- BMW R18cruiser launched in India
- Priced at Rs 18.90 lakh (Standard) and 21.90 lakh (First Edition)
- Powered by the largest boxer-twin engine ever made
BMW Motorrad has launched the R18 cruiser offering in India. The motorcycle is available in a Standard and a First Edition variant which are priced at Rs 18.90 lakh and Rs 21.90 lakh, respectively (both prices are ex-showroom).
The BMW R18 is one marvellous looking machine with a design inspired by the 1965 R5. It gets a long wheelbase and a low profile, typical of a cruiser. Justifying its retro character are the round headlamp with chrome bezel, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a single-piece seat and a wide and chopped rear fender. The chunky, chrome-finished exhausts of the bike truly stand out. For a more aesthetic drama, there’s the First Edition trim with several cosmetic add-ons which also gets extra features such as hill-start assist, heated grips and cornering lights.
Another noteworthy trait of the new R18 is its 1,802cc air/oil-cooled engine which is the largest boxer-twin mill ever made by the German bike maker. It churns out 91bhp of power and 157Nm of peak torque. Electronic aids which come as standard include ABS, stability control and three riding modes – Rain, Rock and Roll. It is suspended by telescopic forks and a cantilever strut while braking is handled by twin disc up front and a single disc at the rear. The kerb weight of the bike stands at 345kg.
The BMW R18 will go up against the cruiser offerings from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle while it will also lock horns with the Ducati Diavel 1260 and the Triumph Rocket 3 GT.
