BMW R18 Transcontinental

The BMW R 18 Transcontinental might be based on the R 18 cruiser, but the significant tweaks introduced by BMW Motorrad as add-ons over it give the R 18 Transcontinental its own distinctive identity. The motorcycle has a typical American flair in its full-size bagger appeal with its extensive bodywork over the R 18 cruiser, which makes it one of the biggest motorcycles BMW Motorrad has ever produced.

At the front, the BMW R 18 Transcontinental has a rounded LED headlamp, which is surrounded by a large, curvaceous and aerodynamic fairing. While the top of this fairing gets another wide and transparent windscreen above it, the bottom of this fairing has a brushed aluminium garnish panel between it and the headlamp. The BMW R 18 Transcontinental also gets auxiliary rounded LED headlamps positioned at the lower corners of the main headlamp, giving the entire front profile a grand appearance. More brushed aluminium garnish can be found around the rounded headlamp and the front tip of the front wheel fender.

The side profile is where the BMW R 18 Transcontinental displays its visual connection with the R 18 cruiser, with the former sharing its round-themed fuel tank, front engine cowls and side body panels with the latter. The BMW R 18 Transcontinental also has the same chrome theme for the Boxer-twin engine and the dual long exhaust pipes. However, the differences start appearing while moving towards the rear, with the BMW R 18 Transcontinental getting side panniers and a top box behind the comfortable backrest equipped with handrests on its sides for the pillion rider. The BMW R 18 Transcontinental also gets tweaked LED lights which look different from those of the R 18.

Another area where the BMW R 18 Transcontinental offers an altogether different experience over the R 18 cruiser is the rider’s cockpit. Behind the upright and curved handlebar, the BMW R 18 Transcontinental gets a comprehensive part-digital cockpit, comprising of four analogue gauges (one each for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and power reserve) and a 10.25-inch full-TFT screen for navigation and audio playlist display. Behind the instrument console, the BMW R 18 Transcontinental also has high-end Marshall Gold Series 2 speakers behind the sides of the front fairing.

The R 18 is already a bulky motorcycle, which is difficult to maneuver at lower city speeds, but offers exceptional ride quality and composure on long highway stretches. The BMW R 18 Transcontinental takes that experience to an even grander level with its added weight and sheer size. Retaining its mechanical setup with the R 18 cruiser, the BMW R 18 Transcontinental has telescopic forks at the front and a double-sided swing-arm with a central spring strut. This mammoth bagger has twin 300mm discs at the front and a single 300mm disc at the rear for braking, while riding on 120/70 R19 front and 180/65 B16 rear tyres.

There are no changes to the engine of the BMW R 18 Transcontinental, which has been retained from the R 18 cruiser in the same state of tune. Paired with a 6-speed transmission, the four-stroke, air/oi-cooled, boxer-twin 1,802cc engine of the BMW R 18 Transcontinental is the largest engine from the current lineup of BMW Motorrad in terms of size. This engine produces 90 bhp of maximum power and 158 Nm of maximum torque while giving the BMW R 18 Transcontinental a top speed of around 180 kmph.

One of the most well-equipped baggers, the BMW R 18 Transcontinental has safety features like dual-channel ABS, dynamic engine brake control, adaptive headlight, central locking, hill start control, active cruise control, riding modes and keyless ignition.

The BMW R 18 Transcontinental is a perfect match of German engineering and American grandeur on two wheels by offering the best of both worlds. While this large-sized bagger offers the technologies and performance of a typical German motorcycle, it does get the road presence and glory of a traditional American bagger.