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What I’ve learnt so far…

  • <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=1776214450#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter HUNTS
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Yes it is a heavy bike. Tight turns, U or otherwise ask for trailing the rear brake. I would not say the braking is limited; just needs a handful and confidence.
Proof of that pudding is that even though Spanish technical inspection is @n@l and does a brake test for homologation, the bike is easily sufficiently braked to pass with an unbraked sidecar. So go figure.
 
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LBV said:
Key is to keep the revs up a bit and ride the clutch with right foot lightly on rear brake. Suggest a guy on YouTube channel called Be The Boss of Your Motorcycle.

Either way, takes practice.
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the crux is keeping the engine from changing the load on the transmission. Ah and do in tight spots NOT!! use the front brake.
 
Yes, do NOT squeeze the front brake hard while turning ... in fact, would suggest to first straighten out bike and THEN use front brake if you have to use it, otherwise use only rear while wheel is turned.
 
Went for a ride yesterday before the heat set in. I’ve learnt that I need to ride the torque wave more and learn about the correct gearing compared to my previous bike. I also learnt not to trust BMW to have your headlight correctly set so that cars can see you coming from a distance (mine was too low).
I’m still adjusting to heel shifts.
 
HUNTS said:
Went for a ride yesterday before the heat set in. I’ve learnt that I need to ride the torque wave more and learn about the correct gearing compared to my previous bike. I also learnt not to trust BMW to have your headlight correctly set so that cars can see you coming from a distance (mine was too low).
I’m still adjusting to heel shifts.
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thing pulls like a train.
 
HUNTS said:
I have a 2025 model in Brooklyn Grey and it’s the ‘Blacked Out’ version.
I’ve owned a lot of bikes which have all consisted of cruisers or naked/streetfighters. This is what I’ve learnt about my R18 after only travelled 400kms so far….
The quality is exceptional compared to my Japanese and Triumph bikes. They were good, this is excellent.
Don’t buy this bike if you don’t like attention. Even Harley owners want to snub it, but just don’t. I went to a bike meet and the constant positive response was humbling.View attachment 19812View attachment 19813View attachment 19814View attachment 19815
The ‘too much weight’, ‘heat off cylinders’ are rumours made by those who don’t know or who weigh 60kgs and ride in shorts.
‘Rock’ mode is a whole new level of riding compared to ‘Roll’. Outstanding!!!
You have to own the bike when you pick it up off the side stand and also when you ride it, or it owns you.
The Motorrad 16L canvas/leather bags are fantastic.
The new rims, colour, exhaust, body (tank/guards/side covers), rear suspension upgrade, new seat, exposed front forks, extra torque and lower forks are 👍🏆😍.

I’ll update as I do more k’s. Stay upright and ‘Rock’ on.
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This is such a misunderstood bike / platform. So stable that I can ride it one handed and it tracks straight. At 60 mph it feels like I’m doing 20 mph. I’ve also owned a bunch of bikes and the r18 (even at full msrp) is at or near top of class. I’ve owned 3 harleys and while I love the brand, I’m disappointed at how many throw away parts the Harley’s come with. Crap turn signals, cheap seats, cheap grips, cheap foot pegs, sub par rear suspension etc. The r18 is so beautifully finished and out of the box better equipped / a much better value than any Harley. I love the Harley vtwin, but bmw gives me the same amount of brawn w/o any of the heat. Surprisingly no motorcycle riders here notice the bike, but I’m getting thumbs up from cagers. A guy a driving a Porsche chatted me up at a stoplight.
 
What I’ve learnt is that there is an over representation of men 50+ who seem to die in motorcycle crashes in Australia. It’s 50/50 on collisions with tintops or by themselves on local and country roads.
The cause of this has bewildered me until now….
Having recently ridden with a guy in his 80’s on an American brand of motorcycle and observed his manner of riding, it hit me. You have the mostly heaviest bikes that you can buy (300kg plus), ridden by men (mostly) who haven’t got the reflexes/health/eyesight/hearing/sexlife that they had in their 20’s to mid 40’s, on a bike the size of a Corolla, with most of them possessing a single front disc and a rear disc that will always be single because it’s so average, riding like the MT-10/Panagale/GSX-R/Ninja/Fireblade/Speed Triple that they used to own before they decided to ‘slow down’ or get ‘more comfort’, exceeding the speed limit a little bit too much (or a lot) and then BANG!!!!
I’ve learnt to respect my capabilities and limitations at 60, but especially the realities of my 350kg Beast.
Stay Upright my friends, but also remember why you ride and what you are riding.
Life is bR18t.
 
