BMW has announced that production of its first heavyweight cruiser starts next year. The Concept R18 bike displayed – and admired – at the annual BMW-sponsored upmarket car and bike concours at Villa d’Este, Italy (attended by BDN writer Mick Duckworth), is in effect a running prototype for the new model targeted mainly at the US market.
At 1800cc, the imposing engine, with BMW’s age-old boxer configuration, is the biggest twin-cylinder motorcycle unit ever made by the German factory. Final drive is by shaft from a six-speed gearbox.
BMW staff at the Italian event, including design director Edgar Heinrich, offered few technical details such as the valve gear operation, which appears to be by pushrods. The prototype’s centrally-mounted twin-choke carburettor will be replaced by injectors in production and the flared silencers will be more muffled.
With a long wheelbase and spoked wheels, the R18 is retro-styled and pin-striped to look like a BMW twin of the 1930s. The appearance of a rigid rear end is preserved while offering long-travel rear suspension and vintage-style inverted handlebar control levers are fitted. An accessory pillion seat is planned to augment the old-school single saddle.  Â
The production version is expected to be shown at EICMA in November.
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