We've just returned from the 2023 BMW R 18 Roctane launch in Windsor. Check out what Zane thought of the huge capacity, boxer engined German machine... Photos: BMW Australia.
The ever-expanding BMW Motorrad cruiser segment has yet another family member, the 2023 R 18 Roctane. We head out to Windsor, NSW, to take one for a 300km ride up through Putty Road to Bulga and back. Here is our 2023 BMW R 18 Roctane launch review…
The ever-expanding BMW Motorrad cruiser segment has yet another family member, the 2023 R 18 Roctane. Zane headed out to Windsor, NSW, to take the new machine for a 300km ride up through Putty Road.
Truth be told, there aren’t a lot of changes comparing the R 18 Roctane to the standard R 18. Having not yet ridden any of the 1800cc BMW range I decided to head out to the Australian launch to become acquainted with this behemoth of a motorcycle…
Check out all our other R 18 reviews here…
A low-key presentation took place the night prior, running us through BMW Motorrad’s 100th-year anniversary (which just so happened to fall on that day). Noting important styling and design queues that date back to the pre-war R 32 that really kicked BMW’s longest subsidiary brand into full swing.
We were joined by Roland Stocker, BMW Motorrad’s Heritage range Project Manager, who ran us through what’s different on the Roctane. Starting at the front, the headlamp and dash have been revised to follow the heritage appeal of the range further. A new seat and riding position offer a more relaxed rider triangle, especially with the taller handlebars. The front wheel has been increased to 21in and the rear to 18in over the 19in/16in seen on the first edition that Jeff rode back in 2020.
Other than those changes, the R 18 Roctane gets the blacked-out treatment with the heads and exhaust covers being dressed in dark chrome and the driveshaft receiving nickel plating over the chrome seen on other models. The tail section has been shaved and non-removable panniers added like those on the R 18 B and Transcontinental models.
The headlamp and dash have been revised. A new seat and riding position offer a more relaxed rider triangle, especially with the taller handlebars. The front wheel has been increased to 21in and the rear to 18in.
This brings me to the styling of the Roctane. Styling is always subjective but I can’t help but notice that the bike looks like two different motorcycles morphed into one. The rear end is massive with those panniers, yet the front is streamlined with massive hips from the cylinders poking out of the sides.
The Roctane is Zane’s first experience on one of BMW’s big cruisers.
I couldn’t find a favourite of the three colour schemes because to me they all lacked a wow factor for such a unique motorcycle, individuality should be celebrated and not hidden. A small fairing at the front would help balance the overall styling out in my opinion.
Throwing a leg over the Roctane for the first time, I’m met with an accessible seat height and this bike certainly needs it. Weighing in at a whopping 374kg (nearly 30kg heavier than the standard but 53kg lighter than the Transcontinental), it’s certainly a chore to get the bike off the stand.
Weighing in at a whopping 374kg (nearly 30kg heavier than the standard but 53kg lighter than the Transcontinental), it’s certainly a chore to get the bike off the sidestand.
BMW has thankfully retained the reverse gear on the Roctane. It’s quite simple, put it in neutral, reach down to just above the shifter and crank the starter. There’s quite a bit of torque which will catch you off-guard the first few times but it’s a godsend of a feature for any large cruiser or tourer.
“Cranking that 1800cc and you can already feel the gyroscopic effects of having the pistons go side to side, the bike twists as it turns over and it feels just like an old bike!”
Cranking that 1800cc engine and you can already feel the gyroscopic effects of having the pistons go side to side. The bike twists as it turns over and it feels just like an old bike! The overall feeling of the engine encapsulates those early Boxers to the best of BMW’s ability with the stringent Euro laws.
“What a gem this powerplant is. The sound is obviously extremely unique but the power application is something else. There is simply bucket-loads of torque available…”
What a gem this powerplant is. The sound is obviously extremely unique but the power application is something else. There is simply bucket-loads of torque available from the lowest rpm you can get, even being in the wrong gear, you can just twist the throttle and get yourself out of trouble.
