It’s been ten months since BMW Motorrad threw the wraps off the Concept R18 prototype. Today we?re finally getting a clear look at the production cruiser, ending weeks of rampant speculation and spy shots.
The R18 plays on two levels. On one hand, it’s a bid from BMW to tackle the cruiser (ergo, the US) market. On the other, it’s a nod to the boxer motor’s heritage?even more so than the wildly popular R nineT.

The price for the showroom bike will be $17,495 (standard model) or $19,870 (upmarket ?First Edition?) in the US, and ?22,800 in Germany for the ?First Edition? only. So the cost of the R18 is on a par with much of Harley?s cruiser range, including the Low Rider S, FXDR and Fat Bob models?plus the Indian Chief. As expected, the R18 looks good… apart from a few niggles. The images confirm a lot of what we?ve already pieced together from the extensive teaser campaign, and the customs from Custom Works Zon and Revival Cycles. Keen eyes will also spot a number of parts that were already on the two concept bikes that BMW themselves released.

When the first cruiser concept broke cover at the Concorso d’Eleganza last year, BMW design boss Edgar Heinrich cited the iconic 1936 R5 as the R18’s primary design inspiration. The connections are immediately clear; the general line of the frame, the shape of the 16-liter fuel tank, and the classic black paint with white striping. All point to the Bavarian marque’s history.
A close...