The new BMW R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B: “The Big
Boxer” as the Grand American Tourer for luxurious travelling
and as Bagger for cool American highway cruising.
With the new R 18 Transcontinental, BMW Motorrad is adding a
Grand American Tourer to the R 18 family as well as the R 18 B
“Bagger”, which is particularly popular in the USA. As with
the previous R 18 models, the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B
combine the thrilling power of the “Big Boxer” with a
classic chassis concept based on historical models, exclusive
equipment and a stylish design.
This makes the R 18 Transcontinental ideal for travelling and
long-distance rides in American riding style – both for riding solo
and with a pillion and luggage. The R 18 B, on the other hand, is
designed as a “rider’s machine” delivering emotional driving
pleasure and ideal for cool touring and cruising.
Special features of the new R 18 Transcontinental
include:
Front fairing with high wind shield, wind deflector and
flaps. Cockpit with four analogue round instruments and 10.25 inch TFT
colour display, additional headlamp, Marshall sound system, engine
protection bars, cases, top case, seat heating, chrome trim and an
engine in Silver metallic.
In contrast, the new R 18 B does without a top case and, in the
style of a “bagger”, offers a low windshield, a slimmer seat
and a matt black metallic engine among other things.
The most powerful BMW boxer engine of all time with full torque.
The heart of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B is a
2-cylinder boxer engine, the “Big Boxer”, which is a
completely newly development for the R 18 models. Not only its
impressive appearance, but also its technical specifications show its
ties to the traditional air-cooled boxer engines that have provided
inspiring riding experiences for more than seven decades since BMW
Motorrad began manufacturing motorcycles in 1923. The most powerful
2-cylinder flat twin engine ever built in motorbike series production
boasts an engine capacity of 1,802 cc. It generates an output of 67 kW
(91 hp) at 4 750 rpm. In the 2,000 to 4,000 rpm range, it delivers
more than 150 Nm of torque at all times as well as elemental pulling
power and sonorous sound.
Double-loop tube frame made of steel and a backbone made of
sheet metal formed parts and rear swinging arm with enclosed axle
drive in rigid-frame design.
The heart of the chassis of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R
18 B is a double-loop tube steel frame made of steel with a backbone
of sheet metal formed parts. Its design perpetuates the longstanding
BMW Motorrad tradition of this frame type. The particularly high
manufacturing quality and attention to detail are also evident in
barely perceptible details such as the welded joints between steel
tubes and cast or forged parts. Like the legendary BMW R 5, the rear
swinging arm, which is manufactured in a similar design, encloses the
rear axle drive in the same style using bolted connections.
Telescopic fork with fork sleeves, cantilever suspension
strut, light alloy cast wheels and disc brakes in combination with
BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS.
The suspension elements of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R
18 B deliberately dispense with any adjustment options that the rider
has to make. Instead, a telescopic fork and a directly swinging-arm
mounted cantilever suspension strut with travel-dependent damping and
automatically adjustable spring preload ensure superior light-alloy
cast wheel control and responsive suspension comfort.
In order to
achieve the best possible ride response even when riding with a
pillion and fully loaded, the rear suspension strut features
travel-dependent damping and
automatic load compensation. As in
the legendary BMW R 5, the tubes of the telescopic fork are encased in
fork sleeves. The fork tube diameter is 49 mm, suspension travel is
120 mm at the front and rear. The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B
are decelerated by a double disc brake at the front and a single disc
brake at the rear in conjunction with four-piston fixed callipers and
BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS.
Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) as standard.
Active Cruise Control (ACC) – cruise control with integrated
distance control for relaxed touring as an ex works option.
The R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B are already equipped as
standard with DCC electronic cruise control (Dynamic Cruise Control).
