BMW Motorrad is celebrating their 100th anniversary and unveiling the all-new R 18 Roctane.
Set to become the fifth member of the R 18 family, the Roctane reinterprets the “iconic styling of past eras in custom bagger style.” BMW says the bike is heavily influenced by the R 5 as its double-loop tube frame, pear-drop fuel tank, and open propeller shaft drive are reminiscent of the 1936 bike.
Elsewhere, there are LED lighting units, covered wheels, and an R 5 inspired rear swingarm. They’re joined by alloy wheels that measure 21 inches front and 18 inches rear.
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The bike features a comfort focused “mid-mounted footpeg” riding position and a tapered two-level seat. The model also has a minimalist instrument dial with old school “Berlin Built” lettering. They’re joined by body color cases that hold 1 cubic foot (27 liters) of cargo, while accessories include a windshield, auxiliary lighting units, and heated grips.
The R 18 Roctane doesn’t just have retro-inspired styling as the suspension “deliberately” lacks electric adjustment. Instead, riders will find telescopic forks and a “directly linked central sprint strut with travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload.”
That being said, the bike is thoroughly modern as it has Automatic Stability Control, Engine Drag Control, and three riding modes known as Rain, Rock, and Roll. Customers can also get Hill Start Control and Reverse Assist as optional extras.
Power is provided by a 1.8-liter (1,802 cc) two-cylinder flat twin engine that develops 90 hp (67 kW / 91 PS) and 116 lb-ft (158 Nm) of torque. It’s painted Avus black and features high-gloss black covers as well as a dark chrome exhaust system.
The engine is connected to a six-speed transmission and it enables the bike to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.46 seconds. When pushed hard, it will eventually top out at 111 mph (179 km/h).
The 2024 R 18 Roctane starts at $18,695 before factoring in the $895 destination fee, which brings the total price tag to $19,590. That means it costs slightly more than the R 18 Classic, but is cheaper than the R 18 B.
