Luis
Well-known member
That’s the issue. No justice in any picture.
How would you describe the R18?
- Thread starter TodkaVonic
- Start date
estoma
Well-known member
The R18 has been an outright disappointment in how BMW brought it to market, allowing you to preconfigure it, and with it then transpiring that we cannot purchase any of the accessories, never mind pre-specify any. When I took delivery of mine in October 2020, I got told that this would all be sorted by April 2021. Now, again, we are looking at October 2021. BMW desperately wants to get into Harley's backyard, but they clearly cannot cope with even the bare basics in providing for the cruiser segment. A potential repeat of their R1200C failure if they keep that up.
We bought the R18 for its retro persona, but we also paid a premium for a 2021 edition. Yet;
The R18 was released shortly after Triumph introduced its new Rocket 3 - also aimed at Harley's backyard. Totally different bikes, I appreciate, but both stand completely outside the mainstream as well. The Rockets are selling like hotcakes because Triumph got it ALL right. The South African motorcycle market is small and is not kind to square pegs - yet sixty Rockets have been sold in the last (pandemic) year as opposed to three R18s, with one of the latter already traded on something else.
I will be parking an Electra Glide Revival next to my R18 soon. I put the deposit down on that yesterday. The only retrofits on it will be slightly noisier slip-on exhausts and some chrome hardware (immediately available). Everything else is in place.
Well done, Motor Company. On your bicycle, Bushveld Metal Works (aka for BMW building cars in South Africa), back to school you go!
The Icons Collection | Harley-Davidson African Markets
(photo courtesy Harley Davidson)
We bought the R18 for its retro persona, but we also paid a premium for a 2021 edition. Yet;
- no fuel gauge or remaining mileage indication,
- no cruise control (available yet - only fitted on some),
- no TPMS - not on tubed wheels anyway - see item 8 below,
- no USB/DIN connector at the handlebars,
- no TFT display (which could have looked just like what we have now but with 2021 functionality, including BlueTooth),
- no oil temperature indication (despite information to the contrary in the user manual),
- a nice (front) engine cover emblem but two completely bland cylinder-head-covers - sans even OEM pressings/embossments - forcing you to purchase RSD or equivalent trim,
- tubes in both tires, since the laced rims are not sealed - in the year 2021 - and no word about that in any brochure or promotion,
- turn indicators straight out of Star Wars on a retro bike,
- orange peel on the fuel tank paintwork, not too pronounced but NOT acceptable at this entry-level,
- zinc-plated gr. 8.8 hardware (fortunately, I do not live close to the coast),
- hardly any of the promoted OEM options (not accessories per se), e.g. bobber kit, windshield kits, pillion kit, available,
- no 21" x 3.5" laced front wheel or 16" x 6" laced rear wheel on the accessories catalogue - only cast wheels in those sizes;
- no OEM pillion backrest and/or solo rack consideration on the accessories catalogue (no pillion accommodation planned on mine, just yet anyway),
- etc., etc.
The R18 was released shortly after Triumph introduced its new Rocket 3 - also aimed at Harley's backyard. Totally different bikes, I appreciate, but both stand completely outside the mainstream as well. The Rockets are selling like hotcakes because Triumph got it ALL right. The South African motorcycle market is small and is not kind to square pegs - yet sixty Rockets have been sold in the last (pandemic) year as opposed to three R18s, with one of the latter already traded on something else.
I will be parking an Electra Glide Revival next to my R18 soon. I put the deposit down on that yesterday. The only retrofits on it will be slightly noisier slip-on exhausts and some chrome hardware (immediately available). Everything else is in place.
Well done, Motor Company. On your bicycle, Bushveld Metal Works (aka for BMW building cars in South Africa), back to school you go!
The Icons Collection | Harley-Davidson African Markets
(photo courtesy Harley Davidson)
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Love it! I saw this the other day as well. I showed my wife. It’s the only Harley I’ve liked in a long, long time.
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estoma
Well-known member
You are living in denial if you fail to see the H-D (Softtail Slim) roots in the R18 and overlook its reason for coming to market at all. Nobody is saying that the R18 'is' a German Harley Davidson, but it clearly attempts to be its German equivalent, hoping to get a foot into Harley's lucrative North American market - like so many others.
This is the Motorcycle that BMW Benchmarked the R 18 Against (bmwblog.com)
2021 BMW R18 Vs. Harley-Davidson Competition| BMW Motorcycles of Riverside
The 2021 BMW R18 Cruiser Is a Bavarian Harley-Davidson (motorbiscuit.com)
2021 BMW R 18 Vs. Harley Davidson Cruiser Motorcycles Comparison (sjbmw.com)
Compare BMW R 18 Vs Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe - Which Bike is Better? - carandbike
The 2021 BMW R 18— (Almost) Everything We Know | Motorcycle Cruiser
I am thrilled with my R18, and I have big plans for it. But the manner in which BMW Motorrad, as a major motorcycle manufacturer, brought it to market, especially given their lengthy promotional onramp, is a travesty. Inexcusable. Two words come to mind - f4cking pathetic. And that comes from someone hailing from a third-world country.
