BMW Motorrad has introduced the new BMW R 18 Classic First Edition in the international market. The R 18 Classic is based on the standard BMW R 18 but offers two-up cruising dynamics with an easy-riding attitude and large saddles matching the American cruising culture. The styling highlights the heritage touring lines in a purist style with saddlebags a large windscreen and passenger seat.
The R 18 Classic takes inspiration from the BMW R 5 from the 1930s and keeps focus on the riding essentials. It is powered by the same ‘Big Boxer’ engine from the standard BMW R 18 and comes with 1802cc of displacement. The Air/Oil Cooled twin-cylinder horizontally opposed engine produces 91 hp of power and 150 Nm of torque matched to a 6-speed transmission. BMW Motorrad started producing the traditional air-cooled boxer engine in 1923 and after seven decades the brand has now brought forward the most powerful two-cylinder boxer ever that comes with a full-bodied torque range. “Good vibrations” and a sonorous grunt.
The BMW R 18 Classic is also underpinned by the double loop steel tube frame with barely perceptible welded joints between the steel tubes and the forged parts and like the iconic BMW R 5 the R 18 Classic features an enclosed axle drive in rigid-frame look in the swinging arm. The R 18 Classic also features 49mm diameter telescopic fork with fork sleeves and a directly mounted central suspension strut with travel-dependent damping cantilever suspension strut, allowing 120mm of travel at the front and 90 mm of trave at the rear. The R 18 Classic also comes with twin disc brakes on the front and wire-spoked wheels.
The new R 18 Classic and R 18 also feature three standard riding modes ‘Rain, ‘Roll’ and ‘Rock’ along with ASC (Automatic Stability Control) as standard. Also, the R 18 Classic is offered with engine drag torque control (MSR) as standard. Among other options, a reverse assist makes manoeuvring convenient, while the Hill Start Control function facilitates uphill starts. Other highlights include a removable windscreen, removable saddlebags, removable passenger seat, additional LED headlights, 16-inch front wheel and Electronic Cruise Control as standard.
