BMW have just announced a brace of new R 18 models, and they?re as whopping as ever. The R 18 Transcontinental and the R 18 B? B is for Bagger. They are calling the Transcontinental a ?Grand American Tourer? and the B, well, a ?Bagger?.

Both models come with BMW?s big fat 1,802cc twin cylinder boxer engine which makes 91hp at 4,750rpm. But we all know an engine like that isn?t about peak power, it?s about torque; of which it makes more than 150Nm between 2,000rpm and 4,000rpm. Absolute tractor of a thing.

It?s got a very traditional double-loop tube steel frame and also fairly traditional, non-adjustable suspension.

Cruise control is standard, and Adaptive Cruise Control with the radar sensors speed matching, is available, but you?ve got to pay extra. In fact there are quite a few optional extras with both models. You can have a reversing aid, hill-start control, a stereo with Marshall speakers (on the Transcontinental), and then there are, of course, a raft of ?Option 719? bits and pieces you can throw at your R 18 to really make it yours.
Both new BMW R 18 models come with a nice big 10.25? TFT screen as well as four more classic looking dials. There are three riding modes, as well as Automatic Stability Control, Motor Slip Regulation and, of course, our old friend ABS. Heated grips are standard, as is keyless ignition, and LED lights.

So what?s the difference between the Transcontinental and the ?B? then"

Well BMW say the Transconti...