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When BMW unveiled the R 18 Nimitz-class cruiser last year, we knew they weren't going to go to all that trouble of developing that big boxer engine and leave it in just one model. Now, for 2022, BMW has unveiled the next two models in the line, the R 18 B bagger and the R 18 Transcontinental luxury touring bike.
Both the B and the Transcontinental are designed to be more comfortable, versatile and well equipped than the original R 18 cruiser. The most obvious difference between the B and the Transcontinental, at first glance, is the 48-liter top box on the Transcontinental, which should make it the obvious preference in the line for two-up travelers, but there are also other differences. The Transcontinental also gets a bigger fairing with adjustable ventilation and a bigger seat. On the Transcontinental, that standard seat is heated.
Things are pretty much the same in the engine bay, including the electronic aids such as ride modes, so go back and read Zack's road test of the R 18 to get an idea of the basics. There are some differences that affect performance and comfort, however. Compared to the R 18, the seat height is a little higher on the B and a bit higher yet on the Transcontinental, the wheelbase is 1.4 inches shorter, the rear suspension travel is 1.2 inches longer and the fuel tank is bigger, at 6.3 gallons. That rear suspension, by the way, automatically adjusts preload depending on the load on board.
The larger Transcontinental weighs 941 pounds, BMW says, and is rated to carry up to 448 pounds of passengers and cargo.
That's just one entry in the long list of features, and the list gets longer when you consider the many options available. The cockpit is distinctive on both bikes, with a combination of traditional round dials and a 10.25-inch TFT display that can show navigation or communication with your smartphone, which you can store and charge in a compartment on the fuel tank. The screen can be split into two displays to provide a variety of different information.
Both models come with a Marshall sound system with speakers in the fairing, but there are two upgrade options. The top of the line is the Marshall Gold Series Stage 2, a six-speaker system with a 180-watt amplifier.
The new R 18 models come with what BMW calls "Dynamic Cruise Control," which can apply the brakes to keep the motorcycle from picking up speed beyond the cruise control setting when going downhill. Optional is the "Active Cruise Control" system, which uses radar sensors to adjust speed automatically to maintain a certain distance from vehicles in front of the motorcycle.
Starting prices in the United States are $21,495 for the B and $24,995 for the Transcontinental, before you pile on any of the many appearance and functional options. That easily leaves the six-cylinder K 1600 Grand America as still BMW's priciest (and most powerful) way to take a very long ride, but the new mega-boxer models provide another option for riders who want a mix of classic style and modern features.
| 2022 BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental | |
|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $21,495 (B); $24,995 (Transcontinental) |
| Engine | 1,802 cc, air/oil-cooled, eight-valve, horizontally opposed twin |
|
Transmission, final drive |
Six-speed, shaft |
| Claimed horsepower | 91 @ 4,750 rpm |
| Claimed torque | 116 foot-pounds @ 3,000 rpm |
| Frame | Steel tube double cradle |
| Front suspension | Showa 49 mm fork, adjustable for preload; 4.7 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | ZF single shock, adjustable for rebound damping; 4.7 inches of travel |
| Front brake | Two Brembo four-piston calipers, 300 mm discs with ABS |
| Rear brake | Brembo four-piston caliper, 300 mm disc with ABS |
| Rake, trail | 27.3 degrees, 7.2 inches |
| Wheelbase | 66.7 inches |
| Seat height | 28.3 inches (B); 29.1 inches (Transcontinental) |
| Fuel capacity | 6.3 gallons |
| Tires | Michelin Commander Touring III; 120/70 R19 front, 180/65 B16 rear |
| Claimed weight | 877 pounds (B); 941 pounds (Transcontinental) |
| Available | August 2021 |
| Warranty | 36 months / 36,000 miles |
| More info | bmwmotorcycles.com |