DCC automatically regulates the riding speed set by the rider. Dynamic
means that the pre-selected speed is kept constant even when riding
downhill. Active Cruise Control (ACC) allows relaxed gliding with
distance control – without the rider having to adjust the speed to the
vehicle in front. With the aid of radar sensors integrated in the
front fairing, the motorcycle is either accelerated automatically to
adjust the speed or the new, standard full integral braking system is
applied for deceleration purposes, depending on the situation on the
road. ACC also ensures particularly safe cornering. Where necessary,
the cornering control system automatically reduces the speed, giving
the rider the right speed for a comfortable and safe banking angle.
Coherent ergonomics for best possible motorcycle control.
The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B feature a
casual,
so-called “mid-mounted footpeg” position of the
footrests, entirely in keeping with the BMW Motorrad philosophy. This
classic position behind the cylinders is not only typical of BMW, it
also allows a relaxed and active riding position for the best possible
motorcycle control. The R 18 Transcontinental is equipped with an
especially comfortable seat and seat heating as standard to ensure
long-distance riding comfort even in two-person operation. The R 18 B
has a somewhat slimmer two-person seat bench.
The new R 18
Transcontinental is fitted as standard with running boards and the
new
R 18 B with wider and more comfortable footrests than the R 18.
Cockpit featuring classically designed round instruments and
10.25” TFT colour screen with map navigation for convenient route
planning and extensive connectivity as standard.
The
cockpit, specially designed for the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18
B, with four analogue round instruments and a 10.25 inch TFT colour
display, blends into the classic appearance harmoniously. Featuring
the iconic “BERLIN BUILT” lettering, it follows the classic
style of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B on the one hand, and
on the other hand offers a perfectly readable TFT colour display
providing a maximum of functionality and information.
Three riding modes as well as ASC and MSR as standard for a
high degree of riding fun and safety. Reversing aid and Hill Start
Control as an ex works option.
In order to meet individual customer needs, the new R 18
Transcontinental and R 18 B also feature the three riding modes
“Rain”, “Roll” and “Rock” as standard,
which is unusual in this segment. The standard equipment also includes
ASC
(Automatic Stability Control), which ensures a high level of
riding safety.
In addition, the new R 18 Transcontinental and R
18 B are equipped with an engine drag torque control (MSR) as
standard. In addition to other options, a reversing aid makes
manoeuvring a comfortable affair and the Hill Start Control function
makes starting off uphill easy.
The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B: Iconic streamlining
combined with rigid frame look and modern technology.
The new R 18 Transcontinental stands out as a luxurious tourer
and the new R 18 B as a stylish “Bagger” with its
characteristic “streamlining”, which perfectly integrates
the front fairing, cases and, in the case of the R 18
Transcontinental, the top case. They transfer the iconic style of the
great tourers and cruisers of yesteryear to the present day. The
purist design, which has been shaped by numerous BMW Motorrad
classics, lives on in many details. Functional and style-defining
elements such as the double-loop tube frame, the 24 litre pear-drop
fuel tank, the open universal shaft drive or the double-line paintwork
(ex works option) are reminiscent of legendary BMW boxer motorcycles.
The suspension also harks back splendidly to the old days. Together
with the double-sided swinging arm and a cantilever suspension strut,
the rigid frame layout of the R 5 has been perfectly transferred to
modern times.
Audio system with Marshall sound system: A new digital sound
dimension as standard ex works.
With the Marshall sound system, the new R 18 Transcontinental
and R 18 B offer an intense sound experience. Already as standard the
new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B feature a sound system developed
in collaboration with the British manufacturer Marshall, featuring
2-way speakers integrated into the front of the fairing. Black cover
grilles with white Marshall lettering round off the classic look. The
Marshall Gold Series Stage 1 and Stage 2 sound systems are optionally
ex works to provide even more intensive listening pleasure. Up to 4
loudspeakers and 2 subwoofers with 280 watts of total output provide
incomparable sound quality and “good vibrations”. For 60
years, Marshall, originally from Hanwell, London, now based in
Bletchley, Milton Keynes (UK), have produced legendary guitar
amplifiers used by the world’s best musicians. Since 2012 they have
expanded their audio quality into award winning headphones and active
speakers designed for music lovers.
