at 10:49am ET. By: Janaki Jitchotvisut. Not content to merely bring the expected production version of the 2020 BMW R18 cruiser to its presentation, BMW also unveiled its brand-new r18 Int. GS Trophy 2022; Model Overview Find a dealer Events Stories Test Ride Decline Accept. Home Model Overview Find a dealer Events With the Concept Link, which BMW Motorrad will be unveiling at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2017, a concept vehicle has now set about to combine the challenges of urban mobility of tomorrow BMWs latest concept bike uses striking retro styling to show off its massive modern engine. Like the skeletal "Birdcage" concept the German automaker commissioned through Austin's Revival Cycles, BMWtook six wheels to the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shore of Lake Como. Four of those wheels sit under the Marcello Gandini-designed Garmisch concept. The other two are for this, the Motorrad division's R18 concept. This is the third concept bike in the last six months to showcase the company's new 1.8-liter boxer engine, coming after the cyberpunk cafe racer Departed TheBMW Motorrad Concept R18 shows how a forward projection of a 1960s boxer engine could look like today as a purist custom bike in combination with all the classic design icons of BMW Motorrad design. "With its clear aesthetics openly on display, the Concept R18 embodies for me what motorcycling, at its core, is really about. Youcould see it as a return to the brand's core, but given a modern twist: the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 transports the essence of the big BMW Motorrad classics into the modern age, or in other words, it is taking a historical motorcycle design and giving it a modern, custom attitude. Dr. Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad, describes the d76wa. Against the backdrop of a bustling mix of the traditional and the modern on show at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW Motorrad presents the BMW Motorrad Concept R18. The new concept is taking historical motorcycle design and giving it a modern, custom attitude. Dr. Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad, describes the design as follows “With this dream bike, BMW Motorrad presents its own version of an emotional and authentic offer for the large cruiser segment.”The BMW Motorrad Concept R18 shows how a forward projection of a 1960s boxer engine could look like today as a purist custom bike in combination with all the classic design icons of BMW Motorrad design. “With its clear aesthetics openly on display, the Concept R18 embodies for me what motorcycling, at its core, is really about. It is all about feeling instead of thinking, and not using technology for self-staging, instead giving space for imagination. This concept bike appeals to something deep down – you just want to just get on it and ride off. But when you get off it again, you don’t just put it in the garage and walk away – you turn around again and give it a final parting glance”, explains Edgar Heinrich, head of BMW Motorrad BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is the essence of motorcycling, a bike in its original, natural form. In true custom style, it celebrates the art of leaving out what you don’t need and then concentrating on what is left. “The biggest challenge in the design is to render everything visible. Every part has a functional purpose. There are not many who would dare to take such an absolutely honest approach”, says Bart Janssen Groesbeek, designer of the concept bike. The BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is immediately recognisable as a genuine BMW boxer engine, cradle frame, exposed universal shaft and drop-shaped fuel tank with its black paintwork and hand-applied contrast lines interpret typical design icons of BMW Motorrad classics, while displaying confidence along with modern-style linearity. The balanced proportions are reminiscent of classics like the BMW R5, and convey – even from a distance – the timeless beauty that comes about whenever things are consistently reduced to their bare essentials. The frame and tank create a common line all the way from the steering head to the rear wheel hub and lend a flowing elegance to the side view. The large spoke wheels front 21 inch, rear 18 inch provide a secure stance and perfectly balance the dominant power unit. The tyres are a further reference to history just as it was in its day, this bike is again fitted with Metzeler BMW boxer tradition brings out new heart of the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is the large, newly designed, two-cylinder 1800 cc boxer engine. Its outward appearance is consciously reminiscent of the flat twin engines that BMW Motorrad used to build up until the end of the 1960s – but with a considerably bigger displacement and modern air/oil cooling. The big prototype boxer has been designed down to the last detail the engine block and transmission are made of glass