Originally Posted by
Gyp
I'll try and say a bit more and not make the mistake of making a comparison with the wrong bike...
Summary... 1.8 litres of monstrous torque wrapped up in a very shiny black and chrome package. Lots of vibration, suspension harsh at legal speeds, poor brakes, uncomfortable and bloody heavy. Exhaust not quite as ugly in real life as it looks.
The engine is phenomenal at the bottom end but vibes are really intrusive above 3,000 RPM. It works nicely between 45mph and 60mph in 4th though so the engine is great for cruising. Brilliant at firing out of slow corners. I'm not sure why there are 3 engine modes though as the "Roll" setting is very soft and I can't see the point of it.
I do like that they've engineered the torque reaction back in (or not engineered it out if you prefer) so it behaves more like older boxers, at least in terms of rotation around the crank if not the rear rise and squat.
Suspension is harsh and needs to you to press on before it starts to work well, which suits neither the engine vibes or the riding position. It does mean that it is quite unpleasant at cruising speeds on imperfect tarmac.
The handling is actually rather good and you can press on, but obviously ground clearance is a limiting factor. Thankfully the bike isn't hampered by a huge rear tyre and skinny front requiring lots of counter-steering to keep it on line
It's possible that the brakes weren't fully bedded in on the demo, but I wasn't confident that they'd haul me to a stop if I needed them to. Thankfully engine braking helped out.
Comfort isn't something that BMW feel they need to trouble us with on this bike. The riding position is a little cramped but bearable, but the seat is like a bench. I note that BMW offer a higher seat which might make the knee bend a little easier.
The electronics package is a little basic, there's no fuel gauge or range indication which surprised me. Nor is there cruise or even an option of sat nav. Neither is there a quick shifter, but with the torque reaction that's perhaps a good thing.
I've no idea why it's got a 200mph speedo either other than for bragging rights down the pub.
I own 3 BMW boxers at the moment and haven't been without one since, I think, 1987, so I am pretty familiar with the product and what BMW can do. The R18 feels like an opportunity missed.