The R 18 Transcontinental First Edition and R 18 B First
Edition:
Exclusive look in paint and chrome.
Right from the time of market launch, the new R 18
Transcontinental and R 18 B will be available worldwide as exclusive R
18 Transcontinental First Edition and
R 18 B First Edition
versions. They combine the R 18 look with exclusive features in
classic black paintwork with white double-lining. Further highlights
are the specially designed surfaces (Chrome Package), high-grade
stitching on the seat and the
“First Edition” lettering.
Large variety of parts allow for perfect customizing and
optimum individualisation. Exclusive Option 719 equipment.
The Original BMW Motorrad Accessories range offers a maximum of
individualisation options for tailoring the R 18 Transcontinental and
R 18 B to your personal taste. The design collections of milled
aluminium parts familiar from the R 18 and R 18 Classic, which were
created together with Roland Sands Design, are also available for
the
new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B. With regard to audio
systems, BMW Motorrad cooperates with the British manufacturer
Marshall. For the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B, BMW Motorrad
offers a range of particularly high-quality and exclusive optional
extras as “Option 719”, such as Option 719 Galaxy Dust
metallic paint finish and Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.
The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B highlights:
- Handlebar-mounted fairing for excellent wind and weather protection.
- High wind shield (R 18 Transcontinental).
- Low wind shield (R 18 B).
- Cases in body colour paint finish (27 litres, with audio 26.5 litres).
- Vibration-decoupled top case in body colour paint finish
(48
litres, with audio 47 litres, R 18 Transcontinental only). - Wind deflectors in body colour finish (R 18 Transcontinental only).
- 24 litre fuel tank.
- Cockpit with four analogue round instruments and 10.25 inch TFT
colour display. - Biggest ever BMW boxer engine with a capacity of 1 802 cc.
- Output 67 kW (91 hp) at 4 750 rpm, maximum torque 158 Nm at 3 000 rpm.
- More than 150 Nm available at all times from 2 000 to 4 000 rpm
- Open-running, gloss nickel-plated universal-shaft drive based
on
the classic role model. - Elaborately manufactured double-loop tube steel frame with
backbone of sheet metal formed parts provide the optimal package. - Rear swinging arm with enclosed axle drive in rigid-frame design.
- Telescopic fork with fork sleeves and cantilever spring strut with
travel-dependent damping as well as automatic load compensation
ensure optimum riding under all conditions. - Comfortable ergonomics for relaxed cruising and touring with the
best possible motorcycle control. - Disc brakes at the front and rear and cast light alloy wheels.
- BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS.
- Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) as standard.
- Active Cruise Control (ACC) – cruise control with integrated
distance control for relaxed touring as an ex works option. - State-of-the-art LED lighting technology, classically interpreted.
- Adaptive turning light with swivel module for even better
illumination of the road when cornering as an ex works option. - Engine guard (R18 Transcontinental only)
- Seat heating as standard (R 18 Transcontinental only).
- Heated grips as standard.
- Continuously adjustable rocker switch (in connection with running
boards;
standard for R 18 Transcontinental). - Keyless Ride for convenient activation of functions.
- Three riding modes as well as ASC and MSR as standard.
- Reverse assist for convenient manoeuvring and Hill Start Control
for easy hill starts as ex works option. - Three attractive colours: In addition to black and the 719 Galaxy
Dust metallic option, the new R 18 B and R 18 Trancontinental are
also available in
Manhattan metallic matt. - The R 18 Transcontinental “First Edition” and R 18 B “First
Edition”: Exclusive look in paint and chrome. - Extensive range of optional extras and Original BMW Motorrad
Accessories as well as a cool Ride Style Collection. - “Option 719” equipment available as particularly high-quality
and exclusive optional equipment and Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.