BMW R 18 customs wow Italy

Cruisers and customisation have always gone hand in hand, and now it’s BMW’s turn to show enthusiasts what can be achieved by treating its new R 18 platform as a blank canvas. 

The two bikes shown here recently created a stir at the Verona Motor Bike Expo in Italy, where they drew a crowd eager to see just what can be done with the German brand’s new cruiser. 

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BMW R 18 M 

The BMW R 18 M is the result of a project developed by Italy’s LowRide magazine and made possible by BMW Italia, with the striking machine executed by Monza-based custom workshop, American Dreams. 

It sees the distinctive red, white and blue colour treatment synonymous with BMW’s ‘M’ performance label extended to the brand’s cruiser platform, with a range of high-end accessories also contributing to the dramatic end result. 

“The stability, long wheelbase and readiness of the 1800cc big boxer instigate lightning starts and deserve, in our opinion, a sporty and retro look,” says Giuseppe Roncen, director of LowRide. 

“In the R 18 M design, we find suggestions from BMW Motorrad tradition and cues from the four-wheelers: M stands for Motorsport. 

“We remain curious to experience its potential. Significantly lightened, the bike should also be easy to handle due to its riding position, which is more compact and forward loaded, without exaggeration.” 

The BMW R 18 M comprises custom bodywork from Elaboratorio; myriad carbon-fibre components from Carbon Italy; a shortened exhaust from Exhaust Revolution; a custom saddle upholstered by L.R. Leather; mirrors, grips and indicators from Rizoma; and a custom paint job from Dox Art Factory. 

BMW R 18 Aurora 

Sticking to a more traditional theme, the BMW R 18 Aurora is the result of Rome-based custom workshop, Garage 221. 

With wraparound fenders and a batwing fairing, the bike takes many styling cues from other BMW motorcycles found throughout the brand’s history. The saddle comes from a 2005 BMW R 1200 C, the batwing supports were made using the supports for indicators of a 1982 BMW R 100, and a part of the subframe comes from a 1991 BMW K 75. Even the colour scheme draws inspiration from that of a 1983 BMW R 100 RT. 

The exhaust pipes were made in collaboration with Leo Vince, while the oil cooler recalls BMW cars of the 1960s. 

“It was a lot of hard work, but the result is truly stunning,” says Pier Francesco Marchio of Garage 221. 

“The textured paintwork of the cylinder head covers, the injection housings, the central crankcase and our oil cooler grille make everything look homogeneous, creating a unique effect with the cylinder block and the bevel gear.” 

And with BMW’s cruiser range now numbering four models here in Australia, from the base R 18 to the R 18 Classic, R 18 B bagger and R 18 Transcontinental full-dress tourer, we can expect to see many more custom iterations of the platform rolling our own highways and byways too.