BMW Motorrad has revealed the R18 Classic, a new variant that’s more suited towards cruising than the standard R18.
- Rides on a small 16-inch front wheel
- Gets cruise control as standard
- Features multiple touring-oriented accessories
The R18 Classic is based on the standard R18, that was launched in India, in September 2020. However, it does come equipped with features that make it distinctive. Its cruiser characteristics become quite evident thanks to the large windscreen, saddle bags and LED-powered auxiliary lights at the front.
In addition to this, the R18 Classic also comes equipped with a pillion seat unlike the standard model. The biggest change, however, comes in the form of the 16-inch front wheel replacing the large 19-inch unit on the R18. The Classic also gets cruise control as standard.
Powering it is the same 1,802cc, air and oil-cooler engine as the R18 and it is the biggest boxer engine that BMW has ever manufactured.
It develops 91hp at 4,750rpm, which may not seem as much considering its size, but crucially, it produces 158Nm of torque at 3,000rpm. A fat chunk of that torque, 150Nm to be precise, is available between 2,000-4,000rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an exposed drive shaft that is inspired from the old BMW cruisers.
BMW has always brought most of its international models to India, which is why we can expect to see this variant to also make its way here sometime next year.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
