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100 years ago, BMW chief designer Max Friz began work on the brand’s first proper motorcycle: the R 32. He couldn’t have known that its boxer engine layout would become synonymous with BMW motorcycles for the next century.
Two “Special Heritage” editions were just unveiled to celebrate the milestone: The R nineT 100 Years Edition and the R 18 100 Years Edition.
BMW didn’t explicitly state why these models were chosen for special edition duty, but these are the last oil- and air-cooled boxers left in BMW’s lineup, which makes them the R 23’s most direct descendants in current production. Wonder what Max Friz would have to say about them?
2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition
Upgrades for both 100 Years models are cosmetic only, so there are no changes to the engine’s performance. The R nineT gets the “Classic Chrome” finish with “Avus Black” paint, named for an old racetrack outside Berlin where BMW once competed. The paintwork is finished off with BMW’s iconic double white pinstripes and some “100 Years” badging BMW notes that today’s solvent-free paints aren’t as easy to apply over chrome when compared to paints of yesteryear, so this process is far more complicated than standard R nineT finishes. In other words, don't drop it.
As for features, the R nineT 100 Years Edition has almost every factory upgrade, including Ride Modes Pro and an adaptive headlight. Option 719 parts include the “Classic” wheels on black rims and a pile of billet bits like the front engine cover, the head covers, and the hand controls.
2023 BMW R 18 100 Years Edition
BMW’s dedicated heritage boxer also gets the 100 Years treatment: Avus Black over Classic Chrome (including the rear fender), 100 Years badging, white pinstripes, and some selections from the Option 719 catalog. The base R 18 already uses plenty of chrome, but BMW took things even further. Even the Akrapovič mufflers were chromed. Again, nearly every factory option is offered on this bike, including Automatic Stability Control, Headlight Pro, cruise control, reverse assist, and heated grips.
The R nineT and R 18 100 Years Editions are expected to arrive in early 2023. The R 18 version carries an MSRP of $18,990, and the R nineT will be $19,995. If you expected the R 18 to cost more than the R nineT, like I did, a visit to BMW’s site shows that the base MSRP for an R 18 has dropped down to $14,995. That’s down from $17,495 when Zack first rode the R 18 in 2020.
BMW has not yet announced how many examples of each will be sent to the U.S. market, so get a word in with your local dealer soon if these motorcycles have your attention.
