Initially announced in 2019 as a 1,802cc concept cruiser, the BMW R 18 has since sold thousands of units worldwide and is available in R 18, R 18 Classic, R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental trims.
Now, BMW presents the R 18 Roctane as the 5th member of the growing R 18 family.
1,802cc Big Boxer
At the heart of the new BMW R 18 Roctane is the familiar 2-cylinder flat twin engine, the “Big Boxer”. Not only thanks to its impressive looks but also its technical specifications, the engine of the new R 18 Roctane, finished in Avus black metallic matte and with black high-gloss covers, harks back to the traditional air-cooled boxer engines that have provided an exhilarating riding experience for more than seven decades since BMW Motorrad began manufacturing motorcycles in 1923.
The most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever built in motorcycle series production boasts an engine capacity of 1,802cc. It generates an output of 92 Ps at 4,750 rpm. In the 2,000 to 4,000 rpm range, it delivers more than 150 Nm of torque at all times as well as elemental pulling power and sonorous sound. The black engine is perfectly matched by the dark chrome exhaust system and the star counter nuts.
21/18 wheels
The suspension elements of the new BMW R 18 Roctane deliberately features no electronic adjustment options. Instead, telescopic forks and a directly linked central sprint strut with travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload ensure superior wheel guidance and responsive suspension comfort.
As in the legendary BMW R 5, the fixed tubes of the telescopic forks are encased in fork sleeves. The fixed fork tube diameter is 49mm, and suspension travel is 120mm at the front and 90mm at the rear. The new BMW R 18 Roctance’s braking is enforced by a twin disc brake at the front and a single disc brake at the rear in conjunction with four-piston fixed calipers. The alloy wheels give the bike a stylish look. A 120/70-21 tire adorns the front while a 180/55-18 tire keeps the rear.
1,802cc bagger
The R 18 Roctane skilfully reinterprets the iconic styling of past eras in custom bagger style and many details reflect the purist design that was primarily shaped by classics such as the BMW R 5. Functional and style-defining elements such as the double-loop tube frame, the pear-drop fuel tank, or the open propeller shaft drive are reminiscent of the legendary 1936 boxer. The classic body parts of the R 18 Roctane, such as the fuel tank, front, and rear wheel covers, or headlight housing, are also made of metal - just as befits an authentic classic. The suspension is likewise aptly reminiscent of the legendary R 5. Together with the double-sided swinging arm and a cantilever suspension strut, the rigid frame layout of the R 5 has been perfectly transferred to modern times.
Wherever the eye wanders, lovingly designed technology can be seen in every detail. This also applies to the headlight with the integrated, classically designed round instrument. The legendary BMW R 5 from 1936 and from then on almost all BMW motorcycles until the early 1970s featured this characteristic combination. The new BMW R 18 Roctane now revives this tradition - with state-of-the-art technology but contemporary design. The “BERLIN BUILT” lettering on the dial is a reference to the bike’s origin. The new R 18 Roctane is also manufactured at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin-Spandau.
For more information on the R 18 Roctane’s PH availability and pricing, contact BMW Motorrad Philippines.
