2021 BMW R 18 Transcontinental & R 18 B Announced

By Bike Review • 3 years ago

Aug
2021

BMW have announced two new R 18 models to add to their ever growing cruiser segment. The R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental come with a heap of new features, check them out!..

BMW will be introducing the all-new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B to the local market this month following their world premiere. The new models bring unique style, character and new levels of capability to the line-up of the R 18. From BMW Motorrad.

BMW Motorrad Australia will introduce the all-new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B to the local market next month.

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 foundations of the chassis of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B is a double-loop tube steel frame made of steel with a backbone of sheet metal formed parts. The rear swingarm, as with the legendary BMW R 5 model, encloses the rear axle drive using bolted connections.

“The suspension of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B deliberately dispense with any adjustment options.”

The suspension elements of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B deliberately dispense with any adjustment options. Instead, a telescopic fork and a directly swingarm mounted cantilever suspension strut with travel-dependent damping and automatically adjustable spring preload ensure superior light-alloy cast wheel control and responsive suspension comfort.

Check out our review of the 2021 BMW R 18 First Edition…

The rear suspension strut features travel-dependent damping and automatic load compensation in order to achieve the best possible ride response even when riding with a pillion and a full load. The tubes of the telescopic fork are encased in fork sleeves, an element that also evokes the BMW R 5.

The fork tube diameter is 49mm and suspension travel is 120mm at the front and rear.

The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B feature a double disc brake at the front and a single disc brake at the rear in conjunction with four-piston fixed callipers and BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS.

Active Cruise Control (ACC), which is fitted as standard on both the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B for the local market, enables relaxed gliding with distance control without need for the rider to adjust their speed to the vehicle in front. With the aid of radar sensors integrated in the front fairing, it is either accelerated automatically or speed adjusted depending on the situation on the road.

Both models will feature BMW’s Active Cruise Control systems to ensure safe journeys everytime.

ACC also ensures particularly safe cornering. Where necessary, the cornering control system automatically reduces the speed, providing the rider the appropriate speed for a comfortable and safe banking angle.

The new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B feature a mid-mounted footpeg position for the footrests. This position behind the cylinders is not only typical of BMW; it also allows a relaxed and active riding position for the best possible control.

The R 18 Transcontinental is equipped with a seat designed for long journey comfort with heating as standard to ensure riding comfort even with two people aboard. The R 18 B includes a slimmer two-person seat bench that befits the model’s style and riding intention. It also features a heating function.

BMW say 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.

Three riding modes, ASC, MSR, reverse gear and Hill Start Control all fitted as standard on both models.

Functional and stylish 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.

BMW say 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 Marshall Gold Series Stage 1 and 2 sound systems fitted as standard on the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B.

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 BMW R 18 B Deluxe will start from $39,310 (+ORC), while the BMW R 18 Transcontinental Deluxe will retail from $41,675* (+ORC). Optional extras include: 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 and Option 719 Galaxy Dust metallic/Titan Silver 2 metallic and Option 719 seat bench: $4,170.

2021 BMW R 18 Specifications

BMW-Motorrad.com.au
Claimed Power: 67kW[91hp]@4750rpm
Claimed Torque: 158Nm[118lbs-ft]@3000rpm
Wet Weight: 345kg
Fuel capacity: 16L

Engine: Air-cooled/oil-cooled twin-cylinder, four-stroke eight-valve twin-cam pushrod OHV, EFI, 48mm throttle-bodies, twin exhaust system, 1802cc, 107.1 x 100 bore x stroke, 9.6:1 compression, EU5 compliant. Gearbox: Six-speed seperate housing. Clutch: Dry single plate, hydraulic actuation.

Chassis: Double-loop steel tube frame and steel tune swingarm
Rake: 57.3°
Trail: N/A
Suspension: 49mm forks, 120mm travel, single cantilever shock, preload adjustability, 90mm travel,
Brakes: 300mm rotors (f), dual four-piston calipers and conventional master-cylinder, 300mm rotor (r), four-piston caliper, linked brakes (front activates rear), ABS.
Wheels & Tyres: Spoked tubeless wheels, 3.50 x 19in (f), 5.50 x 16in (r), Michelin Commander 120/70 – 19, 180/65 – 16.

Dimensions
Wheelbase: 1731mm
Seat height: 690mm
Overall width: 964mm
Overall Length: 2440mm

Instruments & Electronics: LCD multi-function centrally mounted dash, ASC, DTC, ABS, MSR, Ride Modes, LED lighting, self-cancelling indicators, keyless start, electric reverse.