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BMW Motorrad goes head to head with the best heavyweight American iron with its R 18 Classic cruiser. Based on the standard R 18, the Classic variation adds some touring-friendly features for cruiser riders seeking a bike that’s more than a one-trick pony. In this video review we cover the ins and outs of the R 19 classic.

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2021 BMW R 18 Classic MC Commute Review:
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-bmw-r-18-classic-mc-commute/

2021 BMW R 18 Cruiser MC Commute Review: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-bmw-r-18-cruiser-mc-commute-review/

2021 BMW R 18 Classic First Look Preview: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/news/2021-bmw-r-18-classic-first-look-preview/

2022 BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental First Look:
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/news/2022-bmw-r-18-b-and-r18-transcontinental-first-look/

2021 BMW R 18 Power Cruiser First Look Preview:
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/news/2021-bmw-r-18-power-cruiser-first-look-preview/

BMW Concept R18 Cruiser First Look:
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/bmw-concept-r18-cruiser-first-look/

2022 BMW R 18 B Transcontinental MC Commute Review:
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2022-bmw-r-18-b-transcontinental-mc-commute/

Full story here: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-bmw-r-18-classic/

Photography/video/edit: Joseph Agustin

Motorcycle Riding Gear Worn

Helmet: Shoei RF-SR, https://www.shoei-helmets.com/
Jacket: Saint Unbreakable Denim Shearling Collar, https://us.saint.cc/products/unbreakable-shearling-collar-jacket
Pant: Saint Unbreakable, https://us.saint.cc/products/unbreakable-slim-jeans-armour-pocket-1
Gloves: Racer Guide, https://www.racerglovesusa.com/
Boots: TCX Rush 2 Air, https://us.tcxboots.com/

Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine

See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/

Category

🥇
Sports
Transcript
00:00 Hey folks, we just got done riding BMW's new 2021 R18 Classic.
00:08 This is a twin-cylinder heavyweight cruiser in the likes of the Bar & Shield brand's Heritage Special
00:20 and the Indian Motorcycle Company's Super Chief.
00:25 Now, BMW Motorrad is new to the American cruiser segment.
00:31 This is the second iteration of its heavyweight twin-cylinder bike.
00:37 That follows up the original R18, which we test rode earlier last year.
00:44 Let's start with the engine. Obviously, the gigantic 1802cc boxer twin.
00:51 That is the crown jewels of this R18 Classic.
00:55 And look at this power plant. This engine is absolutely stunning.
00:59 It looks like a casing of just power.
01:03 There is nothing around the engine that looks silly.
01:07 There's no wires hanging out. It is a very clean-looking powertrain.
01:13 I love that BMW has been building its air-cooled boxer twin for over 90 years.
01:20 I really appreciate companies that have heritage and pay homage to where they've been
01:28 while simultaneously elevating the technology platform.
01:33 Now, even though this boxer twin configuration is 90 years old,
01:39 it benefits from a modern ride-by-wire throttle.
01:43 The throttle response on this motorcycle is excellent.
01:46 BMW offers three combined throttle response modes.
01:51 We have rock, roll, and rain.
01:54 I can't tell much of a difference between rock and roll,
01:57 but it's nice that BMW allows the user to tweak the throttle response.
02:03 I leave it in rock, full power mode. That is what I like.
02:07 I really like the power pulses of this 1802cc boxer twin.
02:13 You can literally feel the gargantuan four-inch pistons just going "brum, brum, brum, brum, brum" inside the engine.
02:20 It has a really nice character, a beautiful exhaust note, a beautiful engine note that just is awesome.
02:27 I love twisting the throttle on this motorcycle.
02:31 I am more of a sport motorcycle kind of guy.
02:34 I love sport motorcycles and sport dirt bikes and anything sport.
02:38 And even though this isn't necessarily a sport motorcycle,
02:42 because the engine has so much charisma and so much character and so much raw visceral feel with those four-inch pistons,
02:50 I just love it. I love twisting the throttle on this motorcycle. It makes me happy.
02:55 Let's move to the chassis.
02:57 At just over 800 pounds, this motorcycle is no featherweight.
03:02 It's got a huge heavy engine. It is a very heavy motorcycle at a stop.
03:07 But when the 16-inch wheels are in motion on this bike, you'd be amazed at how maneuverable,
03:14 you'd be amazed at how responsive the chassis is.
03:18 A little bit tug on the handlebar and the motorcycle goes right where you want it.
03:23 Obviously, the width due to that opposed engine, that makes the motorcycle a little bit cumbersome when navigating through dense traffic.
03:33 But that is the only gripe. This is a very nimble motorcycle for an 800-pound bike.
03:41 I love the Bridgestone Battle Cruise H50 tires. These tires have great grip.
03:47 The 16-inch front wheel, I like that it's smaller. It just aids in the maneuverability of this vehicle.
03:55 Triple-disc hydraulic brakes keep speed in check.
03:59 All three brake calipers are a four-piston design.
04:03 This bike has a good amount of stopping power.
04:07 I like that the back brake is nice and sharp and responsive.
04:11 Of course, being an 800-pound cruiser, you're still going to have to tug on that brake lever to really get things slowed down.
04:17 But it has good stopping power.
04:21 There was a moment where a car pulled out in front of me very quickly, and I had to jam on these brakes.
04:28 I was happy I was riding a heavyweight cruiser with a dual-disc front brake setup because it allowed me to stop.
04:35 If I only had a single brake disc, I would be a little bit more scared in those emergency-type situations.
04:43 I really like the comfort factor on this bike.
04:47 The seat is not the widest, but it is relatively long, and it has good support.
04:53 The handlebar has a nice bend to it. I like that you can roll the handlebar forward or aft really easily.
05:00 But I like the OE position. I like the quality of the controls.
05:05 I'm not a big chrome guy, but the fit and finish of the brake lever and the hydraulic clutch lever, everything feels real precise.
05:13 Everything feels real synchronized.
05:16 A lot of motorcycle manufacturers make these heavyweight V-twin cruiser-style bikes.
05:24 But where BMW really differentiates itself is in the synchronization between the controls.
05:30 The brake lever, the clutch lever, the gear shifter, the throttle.
05:34 It's all very easy to overlap and use and has a good amount of feel.
05:40 I'm a motorcycle rider who lives and dies by feel, and if the vehicle I'm operating has a lot of it, I'm a happy fella.
05:48 Styling on this motorcycle.
05:50 We already talked about the beautiful engine, but I just love this motorcycle.
05:54 This thing's a looker. Every time I get gas and fill up the 4.2-gallon fuel tank on this thing,
06:00 someone stops by me and they're like, "What the heck is this bike? It looks like an old bike, but new."
06:07 There's not a lot of other cruiser-style motorcycles that you ride where people literally stop you while you're pumping gas
06:14 and be like, "This motorcycle looks old, but it's new."
06:17 BMW Motorrad stylers really nailed it on the aesthetics of this motorcycle.
06:22 This thing is a rolling piece of jewelry.
06:26 I don't really get excited by how bikes really look aesthetically very often, but I really enjoy riding this bike.
06:34 The R18 Classic differentiates itself from the R18 with the smaller front wheel, with this fixed windscreen.
06:42 This fixed windscreen is a must-have. I love windscreens. I love the comfort.
06:47 I love that bugs go up and around me. I love the cocoon that this windscreen offers.
06:52 I also like these fixed saddlebags. These saddlebags look really good.
06:58 I can put all my doodads and my groceries and my stuff, so this bike is more capable as an errand runner.
07:05 I'm a Southern California motorcyclist. I don't really like driving cars. I like riding bikes.
07:10 I like to put my stuff in my bike. That adds a greater degree of functionality to these vehicles for the modern man.
07:18 This vehicle is outfitted with BMW's Upspec Premium Package, which adds IMU-powered cornering headlamps.
07:28 The Select Package also included on this bike has cruise control and heated grips.
07:34 I really like these features. They just make this motorcycle much more fun and easier to ride after dark.
07:44 The Premium Package also includes reverse. That's right. This motorcycle has easy-to-use electronic reverse.
07:52 You shift the knob on the bottom of the left side of the bike into reverse.
07:57 It'll reverse via push-button electronic reverse. Very easy to use. Very slick.
08:05 At the end of the day, would I spend my $24,015 as tested on this R18 Classic?
08:12 I'm not a big cruiser guy, but if I was looking for a heavyweight cruiser, I would definitely consider this bike.
08:20 Yes, it has a little bit limited rear suspension travel, but this thing just looks so awesome. It sounds so awesome.
08:29 And with the addition of the windscreen and the saddlebags, it's a much more practical heavyweight cruiser.
08:37 Well, folks, that's a wrap from our BMW R18 Classic First Ride Review.
08:44 Make sure to log on to MotorcyclistOnline.com. That's where all of my content lives.
08:50 We've tested tens and tens and tens. I think we're up to 60 or 70 bikes this year already.
08:55 So check us out online at that domain. Give this video a thumbs up if you liked it.
09:01 Please thumbs it down if you didn't. We love to hear from our negative fans out there.
09:06 And we'll see you next time. Thanks for tuning in today.
09:09 [Music]