Take a look at the new BMW Motorrad Concept R18

Michelle Liew

May 25, 2019

The BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is as exquisite as ever, bringing the best of both worlds of history and modern technology. This is truly a beauty like no other.

Photo credits: BMW Motorrad

In case you missed out, BMW Motorrad has presented its all-new Concept R18 during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The concept is an epitome of what the brand has to offer: stealth, elegance with a drop of technological change. Staying true to its classic vibe, the R18 exudes the historical aura with its design but has a modern twist to its attitude. “With this dream bike, BMW Motorrad presents its own version of an emotional and authentic offer for the large cruiser segment,” says Dr. Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad.

R18 OVERALL

Photo credits: BMW Motorrad

The new R18 features a 1960s boxer engine that has been made to suit the modern times. “With its clear aesthetics openly on display, the Concept R18 embodies for me what motorcycling, at its core, is really about. It is all about feeling instead of thinking, and not using technology for self-staging, instead giving space for imagination. This concept bike appeals to something deep down – you just want to just get on it and ride off. But when you get off it again, you don’t just put it in the garage and walk away. You turn around again and give it a final parting glance”, explains Edgar Heinrich, head of BMW Motorrad Design as quoted from BMW Motorrad.

R18 DETAILS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Photo credits: BMW Motorrad

The bike is proud in its original and natural form. The boxer engine, cradle frame, exposed universal shaft and drop-shaped fuel tank with its black paintwork and hand-applied contrast lines keeps the bike rooted. “The biggest challenge in the design is to render everything visible. Every part has a functional purpose. There are not many who would dare to take such an absolutely honest approach”, says Bart Janssen Groesbeek, designer of the concept bike. The BMW Motorrad Concept R18 features a newly designed, two-cylinder 1800CC boxer engine. The appearance of the engine resembles the flat twin engines in the 1960s. It has a bigger displacement and modern air/oil-cooling. The engine block and transmission are made of glass bead-blasted aluminium. This provides an ideal stage on which to present the hand-polished aluminium components as well as the belt guard and valve covers.

Photo credits: BMW Motorrad

The engine badge bears the name of the concept bike and emphasises the overall quality. Furthermore, it features Solex dual carburettors, similar to those in the BMW 2002. As quoted from BMW Motorrad, the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is the third in-house interpretation of the large-capacity boxer engine to come from BMW Motorrad. The colour scheme of the R18 is absolutely impressive.

R18: KEEPING IT CLASSY

Photo credits: BMW Motorrad

Keeping the classic look with the white, it keeps the brand’s signature look with its hand-applied lines on the fork. The same goes to the fuel tank on top of the black base colour. It features a discreet yellow-gold varnish effect. “For me, motorcycles like the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 are a response to a growing need among the motorcycling community: instead of technology, the focus here is on simplification, authenticity and transparency. I observe an almost romantic yearning for real mechanical engineering. Our aim with this concept bike is to address this need and turn it into an analogue statement in a digital age. We have a rich history of iconic motorcycles, and they all bear the same design characteristics.