We broke the news of two new bagger models back in March and BMW Motorrad Australia has finally announced that it will introduce the all-new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B to the local market next month following their world premiere overnight.
The new models bring unique style, features, character and new levels of capability to the line-up of the R 18, BMW’s first-ever cruiser, which launched last year.
The R 18 Transcontinental is designed for travelling and long-distance rides – whether riding solo or with a pillion and luggage – while the R 18 B was created to both deliver riding pleasure and showcase its own distinctive character.
Special features of the new R 18 Transcontinental include:
- Front fairing with high wind shield, wind deflector and flaps
- Cockpit with four analogue round instruments and 10.25 inch TFT colour display
- Additional headlamp
- Marshall Gold Series 2 sound system
- Engine protection bars
- Top case
- Seat heating
- Chrome trim an engine finished in silver metallic
The new R 18 B does without a top case and, in the tradition of a bagger style motorcycle, offers a low windshield, slimmer seat and a matt black metallic engine among other elements. It also includes seat heating and the Marshall Gold Series 1 sound system as standard.
The cockpit, which was specially designed for the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B, features four analogue round instruments and a 10.25-inch TFT colour display.
Featuring the iconic “BERLIN BUILT” badging, the instrument layout blends a sense of historic style with cutting-edge technology and high levels of functionality.
The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B offer three modes –
Rain, Roll and Rock – to provide a range of riding characteristics for different situations.
The standard equipment roster also includes ASC (Automatic Stability Control), which ensures a high level of riding safety, and engine drag torque control (MSR).
All Australian models will include both reverse gear and Hill Start Control as standard to make manoeuvring and starting off uphill more convenient.
The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B make a prominent statement with characteristic streamlining that integrates the front fairing, cases and, in the case of the R 18 Transcontinental, the top case.
They transfer the iconic style of the great tourers and cruisers of yesteryear to the present day.
The purist design, which has been shaped by numerous BMW Motorrad classics, lives on in many details.
Functional and style-defining elements such as the double-loop tube frame, 24-litre pear-drop fuel tank, open universal shaft drive and double-line paintwork are reminiscent of legendary BMW boxer motorcycles.
The Marshall Gold Series Stage 1 and 2 sound systems, which are offered as part of a new collaboration between Marshall and BMW and fitted as standard on the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B for Australia, deliver crisp and powerful audio performance.
The systems feature speakers with black cover grilles and white Marshall lettering to provide a classic look while offering up to 280 watts of total output to deliver incomparable sound quality.
Marshall, originally from Hanwell, London, and now based in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, has produced legendary guitar amplifiers used by the world’s best musicians across six decades. In 2012 it expanded its audio offering to award winning headphones and active speakers designed for music lovers.
The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B are available in exclusive First Edition variants from launch.
They combine the R 18 look with exclusive features in classic black paintwork with white double-lining.
Additional highlights include specially designed surfaces (Chrome Package), high-grade stitching on the seat and “First Edition” badging.
The R 18 B Deluxe will set you back $39,310 plus on-road costs.
Standard specification:
- 1,802cc 2-cylinder boxer engine, air/oil cooled, 9.6:1 compression, EU5, 67kW (91 hp) @ 4,750 rpm, 158Nm at 3,000rpm
- Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
- ABS
- 3 riding modes (Rock, Roll, Rain)
- Keyless Ride
- Spoke wheels
- Twin disc front brake
- Spring Strut Auto Load Levelling Dampers
- Telescopic forks with covers
- LED headlight, taillight, brake light and indicator lights
- 12V socket
- MSR (Dynamic engine brake control)
- Adjustable hand levers
- 4 Analogue instruments with 10.25″ colour TFT Display
- Active Cruise Control
- 24 litre fuel tank
- Lockable fuel cap
- Hill Start Control
- Headlight Pro (inc. Adaptive Headlight and Daytime Riding Light)
- Floorboards
- Tyre Pressure Monitor
- Central Locking
- Heated seat
- Marshall Gold Series Stage 1 sound system
- Heated Grips
- Reverse Gear
- Active Cruise Control
- Anti-theft alarm system
- Seat height: Standard 720mm (Comfort Seat High 740mm, Option 719 Seat Bench 720mm)
Options
- First Edition package (inc. Black Storm Metallic with Design Option Chrome and pinstriping, contrast cut wheels, First Edition badging and First Edition key): $3,750
- Comfort seat high: $590
- Design option chrome: $2,260
- Option 719 Design Package Aero: $1,550
Colour options
- Manhattan Metallic: No cost option
- Black Storm Metallic: No cost option
- Option 719 Galaxy Dust metallic/Titan Silver 2 metallic and Option 719 seat bench: $4,170
The R 18 Transcontinental Deluxe will set you back $41,675 plus on-road costs
Includes all standard specification from the R 18 B and adds the following:
- Top case
- Straight exhaust pipes
- Highway bars
- Wind deflectors
- Marshall Gold Series Stage 2 sound system
Options
- First Edition package (inc. Black Storm Metallic with Design Option Chrome and pinstriping, contrast cut wheels, First Edition badging and First Edition key): $3,750
- Comfort seat high: $590
- Design option chrome: $2,260
- Option 719 Design Package Aero: $1,550
- Manhattan Metallic: No cost option
- Black Storm Metallic: No cost option
- Option 719 Galaxy Dust metallic/Titan Silver 2 metallic and Option 719 seat bench: $4,170
Colour options
- Manhattan Metallic: No cost option
- Black Storm Metallic: No cost option
- Option 719 Galaxy Dust metallic/Titan Silver 2 metallic and Option 719 seat bench: $4,170
*Recommended Retail Pricing is shown and includes GST, but excludes on-road costs. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW Motorrad dealer for all pricing enquiries.
