The 1,800cc Boxer Twin Is Coming
BMW’s Concept R18 is the first concept bike to feature the massive 1,800cc engine. The engine in this bike is the big news for the company, but I can’t stop staring at the breathtaking motorcycle that lovely engine rests in. It looks almost comically large cradled in what pretends to be a hardtail frame.
The Concept R18 blends vintage BMW aesthetics with classic bobber style and tons of modern technology. It’s both a throwback and a giant leap forward. The bike is definitely a concept. If BMW were to actually make a motorcycle like this it would have a few more amenities. This motorcycle’s engine is actually carburetted on the Concept R18. There’s no way BMW could do that on a production motorcycle.
However, I love what BMW has here. I really dig the simplicity of this motorcycle or at least the perceived simplicity. BMW’s bikes usually aren’t that, and it’s nice to see the company take a step back, remember its heritage and build a motorcycle, even a concept, that is truly about beautiful aesthetics and riding.
When BMW decides to start putting the 1,800cc boxer twin into motorcycles, I hope they look almost this good, and I hope the company is smart enough to keep the simplicity of this bike in mind.
I’m trying hard to understand why BMW put a car-sized engine into a motorcycle frame. The new purchasers will be complaining about how much heat it puts out. Well, geez…go sit on a car engine and see if it is any different.
This is just a concept bike so anything goes.
I doubt anyone who buys that R18 (if it were a production model) would be concerned about heat off the engine. Bikes that look like that are all about form over function and owners will put up with almost anything to look good on the bike.
I know it really calls out to me and if BMW decides to mass produce something even close to this I’ll be sniffing around thinking about owning one. It’s beautiful!
I like it because it looks different. Nearly all bikes today look alike. Not this one. I like that.
a bit too bling forward
Waiting to see what the TOURING edition looks like. An R18 RT ? Higher, longer seat, larger tank, rack and bags, removal of stupid looking non-mufflers, revised RT fairing. Top speed 140. (Yeah, I know that thee is a 1200 RT now, so what?)