bead-blasted aluminium, providing an ideal stage on which to present the hand-polished aluminium components as well as the belt guard and valve covers. The engine badge bears the name of the concept bike and emphasises the overall quality. In addition, Solex dual carburettors – similar to those in the BMW 2002 – hark back to the brand’s construction history and add the final touch to the bike’s visual optical highlight is the exposed, chrome-plated universal shaft that connects the back wheel to the drive. There are no further covers anywhere on the motorcycle, which serves to keep its engineering clearly visible. Similarly, the electronics of the concept bike are reduced to no more than starter and lights, underlining its purist BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is the third in-house interpretation of the large-capacity boxer engine to come from BMW Motorrad. Last December the model created by the Japanese customisers, CUSTOM WORKS ZON was presented at the Yokohama Hot Rod Show, on the basis of this new prototype engine. The Departed’ won the biggest accolade of the event, the ’Best of Show Motorcycle’ award, thrilling motorcycle fans with its classic forms, modern production techniques and all manner of manual art and craft in the details. The next round was the interpretation by Revival customisers from Austin, Texas created a spectacular bike with their Revival Birdcage’ model, an ideal presentation platform for the Big Boxer. The specially developed titanium frame features an unobstructed view of the engine and drive from all angles. This American design created a furore at last month’s Handbuilt Show in quality details in fine custom for its colour design, the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 shows itself to be a classic. The theme is typical BMW the white, hand-applied lines on the fork and fuel tank in combination with the black base colour represent the classic BMW colour theme. A discreet yellow-gold varnish effect lends the bright twin lines an exclusive touch, and the black effect paintwork on the tank and fork rods similarly reveal, in the best custom style, an unusual depth when the sunlight strikes the large metallic particles in the various layers of the visual design of the imprinted single leather seat is borrowed from the classics of the 1950s. Reinterpreted and somewhat more comfortable, its quality embossing sits perfectly within the overall purist and high-class design. The cantilever spring strut is integrated beneath the seat. The graphics of the headlamp design are also reminiscent of the 1950s. The classic U shape of the original glass cover components are now interpreted as LED lamp one of these details contributes to the unique character of the concept bike and underlines its overall statement. The BMW Motorrad Concept R18 merges traditional and historic design language with the current functionalities of BMW Motorrad in a coherent and cohesive an exclusive and suitably themed horse leather jacket, which recreates the aesthetics of those days, has been designed especially for the presentation of the concept bike at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The leather jacket features a very smooth surface with only little grain and the protectors are integrated almost counterpoint to contemporary times.“For me, motorcycles like the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 are a response to a growing need among the motorcycling community instead of technology, the focus here is on simplification, authenticity and transparency. I observe an almost romantic yearning for real mechanical engineering. Our aim with this concept bike is to address this need and turn it into an analogue statement in a digital age. We have a rich history of iconic motorcycles, and they all bear the same design characteristics. We believe that this can still work well together today with the current technology,” says Edgar Heinrich in Concorso D’Eleganza Villa d’EsteFrom Friday through Sunday, May 26, the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba will serve as the exclusive and unique backdrop for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where guests have the opportunity to admire the finest historic cars and motorcycles of their eras. The legendary event has taken place annually, during the last weekend in May, since year, in recognition of BMW Group’s longstanding patronage, the three-day event is titled The Symphony of Engines – 90 Years of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este & BMW Automobiles. