I originally shared the Press Release for this a couple of weeks ago, but now I’m bringing it back to give you the opportunity to ask questions as I’m currently in the Mile High City to try both of these bikes out tomorrow – and then I’ll be riding back home to Los Angeles over the next couple of days. Maybe I’ll see you on the road? You know the drill – ask your questions in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them below or in my upcoming review!
The original post is below:
In my review of the BMW R18, I wrapped things up by saying “I think this platform makes a lot more sense with bags and possibly a fairing, so I look forward to seeing what BMW has planned next on the R18 chassis.” Well, BMW has officially announced their plans: two models with fairings and bags: the R18 B and the R18 Transcontinental.
Here’s the new lineup.
The press release is insanely long – click here if you want the whole thing.
Otherwise, here’s the three things I found most interesting:
1. The main differences: fairings and bags. Compared to the base R18, the Transcontinental gets you a front fairing with a tall windscreen and wind deflectors. There’s also extra headlights, crash bars, heated seats, chrome trim, a silver engine, side bags, and a top case.
The 18 B (also called the “Bagger”), loses the top case and it comes with a shorter windscreen, matte black engine finish, and a slimmer seat.
All those additions make these bikes quite heavy – the B weighs 877 pounds while the Transcontinental weighs 941!
2. More technology. The new fairing hides a lot more tech – the dash has four analog dials as well as a 10.25″ TFT display and a Marshall sound system.
There are two 25W speakers standard and two optional “Stages” if you want more.
Stage 1: adds two subwoofers in the bags and an amplifier.
Stage 2: take the above, and add two more speakers in the backrest for a total of six speakers and an amplifier.
Also interesting is the crusie control: BMW is offering “Standard Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) and optional Active Cruise Control (ACC) with integrated distance control.” The former is what you’re used to – it holds a constant speed and will even use the brakes if necessary while going downhill to do so. The optional ACC is what you’ve seen in many cars (and what Ducati recently debuted in the new Multistrada) – it’s radar-guided cruise control so it can slow down if you’re approaching traffic and then automatically accelerate to your desired sped when the traffic is no longer in the way. Speed and following distance are adjustable, the former between 18-99 mph and the latter in three unspecified stages. Note that the regular cruise control can be used between 9 to 111 mph.
3. One of BMW’s designers has lost their mind. BMW has been offering the “Option 719” package for a few years – decades ago the internal code 719 was used for one-off customization requests, so modern BMW has semi-bastardized it by offering “exclusive optional extras” under that same code for a little bit of flair. The Option 719 paint job for these bikes is “Galaxy Dust metallic/Titanium Silver 2 metallic”, and it is crazy.
Per BMW, “Galaxy Dust metallic is an iridescent paint finish that shimmers in the spectrum from violet to turquoise blue, depending on the lighting. In addition, the metallic components create a unique visual effect when exposed to sunlight. This special finish is combined with a Titanium Silver 2 metallic mirror on the fuel tank, cases and front trim. The transition between the two-color surfaces consists of a hand-applied smoke effect familiar from the legendary R 90 S. In addition, the mirror surface is surrounded by a classic white double line. In this variant, the R 18 Transcontinental also comes with the excellently matched matt black engine.”
Again, let me know your questions/concerns/genius ideas below!