I’ve only used the lock button on accident, so having it as a shortcut to that deep part of the menu would be pretty rad.
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2025 discontinued 🤷♂️….updated title, nope it’s not! 👍
- Discussion starter Rufus
- Start date
As I commute to work on the bike, I use the central locking every time because at work the car park is a public place. In the UK the temperatures over the winter months don’t fluctuate that much, it just stays cold, so I have my heated seat set at 2 and the grips at 3. I don’t change them, the bike memorises the settings every time I switch the ignition on so for me it is only a case of shoot and forget until it gets warmer by which time I switch the lot off.
Star-Lord
Well-known member
Perhaps as a design concept, the Central Lock button would continue to work "as is"; where, the Central Lock button's function changes once the bike is out of Neutral and acts as the Heated Grips-Seat settings menu shortcut button...
At least that's how'd I do it as a BMW Motorrad engineer... Just saying...
LOL, I hear you but how complicated would that be for one button to have 2 different functions? That would be the issue. A cleaner and easier solution would be to have a dedicated button to switch the heating on at a preset value. It does not have to be on the grips cluster, it can be a switch by the seat for the seat and a switch on the dash for the grips.
motoring
Active member
Have not read the post on this thread. Only know that bmw continues to jump the shark with 2025 the r18 line. Some nice improvements/changes it seems to me. I just don't see these bikes flying off the showroom floors and service cost are higher then other bmw bikes.
Star-Lord
Well-known member
I guess I could pre-set the desired heating level in the settings menu; and perhaps, install a physical switch which controls the circuit to allow current flow as an ON/OFF power switch for the seat and grips...
The Auxiliary Lights switch and Mode Switch are also a dual purpose - single switch today on the TC, and some Baggers ...
The Auxiliary Lights switch and Mode Switch are also a dual purpose - single switch today on the TC, and some Baggers ...
- Discussion starter
- #67
Yep, think you are on point there. I take this to be a positive thing, that BMW must consider the platform to be doing well enough to continue and as we enter year 5 of production there are plenty of options available now for everyone to find something that they like, either new or on the used market, different colours, different wheels and sizes, different exhausts, and of course the styles from FE through to TC. In the videos I’ve seen recently BMW do say they have responded to owner feedback so maybe they read the forums ?
- Discussion starter
- #68
I hope they‘ve learnt their lesson and don’t go mad with production numbers in 2025. For example Ive never seen a R18 Anniversary for sale either new or used and I believe there’s only around 18 in the UK, think there’s only about 30 Roctanes with TC, B and Classics similar numbers. The FE on the other hand was in the 350- 400 range last time I looked so that’s where the ‘churn’ is. These are expensive bikes and there can’t be a huge market for them so BMW need to be sensible.
It is a daring move given that the previous models are heavily discounted but I like to think BMW have analysed their sales data and even with a small profit made on the first bikes, one have to take into consideration that these were the first models of that segment and improving the product should attract new buyers. I don’t think they are trying to take over the market by storm, I think they are just little by little making an entrance.
I have not finished the First Edition book yet, (it is huge), however, reading their history and passion for building the R bike back in the 30s and beyond, gives me a sense for what they are trying to accomplish today.
Back then the standard bike was RM 2,500.00 which was a lot of money since USD 1.00 was RM2.5 worth in 1940 or thereabouts. Given the price, not everyone could afford one of those, especially since you could buy a good car for the same amount of money, yet, they succeeded and as the years went by, the production of bikes increased considerably.
I reckon it will take a couple of years before the R18 in general gets noticed by the biker community. New generation is not interested but there are a lot of riders in their late 40s or 50s that may fancy a change when they purchase their next bike. These are the age group BMW is targeting. Mid life crisis guys or 50 something dads that now have little or not mortgage, kids gone and they fancy a little treat (my gut feeling)
Star-Lord
Well-known member
Almost every single ride that I've been on with my buddies, that all ride Harley-Davidson bikes; where we stop at an establishment that caters towards bikers.. I always get a small crowd asking about my bike.. they always seem very impressed with the look and craftsmanship of the R18 B.
Likewise here. Petrol stations normally attract a small amount of comments, thumbs up. I have had other bikers on the motorway matching my speed and having a look, giving me a courtesy nod in appreciation/approval before blasting off.
