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Yes, the Rocktane is on the larger frame, like the Transcontinental and Bagger. It's longer than the R18 and R18 classic. It feels heavy off the stand, heavier than the base R18, but like many big bikes that weight feel probably goes away once it is moving.

It's not just the R18, I regularly see bikes that are 3 years old with less than a thousand miles on them for sale. To a lot of people, they make an emotional decision to buy a bike, then realize the actual practicality of using that bike doesn't fit their expectation or lifestyle. After a...

I've owned about all the major brands of bikes and more Harleys than any other brand. In my experience, there are three reasons to buy a Harley over a R18. Weight- the R18 is heavy, you can get a similar bike from Harley that is going to be 60-80 lbs less. The R18 weighs 761 lbs and the Fat...

I've got a 2013 GSA and a 2021 R18. They couldn't be more different. The GS is faster, handles better and takes bumps and potholes way, way better. On my commute there is a spot on the highway that launches me out of my seat on the R18 if I don't stand up ahead of time, my GS barely notices...

I've been running a Shorai lithium battery in my GS for 6 years and it's worked well. It doesn't love temps below 40 though, I have to turn the ignition on for a few minutes before I start to warm the battery up to get starting amperage out of it. Outside of that it's been great. Any bike I...

I had the factory bars on my R18 when it was hit by a van (while it was parked) and knocked over. They did get scratches on both sides but didn't bend at all. My valve cover did get scratched, as did my muffler on the side that met the pavement. I was very impressed with the quality and ease...

I'd put it midpack for my experience. Shy of something like a Low Rider S, better than a Breakout. It's precise and capable, but more stable than responsive. I was doing some cone work a couple weeks ago and it takes some effort to hustle it through a tight course.

I've had a number of V-Twins over the years, including one Indian, although that was a Scout, which is very different from the Chief / Chieftain line of bikes. Right now I have an R18 and a Harley Low Rider with the Milwaukee 8. Here is how I contrast between them: The R18 runs cool- it may...

Funny that this poll is active right now, because in the last week my issue came back after not having problems at all this year. 3 mornings in a row and it wouldn't start on the first attempt. Second attempt and it starts up right away. Maybe it is a bad tank of gas, time will tell if it...

You may be on to something- the price of the bikes new, especially with incentives, is the best deal going in heavyweight crusiers. You get higher quality components and engineering than anything out there for less than a similar Harley or Indian. But the parts costs are quite high. My bike...

This isn't just a BMW motorcycle thing- buy a new BMW car or most any other car or motorcycle and you're going to face the same issue. Heck, I bought a used Harley from a dealer last year and was offered a trade of 60% on it if I wanted to trade it on a new bike. That bike didn't even have the...

You could change the risers to ones without pullback, flip the stock risers or rotate the bars in the clamps. I did that last one, rotated them forward which also moved them higher. There is a pin underneath the left grip that you will need to remove and drill a new hole for or the controls...

The R18 mirror stems are larger diameter than the standard Harley size, so if you use the generic Harley mount mirrors you will probably need a sleeve to take up that extra space. I put chrome mirrors on my R18 and was going to use the stock mirrors on a Sportster and no dice. But you should be...

Hello from STL as well. And agreed, my R18 felt clumsy at first, but after laying down some miles I appreciate it's stability and precision. I wonder if the weight just sits different than other cruisers and it takes time to adapt.

I've been using Mobil-1 15w-50 in my R1200GSA for 30k miles and my R18 got it starting at it's first oil change. It's worked great for me.

My R18 went through a similar phase when it didn't have many miles on it (under 1.5k), where sometimes it wouldn't start on the first go and I had to try the starter a second time, then sometimes it would stumble when it did start. It's smoothed out and hasn't been an issue in a while, at least...

I run oiled cotton filters in about everything with a motor and I've never had an issue. 150k on a filter in my Ford truck before I felt the need to replace it. The secret is to clean, oil, then let dry for a day before you reinstall and you won't get oil on your MAF or other sensors.

The R18 Classic gave me the worst buffeting on the highway of any motorcycle I've experienced. It was so bad I went back to the dealer on my test ride and removed the windshield and re-did the test ride and it was way, way better. As far as a solution it's really up to your height and your...

Man, they did. Wonder if it's a R18 owner or someone looking to flip.

Love the extra light. Nice looking bike.