Reviewed: BMW R 18 B

When launching the base R 18, BMW wisely learnt from the mistakes of the old R1200C cruiser of the 1990s by having an all-new big-bore boxer engine, which was both traditional and dedicated to the new model, as well as styling which skillfully blended the company’s heritage with classic cruiser lines. The B builds on that by adding the necessary bagger elements, namely handlebar-mounted touring fairing and twin hard panniers, but to deliver that, BMW has been far craftier than is obvious to the naked eye. There’s also a bigger fuel tank (complete with cubby hole for smartphone), a massive new 10.5” TFT dash which boasts a raft of slick features, a booming stereo with Marshall speakers, smart cast (not wire) wheels, a stronger rear subframe (to carry luggage and pillion) and even revised steering geometry. It’s beautifully and impressively done.

Is it all show and no go?

As with the base R 18, the B uses the air/oil-cooled, 1802cc boxer twin introduced back in 2020. It’s BMW’s biggest ever and, with the exposed shaft drive, it’s a wonder of engineering and piece of sculpture in its own right. It’s no performance sportster, admittedly, instead being a low revving, characterful lump that’s more about torque than big power. That said, its peak of 91bhp at just 4750rpm is competitive with the best American cruisers from Harley or Indian and, with three switchable power modes, it has more performance options, too. Brisk and lumpy rather than potent or fast, there’s more than enough oomph for its intended bagger role. Braking impresses, as well, with twin discs and four-piston calipers up front, a similar single item at the rear and all linked so that the pedal activates the front to a degree, and vice-versa.

The chassis has had significant modifications to turn the R 18 into the R 18 B, too: there’s a reinforced headstock with revised, sharper steering geometry resulting in the reducing of the B’s wheelbase slightly; the rear subframe is completely new, to cope with the extra weight of the panniers and passenger, the wheels are cast aluminium rather than the pure cruiser’s wires and the suspension has been recalibrated as well. The result makes it a decently lithe handler, especially compared to the even bigger, heavier Transcontinental version, and it also has extra ground clearance over the base R 18 too. The ride is plush, and, despite its bulk, it steers naturally and accurately. On the slight downside, the B is also significantly heavier than the base R 18 and it shows. Fueled up in comes in at just under 400kg. On the move much of that weight disappears but at slower speeds it can be a bit of a monster to maneuver.

What’s its comfort like?

The R 18 B delivers a traditional US ‘bagger’ gait with plenty of upright touring comfort, feeling strikingly similar to offerings from rivals Harley and Indian. It’s comfortable alright, although the bike itself is a fairly heavy beast and tricky to manhandle at standstill, but that’s typical of the breed, so no complaints directed only to BMW. One pleasant BMW bonus, however, is the addition of not just five-way heated handlebar grips but a three-way heated seat, too. US-style baggers simply don’t get more luxurious.

Overall, with the exception of off-roading, the R 18 B can pretty much do it all. It’s an able, well-equipped tourer, is fun on Sunday A-road ride-outs and, at least compared to its bigger, more cumbersome, ‘full dress’ brother, the R 18 Transcontinental, can take a pillion and some luggage with ease. It’s reasonably manageable too. That said, the B Is still an imposing beast when it comes to scything through city centre traffic, although it is such a glorious, chrome-laden showstopper any owner would be mad to commute year-round on one – but it is more versatile than you might expect.

The R 18 B’s a premium, touring BMW, with a price tag starting at £22,450, so you’d be right to expect a lot – and you get it. The 10.5” TFT display is simply fabulous, easy to navigate via BMW’s brilliant scrolling wheel switchgear and contains everything you could imagine – it even has a ‘split screen’ function so you can have part of it for your satnav and the rest for your entertainment. There’s also Bluetooth connectivity with a clever smartphone compartment in the top of the tank, which also includes a USB charger. While there are also heated grips and seat, stereo upgrades (with Marshall speakers), twin panniers… the list goes on. Being a BMW there’s also a long list of accessories available including fancy paint, radar-controlled cruise control, adaptive headlight, reverse gear and more.

Until recently, if you wanted a convincing, credible American ‘bagger’ your options were the Harley-Davidson Street Glide or Indian Chieftain – and that was it. The R 18 B changes that. The big BM has all the performance of the American originals, just as good handling and manners, arguably even better spec and tech and a fit and finish that’s as premium as any. Unless you go mad with the options list it’s also cheaper… but there’s a ‘but’ – in fact there are two: A ‘bagger’ is about as definitively American a motorbike as motorcycles get and they don’t really fit the European idea of touring. In other words, if you do want an American bagger surely you’ll get just that, an American bagger such as an Indian or Harley. While if you want a touring bike, decent thought the R 18 B is, you’ll get a European style one like a Yamaha Tracer or BMW’s own RT. Unless, of course, you’re a BM buff who fancies a bagger but not a Harley…

BMW R 18 B specification

Price:                                            £22,450

Engine:                                      1802cc boxer twin, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, oil/air-cooled

Power:                                          91bhp (67kW) @ 4750rpm

Torque:                                        158Nm (116.5lb-ft) @ 3000rpm

Transmission:                        Six-speed, shaft final drive

Frame:                                          Tubular steel double cradle frame

Suspension:                                 (F) Telescopic fork, 459mm, non-adjustable, (R) preload-adjustable mono shock.

Wheels:                                    Cast aluminium, 19”/16”

Tyres:                                     (F) 120/70 x 19, (R) 180/65 x 16

Brakes:                                         (F) 2 x 300mm floating discs, four-piston Brembo calipers, (R) 300mm disc, four-piston Brembo caliper. Bosch Cornering ABS as standard equipment

Weight:                                     398kg (kerb)

Wheelbase:                               1695mm

Seat height:                               720mm

Fuel tank:                                 24 litres

Fuel consumption:                     49mpg (claimed)

Service intervals:                       6000 miles/12 months

Warranty:                                 36 months unlimited mileage