R18

[Kelvin]

G'day All,

Do any of you have experience with the R18? The 1800cc R series bike that looks like a cross between a Harley Davidson and an R51 BMW? Although some of the retro styling is nice it looks to have the disadvantages of a cruiser (heavy, poor cornering clearance) but not the comfortable seating position (the cylinders get in the way). Although the crank gets a third main bearing a combination of big pots and a split crankcase make me pessimistic that they will still be running in 30 years' time.

Thanks, Kelvin

[skippyc]

To big for an old person like me.

[georgesgiralt]

Hello,
The local dealer has one (already sold...) and IMHO it is HUGE ... (and awful but this is personal). I spoke to the guy owning the place. It rode it. And he says it is fun... Can we trust him ? I do not know..
I will not invest that much money on a bike like this one. but that's me.

[Justin B.]

I saw in the "New Atlas" newsletter a while back that BMW had let a custom bike builder have one to build a custom motorcycle around.  It did look like quite a monster but not my cup of tea...

Here's a recent "drag bike:"

https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/roland-sands-bmw-r18-custom-dragster/


Customs...

https://newatlas.com/bmw-motorrad-concept-r18-motorcycle/59847/

[Tony Smith]

Personal opinion is that the R18 is a ghastly looking thing.

Put that engine in a proper frame, give it Earls forks and a sidecar - then you would have my attention.

[dogshome]

I like the early styling, but I'd rather have the original. Would I buy one? No chance. I would have a new indian if I was made of money.

[Tony Smith]

Seriously considering a Ural. I really wanted a Jang Chiang but by the time I spent the money to get one registered here it would be cheaper to buy a Ural

[skippyc]

A friend has a chiang The only problem seems to be the alternator.

[Tony Smith]

The good news is that Nippondenso make an alternator to suit.

The bad news for me is that inQLD the registration authorities are well aware of the marque and the frequently untruthful nature of their manufacture plate.

As a result you cannot register one without an engineering certificate of ADR compliance.

The things are incapable of passing brake compliance testing and now the current emission rules (even Ural has had to buy a Japanese injection system to meet emission standards.

Sadly the Jang Chiang has no hope of passing  - ever.


TMR are taking the pragmatic view and are not looking at those already registered, but new ones must comply.

An acquaintance of a friend thought to make a killing when they were $US3,000 in a box with left mounted sidecar. Apparently has not been able to sell any since the boom dropped.

The ones already here are starting to have very silly asking prices.