After nearly fifty years (since 1972) of riding and owning many motorcycles, this is my first BMW. I never liked the pot-scratchers (boxers) in the past - they simply did not appeal to me. And I was close to buying a K1600 on three separate occasions, but I am not a fan of their para-lever front suspension. I love that six-cylinder engine (I owned a 1982 CBX-B, pearl-white with panniers), but the rest of the package leaves me stone-cold. I need a bike to arouse something in me. The R18 was the first Beemer that managed that, despite having owned five of their motorcars.
I will own two Harleys when I take delivery of the new Electra Glide, the other being a Breakout. I also have an Indian, three Victory's (I obviously like them), a Buell, two EBRs (both the SX and RX) and a Boss Hoss. I probably own more American motorcycles at present than most Americans have owned in their lifetimes. I mostly rode Suzondayamasaki's for the first twenty years, then predominantly Europeans as those managed to catch up with the UJMs for the next fifteen. Now it is clearly the US ones that appeal to me. I also own one Brit, two Italians, two Austrians, one German (the R18) and two Japanese. There are three pukker superbikes included in this mix. overall. But I will probably not buy a BMW again.
I could never understand the haters, especially the Harley-haters and Ducati-haters. There is a place for all marques and models. I wish I had space for more. I would LOVE to get hold of a Motus MTS - not easy in Africa.
This here is sex-on-wheels;
(photo courtesy Pinterest®)
(photo courtesy Sebastien Beauper)
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Lol
Being an obvious lover of motorcycles I would wager that yes, you would love a Motus MST. From the sweet V-4 mill to the noisy mechanical torque converter (the growler) to the “Frankenstein” assemblage of both original and proprietary parts it is truly a great motorcycle. It broke my heart when they failed! As a matter of fact, this afternoon my MST gets to take its turn on some twisty roads. I’ll tell it you said Hello!
David R
Well-known member
estoma, sex on wheels is not what I see in your post. Looks uncomfortable as an be. Ride that in the rain and get back to me.....
The Harley is a joke. Universal tread tires and Nitrous. Build to look fast, or for looks alone, but to RIDE the thing would be horrible.
I have a tender butt, If I am going to ride a bike, it needs to be comfortable AND handle.
The hacked up BMW is a waste of time and money. Ugly as sin.
SEE, I have an opinion too, Not the same as yours.
David
The Harley is a joke. Universal tread tires and Nitrous. Build to look fast, or for looks alone, but to RIDE the thing would be horrible.
I have a tender butt, If I am going to ride a bike, it needs to be comfortable AND handle.
The hacked up BMW is a waste of time and money. Ugly as sin.
SEE, I have an opinion too, Not the same as yours.
David
estoma
Well-known member
I prefer the Freddy Kruger Effect…when he said, “Welcome to Prime Time, Bitch!!” Heheheheh
firstime911
Member
Honestly, I'm still don't know what R18 Classic going to be. My bike will arrive this Saturday. I traded fully custom R ninet for it. The ride, I did test ride twice on normal R18, R ninet is way better in term of riding aspect. So If I'm happy with the R18c will keep it but if not, I'll trade it for the Street Glide special 2021. Will C
Attachments
it's going to be a very different ride, Will. I suggest that you give it at least a few months before making a decision. Are you doing the gentleman's ride this year? I'm signed up!
David R
Well-known member
Gentleman’s Ride? Been doing it for years! Signed up for this year
David
David
firstime911
Member
Thank you, I might not participate DGR this year due to covid situation in where I live still crazy T_T.
Got it. Stay safe.
estoma
Well-known member
Just make a mental note to lock it in 'roll', so you will not be 'embarrassed' when it idles (-:
I've done the DGR twice. I came away not impressed, twice. I found it to be similar to participating in track days - pomp and pretence on steroids. Except, here, one predominantly deals with Avatars on two wheels. I appreciate that that might well have been the original intent, draped under the cloak of fundraising. Like some chap following his dream, trekking through Asia, for example, sponsored by 'fundraising' for some 'noble' cause. I also no longer participate in group rides - living testament to the 20-80 rule - where 20%, or even 2%, will spoil the experience for the remaining 80% or more. Maybe I am just getting old. But that is the thing; I cherish each ride - in my own space at my own pace. Each to their own.
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Black Dog
Well-known member
David R
Well-known member
estoma
Well-known member
Some more bike porn in aid of your ongoing scoot appreciation edification (-:
One exquisite Fat Boy;
(photo courtesy Pinterest®)
And NMOTO's stunning 'Nostalgia', crafted onto an R9T donor. So, guess where the R18's exhaust shape hails from?
(photo courtesy NMOTO® - also see NMOTO Studio Presents the Nostalgia Project | BMW R7 Inspired | R Nine T)
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That begs the question... what came first? The nostalgia customs or the R18?