What you need to know about the BMW R 18 cruiser

BMW has been drip-feeding information about its all-new cruiser, which is earmarked to land in Australia in the second half of this year. It will boast the biggest boxer motor ever used in a series production motorcycle.

It was first previewed by the Concept R 18, which all but stole the show at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este event in Italy last year.

In 2019, the company also revealed its Concept R 18 /2 – or “Slash Two” in BMW speak – which gave us a better idea of what to expect when the production motorcycle finally debuts.

According to BMW Group Australia product communications manager Nick Raman, the German brand’s local wing plans to release the bike later this year.

“We expect to see a production version of the Concept R 18 arrive in Australia within the second half of this year,” said Mr Raman.

“This model is of great interest to us and the response from our customers to a local introduction has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Exact specifications remain unclear, but BMW Motorrad’s head of design Edgar Heinrich said that the production model will “resemble the colour scheme of the Concept R 18”, so we can expect the bike to launch in black with white pinstriping.

Mr Heinrich did also say that there may be other paint options in the future, and BMW will surely offer an extensive list of dealer-fitted equipment and personalisation options.

The R 18 will use BMW’s ‘Big Boxer’ – the highest capacity horizontally opposed engine used in motorcycle volume production with a displacement of 1802cc.

As expected, the engine is tuned for strong low-end grunt, with maximum outputs pegged at 67kW from 4750rpm, and 158Nm from 3000rpm.

More than 150Nm is generated from between 2000-4000rpm, with a redline of 5750rpm.

A six-speed transmission with a single-plate dry clutch with an anti-hopping system is used to handle the huge torque.

The Big Boxer weighs in at just 110 kilograms, including the gearbox and intake system, and the brand’s BMS-O engine management system should ensure smooth running.

Like all boxer-powered Beamers, the R 18 sends power via the gearbox to the rear wheel using a shaft drive system.

BMW will likely reveal the bike towards the middle of this year but the brand is already accepting deposits in some markets.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, although it is expected to check in well above the $30,000 mark.

BMW Motorrad Australia will surely target the Harley-Davidson crowd, although the bike’s most natural competitor will be the Triumph Rocket 3.

For perspective, the next-generation Triumph Rocket 3, which uses a 2458cc inline triple motor, will launch in the coming months from $29,990 rideaway for the base variant.

If social media buzz is anything to go off, it appears that Australians still have an interest in big-bore premium cruisers, but just how it will fare in showrooms remains to be seen.