- BMW unveils R18/2 cruiser concept
- Powered by the brand’s largest 1,800cc, boxer-twin engine
- Production model will get a touring variant as well
BMW Motorrad created quite a stir last year after revealing its cruiser concept, the R18. This was followed by an array of spy shots of the production-ready model, giving us hints that it will be unveiled at the 2019 EICMA show in Milan. Well, the motorcycle did turn up at the EICMA, albeit still in prototype form. Christened as the R18/2, this is the second version of the prototype model.
That means the wait for the R18 cruiser is going to be longer. However, BMW has justified the suffix ‘2’ in the name of the concept by revealing a more polished and closer-to-production model of the motorcycle. The R18 takes inspiration from the cruisers of the bygone era and sports a round headlamp surrounded by a bubble-styled bikini fairing, tear drop-shape fuel tank and a single-piece seat. While it sports a quintessential cruiser styling with a low-slung profile, the combination of a large 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheel enhance its appeal.
The main highlight of the motorcycle is the mammoth 1,800cc, air/oil-cooled, boxer-twin motor with protruding cylinder heads on both sides. Notably, this is the largest powerplant the German bike maker has ever produced. Going by the spy shots we have seen so far, BMW will utilise the same platform for a touring model as well. It was sighted with large front fairing, hard panniers and a pair of peashooter-styled exhausts. Also, as opposed to the blacked-out components on the concept model, the spy images revealed that the production version will sport ample of chrome-finished elements.
While BMW hasn’t yet revealed the timeline for the launch of the production R18 cruiser, online reports suggest that it will go on sale by the end of 2020.
