BMW rolls-out the R18 cruiser equipped with aluminium parts

BMW Motorrad has disclosed the production-spec R18 cruiser, months after it showcased the smashing R18 concept at the 2019 EICMA. The concept was undoubtedly one of the best-looking motorcycles at the show.

BMW has chosen from the wide catalogue of bolt-on aluminium parts to choose from, supplied by its official partners Roland Sands Designs. Then there are seats by US-based Mustang Seats.

The BMW R18 looks stunning and, in many ways, resembles the 1936 BMW R5 cruiser. Parked side by side, the design inspiration is visible in its round LED headlamp, tear-drop-shaped fuel tank and the swooping rear fender. The design of the engine cam covers, for instance, draws inspiration from the old model, and it's the same case with the fish-tail-style exhaust.

The need to comply with strict emission norms has resulted in an exhaust that looks swollen, and that's probably the only design element that is a little hard to digest.

BMW is also offering a bigger, 21-inch wheel at the front and a set of alloy wheels as options.

The 1802cc, air- and the oil-cooled engine produce 91hp at 4,750rpm, which may not seem as much considering its size, but crucially, it produces 158Nm of torque at 3,000rpm.

The BMW R18 has three riding modes - Rain, Roll and Rock. Besides, there's switchable Automatic Stability Control (ASC) and engine drag torque control or MSR, the latter preventing rear wheel slip under hard acceleration or aggressive downshifts.