the Bagger seat on a TC would put a huge air gap between the top box and pillion seat so keep that in mind. You're bastardizing the look of your bagger by adding just the seat but if you just want comfort, this is very easy.
Some photos for you:
STOCK:
TC 760MM seat added:
Top Box Added:
I also put together a video on how to do this and showing off how the heated seat now works. Pillion has their own button which is convenient. No shoulder taps asking you to heat up their ass.
----------
EASY:
Adding BMW's fairing-mounted winglets:
I have NOT done this modification yet but I will over the Winter. Your bagger fairing on the bottom on both sides has two T25 screws sitting there just hanging out. You can retrofit the winglets easily and if someone has done this and wants to share a pictorial, please comment below and I'll link to it.
You can see the winglets on this page: https://www.ascycles.com/bmw/2020/R18Transcont/Frame and mounting parts/Front panel.html#PartsTable
Here's what it will cost you add those winglets today - $380:
Part numbers:
SCREW - 46638527780 $12.68
Spacer buffer - 07147446440$12.72
Wind deflector left B0 - 46639899431 $181.74
Wind deflector right B0 - 46639899432 $181.74
Adding these should take no more than 10 minutes. Some people have acknowledged the reduced turbulence by having these installed. There are some home-made options as well.
NOTE: At this point in your build, you are better off having just bought a TransContinental if you're going whole hog!
----------
OEM Engine Bars:
This is a controversial one because there are aftermarket options available. I wanted to mount BMW's leg rests so I had to go OEM for my build. SW-Motech and others offer lower cost options but if you are wanting to install the $199 leg rests on top of the cylinder heads, you'll have to go OEM for this.
Engine Bars:
ENGINE PROTECTION BAR SET
77 14 7 924 349
$499.00
That's the part number. I will add an install video when these finally arrive. They're still back ordered at the moment.