BMW built a Valkyrie... sort of.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I get emails from JP Cycles, as I've done business with them in the past. I got one this morning, and one of the story links was to BMW's new cruiser. I opened it, and as soon as I saw the picture, I thought of our beloved 1st gen Valks. While they obviously have many differences, the styling sure isn't too far off. Maybe it's just me. What do you think?   https://www.jpcycles.com/countersteer/reviews/bmw-unveils-touring-minded-2021-r-18-classic

[hubcapsc]

What do you think?

Looks nice. Probably is real nice. Spoked wheels - ick, that's a bit too retro...

-Mike

[baldo]

That's pretty sharp. I think those pipes sticking out so far with no engine guards might be a problem. They'll probably sell a few replacements.

Just for visuals, that 1800 cc medallion is a bit big.

That is a real good looking bike.

[Farside]

  Looks nice but more like a Moto Guzzi to me.  

[Chrisj CMA]

I like it and Queen Dinky likes it too 

[hubcapsc]

Looks nice but more like a Moto Guzzi to me.  

-Mike  

[Jersey mike]

That's pretty sharp. I think those pipes sticking out so far with no engine guards might be a problem. They'll probably sell a few replacements.

Just for visuals, that 1800 cc medallion is a bit big.

That is a real good looking bike.

It is a good looking bike and I had the same thought on the exhaust pipes and no engine guards.

Also, not much room for different floorboards or cruising pegs.

[Valkorado]

Yeah it's nice, those Beemer boxers are revered by many for smooth reliability.  $pensive, but aren't they all nowadays.  Sure wouldn't be offended if someone gave me one.

[Oss]

Nice

[da prez]

It could be tubeless spoke wheels. I think I may go look at the bike.

                                                   da prez

                                         

[six2go #152]

Rider Magazine's road test of the new R18 pretty much echos what you are all saying about the looks which means they liked it. However, the ride-ability was a whole different thing. I was stoked when I first heard about it and saw the pics, but I think I'll step back and look for awhile.(From a former BMW owner)

[Jess from VA]

Basic lines, tank fender.  But a flat twin, not 6.  Nice looking bike.

I've always heard they are a bear to work on though.

And (absolutely) no spokes for me.

[Willow]

Looks like a BMW.

[Jess from VA]

Interesting driveline.

BMW have used driveshafts on their boxer motors right since the very beginning but they’ve updated the tech along the way. The current R1250 series uses paralever rear ends: hollow, single-sided swingarms with a final drive supported by a torque arm.

Inside the swingarm is a driveshaft that features two universal joints – one at either end. Universal joints allow movement of a shaft to continue at an angle, however even if the motion into one end of the UJ is constant, the motion on the other side of it is jerky, so on the current R series BMW use two ‘in phase’ so the jerky motion becomes smooth again.

As the suspension moves up and down, the bevel box stays fixed relative to the motion of the driveshaft. Inside, the driveshaft moves with the wheel, while the u-joints and dampers inside the shaft prevent the up/down movement of the shaft overly affecting its rotational speed.

Because the pivot point of the swingarm is at the same point as the u-joint at the back of the gearbox, the driveshaft remains the same length. Meanwhile the torque arm attached the bevel box prevents ‘shaft jacking’, suspension movement caused by acceleration or deceleration.



The R18 is not only the largest and heaviest BMW to date, but also produces the most torque, too: a whole 116.5ftlb to be precise. More impressive still is that 110ft of go is available from just 2000rpm – why did they even bother with gears? But gears it has (six of them, naturally) plus there’s even an optional reverse, although that runs on the starter.

Puts out 91 hp at 4,750 rpm and 116 pound-feet at 3,000 rpm. Seat height of 27.2 inches.

Look like about $17.5 - 20K.

[..]

Looks as ugly as the bike James Bond rode. Not for me.

[sheets]

Looks nice but more like a Moto Guzzi to me. 

-Mike 

Almost pulled the trigger on a Guzzi California back in March . . . about the same time as the Covid crap put a strangle hold on the country. I stepped back.

[f6gal]

Meh.  1,802 cc, two-cylinder boxer, 90 hp.  *yawn*  

(Hmmm, why don't we have a yawn emoticon?)

[The emperor has no clothes]

Meh.  1,802 cc, two-cylinder boxer, 90 hp.  *yawn*  

(Hmmm, why don't we have a yawn emoticon?)

[f6gal]

Meh.  1,802 cc, two-cylinder boxer, 90 hp.  *yawn*  

(Hmmm, why don't we have a yawn emoticon?)

That is way too big to go in our emoticon line up!

[Beardo]

Looks nice but more like a Moto Guzzi to me. 

-Mike 

Almost pulled the trigger on a Guzzi California back in March . . . about the same time as the Covid crap put a strangle hold on the country. I stepped back.

Love love love that bike. If it had a Honda emblem on the tank, I’d have bought one when I bought my Wing. Love bikes that proudly display a unique engine. Do not love Italian bikes with a non existing dealer network and questionable reliability when touring the continent. Kudos to anyone who has the stones to ignore all that and buy one anyway.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Derailing my own thread to the Moto Guzzi world, I have a serious want for their "entry level" bike. Maybe I miss my Triumph, maybe I just like the bare essence of a basic bike for Sunday rides in the countryside; I don't know. I do know that I love the look of the V7 III Carbon Shine.

[..]

Derailing my own thread to the Moto Guzzi world, I have a serious want for their "entry level" bike. Maybe I miss my Triumph, maybe I just like the bare essence of a basic bike for Sunday rides in the countryside; I don't know. I do know that I love the look of the V7 III Carbon Shine.

Take a look at the new Royal Enfield 650 twin.

https://www.royalenfield.com/in/en/twins/