The haters´ magnifying glass

[Mr. Efficiency]

Actually, my R18 was not reliable in any way. Perhaps the worst new consumer product I have ever purchased and BMW did nothing to help make it right until I threatened litigation. And it was those “little issues” that weren’t little issues you speak of. I have been riding BMW for 45 years now. So, their problems come from them… I know. And a LOT of people had the same serious issues. I would not discount BMW North America’s poor handling of the launch as a major factor in poor sales numbers in the US for the bike.

But I don’t understand why you say it is a controversial bike. It’s just a motorcycle; no drama… just ride. It isn’t that comfortable… but it is gorgeous, retro and a bottomless pit of torque . I’m glad I own other motorcycles but my R18 is certainly my prettiest bike and it feels like bikes that were… not are. I think people make up controversy about things to have something to do

Second, it is a sales flop simply because it’s not everyone’s cup of tea… but there aren’t haters. I have won the import class at every show and shine I have ever taken my R18 to; Harley people LOVE the R18 and it is a super cool ride… they just don’t want to own one. No biggie.

People talk about hate this hate that. It’s just a motorcycle; I forced them to sort mine out, I love it and that’s all that matters to me. But folks think it is a very cool ride; just because someone doesn’t want to buy one doesn’t mean they don’t like it.

 

[Petrus]

Controversial: Controversial is not about the bíke but about the people; means being the subject a lot of disagreement or public discussion, often related to topics that provoke strong opinions.
There you have it.

Sales flop I adressed no?

Same thing me over here in southern Spain getting only, and very at that, positive repsonses.

As to no haters, I congratulate you with the perception.

 

[PHIPHIGOY]

Je vais écrire en français...je ne sais pas si le système traduit ou si chacun traduit :incertain:.
J'avoue ne pas comprendre ce sujet et ces discussions.
Pourquoi s'inquiéter de savoir si nos R18 sont aimées, controversées, critiquées ?
Tous ceux qui lisent ou participent à ce forum aiment et possèdent (ou souhaitent posséder) cette formidable machine.
Tous ceux qui roulent sur ces motos savent ce qu'ils ressentent et voient le regard des autres.
BMW ne communique pas. On ne connaît pas exactement le nombre de R18 produites.
On ne connait les objectifs de BMW et ça n'a pas d'importance.
Est-ce réellement un échec commercial, une erreur de stratégie ou bien un coup marketing pour faire parler de la marque et démontrer son savoir-faire ?
Quoiqu'il en soit, je pense que les propriétaires de R18 sont fiers et heureux de posséder cette machine.

 

[Noelpolar]

I'm going to write in Australian: She's a beauty mate, fair dinkum. Gawd, those hater's are a mob of sheep, stone the crows.

 

[Dwainj]

31,000 Km on my 2021, still on second set of tires. Not one issue other than headlight/reverse recall. Drives like the day i got it. Would not trade it for any other. Intially got a great deal as it was a demo, so dpo not care what the resale price. Each ride I get asked about it by Harley riders and those that know what a BMW is...

 

[HUNTS]

Here’s my take on things….
I could have bought a brand new Indian Sport Chief for the same money as my brand new 2025 Brooklyn Grey ‘Blacked Out’ Beast. The difference is quality, I would have replaced the ugly pipes on the Chief, cruise control but no heated grips, the reach to the handlebars was ridiculous for a cruiser, throttle felt sloppy, it was a 2023 model because they weren’t selling as expected, the warranty was 2 years instead of 5, no Roadside assistance and finally, not as good looking.
I DEFINITELY made the right choice and tales about the R18 are hilarious!!!
Of course, I could have bought the most ridiculed and debated motorcycle brand, but I needed an extra $10k for a lesser bike.

 

[Petrus]

ahhhh, prices.
The whole market for larger motorcycles is seriously sliding down a slippery slope.
It is a combination of economy and the baby boomers getting past their sell by date.
In Germany the market has fallen 25%.

As such ALL cruisers are bruising.
It stands to reason that a new kid will be alone on the play ground after the early curiosity has passed.
Even in Germany the R18 stopped selling when all grey haired early adopters had a bike. Now the economy is getting a bit tighter they are finding that out too and cannot sell theirs.
Again same thing HD and Indian.
GS and RR-R models are faring only slight less bar. They too are selling less if not as acute as the cruisers. The age profile of the buyers is totaly expalining that. As such the GS models will be next to go over the hump with the current riders then looking at an attractively priced cruiser to rest their aging bum on, getting a good quality bargain.

The R18 is just the new kid on the block; the easiest target, the first to be pushed out.

 

[Petrus]

A perspective for us dinosaurs:

2006 344’000 Harleys sold worldwide.
2024 151’000.
Turning up the prices does not change the underlying reality.

 

[Noelpolar]

Yes.... much the same as stamp collecting. Product management 101 is "maximise profitability" in the reality of a declining market.

