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Hello from Kingston - shopping for first cruiser

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BOXR18B

New member
Joined
Oct 7, 2025
Messages
23
Location
Kingston Ontario
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Bike
2022 R18B
Hello everyone, sport bike rider about to pull the trigger on first cruiser. From first bike to current bike, one GSX-R600 to 4 GSX-R1000.
Current bike is a GSX-R1000R. Looking at a 2022 R18B with just about every option and 8k km. What’s considered a great price? Not sure if it’ll be my cup of tea but willing to roll the dice.
 
Morning. Well that’s a huge leap from one end of the spectrum to the other! Question I’d pose is what attracts you to the bike and what do you want from it?

If you like the looks and can accept a completely different ride experience (more Zen than zing) then you may love it. We have owners all over the world on the forum and loads of stories and impressions of the bike to help,you decide what to do. Good luck with your decision 👍
 
8K on a R18 is nothing and if it has been serviced by the dealer, even better. To put it into perspective, 3 years ago my Bagger costed £27K, that is a lot of coins. I managed to get a discount and a good price for my M109R so I pulled the trigger. She has every option under the sun and I am super happy with her. If she is a 2022 or earlier, check that the adaptive headlight recall and the reverse module recall was done. The adaptive headlight was the biggest issue as many failed and it wasn’t cheap to replace, the recall was obviously free providing she was under warranty.
Based on GBP prices in the UK, I would say that 12K is a bargain and 14K will be on the max, but don’t forget that if the bike has all the bells and whistles and is in immaculate condition, the seller may be asking a bit more.
 
As it happens, I am at the dealership today to do my first MOT (compulsory vehicle inspection in the UK after 3 years of service) and check these new bikes that are for sale, the blue TC partially wrapped just came in.
 

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@BOXR18B

as observed you are looking at a basically binairy change.
Wereas there is no discussing the quality of design and build of the R18, the dynamic properties are an acquired taste.
You will also need to swap the chip about the engine and the way you need to have it work for you.
It really is the other end of the scale from you current bike.
The best illustration is that the R18 engine operates at a rev range where yours is when you feed the clutch at driving off.
Do NOT look at the price because if the thing makes you unhappy it is too much anywhichway.
Go on a test ride with it in Rock mode and rev counter. Choose a route with not just sweeping country roads but cross the city.
Thén have a look at the price.
Enjoy!!!
Hoping to see you back with an R18 áfter the above ;)
 
I just purchased my R18B last week. This is my first cruiser motorcycle. I am older and have been riding a fully outfitted Honda Africa Twin for the last 6 years. I used to ride dirt a lot and enjoyed dabbling off-road with the Honda. Now that I am getting older I found that the Africa Twin and off-road simply did not work for me any longer. I got back from a 3500 mile two-week ride to Colorado in early September and decided that I needed a change, as much as I like my Honda. I realized I could get myself into situations that I simply could not get myself out of as I am not strong enough at my advancing age. I have owned many many different bikes over the years from road racers to trials bikes and many different road bikes. Something drew me to this big boxer. I saw a brand new 2023 R18B being sold at a dealer a couple of hours away, They had discounted the bike by $10,500 USD making it $12,900, almost half price and it has a three year warranty on it. I figured I could not go wrong at that price. I rode it around for about 20 miles before buying it. It is a bike heavy bike but so low to the ground compared to my Honda that I found it really fun to ride. The engine has a lot of personality, on one end being glass smooth at 63-73mph and growling with a good bit of shake at higher revs. The amount of torque makes this bike really fun to ride. It also handles really well on tight roads surprisingly well. I'm looking forward to putting some miles on it. It is different but I like that it is. I feel like I should be putting on a leather helmet and goggles when I get on this bike like a pilot of and antique biplane.

Dan
 
bdalameda said:
I just purchased my R18B last week. This is my first cruiser motorcycle. Nds I am older and have been riding a fully outfitted Honda Africa Twin for the last 6 years. I used to ride dirt a lot and enjoyed dabbling off-road with the Honda. Now that I am getting older I found that the Africa Twin and off-road simply did not work for me any longer. I got back from a 3500 mile two-week ride to Colorado in early September and decided that I needed a change, as much as I like my Honda. I realized I could get myself into situations that I simply could not get myself out of as I am not strong enough at my advancing age. I have owned many many different bikes over the years from road racers to trials bikes and many different road bikes. Something drew me to this big boxer. I saw a brand new 2023 R18B being sold at a dealer a couple of hours away, They had discounted the bike by $10,500 USD making it $12,900, almost half price and it has a three year warranty on it. I figured I could not go wrong at that price. I rode it around for about 20 miles before buying it. It is a bike heavy bike but so low to the ground compared to my Honda that I found it really fun to ride. The engine has a lot of personality, on one end being glass smooth at 63-73mph and growling with a good bit of shake at higher revs. The amount of torque makes this bike really fun to ride. It also handles really well on tight roads surprisingly well. I'm looking forward to putting some miles on it. It is different but I like that it is. I feel like I should be putting on a leather helmet and goggles when I get on this bike like a pilot of and antique biplane.

