Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental

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Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental

18th pictures

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

1/18
BMW is working on an entire family of models for the new, large boxer engine.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

2/18
MOTORRAD has now exclusively caught the still secret BMW R1800 Tourer.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

3/18
The super cruiser is aimed at the US market, but should also come here.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

4/18
The drive is taken over by the new big boxer with a displacement of 1.8 liters that has already been introduced.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

5/18
For the BMW has so far given 91 hp and 158 Nm. In the Tourer, this could result in almost 100 hp.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

6/18
A radar system is integrated into the front of the vehicle above the LED headlights as the basis for new assistance systems.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

7/18
The two mufflers were noticeably long. And the bends are noticeably thick.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

8/18
The two fork tubes are comparatively thin in the visible area. Lush disguises hide the rest.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

9/18
The cockpit is equipped with four large clocks and a wide display. Large loudspeakers were also integrated.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

10/18
A properly dimensioned oil cooler sits little protected behind the front wheel.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

11/18
The taillight / indicator units are obviously integrated into the cases.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

12/18
It is not yet known when the new Super Cruiser will be launched.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
BMW

13/18
Images for the design patent application confirm the Erlkonig caught. BMW has apparently protected itself as the name Transcontinental.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
BMW

14/18
BMW is aiming precisely at its US competitors.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
BMW

15/18
High half-shell cladding, sloping side line.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
BMW

16/18
Clear view of the huge display in the cockpit.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
BMW

17/18
Only the waist is slim.

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental
BMW

18/18
View of the technology from below.

motorcycles

Chopper / cruiser

Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental

Erlkonig BMW R 18 Tourer
Big boxer as a super-tourer Transcontinental

With the R 18 Cruiser, BMW has presented the basic model of the new Big Boxer family. But that will be enriched by a super tourer. We have already caught him as Erlkonig. The name of the new model is Transcontinental and it will be launched on the market at least in the USA in model year 2022.


Michael Pfeiffer,


Uli Baumann,

Stefan Kaschel

March 17, 2021

On April 3, 2020, BMW had the R 18 cruiser the first model around the new Big boxers presents. But it doesn’t stop there. In line with the traditions of the major US manufacturers, the Bavarians offer a whole family of models for the new two-cylinder engine. A Super Tourer variant with full equipment is sure to come. It could compete under the name Transcontinental. BMW had a corresponding word mark protected by the European Patent Office on November 26, 2020. The entry under Nice Class 12 can be used for motorcycles and their parts. Judging by the overall concept of the super tourer, it is a thoroughly appropriate name.

BMW R 18 Transcontinental already caught

A first foretaste of the BMW R 18 Transcontinental is provided by a prototype caught exclusively by our Erlkonigjager as well as drawings for the design patent application.


Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental


BMW

During test drives on the autobahn, the BMW test driver got in the way of our Erlkonigjager. While the MOTORRAD photographer diligently pressed the shutter release, the test driver who was caught put a veritable emergency stop and stopped on the hard shoulder. The motorcycle, which had never been seen before, was loaded into a transporter that had also been braked at risk. Too late. The pictures were in the box, the machine uncovered and the model R 18 Transcontinental has recently been confirmed by the emissions data of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The Transcontinental is listed here for the 2022 model year alongside a previously unknown R 18 B. That stands by BMW motorcycle for excavator variants, a good move in the excavator maniac states of America. The CARB data does not contain any performance data, only the displacement of 1,802 cubic is given.


Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental


Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

So this is what it looks like, the new BMW full dresser boxer. A mighty handlebar-mounted fairing protects the driver, the cockpit is equipped with four large clocks and a wide display. Legshields, thick suitcases on a sturdy luggage rack, a very lushly padded bench – travel comfort seems to be well taken care of.

Here you can read how the new BMW R 18 drives.

Radar-based assistance systems

A radar system is integrated into the front of the vehicle above the LED headlights. Like KTM and Ducati, Bayern should work on new driver assistance systems. With the radar, adaptive distance and speed control as well as collision warning and a blind spot assistant can be implemented.


Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental


Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

The two mufflers were noticeably long. And the bends are noticeably thick. The two fork tubes are comparatively thin. The open cardan can also be admired in this otherwise fairly disguised version, a properly sized oil cooler sits little protected behind the front wheel.

Restricted legroom

The decisive question about the weal and woe of the new BMW: What about the position of the legs behind the thick cylinders? The BMW is unlikely to be able to offer that classic cruiser feeling with footrests mounted far forward. The tester, who is certainly not one of the shortest-legged ones, has to bend his lower legs to some extent.


Erlkonig BMW R 18: Big Boxer as Super Tourer Transcontinental


Stefan Baldauf / self-service media

Doesn’t the BMW come too close to its American role models in terms of looks and concepts? Hardly likely. The new Big Boxer seems too dominant, even in this full touring regalia. This air-cooled, 91 PS strong muscle man will always allow the BMW to remain independent.

Conclusion

BMW is building a new model family around the new big boxer. This obviously also includes a super tourer variant, which will probably be called the Transcontinental.

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