• Welcome to the BMW R18 Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

The positive things thread

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1768230793#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Petrus
  • Start date Start date
Scout70 said:
I bought my R18B because it spoke to me. Unlike other BMW’s my R18 fit me like a glove, rode and handled awesome and has been absolutely reliable so far. You can’t beat the fit and finish of the machine and the nostalgic feel of the motor and performance.

My bike gets routinely serviced by the dealer in Seattle and I have total confidence in their work.

I ignore the naysayer comments by some people on this forum. It’s like they say about men in the army, “if they are not complaining, they are not happy.”

I have a 2025 R1250GSA. Between both bikes, I have every riding situation covered.

Thank you BMW for the R18. You did good!!
Click to expand...

Abzolutely concur! (er, absolutely... )
 
Last edited:
1) In November 2019 I bought a R1200R from a BMW dealer. They had a First Edition R18 on a revolving pedestal & it was love at first sight! 2 years later I inherited some money from my Dad & with permission from the resident bank manager I bought an ex demo R18 Classic.

2) I regularly meet up for a ride with a friend who has a Harley. We usually meet at his local HD dealer & exploit the free coffee there. I love the reactions from other HD riders. Some of them snub my R18 but plenty of guys have admired my bike.

3) I ride all year & cover about 20k miles mainly on my GS but I always find an excuse to jump on the R18 as it never fails to make me smile.

I should add that I don’t normally ride in Tweed! This was for the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride. IMG_0089.jpeg
 
Hammo said:
Just go back to the old saying " have you owned one ?" no "have you ridden one ?" no ,do,nt comment then !!!!!
Click to expand...
Hiding.gif

Me hiding from Harley Davidson's and their "passionate" riding base. However, I have no issues with the pre-AMF HD's, but most after 1969 aren't bikes I would own.

motorcycle-moto South Park.gif
(Picture description of a lot of HD riders)

I may accept a HD if I get it for free OTOH.

Mike
 
Come on guys, something positive about the R18 does not mean the inverse; something negative about HD. I suggest we draw the line at claiming thr R18 being not an HD as a positve ok? Right done.
On with what about the R18 makes you feel good.

This past weekend was reminded about the bike coming to lífe upon starting. I mean it is a properly modern motorcycle. That means it should be a sanitised product but yet... it wakes up as a béast.
 
Petrus said:
Come on guys, something positive about the R18 does not mean the inverse; something negative about HD. I suggest we draw the line at claiming thr R18 being not an HD as a positve ok? Right done.
On with what about the R18 makes you feel good.

This past weekend was reminded about the bike coming to lífe upon starting. I mean it is a properly modern motorcycle. That means it should be a sanitised product but yet... it wakes up as a béast.
Click to expand...
Look buddy, I don’t know you from Adam. Please don’t assume you control who says what about anything.

I WILL continue to disparage modern HD’s and their over the top riders/fans. If you don’t like it, then sod off and block me on here. I wouldn’t want my “hateful” speech about HD make you uncomfortable. /s

HD riders have disparaged the R18 time and again, all without ever riding the bike. BMW, for the second time in a few decades, has taken the bold step of making a cruiser, but received harsh criticism from traditional HD enthusiasts, therefore dulling whatever enthusiasm the R18 WOULD have received in the cruiser community.

HD owners don’t control the greater cruiser community.

Mike
 
I liked my R1200C and wanted a more powerful version of that bike. The looks of the anniversary edition caught my eye.
The ergonomics of the R18 did not fit me well so I replaced the handlebars, seat, and floor boards. Now I have that R1200C but with an 1800 cc motor underneath.
 
For what it’s worth, the 117 cubic inch street glide from HD has a smooth motor at highway speed.
I ride the R18 more often for two reasons: 1) It is a good cruiser and 2) I tweaked the ergonomics of the R18 a lot to fit me.
Both bikes have fork deflectors from Memphis Shades that provide for zero updraft.
 
BER18 100 said:
Both bikes have fork deflectors from Memphis Shades that provide for zero updraft.
Click to expand...