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My brain has formulated an aging decline factor that I apply to these things for 50 year plus olds..... that is a 30% decline per decade from 50 and that period reduces to 5 years by ones mid 60's and then 2 years by your 80's..... of course there are outlyers to this. This decline applies to most things except toilet visits/drooling/farting etc.

Though as a 64yo.... I will say riding a R18 fast'ish in the hills is a hoot.... and I'll do it for as long as I can get away with it..... BMW did give us two disks up front for this purpose.
 
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HUNTS said:
What I’ve learnt is that there is an over representation of men 50+ who seem to die in motorcycle crashes in Australia. It’s 50/50 on collisions with tintops or by themselves on local and country roads.
The cause of this has bewildered me until now….
Having recently ridden with a guy in his 80’s on an American brand of motorcycle and observed his manner of riding, it hit me. You have the mostly heaviest bikes that you can buy (300kg plus), ridden by men (mostly) who haven’t got the reflexes/health/eyesight/hearing/sexlife that they had in their 20’s to mid 40’s, on a bike the size of a Corolla, with most of them possessing a single front disc and a rear disc that will always be single because it’s so average, riding like the MT-10/Panagale/GSX-R/Ninja/Fireblade/Speed Triple that they used to own before they decided to ‘slow down’ or get ‘more comfort’, exceeding the speed limit a little bit too much (or a lot) and then BANG!!!!
I’ve learnt to respect my capabilities and limitations at 60, but especially the realities of my 350kg Beast.
Stay Upright my friends, but also remember why you ride and what you are riding.
Life is bR18t.
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The single largest cause of injuries in older males is that they believe they are still young!

As another of our community over 60, which I would assume are the large majority, I chose the R18 exactly for the more relaxed riding style. I occasionally forget I am no longer riding the K1200 and have to rein it in, but just enjoy the gentle cruising through some spectacular countryside here in middle Franconia.

Many who have known me and my riding style for a long time were somewhat surprised at my new riding choice. But it was my choice not theirs.
 
Going to 70 and I fell for the engine in the base R18 retro package. Simply a ´capricho´.

Since I find it very difficult to potter around on two wheels, the third wheel option was in the back of my mind. For some weird brain logic I dó slow down with a rig.

For whizzing about have two Vespas :cool:
 
I learnt that if you adjust your front gear change lever too low, that mother is struggling to go into 1st… what a pain in the sitting area that ride was… fixed immediately upon return!!!
 
IMG_5954.jpegI’ve learnt that this is a machine that you ride with pride. I pass a million HD’s, that all look and sound the same, the Indians are harder to find, the JappaHarleys are less prominent than ever, but my R18 is a shining beacon of beauty.
I get off it with a smile, I look back with a smile, I approach it with a smile and I ride happy.
I love how unique it is, I love how uncomplicated it looks due to the brilliant lines and quality of it. The accessories and personal changes (seat reupholstered, black bolts, exhaust valve opened) add to the experience of riding and owning this marvellous Beast.
Stay bR18t.
 
I rode my B for the last time yesterday to the dealership 89 mls away to part exchange her for the K. I normally play my stereo when riding and the last song, which coincidentally finished as I switched the engine off, was This House is not for sale by Bon Jovi. I don’t believe in my own shadow but that was one hell of a coincidence, it is like she was trying to speak to me for the last time, especially since just 5 minutes before, I was saying my goodbyes and thank you to her for the last 4 years of a fantastic ownership whilst waiting at a traffic light. I am not going to say the R18 does this and the K does that, they are different machines and they excel on different fields but one thing I have to say about the R18 in general, is the fact that the fit and finish is at a different level. I think BMW wanted to make a statement and put a lot of resources in designing, developing and building one of a kind line up, and it needed to do so in order to compete with other manufacturers already in the cruiser segment. There is nothing out there in the same category that comes close to a R18 in terms of design, character and reliability. I am speaking for my own experience being fully aware that there has been cases of early problems with a few members but mine never missed a bit, everything worked as intended from day one and was working when I parted ways. One lucky new buyer will take this amazing machine home very soon as I expect her to be sold relatively quickly. So, if you ever decide to add another bike to your collection and have the means of keeping the R18, I strongly advise to do so, you have one of a kind in your hands.
Ride safely my friend 👊🏼
 
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