R 18 Transcontinental And R 18 B Have Been Added To BMW's Bike Lineup

Last year's R 18 and R 18 Classic marked BMW's first step into large cruisers. With the R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental, the R 18 tree spreads out in 2 inventive directions this year: the B stands for "bagger," and the Transcontinental stands for "iron-butt sunup-to-sundown days in the saddle."

A 1.8-liter flat-twin boxer engine nestled in a tubular steel double-loop frame holds a special place in their souls. The "Big Boxer," as BMW calls it, has the same 91 hp and 116 lb-ft of torque as the other BMW models. From 2,000 to 4,000 rpm, there's 111 lb-ft of torque offered. 

BMW R 18 Transcontinental

The R 18 Transcontinental has a large fairing, three lights, and a tall windscreen. The motor has a steel gray finish, basic chromed security bars, and typical running boards for the driver and passengers hung atop. Two side cases and a top case ride behind the pillion seat on a vibration damper, adding thickness to the rear. In the meantime, that seat comes standard with heating.

BMW R 18 Transcontinental

With a slimmer fairing, shorter windscreen, and single headlamp, the bagger stays true to its genre. The boxer mill is painted in matte black, with footpegs for the driver and passengers, but running boards are available as an alternative. Two side cases hang close to the back wheel, creating a slightly smaller and deeper back seat than the R 18 Transcontinental.

With a 10.25 high-definition multimedia touchscreen joining the 4 analog instruments, both bikes' cockpits improve on last year's models. Behind all this, both vehicles get a larger fuel tank, 6.3 gallons instead of 4.2 gallons, than the R 18 and R 18 Classic.

BMW R 18 B

A storage compartment with wireless charging for smartphones is hidden in the larger tank. When combined with the default Marshall audio system, which features two speakers in the front fairing, the side cases on both bikes offer 27 liters of capacity. Optional Marshall Stage 1 and Stage 2 systems reduce the volume to 26.5 liters by removing case space for more speakers and a subwoofer.

The top case of the R 18 Transcontinental ordinarily holds 48 liters, however, with the Stage 2 audio, it only holds 47 liters. 

BMW R 18 B

Even when driving downhill, Dynamic Cruise Control retains a defined pace. Optional Adaptive Cruise Control keeps a fixed distance from passing traffic ahead by using radar sensors in the fairing. BMW warns that if the autos ahead of you aren't moving, the rider must brake for himself.

BMW's ABS technology is included, and integrated braking whether using the handlebar lever or footing control operates on twin 300-mm discs in the front and a single 300-mm disc in the rear. In the Road, Rain, and Rock settings, the throttle, stability control, and turning control are regulated.

BMW R 18 B

There will be a couple of First Edition trims available first, just as the R 18 and R 18 Classic. The R 18 B is priced at $22,140, while the R 18 Transcontinental is priced at $25,635, with extra $645 delivery charge.