BMW R 18

Which R 18 in France and at what price?

The R 18 is the base model of BMW Motorrad’s R 18 family, a cruiser whose styling is directly inspired by the 1936 BMW R 5. Since 1 October 2026, the BMW France configurator lists it at €19,900 (down from €21,600) in Blackstorm Metallic. The new price appears in BMW France’s price list with no end date, unlike the brand’s promotional offers, but the model page on the website still showed €21,600 in mid-October 2026. This base version combines a silver engine, chrome exhaust and black cast wheels.

The Blacked Out style (€1,310) turns the engine and drivetrain black, with an exhaust and many parts in Dark Chrome. It comes in Blackstorm Metallic or Two-Tone Brooklyn Grey (€21,210) and in Mineral Grey Metallic Matt (€21,705). Options include the Comfort Package (€780: cruise control, heated grips, Hill Start Control and lockable fuel cap), Reverse Assist (€1,155), the Finition Pro pack (€2,550, which includes Reverse Assist and the Headlight Pro among other items), 19/16-inch spoked wheels (€750) and tyre pressure monitoring (€265). In the United States, BMW listed the 2025 R 18 at $15,395 excluding destination.

R 18, Classic, Roctane, B, Transcontinental: which is which?

BMW unveiled the R 18 in April 2020 and built a family of five separate models around it: the R 18 Classic (2020, retro touring version, €24,000), the R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental (2021, bagger and full tourer, €28,200 and €30,200) and the R 18 Roctane (2023, €26,200). The plain R 18 remains the most stripped-back: solo seat, no wind protection, no standard luggage.

What changed for 2025?

BMW revised the R 18 for the 2025 model year and has not changed it since: it appears in neither the 2026 nor the 2027 model updates. The engine now meets Euro 5+ and gains 5 Nm (163 Nm instead of 158). The rear wheel grows from 16 to 18 inches, with new seven-double-spoke cast wheels. The fenders are redesigned, the fork tubes are now exposed, the silencers have a round cross-section and the solo seat gets 10 mm more foam; it can be removed via a hidden button. The rear shock gets new settings for more comfort, and daytime running lights (depending on the market) and a USB-C socket become standard. Seat height rises from 690 to 720 mm.

How good is the Big Boxer?

At 1,802 cc, it is the largest boxer BMW has ever built. Air/oil-cooled, it keeps pushrod valve actuation: two chain-driven camshafts above the crankshaft operate four valves per cylinder via pushrods. It makes 91 hp (67 kW) at 4,750 rpm and 163 Nm at 3,000 rpm, with more than 150 Nm available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. Maximum engine speed is 5,750 rpm.

In practice, everything happens below 4,000 rpm. On start-up the bike rocks to the left from the longitudinal crankshaft, as Motorcycle.com and RevZilla note. Three riding modes clearly change its character: Rain, Roll (the everyday mode) and the much sharper Rock. The gearbox has six speeds and final drive is through an exposed driveshaft, a nod to the R 5. It stays very quiet: MCN and RevZilla find it too subdued.

How does it ride?

The steel double-loop frame and swingarm create the look of a hardtail, but a cantilever central shock, adjustable for preload, works under the seat. Travel is short: 120 mm at the front (49 mm fork) and 90 mm at the rear. With a 1,731 mm wheelbase and 150 mm of trail, the R 18 is above all very stable.

Despite weighing 345 kg ready to ride, reviewers find it surprisingly easy to handle, thanks to its low centre of gravity and sensibly sized tyres (180 mm at the rear). Its limits, noted on the first version, are ground clearance that runs out quickly (the footpegs touch down early) and rear suspension that turns harsh on poor surfaces.

Braking combines twin 300 mm front discs and a single rear disc, with four-piston fixed calipers and integral ABS (the front lever also applies the rear brake). Opinions differ: excellent for RevZilla, a little stretched when hauling up 345 kg in brisk riding according to other tests.

What equipment?

As standard, the R 18 has integral ABS, ASC stability control (switchable), MSR engine drag torque control, the three riding modes, Keyless Ride, LED lighting, daytime running lights and a USB-C socket. Instrumentation is a single round dial with a small display (on-board computer). Neither the ABS nor the traction control is lean-sensitive, as there is no inertial measurement unit. Cruise control, missing at launch, is now offered in the Comfort Package.

Who is it for?

The R 18 targets big-cruiser fans looking for an alternative to American V-twins, with BMW build quality and dealer network. Its low seat reassures shorter riders, but the footpegs behind the cylinders leave taller riders’ legs folded. It requires a full A licence: we found no 35 kW restriction kit among the options in the BMW France configurator.

Fuel consumption, maintenance and recall

BMW quotes 5.6 L/100 km on the WMTC cycle, giving a calculated range of about 285 km from the 16-litre tank. MOTORRAD measured 4.8 L/100 km on its fuel consumption loop with the first version. The oil-change service is due every 10,000 km or every year (air filter and valve clearance every 10,000 km), and the warranty covers three years with unlimited mileage.

A worldwide recall covered the Reverse Assist on R 18s built up to July 2024: its control unit can let in moisture and overheat, with a risk of fire (NHTSA 24V716000).