The R18...

[Raider]

Riders,

In the past I have put deposits on a couple of BMW motorcycles before their pricing was set and they were first introduced to Australia. One was the HP2 Enduro and the other was the R18 First Edition. Both were the first bikes of their type off the showroom floor at Auto Classic in Perth. I still have both of these bikes and enjoy riding both - one in the dirt and the other on bitumen roads. To give you an idea of just how much I ride each bike I have put more kilometres on the R18 in two years, riding to coffee shops, than I put on the HP2 Enduro in 20 years…

The R18 Special Edition is indeed a very special bike. It was my first foray into cruiser-type motorcycles. For years I promised myself that when I got to be an old bugger I would buy a Harley FAT Boy to give me a break from all the dirt roads and lineup of GSA’s that I have owned and ridden mercilessly. Then out of seemingly nowhere came the brutish BMW 1800cc pushrod boxer engine. I had to have one - and this was before there was a frame announced to go around it! There were a range of prototype motorcycles paraded and then finally the production bike, the R18 Special Edition, was showcased. Seemed a bit overdone at the time but I have grown fond of the lines of the Special Edition.

Forget the Harley FAT Boy, still too young for that bike…

My R18 Special Edition arrived at Auto Classic and was ready for me to take delivery. When I first saw it in real life on the showroom floor my first impression was that it was very long, fat and low - a massive two-wheeled ROLLER-SKATE! What a hell of a bike it has turned out to be… I now have more than 60,000km of pleasure-riding on it. Brilliant!

So where am I going with this post? Well, I have today found out that the R18 is to be discontinued as a bike BMW brings into Australia! The end of the line…

That is a great shame for a quite spectacular BMW motorcycle.

If I finally get to be that old bloke I will now have no option but to go and take another FAT Boy for a test ride. What are the odds I will want to buy it?

Raider

[Wakamole]

R18 is awesome and beautiful Bavarian beast

[Ken Oath]

Dear Raider,

I can empathise with the HP2E being passed over everytime you enter the garage.

As a sign of my gratitude I'm willing to look after the HP2E for you and treat it how it deserves. You will be comforted in the knowledge that every time the R18 is glanced at the HP2E knowingly will have bought joy to a grateful rider.
I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the happiness it will bring.

cheers, Ken

[davebeemer]

The discontinuation of the R18 is sad but with Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles dominance in the motorcycling market, the Australian market is a very difficult market to crack, especially when sales for Harley Davidson are the largest globally outside of the American market and that in itself is saying something.
I truly thought there was just enough room in the Australian market for the R18 but I guess not for the powers that be in BMW upper echelons. It would be interesting to see BMWs R18 targets for Australia and actual targets reached but we'll never know.
What an amazing motorcycle, the R18 is, certainly etched itself into the hearts of many. The R18 was to be my next motorcycle after the accident that wrote off my 1250 GSHP but now after my orthopedic surgeons advice to stop riding because of serious complications if I come off again with all the metalwork holding me together I won't get to have the long term pleasure of the R18 but I will have the priceless memories of riding the R18.