It is a great looking bike in any variant and those who don’t like it are within their rights to feel that way, like I said, the R18 is not everyone’s cup of tea. What gets me sometimes reading on other forums (not R18 ones) is the negative comments calling the R18 a monstrosity, eye sore etc. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but there is no need to be rude.
My take on those specific comments is that you are either jealous but you just don’t want to admit it or you are just afraid to admit you like it and then get bullied by the other forum members for saying so.
Anyways, I am glad I have one in my garage and I enjoy the riding experience.
On a separate note, I just got an email from the fella upholstering the spare seat and he said it is finished and looks great. I can’t wait to have it here and feel the new comfort this seat will bring.
It is a great looking bike in any variant and those who don’t like it are within their rights to feel that way, like I said, the R18 is not everyone’s cup of tea. What gets me sometimes reading on other forums (not R18 ones) is the negative comments calling the R18 a monstrosity, eye sore etc. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but there is no need to be rude.
My take on those specific comments is that you are either jealous but you just don’t want to admit it or you are just afraid to admit you like it and then get bullied by the other forum members for saying so.
Anyways, I am glad I have one in my garage and I enjoy the riding experience.
On a separate note, I just got an email from the fella upholstering the spare seat and he said it is finished and looks great. I can’t wait to have it here and feel the new comfort this seat will bring.
skidward
Active member
Ditto, a lot of Harley and Indian guys come over and ask about it. I always get "I didn't know BMW made bikes like that. It's beautiful." The Indian guys always compare how we get 166ft-lb of torque out of 91hp to the 83ft-lbs of torque out of 111hp with the same size engine. Chain vs. shaft drive I assume.
Wow, I didn't know they were at 166 ft lbs of torque. I thought it was around 115 or a bit less, due to the short stroke overbore motor? Or a typo.
Either way, it is a very, very low stressed motor, to be sure. The 100th Anniversary model and the Bagger models I test rode did not have the low rpm torque that my 107 CI sport glide had off of idle. As I recall, since I demo'd a Bagger in Sturgis, SD in '23, the motor really didn't have the torque beans until probably 2000 to 2100 rpm. Since the bike was new, I never brought it up past 3500, since it was still breaking in, but I was feeling a tinge of vibrations in the bars once, on a used one I test rode, past 4000 rpm. I wasn't impressed with Rock mode, I preferred Roll Mode, it was smoother. The biggest bummer for me was how small the bags were inside. It's like they built them as a cooler chest to hold your Ice and your beer. The bags on my RT feels cavernous by comparison. I know I am the exception around here, but for my needs, the RT won out. The fairing and windscreen leave you riding in a cocoon of calm air, the bags and 49 L topbox are superb, the bike handles in turns and in touring like a dream, doesn't wear you out in the twisties like my Sport Glide did. Moving the bike in the garage at 615# wet, is so easy on me and my knees. The suspension on the RT is fantastic, and the telelever front end is amazing in how easy the bike falls into turns if you still feel you want to ride spirited. It will go from 40 to 80 in around 3 seconds, if you need to pass a big rig.
I still maybe someday want a B or a TC. Just wish BMW would put them on a diet.
Last edited:
IN2R18s
Active member
You sure about 166 ft-lb of torque? That is 225 Nm of torque..... Not what BMW claim.
- Discussion starter
- #75
Thought I best update the thread title, seeing as we now know for sure it’s all ok.
skidward
Active member
Sorry. That's a typo. My manual (2023 Classic) shows 158Nm which converts to ~116ft-lb.
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Berardi3
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2022
- Messages
- 317
- Location
- Ringwood New Jersey
- Bike
- 2022 BMW R 18 B 1991 BMW K75S
Glad they are Coming Back for 25
If BMW sold the R18 with a "weekender" seat and ape hanger bars that reach back further, they would sell a lot more.
My current configuration is arranged this way and I really like it. With the backrest in place, my posture is almost identical to that while riding the R1200c.
My current configuration is arranged this way and I really like it. With the backrest in place, my posture is almost identical to that while riding the R1200c.
Star-Lord
Well-known member
Welcome aboard..
I wonder if that’s all it’d take. People can mod a bike all they want. That’s HD’s bread and butter. Sell a bike and let the customer make it their own. It’s hard to shake that HD pull, especially where I live. So I’m not sure what kind of iteration it’d take to really spark more sales.
Someone here made the good point of “just try it, and then keep trying it”. It’s a great bike, but brand loyalists are gonna be tough to win over.