 

[mikefmoto]

For me, I was disappointed when it was released because I couldn't wait. To give me the fizz, it needs a few changes: Shorter wheelbase or the tighter steering geometry of the bagger; larger tank (of the bagger); better capacity of the panniers, the walls are so thick, the volume doesn't match the outside dimensions. With cruise and heated grips, it's a road trip bike, especially fitted with panniers and windshield, but low capacity of the tank and panniers don't make it so. Not everyone wants to tour with a fairing.

 

[HUNTS]

For me, I was disappointed when it was released because I couldn't wait. To give me the fizz, it needs a few changes: Shorter wheelbase or the tighter steering geometry of the bagger; larger tank (of the bagger); better capacity of the panniers, the walls are so thick, the volume doesn't match the outside dimensions. With cruise and heated grips, it's a road trip bike, especially fitted with panniers and windshield, but low capacity of the tank and panniers don't make it so. Not everyone wants to tour with a fairing.

With the lower fuel capacity, it gives you more opportunities to stop and take in the magnificence of these wonderful machines.

 

[emgarciax]

With the lower fuel capacity, it gives you more opportunities to stop and take in the magnificence of these wonderful machines.

At 62, it's pretty convenient actually.

 

[Petrus]

At 62, it's pretty convenient actually.

I am ok with the about 10 l.
I am not riding longer distances in one go anyway and more fule would just be more weight sñoshing about high up.
If/when I hook up a sidecar, will carry a 20 l. can it that one.

 

[Tigeos]

Je vais écrire en français...je ne sais pas si le système traduit ou si chacun traduit :incertain:.
J'avoue ne pas comprendre ce sujet et ces discussions.
Pourquoi s'inquiéter de savoir si nos R18 sont aimées, controversées, critiquées ?
Tous ceux qui lisent ou participent à ce forum aiment et possèdent (ou souhaitent posséder) cette formidable machine.
Tous ceux qui roulent sur ces motos savent ce qu'ils ressentent et voient le regard des autres.
BMW ne communique pas. On ne connaît pas exactement le nombre de R18 produites.
On ne connait les objectifs de BMW et ça n'a pas d'importance.
Est-ce réellement un échec commercial, une erreur de stratégie ou bien un coup marketing pour faire parler de la marque et démontrer son savoir-faire ?
Quoiqu'il en soit, je pense que les propriétaires de R18 sont fiers et heureux de posséder cette machine.

Next time I will write in Greek! Sorry but this is call it racism if you do not want to use the simplest writing language is here!

 

[Petrus]

Next time I will write in Greek! Sorry but this is call it racism if you do not want to use the simplest writing language is here!

Please look up ´racism´.

I get and sort of second your point but I did laugh out loud about your understanding and use of the language you claim is the simplest
Btw for us forrinahs English is a véry confusing language. It is totally on par with the use of thumbs and feet for distances, two different gallon maeasures and stones of all things for human weight.

Now please take my musings with a smile. Life is too short to take offense. Hint; ´taking offense´ is something you do yourself.

 

[Tigeos]

Please look up ´racism´.

I get and sort of second your point but I did laugh out loud about your understanding and use of the language you claim is the simplest
Btw for us forrinahs English is a véry confusing language. It is totally on par with the use of thumbs and feet for distances, two different gallon maeasures and stones of all things for human weight.

Now please take my musings with a smile. Life is too short to take offense. Hint; ´taking offense´ is something you do yourself.

So direct to the problem because sorry I am a small mind, do you think we can use any language for writing?!

 

[Petrus]

You did read that I got your point or

I still miss what writing in ány language has to do with racism, but then this is likely my own limitation, because as I wrote in a different thread the English language is only my third.

Again, please do not táke offence but you again made me smile: Could not help create an image in my mind, combining your observation in entry #6 on your bagger work in progress

Right, can we move on? or back? anywhich direction towards the topic will do.

 

[Tigeos]

You did read that I got your point or

I still miss what writing in ány language has to do with racism, but then this is likely my own limitation, because as I wrote in a different thread the English language is only my third.

Again, please do not táke offence but you again made me smile: Could not help create an image in my mind, combining your observation in entry #6 on your bagger work in progress

Right, can we move on? or back? anywhich direction towards the topic will do.

Sorry again, but is showing he do not want to get even in the stupid google translation because he believe he is superior to all of as to get in this kind of trouble, so that for me is a form of racism. Every one is writing down in En in here you are from Spain, me I am from Greece so now some one is coming from nowhere and is writing in other language, you do not fell insulted!? If all the threat here it was in French from start I was not writing anything, because I was not even riding not having any knowledge of French language and I was saying That is not for me, is a French thing for French peoples!

 

[LBV]

There are many more things to worry about in life than the language a post was written in ... I completely skipped it as I didn't understand it.

We also need to be careful not to always be looking for reasons to be offended ... lord knows there's enough of those people in the world!

 

[Tigeos]

There are many more things to worry about in life than the language a post was written in ... I completely skipped it as I didn't understand it.

We also need to be careful not to always be looking for reasons to be offended ... lord knows there's enough of those people in the world!

I did, for god sake I did but it will be nice if you address some one to get something back in the same way! But what I am saying I see you are from Canada, so you are passing this kind of situation few times and I think you are quite right, but again it will be nice! ( I can not assume everyone speak Greek ! )