Motorcycle specifications BMW1800 R 18 Roctane 2024 Three shores of cruising

With its R18, BMW is building a whole family of cruisers and tourers, in exactly the same way as Indian and Harley-Davidson. A common base with variants in different forms, to meet the calls of the road. The new Roctane bridges the gap between the R 18 Classicand the R 18 B, with darker styling and a certain hot-rod bias.

A rebel, as in every aristocratic dynasty. She was educated in Berlin-Spandau (the factory), but it's thugs she dreams of. To give it a Dark feel, its engine is painted black, with shiny cylinder head covers. The foot controls (with double-spoke selector) and levers are also black, as are the intake pipe covers, the bridge covers, the handlebars, and so on.

but it's the front end where the R 18 Roctane really threatens. It features a large 21-inch wheel and a very distinctive headlamp. The speedometer has been integrated into the front end, as was the case with virtually all BMs from the '30s to the '70s.

The Roctane also plays with a few effects, such as its muscle-bike-style double-decker seat, specific chrome star locknuts for the exhausts, raised handlebars and a long rear skirt to capture attention. Big but slender, with a certain majestic pride, the bike imposes itself by its sheer presence. The rigid panniers support its buttocks without heaviness (or dynamism, either) and offer a load capacity of 27 liters and 10 kilos each. On the other hand, there's no way Béhème could have done anything to remove the right-hand muffler, which hides part of the sublime apparent cardan drivetrain; as with all the other R 18s, from the Custom to the R 18 B, R 18 Classicand R 18 Transcontinental.

Apart from the 21" and 18" wheels and a wheelbase that differs by just a few millimetres, the Roctane's chassis is identical to the other R 18s. A classic double-cradle steel frame, deceptively hardtail, holds the big 49 mm fork, 16-liter fuel tank, seat, bags, monoshock, crew and big 1802 cm3 twin. A mass of metal, character and torque, with over 15 mkg always available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The biggest engine in the BMW range produces 91 hp at 4,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 16.1 mkg. Fat as we like it. And a three-octave driving experience thanks to the Rain, Roll and Rock driving modes.

it may not look like it, but the R 18 is not spared the omnipresence of electronics: BMW has added Keyless Ride keyless start, ASC traction control, MSR engine torque regulation and cruise control. There's nothing to stop you wanting more, but in that case, you'll have to dig deep into the options. The PRO finish, for example, adds Hill Start Control Pro, adaptive cornering lights, heated grips, reverse gear and an alarm.
A small detail: this big bike doesn't forget young bikers, and can be limited to 47.5 hp for A2 riders. A surprising choice, given the bike's size and weight: a 374-kilogram cruiser of such stature requires a certain amount of experience.
Admittedly, there are big brakes with 3 x 300 mm discs, 4-piston calipers at the front and Integral ABS. But if you're not careful, it's easy to get caught up in the weight. But there's nothing to worry about when it comes to driving dynamics. The R 18 family enjoys a good reputation.

Now, with the R 18 Roctane, BMW has come to put the kibosh... the flagship duo in this niche: the Harley Road King and theIndian Springfield. All three present the same strong arguments, as well as a desire to live the road rock-style. The German makes a big difference with its flat engine and Bavarian accent in the connecting rods. But what niche are we talking about? The tough bagger, the one who mixes bits of hardcore and baronial in his style.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos