OP
@harbinger avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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@harbinger avatar
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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UTC quote
So I created a new prefix - hope the mods are OK with it. [MCR] Motorcycle Related.

Went to the dealer today to get my top case put on for the K1600GT. Adam told me they had 3 of the R18's in so I had a look. Impressive looking bikes and targeted directly at the Harley market. Not something I would buy but I did like the fit and finish and little details. I think it had a chance of doing pretty well and it's priced competitively. Think it comes in about $10,000 less than the K bikes.

I do love the look of the 1802cc air-cooled boxer twin though, just gorgeous.

Video Preview

https://youtu.be/zClXSjZnStQ
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@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
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@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
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UTC quote
I saw one live too when I visited my dealer the previous time.
They are a multi-brand dealer, BMW being to main money maker for them.

Here the price tag of the basic model is almost identical to K GT without any extras.
Both will be very rare here as big long distance haulers nor cruiders don't sell much, again almost equally priced GS is the big Beamer that sells.

It is an impressive looking bike. I still don't like the 'over size' cylinder heads thought...
OP
@harbinger avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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@harbinger avatar
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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UTC quote
RRider wrote:
I saw one live too when I visited my dealer the previous time.
They are a multi-brand dealer, BMW being to main money maker for them.

Here the price tag of the basic model is almost identical to K GT without any extras.
Both will be very rare here as big long distance haulers nor cruiders don't sell much, again almost equally priced GS is the big Beamer that sells.

It is an impressive looking bike. I still don't like the 'over size' cylinder heads thought...
Interesting. The thing is here you can't get the K series without at least the premium package. BMW Motorrad NA seems to only bring in bike models with extras and not the basic bikes. So once you add the quick shifter, reverse , piping on the seat, blah blah the price goes up.
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@miguel avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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@miguel avatar
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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UTC quote
San Jose BMW got them in as well and showcased them today. I wanted to go over and see it but the smoke has degraded the air quality to an unhealthy level so I didn't ride today (and haven't all week). I like the R18 but wouldn't ride a bike without a windshield. They'll probably come out with a touring version in the next couple years. We'll see. I'm not hot on getting a new bike but it is fun to look and dream.

Someone on another forum posted this review:
https://youtu.be/7QAOKS38fwc
Best
Miguel
@tor2ga avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Looking for the next one, probably electric
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@tor2ga avatar
Looking for the next one, probably electric
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UTC quote
Back in the day I fell in lust with the R1200C, but I couldn't afford a new one. Now that I can afford it they are all old and beat up...and I'm out of the MC business. Ah well, next incarnation.
@mikey007 avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2006 Fly 150
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Location: So. Calif / L.A. Harbor Area
 
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@mikey007 avatar
2006 Fly 150
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Location: So. Calif / L.A. Harbor Area
UTC quote
My Friend picked up a used 20018 K16000 B ( Bagger) for $17,500 w/ 5400 miles..

I Like it
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OP
@harbinger avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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@harbinger avatar
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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UTC quote
Mikey007 wrote:
My Friend picked up a used 20018 K16000 B ( Bagger) for $17,500 w/ 5400 miles..

I Like it
Good looking bike, for sure. Sat in the GTL today and it has a similar seating position to the bagger. Felt weird to me as you sit in the bike and not on it. I've read that in reviews etc but really hit home when I got in the saddle. Floored me that me knees were actually bent as opposed to the GT where I just barely flat foot it. The bars were also more reaching towards me that me reaching out. I prefer the sportier position of the GT as you see over the bike better and the bars feel more "right". But that's probably based on what I have ridden in the past and so what I'm used to. Sitting on the R18 it felt very much the same but even lower in the saddle.
@mikey007 avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2006 Fly 150
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Location: So. Calif / L.A. Harbor Area
 
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@mikey007 avatar
2006 Fly 150
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Location: So. Calif / L.A. Harbor Area
UTC quote
Harbinger wrote:
Felt weird to me as you sit in the bike and not on it. .
this is Sitting in it
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OP
@harbinger avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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@harbinger avatar
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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UTC quote
Mikey007 wrote:
Harbinger wrote:
Felt weird to me as you sit in the bike and not on it. .
this is Sitting in it
Those do to not look comfy!

Actually it's hard to tell by looking. To be fair I sat in the GTL and not the bagger but this is my GT saddle and there was a big difference though how the bars reach back on at least the GTL can also dome in to play. Definitely at least 2 or more inches lower in the saddle though.

Even on my bike the tank is a good ways up .The largest difference based on the pics above is really handlebar placement which does force you to lean over the tank. Looking at something like the R18 you are lower in the saddle and reaching up for the bars.
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@miguel avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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@miguel avatar
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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Location: Santa Cruz California
UTC quote
Harbinger, were they offering test rides? San Jose (California) BMW is offering test rides with an appointment (I think). Be interesting to hear how you like it compared to K1600. Someone once described the R18 as a "man-accessory". It will definitely attract a certain type of rider and will likely pull sales from HD, Indian, Honda, Yamaha, Moto Guzzi and Triumph big bikes. It will be interesting to see how it sells.

Best
Miguel
@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
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Ossessionato
@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
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Posts: 3173
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UTC quote
Harbinger wrote:
RRider wrote:
I saw one live too when I visited my dealer the previous time.
They are a multi-brand dealer, BMW being to main money maker for them.

Here the price tag of the basic model is almost identical to K GT without any extras.
Both will be very rare here as big long distance haulers nor cruiders don't sell much, again almost equally priced GS is the big Beamer that sells.

