BMW Motorrad has unveiled the new R18B, where ‘B’ stands for Bagger and R18 Transcontinental in the international market. The Bagger design is particularly popularly in the USA, and the Transcontinental design adds to the Grand American Tourer family of BMW Motorrad. The R18B and the R18 Transcontinental are based on the BMW Motorrad R18 and come with the classic chassis concept and the Big Boxer engine.
The BMW R18B is designed as a “rider’s machine”, offering cool cruising dynamics and features. On the other hand, the R18 Transcontinental is perfect for long-distance rides in American riding style, solo or with a pillion. The Bagger comes with a slimmer seat and a lower windshield, but both motorcycles come with a handlebar-mounted fairing for wind and weather protection. On the other hand, the Transcontinental features a higher windscreen, wind deflector and flaps along with engine protection bars, cases, top case, etc.
The R18B comes with a matt black metallic engine, and the R18 Transcontinental features an engine in Silver metallic. Both motorcycles feature a 24-litre fuel tank and colour-matched 27-litre body cases. The Transcontinental, however, comes with a 48-litre, vibration-decoupled top case in body colour paint. The motorcycles also get a cockpit with four analogue round instruments and a sizeable 10.25-inch TFT colour display.
The R18B and R18 Transcontinental also come with Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) features as standard. As optional, the bikes also get Active Cruise Control (ACC) with integrated distance control. The brand also offers LED lighting as standard with adaptive turning light with swivel module as an option. While both get heated grips as standard, the Transcontinental comes with seat heating as well. The bikes also come with a Marshall sound system as standard. The brand also offers Marshall Gold Series Stage 1 and Stage 2 sound systems with four loudspeakers and two subwoofers with 280watts as an option.
Powering the BMW Motorrad R18B & R18 Transcontinental is a 1,802cc twin-cylinder flat twin “Boxer” engine. The engine claims to be the most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine built-in motorbike series production. The motor produces 91 Hp of power and 150 Nm of torque, giving the motorcycle elemental pulling power and a sonorous roar.
The motorcycles also come with three riding modes, ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and engine drag torque control (MSR) as standard. BMW also offers both the R18B and R18 Transcontinental with reversing aid, Hill Start Control function as ex-works and BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS as standard.
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