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BMW gives up the R18 !!!!

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Pork Rind said:
I sat on, what I consider to be one of the rarest R18's out there on Friday. A R18 Rocktane. At 6'5", it just kills my hips with how close it is to the floor boards when I put my feet up. Also, compared to my R1250 RT at 615#, she's a mighty beast at my age, 67, to get to stand upright off of the side stand. I just love the looks of the R18 B, but I just can't find a way to comfortably sit on it without my knees feeling too high up, and in the way.

My next thought was what would the bike be like from a riders perspective for torque, if BMW built the bike with an engine with more of a stroker design, under bore, and a longer stroke. How would it feel off of idle, just barely rolling into the throttle and dumping the clutch? Because that right there, is the only thing I miss about my Harley 107 Sport Glide. Massive, massive torque right off of idle, it was almost impossible to stall the Sport Glide.
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Somewhere out there is tall seat for the R18 I think. But I certainly agree the R18 is a bit awkward for anyone 6’5”.
I’m 5’8” and find the R18 low for me.
 
Called in at my BMW dealer this afternoon. It was quiet. Had opportunity so I spoke to the sales guy about the R18 lineup and what’s really going on (I’m in the UK, where you live may be different). I told them I couldn’t see any new unregistered 2025 Euro +5 models for sale in showrooms yet just the online configurator.

I was told BMW were only allocating 14, yes fourteen 2025 Euro +5 facelift R18 model bikes for the UK this year. They are actively restricting supply. They expected BMW to reduce the lineup to TC, Roctane and Base R18 going forward. The Classic and B would be deleted.

They accepted the R18 had been a slow burn sales wise and struggled in America but said it had sort of found its place in the UK segment now and BMW mothership were content with the sales numbers overall as plenty had been sold in Europe. The guys were happy to chat and were not negative or dismissive about our bikes. They agreed the bike launch in the midst of a worldwide Covid lockdown, with far too many being built leading to dealer saturation and a fire sale was a huge clanger really, my words not theirs. It was, as we all know.

Sounds like BMW have got a grip on production now, better matched to expected demand. Time will tell…..
 
I think it has more to do with world wide demand for "Cruiser" type bikes petering out, as the Baby Boomers age out and the bikes are getting too heavy for them to get off the side stand, strength wise. HD is suffering the same fate with their Road Glide and Street Glide lineup. The used market is over saturated with garage queen bikes that are very low mileage, that can be bought for cheap.

I love everything about the R18, except the weight, it needs to be made and built on a Slim Fast diet first, they are a bit obese.
 
Dropped in to chat with my local dealer and he also said the line has been reduced here in Germany but he said the TC and Bagger variants stopped. First edition, classic and roctane retained.
So yep will continue on but reduced range. Seems overall request is reduced size/weight.
 
Red64 said:
Dropped in to chat with my local dealer and he also said the line has been reduced here in Germany but he said the TC and Bagger variants stopped. First edition, classic and roctane retained.
So yep will continue on but reduced range. Seems overall request is reduced size/weight.
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Which is no doubt why the R12 was born, to cater for people wanting exactly that. By all accounts I’ve read a very good bike.

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Fwiw... I ride a r9t (pipes, filter, tune, suspension etc) and a R18 in a similar modded way.... the r9t doesn't get close to how much I enjoy the R18.

Next thing you know someome will suggest a royal endfield......
 
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Gregorrad said:
Interesting take - how do you reconcile it with that concept R20 though? That bike was gorgeous….
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Why take that concept bike into account? It is obviously just a design excersize. The bike is such a niche product for them that BMW will not do more than produce variations on the theme while maintaining the current structure of base, B, Classic and TC. Concept bikes are auseful tool for testing the waters.
The after market industry is slowly getting up to speed and that in a way also gets concepts out there for free for them. Back on subject it means the R18 is here to stay for some time yet.
 
I think it would be helpful to us all if posters did not post hearsay comments about the demise of the R18. It makes sense if we hear if from a reliable credible source——BMW itself. I am talking corporate not what your local dealer says which more often than not is hearsay upon hearsay.

In the meantime enjoy your R18. Be thankful.
 
Gerard said:
No details so far but crédible source.... (dealer).
Dudes, we've got collectors
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Hammo said:
How come they advertised the 2025 model if its no longer being produced ?
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The 2025 models are out and have been since Oct 2024. The 2026 models role out next month. I also call BS on the discontinuing the R18 line. The fact that its the end of September it makes since you can not go in and do a configuring. 2025 are done 20026 have not been release yet. There was a short preview of some of whats is coming for 2026. They showed a number of things but not full information, just enough to tease. I'm not surprised people say this, which is stupid because BMW is the tighter lipped about what is coming out. And every year at this time the same things get said and a month later they are eating crow. The dealers find out when the world finds out.
 
BERZERKER-RSV4 said:
Let's be real folks...the R18 series is akin to the Pan America or Live Wire for Harley Davidson...both companies stuck their toes in a market where it doesn't belong...with disasterous sales results, coupled with the fact that all bike sales, new or used is tanking across the globe..

Personally, after spending 10 years aboard various versions of the HD Police Road King while playing cops-n-robbers in central Florida as well as suffocating in Harley swill during 35 years of BikeWeek/Biketoberfest here in Daytona...I can assure you that anything R18 is worlds better than anything produced in Milwaukee. That includes the entire HD CVO line at $50k+. The fit/finish, handling, ride quality and craftsmanship of the R18 series is something BMW should be proud of. The brakes on the R18?....well , they just suck...why BMW did not opt for the "standard" 320mm rotors and radial calipers on a 800lbs bike is a head scratcher for sure.
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I'm done with harley, love my R18.
 
I have an R18 anniversary edition and find it to be a terrific cruiser (changed seat and handle bars though)
For the looong rides my HD Street Glide is mighty fine (in process of changing out stock bars for reduced reach bars)

What is it with motorcycle manufacturers doing bike builds requiring forward lean to reach bars?
I like sitting upright with lumbar backrest. Will never understand this.
The R1200c ape hangers were just right.
 
Point taken, but my R18 has the chrome windscreen frame commonly found on the Classic. Then on top of that is an 18” Jurock windshield with fork deflectors down low. Final result……turbulent free ride at highway speed
 
BER18 100 said:
Point taken, but my R18 has the chrome windscreen frame commonly found on the Classic. Then on top of that is an 18” Jurock windshield with fork deflectors down low. Final result……turbulent free ride at highway speed
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So not having the air pressure to support your wait leaning forward is self inflicted ;)

No seriously, I get your point. The bars áre a bit far away. I am not a small bloke with 183 cm. fitted a homage seat and contemplating turning the bars a bit further back. I do not need it further down though so again catch 22.
 
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