You can really feel that torque when you’re at a stop or when slowly riding and you blip the throttle, which makes the whole bike move around as the pistons fire from side to side. There are some noticeable vibrations while cruising at 100km/h, most of which travel up through the handlebars causing some discomfort in your arms and making the mirrors a little difficult to see out of.
There are three riding modes: Rock, Roll and Rain. All change the torque output and make a noticeable difference.
There are three riding modes: Rock, Roll and Rain. All change the torque output and make a noticeable difference. The R 18 Roctane is extremely manageable in every mode so I opt to spend most of the day in Rock mode but switch through the modes to just try them out. Mode changes can be done on the fly without the need to stop and cause a noticeable change in the throttle input.
As was the case when Jeff tested the R 18 B, and AJ the Transcontinental, the cylinder heads limit the footboard position thus causing leg discomfort. The main issue I have with it is the rear brake lever. Being 183cm tall and having size 11 feet, I feel like I’m trapped on the bike and can’t leverage my foot on the lever properly. This is an issue for my riding style as I tend to use a lot of rear brake to control my speed, especially at slow speed, causing a tough time manoeuvring through traffic.
My first impression was “This thing has no brakes!” but a look down at the dash and seeing 8km on the odometer gave me some hope. After bedding the pads in, those twin four-piston calipers grip the 300mm with plenty of confidence to bring this 374kg machine to a stop, even in emergency situations.
“I can wholeheartedly say that I’m impressed with how well the Roctane handles the twisties of Putty Road.”
I can wholeheartedly say that I’m impressed with how well the Roctane handles the twisties of the Putty Road. While it’s only a conventional telescopic fork setup, the 49mm tubes handle the compression of hard braking and mid-corner bumps extraordinarily well. The forgiving setup allows you to reach the side of the front tyre without fear that it’s going to fling you off or lose control mid-corner.
This is also thanks to the use of a 120/70 – 21 and 185/55 – 18 tyre choice. Not going too wide with the rear wheel (unlike other cruiser brands) retains agility in the corners. The wheelbase is quite long at 1720mm but it means the R 18 Roctane holds its line well, only sacrificing side switching speed. Let’s be realistic though, R 18 customers aren’t going to be flogging these bikes through the twisties, but we did absolutely dust a bloke on a 1250 GS through the Putty Road!
While the central shock sees a similar well-handling fate, the choice of only 90mm of travel causes back pain.
While the central shock sees a similar well-handling fate, the choice of only 90mm of travel causes back pain. As Niki Lauda said in the movie Rush; “God gave me an okay mind, but a really good ass, which can feel everything in a car.”, I feel like I have the same gift except it’s my terribly bad back that can feel when a motorcycle is bottoming out.
Winding down the pre-load could’ve allowed for a less harsh ride due to me only weighing 80kg, but the adjuster is hidden under a side panel that needs to be removed with tools. This needs to be kept in mind for riders who are planning a trip with fully loaded panniers and a passenger.
Zane measures up at 183cm, the flat foot-pegs sit further back to a conventional cruiser due to the Boxer engine.
Gearing feels set up for roads like the Autobahn and other not dismally low speed-limited countries. This means you will rarely shift into sixth gear. The R 18 Roctane feels most comfortable at 110km/h in fifth to keep the vibrations to a minimum and keep instant access to peak torque to overtake cars.
A stop in at the Bulga pub for lunch, the interesting looking Roctane’s got plenty of attention from passersby.
The Roctane is fitted with a heel-toe shifter which is a blessing as the front of it feels like it’s been lowered to fit under the cylinder head, making it difficult to get your toe under the lever. You do have to lift your heel up onto the lever to click down gears so it makes it somewhat awkward to ride, but there’s no need to rattle through the gears like you would on a sportsbike, just select one and cruise.
