What did you do to your R18 today?

[TodkaVonic]

only at the weekend will I have time for a longer ride, but I have something extra: the first fairing, which is perfect for classic flashers and has space for GPS. I will provide more details and photos on Friday when I finish the project

Holan, are the lights auxiliary lamps or turn signals? Would be nice to see photos from further away.

 

[R18Holan]

Bullet 1000® Dark - LED Indicator from Kellermann

 

[TodkaVonic]

Bullet 1000® Dark - LED Indicator from Kellermann

Very cool. Does installation produce an error message (electrical) on the dash? Any additional resistors needed?

 

[R18Holan]

I do not know yet. this is not a problem these days (I'm waiting for some parts from Kellermann)

 

[Black Dog]

 

[theMucker]

View attachment 1231

That's a cool looking plane. Yours?

 

[ATD]

Back home earlier than expected as we are now confined in France with a 10 km limitation around our house.

I installed the BMW R18 frame bag, smaller than expected but enough to keep some stuff on the bike such as disc lock and sunglasses, and the insurance sticker holder (thanks to @Gerard)

View attachment 1099 View attachment 1100

Did 1.5h ride within the authorized perimeter, I'm fortunate to live in a nice place with plenty of narrow country roads and points of interest.

Here is the Chateau d'Essalois in the Gorges de la Loire which I can see from my house

View attachment 1101

What did you think of the frame bag? I bought one too, but it bothered me every time I put my legs down on the ground and eventually took it off.

 

[R18Holan]

today a small change according to the rule: a minimum of chrome and plastic

 

[Gerard]

What are these things ???

 

[R18Holan]

here tomorrow there will be a pannier frame

 

[kils]

I put a clock on the hanger and also my TomTom, tomorrow I will change the setting of my toe and heel a bit

 

[Gerard]

I've ordered for a clock too, so one can dial the RPM at the same time.

 

[Gilles]

What did you think of the frame bag? I bought one too, but it bothered me every time I put my legs down on the ground and eventually took it off.

the straps also slide on my bag, I have to fix it someway

 

[kils]

Today I fixed my heel and toe the setting is 100% better, I almost can use the heel with out lifting my feet.

 

[Black Dog]

License light electrical plug fabrication.

 

[R18Holan]

At the request of several clients, we started the project of aluminum panniers for R18. The panniers are black and lower than the standard. They have a capacity of 34L and a width of 24cm. Finally, there will be leather straps on the covers. A few warm photos. Unfortunately, from the garage because the day was rainy. More photos and details tomorrow

 

[estoma]

At the request of several clients, we started the project of aluminum panniers for R18. The panniers are black and lower than the standard. They have a capacity of 34L and a width of 24cm. Finally, there will be leather straps on the covers. A few warm photos. Unfortunately, from the garage because the day was rainy. More photos and details tomorrow
View attachment 1311

Those look like they belong on a GS. You might quickly fill your order book if you bring something like this to market instead;

(from another r18forums post)

 

[R18Holan]

I'm against making the R18 Harley. That's why I have other leather and cotton canvas bags, but never anything like this. But I'm not criticizing. Something different for everyone

 

[Gaylord Poe]

Those look like they belong on a GS. You might quickly fill your order book if you bring something like this to market instead;

View attachment 1318 (from another r18forums post)

Indeed

 

[estoma]

I'm against making the R18 Harley. That's why I have other leather and cotton canvas bags, but never anything like this. But I'm not criticizing. Something different for everyone

I am not criticizing either, but you are missing the point (your market) entirely. Think of the R18 as exactly that - a German 'Harley'; BMW taking on Harley in Harley's own backyard, playing the ballgame that Harley invented. BMW will only win a small part of that market. We, the ones vocalizing our opinions here, represent that small part.

Also, appreciate Form and Function. Your products, e.g. solo rack and panniers, are practical and efficient (all Function) but do not even remotely complement the aesthetics, stride and pose of the R18 (zero Form). They might well fit in on a R1250GS, but not on an S1000RR and most definitely not on the R18.

With the possible exception of Black Dog, none of us here bought the R18 for how effective or how much of an all-rounder it is. I do not think that I have read even a single overly positive Motorcycle Review on it - well, scr3w those journos, influencers, et al. For some of us, myself included, this is the first BMW motorcycle or even BMW product that we have purchased - and mostly because of what it looks like and how much better, even, we perceive it could look like with our individual personal preferences implemented. In some respects, we are still only formalizing those preferences, which is why we hang out here.

The R18 is All Form - whatever we buy to fit on it needs to function well, of course, but the overriding consideration is what it looks like and how well it fits in with the rest of the bike. And with the emphasis on 'Retro' and what earlier Beemer pot-scrapers looked like.