I really dig the relaxed riding the base R18 invites. It makes me feel párt of the surroundings; feel ín it.
Last few rides I put on the puddin´basin and my bow shooting ´sun´glasses. The former stops NO sounds whatsoevver and the latter direct all flying critters away from my eyes, downwards for unique experience. Not just hearing all, smelling all, seeing with higher contrast, no... I even get a táste of nature :ROFLMAO:

Now, and please do not laugh; earlier, in spring rode out in linen shorts. I know not the best mc gear but that is not why I will think twice about that. A wasp got blown up one leg, got stuck and stung me good. Was in mid twisties so all I could do was not panic. A bit too much direct contact that.
 
Petrus said:
I really dig the relaxed riding the base R18 invites. It makes me feel párt of the surroundings; feel ín it.
Last few rides I put on the puddin´basin and my bow shooting ´sun´glasses. The former stops NO sounds whatsoevver and the latter direct all flying critters away from my eyes, downwards for unique experience. Not just hearing all, smelling all, seeing with higher contrast, no... I even get a táste of nature :ROFLMAO:

Now, and please do not laugh; earlier, in spring rode out in linen shorts. I know not the best mc gear but that is not why I will think twice about that. A wasp got blown up one leg, got stuck and stung me good. Was in mid twisties so all I could do was not panic. A bit too much direct contact that.
Click to expand...

The "not panic" thing is key!
 
Petrus said:
A wasp got blown up one leg, got stuck and stung me good. Was in mid twisties so all I could do was not panic. A bit too much direct contact that.
Click to expand...

Nothing more sure in Australia then a large flying insect strike even if you think of raising your visor.

I did manage a bee/wasp hit/sting to the neck last year that resulted in my nearest oops moment. But no damage so there is that positive bit.

Oops...
f585f7a9-8c95-40fe-b359-9c47f57dc044-1_all_19445.jpg
 
Petrus said:
Come on guys, something positive about the R18 does not mean the inverse; something negative about HD. I suggest we draw the line at claiming thr R18 being not an HD as a positve ok? Right done.
On with what about the R18 makes you feel good.

This past weekend was reminded about the bike coming to lífe upon starting. I mean it is a properly modern motorcycle. That means it should be a sanitised product but yet... it wakes up as a béast.
Click to expand...
Exactly, this is the positive things thread. All bikes are still bikes

So, when I was a youngster, my stepdad‘s parents had two old R60/2s disassembled in their sun room. They were just plain elegant. I was already riding dirt bikes and racing, When I got my motorcycle permit, I was just going to ride my Husqvqrna enduro to school and such. I came home from taking the test and one of those R60s was assembled and in the driveway. My first road bike.

When I saw the FirstEdition R18, I looked at the dealership owner and said „if my feet fit under the jugs and it doesn‘t hurt too much to ride I gotta have it.“

Period. It is an elegant and fun classic black pinstriped BMW and I don‘t have to sleep with a Clymer Manual under my pillow… and the clymer is really thick and heavy… :-)
 
Mr. Efficiency said:
„if my feet fit under the jugs and it doesn‘t hurt too much to ride I gotta have it.“
Click to expand...
Absolutely brilliant :ROFLMAO:

And whát a bike that 60/2 to receive as a road bike.
For over 2 decades that 60/2 was in the Netherlands thé police bike, more often than not with (Hollandia) sidecar.

p.s. have you meanwhile alligned those :cool: bronze screws? 🫣

image_2025-09-19_210230588.pngimage_2025-09-19_210403181.pngimage_2025-09-19_210521043.pngimage_2025-09-19_210631465.pngimage_2025-09-19_210801660.png
 
Last edited:
and a massive positive

www.1000ps.de

BMW R18 Motor

BMW 1800 Big Boxer Höchstleistung 91 PS bei 4.750 U/Min, maximales Drehmoment 158 Nm bei 3.000 U/Min Die Bayern bringen den größten Boxermotor aller Zeiten. Optisch und technisch ist dieser Zweizylinder ein absoluter Augenschmaus.
www.1000ps.de www.1000ps.de
 
I took my R18 to have serviced and the reverse recall done. Looked at all the normal on the floor new stock.... saw this.... 6,000 miles on the clock.... $35,ooo aussie..... lucky I'm married and a bit scared of what might happen if I acted single.

f585f7a9-8c95-40fe-b359-9c47f57dc044-1_all_30204.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top