Buzz
BMW Motorrad commemorates a century of innovation with the limited edition release of their iconic R nineT and R18 models. At BIMS 2023, I had the chance to capture the essence of the R18 series and share its allure with fellow enthusiasts.In tribute to the inaugural R 32 launched in September 1923, BMW unveils the Special Heritage edition, with only 1,923 units crafted worldwide. The BMW R18 Centennial Edition is now available in the Thai market, priced at over 1.2 million baht, approximately 836 USD.
The BMW R18 commemorating 100 years is adorned with numerous chrome panels and comes equipped with the Option 719 accessory package, featuring intricately milled and painted details on the shiny chrome surface. Chrome has been a popular choice for motorcycles since the 1920s, and vintage-style models often incorporate this material.
Painting on glossy chrome is a challenging process that takes considerable time. With advancing paint technology, achieving this was made possible. For the 100-year editions of the two aforementioned models, BMW employed a process known as Chromium III, requiring the metal surface to be polished for a high gloss, dust-free, and scratch-resistant finish.
Subsequently, the parts undergo immersion in various electroplating baths to add layers of copper, nickel, and chrome. Finally, layers of paint are applied as per the design intent, culminating in an outermost coat of glossy paint responsible for protection.
The special R 18 edition features a leather saddle with a striking black and red color scheme embellished with classic and sophisticated diamond patterns. BMW refers to the black hue they've given the bike as 'Avus Black,' inspired by the name of a nearly 20 km long racetrack west of Berlin, Germany. Many details on the bike are also adorned with shiny chrome plating, such as the fuel tank, exhaust pipes, handlebars, mirrors, and engine covers.
The R 18 100 Years comes with Akrapovič chrome-plated exhaust pipes featuring perforated edges forming the BMW logo, which looks remarkably impressive. This small detail, in my opinion, has been meticulously crafted and adds significant aesthetic value to the bike. Besides the aforementioned elements, the R 18 100 Years, overall, doesn't have any major differences in terms of appearance and equipment, including the engine.
The BMW R 18 is equipped with the Big Boxer 2-cylinder Flat-Twin engine, with a displacement of 1,802 cc, the largest ever installed on a BMW Motorrad commercial motorcycle. It boasts the traditional Boxer design from 70 years ago combined with modern technology.
This engine generates a power output of 91 horsepower at 4,750 revolutions per minute and a torque of 158 Nm at 3,000 revolutions per minute. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox and a shaft drive system.
In the current Vietnamese market, the R18 is available in four different versions, including the standard model, R 18 Transcontinental, R 18 Classic, and R 18 Bagger. The price of the vehicle ranges from 899 million to nearly 1.3 billion Vietnamese Dong.
