BMW R18 Transcontinental.

22 R18 mainIs there any place for these monstrous luxury-touring motorcycles anymore in today’s world full of adventure bikes? Well BMW seem to think so with bikes like this gargantuan R18 Transcontinental. Oh, and of course, Harley-Davison have a wealth of these types of bikes and not forgetting Honda, with their Goldwing. However, sales of these machines, especially this particular one, have fallen short in recent times. I believe, here in SA, riders would rather have an adventure bike fitted with panniers that can easily carry a pillion and then venture off-road once the destination is achieved, or maybe I’m wrong?

22 R18 GROUP01The problem is that this version of the R18 is designed for the USA market where long open roads are the primary objective. Around town though it’s a different story, especially in Joburg. Its hefty 427kg mass (wet, with its 24-litre tank full), is never going to be an enjoyable experience between disrespectful car, lorry or van driver, right? So, what’s the appeal then you ask? Well, once out on our open highways it all starts to make sense. The lazy nature of the 1,802cc boxer engine is perfect for such excursions. 91hp @4,750 rpm doesn’t sound a lot for such a huge lump of mechanical brashness, but 158Nm @3,000rpm is! Just cruise along at around 2,000rpm (110km/h) and it’s exemplary comfort levels begin to make sense - the ultimate kilometer eater perhaps? Sweeping bends are easy as the R18 just glides through them with its soft nature. Moving from standstill though, or stopping, demands physical effort, as you can imagine, but it does have reverse if you get stuck in a parking bay.22 R18 GROUP02The R18 Transcontinental however offers so much more to keep the rider entertained on his/her 500+km trip. The seat, for both rider and pillion, is couch-like, which all pillions adore. They’re heated if you fancy a warm bum and so are the grips if you want to scratch aforementioned bum with sweaty hands. Entertainment-wise you have a massive 10-inch TFT display in your face behind the ‘bat-wing’ styled fairing that allows you to interact with your phone, and has a place to stash it on the top of the tank with its own little cooling fan, which is a very nice touch. You do have to download the BMW App though which is annoying, as in the vast majority of new cars you don’t. Still, once done and you’ve fiddled with the bike’s settings, you can cast GPS and other stuff, from BMW, onto the screen. There’s also all the usual bike info already installed like radio, media and other things to tinker with.22 R18 middle2Above the screen is a row of analogue gauges to keep the bike in a retro vibe, except for one rather silly and totally unnecessary dial on the right which it displays how much power you’re using, or how much the throttle is opened and, therefore, how much you have in reserve relayed in a percentage. Don’t know why they’d install that and it seems to be about as much use as a bag full of 2-minute noodles in the desert. Bye the way, did you know they take more than 2 minutes to cook at our Joburg altitude of 1500m where water boils at a lower temperature – just thought I’d share that with you for future reference in case your noodles are excessively sticky.22 R18 GROUP04Without doubt though the best feature is the adoption of the new Marshall stereo system, with subwoofers in the panniers and twin speakers each side of the rear armchair. Quite possibly the best sound system I’ve heard on a motorbike to date. 280 Watts is what you get to turn the R18 into a rolling disco. Once above 100km/h though, like all onboard sound systems it becomes hard to hear clearly. Still it’s impressive to show to intrigued onlookers, as is the stunning built quality of the R18 and with ‘Berlin Built’ proudly displayed around the clocks it’s not surprising.22 R18 middle

22 R18 GROUP05Even though it weighs as much as a caravan, BMW have fitted the Transcontinental with load compensating suspension, which does what it says on the tin, so you never have to adjust for whoever or whatever you have on the bike. One thing you can’t adjust is the windscreen, which you can on the K1600 option. It’s a bit irritating as you never know whether to look over it or through it, or that could just be me, but I have heard similar comments.22 R18 GROUP06Look this bike isn’t for everyone and it probably aims towards retired people with a large wallet. BMW currently has financial assistance on these models, as there are a few variations of the R18 Transcontinental. Prices now begin around R435,000 and this version is closer to R450,000, a lot of money for sure. But luxury attracts the wealthy, and you can’t get a more luxurious motorcycle tourer than this and, due to its physical size and dimensions, you certainly get an awful lot of motorcycle for the cash. Is it the ultimate laid back touring motorcycle – I’ll leave that up to you?

Visit: www.bmw-motorrad.co.za to find your nearest dealer and for more technical information on the R18 range.

 Images: Sudoku22 R18 closer


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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