If I were looking at the R18 and thinking, „nah, I‘d rather have a Triumph“, my eyes would turn toward the Bobber or Speedmaster. Those are Triumph‘s heritage cruisers. But as @littleade said, this bike is aimed at HD‘s Softail Deluxe or Slim and the American market (not to forget Indian‘s Scout and Cruiser). For me, the Rocket is in competition with the Diavel, late Vmax and FXDR or Fat Bob 114. I do like the overall looks of the R18 but I do not agree with this clumsy exhaust design. In Germany, the base price is 22.800,-€ by the way. And I definitely like it better than BMW‘s 6cyl Bobber...
Brilliant Tiglet. Hicky's the man at the moment. Can't believe how often the front tyre wasn't on the tarmac.
A German art piece. Seems to be more at home in a trendy pub than on the grimy road. It just depends on what you want. I would admire it on the DGR, if you so choose to ride. I am just more of a functional old man.
Someone said it is aimed at the American market. What are WE supposed to do with it ? So can someone tell me how much this 2 wheeled TRANSIT BUS weighs, and what the cost per pound is ?..[god.! Looks like it took ugly lessons at Harley] …J.D.
I agree completely. I’d love to see this bike with a different exhaust because as it stands I just can’t take my eyes off that bulbous thing plopped on like it doesn’t belong. With a slicker more appropriate exhaust I think it would be a pretty good looking machine.
Like this? This is, how I would order it but I am not really tempted. Now the price went up to 26.000,-€
@Winglad, Daniel, I think that bobber-style seat works on the bike quite well! But I don't like this particular exhaust any more than the original one. It's too obtrusive for my taste--especially relative to the rest of the aesthetic of the bike.
In my opinion it is not very attractive to start with. One thing it has against it is that ugly BMW engine. I alway think of a refrigeration compressor when I see one of those. The rest of the bike is just standard cruiser stuff. Of course the exhaust is throwaway. Pretty expensive piece to throw a bunch of it away before you even pay for it. Not for me. ...J.D.
Stunner! And I bet it is 8000€ less, even with all the mods... I wonder anyway, if BMW is not a trifle late with throwing a heavy cruiser on the market while the baby-boomers are retreating into their pick-ups and SUVs and lots of younger guys see bikes as an environmental hazard... And the younger riders, I know, are more into stuff like this: Anyway, they are all probably howling at the moon for releasing a new bike during times when everyone only talks about Mexican beer... Cheers
As a "baby boomer" I think most manufacturers are misjudging what most of us want. At least here in the US, boomers tend to like cruisers because they are a bit easier on the back to ride. But the thing that kills mfg. like HD and Indian in the boomer market is cost and weight. Most of us want something a lttle lighter, a little less expensive. I don' t think BMW's latest will go over that well in the US. I will be suprised if I ever see one.. ...J.D.
I also have a bmw and triumph, and for me, I’d go with the R18 over the rocket 3 but that’s just my personal preference. Each to their own. Not sure which way I’d sway if it was choosing the R18 over the triumph bobber though
Older target market and a heavy ride with a hardtail and bobber seat?? Love my 260kg 1200cc Cruiser with comfort seat and trick suspension. Would like more forward controls and will update one day for longer distance. Each to their own on beauty
