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Pure vs Roctane comfort

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burangs

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Hi all! Long time, almost 2 years?

Looking at possibly a 3rd R18, a Roctane. I have been all over the web searching for a best answer, so I’m throwing this out here.

The Roctane is reportedly more comfortable with perhaps a more compliant rear. The rear suspension components all share the same part numbers as the rear of the Pure. So, is this all about just the specific saddle —or what am I missing?

TIA!
 
I believe it depends on the year. If I recall correctly, I saw a BMW Motarrad YT video on the 2025 models where they specifically mentioned the rear suspension being more comfortable.
 
From Visordown:

"The suspension has been adjusted to help make the 2025 R18 more comfortable on the road, with new spring and damping rates within the rear shock absorber. The changes match the new rear wheel size, with 180/55 being the new rear tyre size for the standard bike."
 
Well I owned a FE for nearly three years and in January of this year bought my Roctane. I’m about 104kg and 5’11” tall btw.

IMO the Roctane is more comfortable. Why? Well a combination of these changes really, It rides on bigger wheels front & back, has mini apes, the standard seat is a different shape and appears to be more thickly padded, as to different spring rates etc I have no idea can’t say I have read that or at least don’t remember if I did. It’s quite plush. It is noticably heavier getting it off the side stand. I haven’t scraped the footboards yet and the bike seems to have more ground clearance (which we sort of know it has but you can actually tell the difference).

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not night and day and I loved my FE but yes I think it is a little better. Having said that I never had an issue with my FE I just enjoyed it for what it was. I’d have another if I could afford it. It’s been said countless times on the forum before but adjusting the rear spring preload to match your weight makes a big difference. Hope this helps.

p.s. there won’t be many brand new Euro+5 bikes out there in dealers, least hardly any have been mentioned on the forum (apart from a very happy owner in Oz). I’ve not seen any in the UK yet and don’t think I ever will so know what you are looking at. My Roctane is a Euro5 bike, not a Euro+5. I expect that’s what the Visordown article refers to.
 
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HUNTS said:
The updated 2025 R18 has a different shaped seat with more padding, larger rear wheel size and upgraded rear suspension. I don’t what upgrades the Roctane got, if any.

View attachment 19810
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Don’t answer if you’d rather not but did you pay full MSRP or anywhere near that? Reason I ask is the considerable range in prices we pay in different Countries. No escaping the fact America has struggled probably the most and huge discounts have been adopted to shift stock. I was in my dealer on Friday (England) and chatted to the sales guy, it was empty btw, no customers at all, he said BMW are not bringing any new 2026 R18 bikes into the UK, you could order one online but even then numbers allocated for individual orders were going to be extremely tight, down to half a dozen. Literally.

My take was that BMW were not going to allocate say half a dozen bikes per dealer (per annum) and have them hanging around unsold, as has happened this last few years.

The dealer was crammed full with GS adventure bikes, 1250’s and 1300’s. Probably 80% with the remaining 20% making up everything else in their range. They had one R18B (2024 new), one R18 (2024 ex demo) and one R18 (unsold new 2022 model).

Your bike looks terrific btw.
 
fbomb.garage said:
I have several times hit a rough enough patch of road to make noises come from my body. I'd be keen to know if better rear suspension is available. I have seen an Air rear kit for sale.
https://www.walzwerk-motorcycles-shop.de/walzwerk-adjustable-air-shock-bmw-r18.html
Click to expand...

+20mm Wilbers shock from suspensions r us in Melbourne.... easy to fit once it arrives. Sorts spring and dampening and increase travel from 90mm to 115mm. Great for aussie roads.... about $1400aud.
 
Rufus said:
Don’t answer if you’d rather not but did you pay full MSRP or anywhere near that? Reason I ask is the considerable range in prices we pay in different Countries. No escaping the fact America has struggled probably the most and huge discounts have been adopted to shift stock. I was in my dealer on Friday (England) and chatted to the sales guy, it was empty btw, no customers at all, he said BMW are not bringing any new 2026 R18 bikes into the UK, you could order one online but even then numbers allocated for individual orders were going to be extremely tight, down to half a dozen. Literally.

My take was that BMW were not going to allocate say half a dozen bikes per dealer (per annum) and have them hanging around unsold, as has happened this last few years.

The dealer was crammed full with GS adventure bikes, 1250’s and 1300’s. Probably 80% with the remaining 20% making up everything else in their range. They had one R18B (2024 new), one R18 (2024 ex demo) and one R18 (unsold new 2022 model).

Your bike looks terrific btw.
Click to expand...
I got the bike, including half of my luggage at the same price as the basic (non Blacked Out model) and a great trade in on my KTM. I was EXTREMELY happy with the price.
 
HUNTS said:
I got the bike, including half of my luggage at the same price as the basic (non Blacked Out model) and a great trade in on my KTM. I was EXTREMELY happy with the price.
Click to expand...
You’ve done well then, it’s become very difficult here to trade in any bike and get a decent price for it against a new one. Across all brands. Its well documented in the UK.
 
Rufus said:
IMO the Roctane is more comfortable. Why? Well a combination of these changes really, It rides on bigger wheels front & back, has mini apes, the standard seat is a different shape and appears to be more thickly padded, as to different spring rates etc I have no idea can’t say I have read that or at least don’t remember if I did. It’s quite plush. It is noticably heavier getting it off the side stand. I haven’t scraped the footboards yet and the bike seems to have more ground clearance (which we sort of know it has but you can actually tell the difference).
Click to expand...

Rufus: Thank you. That is what I was looking for --from someone experienced with both bikes. As the suspension part numbers are the same, the delta is down to the saddle and possibly a little more sidewall. Short of a Wilbers (thanks Noelpolar) swap, the Roctane will be a no-go for me. I appreciate it!
 
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