Just went for a test ride last week on a 2023 Classic. Coming from a Sport Glide, which will be a stable mate to my R 18, if I get one.
Some observations: Torque does come in a lot later than on my 107 M8. Not sure if it's because BMW doesn't list a "break in" procedure, and tune the bike accordingly for the first 600 - 750 miles to prevent damage or not. Or maybe, even though my 2018 Sport Glide appears completely stock, the previous owner put in a stage 2 cam, but the torque in 1st gear off of idle is considerably different in 1st gear. I have to add in a lot more throttle on the BMW to prevent stalling in 1st gear. Friction zones feel almost identical between the 2 bikes. Bike I test rode had 5 miles on it. I'm wondering if current owners notice any change after the 600 -750 mile break in service is performed, and the bike hooked up to the mother ship, if the bike feels more peppy afterwards, when riding the torque. Is it OK to short shift the Boxer motor, providing you aren't lugging the engine?
At Idle... There is a pulsating coming through the hydraulic line from the flywheel, or the clutch, that literally is thumping the clutch lever into your fingers. It's almost as if there's a dual mass flywheel on this engine, and it feels like it's coming apart. Giving a little bit more rpms makes that clutch lever "thumping" go away.... so I am wondering if the idle can be set a little higher to get rid of that pulsating clutch lever. The lack of smoothness there doesn't bode well for whatever is causing those pressure surges in the clutch and slave cylinder lines. I've never experienced anything like this on my Sport Glide with cable clutch actuation. It actually reminds me of when the dual mass flywheel on my Jetta TDI was about ready to come apart and fail. Supposedly designed to smooth out the micro acceleration and deceleration of the pistons of a 16:1 compression ratio turbodiesel. It became a wear item on my VW.
Definitely a different delivery of power... and torque, below 2000 rpm. Engine, at times feels very refined, in terms of quality of build, and yet... very clearly the crank is not counter balanced. Sometimes it vibrates, sometimes it's smooth. Due to the Classic being so new, I didn't rev it over 3000 rpms. Put 8 miles on it, rough city surface streets and mostly Blvds. No comparison in the quality of the compression and dampening of the factory suspension compared to my Sport Glide. Really reminds me of when I put some Bilstein Gas shock on my Jetta (2002) (HD bike) and then put some Koni Reds ( oil based dampening) on the R 18. Just a much better ride. Not mushy or anything like that, just leaves the wheels feeling more planted around corners.
I've sort of decided that I want the 120mm rear shock travel on the Bagger over the 80 mm on the Classic or Base model. The roads and canyons we have around here to ride are poorly maintained, and as I've already found out on my Sport Glide the extra rear travel is much easier on my lower back, and makes a difference.
Some observations: Torque does come in a lot later than on my 107 M8. Not sure if it's because BMW doesn't list a "break in" procedure, and tune the bike accordingly for the first 600 - 750 miles to prevent damage or not. Or maybe, even though my 2018 Sport Glide appears completely stock, the previous owner put in a stage 2 cam, but the torque in 1st gear off of idle is considerably different in 1st gear. I have to add in a lot more throttle on the BMW to prevent stalling in 1st gear. Friction zones feel almost identical between the 2 bikes. Bike I test rode had 5 miles on it. I'm wondering if current owners notice any change after the 600 -750 mile break in service is performed, and the bike hooked up to the mother ship, if the bike feels more peppy afterwards, when riding the torque. Is it OK to short shift the Boxer motor, providing you aren't lugging the engine?
At Idle... There is a pulsating coming through the hydraulic line from the flywheel, or the clutch, that literally is thumping the clutch lever into your fingers. It's almost as if there's a dual mass flywheel on this engine, and it feels like it's coming apart. Giving a little bit more rpms makes that clutch lever "thumping" go away.... so I am wondering if the idle can be set a little higher to get rid of that pulsating clutch lever. The lack of smoothness there doesn't bode well for whatever is causing those pressure surges in the clutch and slave cylinder lines. I've never experienced anything like this on my Sport Glide with cable clutch actuation. It actually reminds me of when the dual mass flywheel on my Jetta TDI was about ready to come apart and fail. Supposedly designed to smooth out the micro acceleration and deceleration of the pistons of a 16:1 compression ratio turbodiesel. It became a wear item on my VW.
Definitely a different delivery of power... and torque, below 2000 rpm. Engine, at times feels very refined, in terms of quality of build, and yet... very clearly the crank is not counter balanced. Sometimes it vibrates, sometimes it's smooth. Due to the Classic being so new, I didn't rev it over 3000 rpms. Put 8 miles on it, rough city surface streets and mostly Blvds. No comparison in the quality of the compression and dampening of the factory suspension compared to my Sport Glide. Really reminds me of when I put some Bilstein Gas shock on my Jetta (2002) (HD bike) and then put some Koni Reds ( oil based dampening) on the R 18. Just a much better ride. Not mushy or anything like that, just leaves the wheels feeling more planted around corners.
I've sort of decided that I want the 120mm rear shock travel on the Bagger over the 80 mm on the Classic or Base model. The roads and canyons we have around here to ride are poorly maintained, and as I've already found out on my Sport Glide the extra rear travel is much easier on my lower back, and makes a difference.
Last edited:
, but even starting in 2nd gear only requires a little more finesse.. 