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Motorcycle Cruiser may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this © 2023 Motorcycle Cruiser. An Octane Media, LLC Publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Concept R 18 /2 makes EICMA debut Second BMW Motorrad cruiser concept unveiled Just six months ago, BMW Motorrad took the custom scene by storm with the world premiere of the Concept R 18 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Now, a second design study featuring the awe-inspiring 1800cc flat-twin engine has been successfully presented in Milan at the international EICMA motorcycle exhibition. Concept R 18 /2 paves the way. Concept R 18 /2 paves the way. Simply designated Concept R 18 /2’, this completely new and markedly different interpretation of a dynamic performance cruiser shows the true versatility of the big-boxer’ platform and gives fans of the genre a strong suggestion of what to look forward to when a series production cruiser from BMW Motorrad enters the market in 2020. Cruiser fans have already been enticed on several occasions over the past 12 months, not only by the Concept R 18, but also by the two fascinating custom builds from Japan and the USA that used BMW Motorrad’s big boxer engine as a base – namely CUSTOM WORKS ZON’s Departed’ and Revival Cycles’ Birdcage’. Expect the unexpected. Expect the unexpected. However, no one was expecting what would follow next – direct from BMW Motorrad’s design studio in Munich and finished to perfection by Swedish builders UCC. Enter the Concept R 18 /2, a more dynamic, modern cruiser interpretation that occupies a place towards the performance end of the segment, while retaining the elegant proportions of its predecessor. The /2 displays a more extrovert character that’s far removed from the chrome-laden, retro feel of the original Concept R 18. The latest big boxer wears its colours proudly, with deep, multi-layered paintwork contrasting with dark frame, forks, valve covers and seat. " With the Concept R 18 and this /2 project, we wanted to show two bookends –this is completely on the other side. “ Bart Janssen Groesbeek BMW Motorrad Design Sign up for the newsletter and don't miss anything anymore. Dynamic details. Dynamic details. A closer look reveals black and white cast wheels rather than spoked on silver rims with dimensions of 19” front and 16” rear. A modified R nineT Racer bikini fairing sits on top of the raked forks and triples, offering stylish protection from the elements, while high-end Brembo brakes suggest stopping power worthy of this performance cruiser. Gone is the floating leather saddle from the Concept R 18, replaced with a one-and-a-half person chopper-style seat, lending the bike a more dynamic, hot-rod character. Underneath a subframe, the rear fender has been bobbed and fixed to the frame, so it appears to hug the rear wheel. Begs to be ridden, not just admired. Begs to be ridden, not just admired. Whereas the original Concept R 18 is undoubtedly a thing of beauty, its sibling is designed to show just how flexible the base engine and chassis is as a starting point for customisation, and how easy it is to break out into different styles – in this case, a contemporary dynamic softtail with the character of a customised production motorcycle, rather than the uniqueness of the Concept R 18. " The Concept R 18 had this jewel quality from the past. With the /2 the character is much more achievable, like a modified production bike. “ Bart Janssen Groesbeek BMW Motorrad Design While the Concept R 18 took its creators deep into the brand’s past for inspiration, the /2 has more of a ’80s feel to it and has clearly been designed for higher speeds and longer distances. It’s lowered – but not nearly as low as the Concept R 18 – and the rider enjoys a more dynamic seating position, with less of a stretch to the higher bars. The low and long proportions are traditional for the segment, with the tank and frame cradling the huge muscular engine with its black metal-finished, stainless steel valve covers. Sitting higher than the Concept R 18, the /2 exudes an attitude that is not overly aggressive, but still sporty. As a fitting compliment to the original design strategy, the frame is shared with the Concept R 18, with no change in dimensions, angles or the distinctive flyline. The exposed shaft-drive remains, as does the classic teardrop tank. To complete the customised production look, the exhaust is made by German outfit Hattech, which has an established reputation for fabricating mufflers for classic and custom BMW bikes. The manufacturing process Less elegant, more raw attitude With the /2, the aim is to show the flexibility inherent in the original design concept, which allows for small changes to various body parts, without the main components frame/tank/engine etc. needing any degree of modification. Conceived by BMW Motorrad and hand-crafted by respected enthusiasts, the /2 definitely demonstrates this flexibility – exuding a completely different character, despite the same basic backbone. It’s a successful continuation of the story that leads us ever closer towards a genuine, series production cruiser in 2020. Until then, enjoy seeing the Concept R 18 /2 at motorcycle events across the globe. Concept R 18 roars into life. BMW Motorrad custom concept unveiled at Villa d’Este. Learn more

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