The conventional single dry disc clutch (car style) does an awesome job of handling 1802cc of pure torque. The lever has a long friction point that allows for smooth get-aways off the traffic lights and the idle rpm provides enough torque to eliminate the need for too much throttle input while taking off.
Looks are deceiving. These machines are seriously sizeable, you’ll have no trouble being seen on an R 18.
It’s quite easy to find neutral compared to other big cruisers and BMW has added hill-hold assist on the Highline Roctane which is a luxury as you really need both feet on the ground at a stop with such a big bike. To activate the hill-hold you simply just squeeze the front brakes at a stop and an icon will pop up on the LCD.
The panniers are relatively spacious, big enough to fit a laptop with a few other belongings on one side and a messenger bag on the other side. BMW has made sure the panniers don’t protrude further than the handlebars and cylinder-heads, which gives extra confidence while lane splitting (although you’ll need some serious space to fit between cars as the bike measures up a width of 982mm). The panniers also allow for a space to put the key fob in as the Roctane is keyless start.
The R 18 Roctane is an emotional purchase. It might not score the highest in all categories, but it’s unique and a new experience to ride. It’s someone’s cup of tea and you’re backed by a lot of support by BMW Motorrad.
All the switches and buttons on the handlebars are easy to use for the most part, the only issue is wearing thick gloves and trying to flick the cruise control on can be a bit of a pest. The grip warmers work well and you can see what level you’ve set them to through the LCD screen, some bikes don’t have this luxury and leave you wondering if they’re actually on.
The base Roctane starts at $27,890 (+ORC) and typical of BMW you can pile on a heap of accessories through their online configurator. The Highline model, which we tested, comes in at $30,990 (+ORC). The Highline receives adaptive headlight, lockable fuel filler cap, DRL, hill start assist, headlight pro, heated grips, tyre pressure control, reverse gear, anti-theft alarm. Considering you’re already close to the 30k mark with the base model, I don’t see why you wouldn’t opt for the Highline.
“You can’t help but feel like you’re on something that goes against the grain of what’s become the “norm” for a cruiser and you’re on something that people will say ‘Wow! What is that?’.”
Conventionally speaking there are a few things that need to be ironed out to really enjoy the Roctane as a cruiser. What I can say is that buying a motorcycle is an emotional purchase, and the R 18 Roctane is an enjoyable bike to ride because you feel special on it and it’s just quirky.
“The R 18 Roctane is an enjoyable bike to ride because you feel special on it and it’s just quirky.”
You can’t help but feel like you’re on something that goes against the grain of what’s become the “norm” for the cruiser segment and you’re on something that people will look at and say, “Wow! What is that?” BMW has encapsulated the custom bike vibe and built something that feels entirely different to anything I’ve ridden before, which is high praise for a mass-produced bike.
For our full Tech Talk Details on the BMW R 18 including Engine, Chassis, Electronics, Design and Options please click here…
2023 BMW R 18 Roctane Specifications
Price: From $27,890 (+ORC)
Claimed Power: 67kW[91hp]@4750rpm
Claimed Torque: 158Nm[118lbs-ft]@3000rpm
Wet Weight: 374kg
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: 27.3°
Trail: 182mm
Suspension: 49mm forks, non-adjustable, 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: Cast aluminium, 3.50 x 21in (f), 5.5 x 18in (r), 120/70 – 21, 180/55 – 18.
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 1720mm
Seat height: 720mm
Overall width: 982mm
Overall Length: 2615mm
Overall height: 1294mm
Instruments & Electronics: New headlamp with integrated speedo, LED indicators, LED rear and brake lights, Dynamic Cruise Control, ASC, three riding modes (rock, roll, Rain), Keyless Ride, Top Loader side cases. Highline: HSC (Hill Start Control), headlight Pro, reverse gear, DWA
Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.
The Verdict | Bike Review | 2023 BMW R 18 Roctane, Australian Launch
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We’ve just returned from the 2023 BMW R 18 Roctane launch in Windsor. Check out what Zane thought of the huge capacity, boxer engined German machine…
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