It is an impressive looking bike. I still don't like the 'over size' cylinder heads thought...
Interesting. The thing is here you can't get the K series without at least the premium package. BMW Motorrad NA seems to only bring in bike models with extras and not the basic bikes. So once you add the quick shifter, reverse , piping on the seat, blah blah the price goes up.
About pricing - yep, most of the BMWs sold over here come with accessory packages too. That's a part of their pricing game.

Our weather and thus the seasonal cycles play a factor on how the sales dymanics work. Dealers get a certain, actually quite small amount of bikes into their stock without specific customer orders. These are typically fully equiped to show the models in their full glory.
Most of these bikes are sold to customers who look and shop around for the next new bike during the early Spring, before the next riding season starts.

Then there are bikers who wish to have just a specific combo of accessories, colors etc. For some buying a brand new bike means that they wish to have it exactly according to their taste, down to the finest detail. These folks order the bike and depending on the brand, the delivery could take from weeks to several months. Order a basic model popular BMW and you're probably talking about months rather than weeks. So to get a bike for the next season, one has to place an order quite early.

In the past I've done both. With my Triumph I was lucky - the matte green was the only color I liked and the local dealer happened to have one at their show room. As this bike doesn't really have any factory options, the deal was an easy one... just paid the bike and rode away 8)
OP
@harbinger avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
@harbinger avatar
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8508
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UTC quote
RRider wrote:
About pricing - yep, most of the BMWs sold over here come with accessory packages too. That's a part of their pricing game.

Our weather and thus the seasonal cycles play a factor on how the sales dymanics work. Dealers get a certain, actually quite small amount of bikes into their stock without specific customer orders. These are typically fully equiped to show the models in their full glory.
Most of these bikes are sold to customers who look and shop around for the next new bike during the early Spring, before the next riding season starts.

Then there are bikers who wish to have just a specific combo of accessories, colors etc. For some buying a brand new bike means that they wish to have it exactly according to their taste, down to the finest detail. These folks order the bike and depending on the brand, the delivery could take from weeks to several months. Order a basic model popular BMW and you're probably talking about months rather than weeks. So to get a bike for the next season, one has to place an order quite early.

In the past I've done both. With my Triumph I was lucky - the matte green was the only color I liked and the local dealer happened to have one at their show room. As this bike doesn't really have any factory options, the deal was an easy one... just paid the bike and rode away 8)
So about the same as here. The bike I bought was a special order, just happened to be ny Drs but he never picked it up. Glad he has good taste
Miguel wrote:
Harbinger, were they offering test rides? San Jose (California) BMW is offering test rides with an appointment (I think). Be interesting to hear how you like it compared to K1600. Someone once described the R18 as a "man-accessory". It will definitely attract a certain type of rider and will likely pull sales from HD, Indian, Honda, Yamaha, Moto Guzzi and Triumph big bikes. It will be interesting to see how it sells.

Best
Miguel
Don't think so, the bikes I believe had just come in and were tucked away in the back in the sold section.
OP
@harbinger avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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Posts: 8508
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
@harbinger avatar
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
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Location: Toronto
@miguel avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
 
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@miguel avatar
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
UTC quote
Thanks Harbinger. That was a fun read. I've now read a number of really positive reviews, many from HD riders. I probably won't be getting one but I hope to get a test ride sometime. I've not seen one yet. I've also not seen any comparisons to the 1600 but I'd imagine they are our there.

If you haven't watched the Smoats video I posted above, it's a worthwhile watch.

Cheers.
Miguel
UTC

Hooked
2020 Vespa GTS Touring 300
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Posts: 174
Location: Northern California
 
Hooked
2020 Vespa GTS Touring 300
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Posts: 174
Location: Northern California
UTC quote
R18 sure looks cool and looks like it would be a stylish machine.

But perhaps you won't rush off too quick to the dealer after checking out his reviews:

2021 BMW R 18 Review | Daily Rider
https://youtu.be/XA4J2IgeaQA

2021 BMW R 18 first ride review - Zack Courts
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2021-bmw-r-18-first-ride-review
@bluside avatar
UTC

Addicted
2020 GTS 300, 2011 LX150ie
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Posts: 857
Location: Jupiter, Florida
 
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@bluside avatar
2020 GTS 300, 2011 LX150ie
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Posts: 857
Location: Jupiter, Florida
UTC quote
I would absolutely love to have a BMW that is a modern version of my old R75/5. (similar to what Triumph did with the Bonneville T120) The newer R9T models don't really quite get there.

This R18 is a looker, but way too big and heavy. I'm sure I would enjoy looking at it more than riding it.
OP
@harbinger avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8508
Location: Toronto
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@harbinger avatar
2023 Arancia Impulsivo Vespa GTS300 HPE , 2022 BMW R1250GSA 40th Anniversary, 2019 Ural Gear Up
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8508
Location: Toronto
UTC quote
bluside wrote:
I would absolutely love to have a BMW that is a modern version of my old R75/5. (similar to what Triumph did with the Bonneville T120) The newer R9T models don't really quite get there.

This R18 is a looker, but way too big and heavy. I'm sure I would enjoy looking at it more than riding it.
If it's anything like the K1600GT the weight disappears as soon as you get your feet up and are underway. Unlike the K bikes the R18 has a very low saddle so flat footing should not be a problem. I thought "yeah right" when I got my K1600GT but it's true.
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