Dan
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Thanks for the input. Sounds like you have a lot of stories to tell. I’m also big into road cycling. I believe I did more miles this year on my road bikes than on my sport bike. Unfortunately there are no similar deals like yours around here. 2024 leftovers are still commanding near msrp. Not to be deterred, I’ve narrowed it down to two 2022 private sales. Same price and options. One needs its annual service and one doesn’t. I’m looking forward to having one in my garage before winter.
 
bdalameda said:
I just purchased my R18B last week. This is my first cruiser motorcycle. I am older and have been riding a fully outfitted Honda Africa Twin for the last 6 years. I used to ride dirt a lot and enjoyed dabbling off-road with the Honda. Now that I am getting older I found that the Africa Twin and off-road simply did not work for me any longer. I got back from a 3500 mile two-week ride to Colorado in early September and decided that I needed a change, as much as I like my Honda. I realized I could get myself into situations that I simply could not get myself out of as I am not strong enough at my advancing age. I have owned many many different bikes over the years from road racers to trials bikes and many different road bikes. Something drew me to this big boxer. I saw a brand new 2023 R18B being sold at a dealer a couple of hours away, They had discounted the bike by $10,500 USD making it $12,900, almost half price and it has a three year warranty on it. I figured I could not go wrong at that price. I rode it around for about 20 miles before buying it. It is a bike heavy bike but so low to the ground compared to my Honda that I found it really fun to ride. The engine has a lot of personality, on one end being glass smooth at 63-73mph and growling with a good bit of shake at higher revs. The amount of torque makes this bike really fun to ride. It also handles really well on tight roads surprisingly well. I'm looking forward to putting some miles on it. It is different but I like that it is. I feel like I should be putting on a leather helmet and goggles when I get on this bike like a pilot of and antique biplane.

Dan
Click to expand...
You and I brother. I wear an open face helmet all year round. Over the winter months, I just wrap a biker’s scarf around my neck (not a fan of it flying around, so I tuck it in) and I swap my summer jacket for a heavy bomber jacket and a set of Red Wings gloves. Comfy as hell when you have the windshield and heated seat and grips.
 
bdalameda said:
I just purchased my R18B last week.
Click to expand...
First and foremost congratulations with a great bike.

bdalameda said:
I realized I could get myself into situations that I simply could not get myself out of as I am not strong enough at my advancing age.
Click to expand...

You are aware that it is a heavy bruiser.
I suggest you take it a step further and lany it dowm on a cilinder in controlled circumstances. I.e. a rug and one/two friends. You lay is down yourself so you experience the toppling over. Só much less upsetting/unsettling when you´ve been there, done that.

Enjoy!
 
Petrus said:
@BOXR18B

as observed you are looking at a basically binairy change.
Wereas there is no discussing the quality of design and build of the R18, the dynamic properties are an acquired taste.
You will also need to swap the chip about the engine and the way you need to have it work for you.
It really is the other end of the scale from you current bike.
The best illustration is that the R18 engine operates at a rev range where yours is when you feed the clutch at driving off.
Do NOT look at the price because if the thing makes you unhappy it is too much anywhichway.
Go on a test ride with it in Rock mode and rev counter. Choose a route with not just sweeping country roads but cross the city.
Thén have a look at the price.
Enjoy!!!
Hoping to see you back with an R18 áfter the above ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to me being able to posting pictures.
 
Under your text box will be an “📎 Attach files”, click on that to open up another window which allows you to select a picture from your device. I’m really not into tech but did suss it out and it soon becomes second nature. One thing could be your picture size, could be too large, too many pixels. Anyhow. Others may chime in with better advice but congrats on the new bike, I was out yesterday on mine, never disappoints,
 
Rufus said:
I was out yesterday on mine, never disappoints,
Click to expand...

Us too. Having a look at a Classic Car Raid.
About to go out in a moment. Idea is on route with classic vehicle club, say hello at the classics meet in Iznajar and then go on for breakfast. Have a VERY challenging route planned. In general perfect tarmac but it is ´camino rural´ with tarmac. I.e. single lane, undualting country, ´twisty´ not covering it 🫣
 
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