BMW Motorrad announced details about the BMW R 18 Roctane 2024, the fifth member of the R 18 family and a vehicle the company calls “cruiser, bagger and everything in between.”
The Roctane joins the R 18, R 18 Classic, R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental but borrows styling cues from previous BMW models, such as the 1936 BMW R 5, which gets the air-cooled Boxer/ iconic oil at the heart of the “simplified” design. Other key design features drawn from the past include the dual ring frame, exposed driveshaft and rigid rear end.
What makes the BMW R 18 Roctane Rock?
The heart of the new BMW R 18 Roctane is the “Big Boxer” engine in contrast to the Twin, with a capacity of 1,802cc, combined with a 6-speed gearbox and a single-disc dry slipper clutch and a nickel-plated transmission shaft.
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When we booked 2021 BMW R18 on the Jett Tuning dyno, it sends 80 hp at 4,500 rpm and 109 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels at 2,900 rpm.
The new R 18 Roctane can be equipped with optional Hill Start and Reverse Assist, and comes standard with keyless start and the same three driving modes as the R 18. Drivers are familiar with: Rain, Roll and Rock, with separate throttle maps and settings for Automatic Stability Control and Engine Traction Control in each mode.
Related: 2021 BMW R18 Classic | Reviews check out the tour
The R 18 Roctane stands out from its brethren with its engine and transmission painted in black and a black Chrome exhaust system. Larger 21-inch front and 18-inch rear alloy wheels, combined with a raised center handle, coated in black give the Roctane what BMW calls “a more purposeful look”.
The 3.5-inch wide front wheel is wrapped in 120/70 B21 tyres, while 180/55 B18 tires wrap around the 5.5-inch rear wheel. The 21-inch front wheel extends the trail by 7.3 inches on the R 18 Roctane (versus 5.9 inches on the standard R 18) for better straight-line stability.
Braking comes from 4-piston fixed brake calipers biting dual 300 mm discs at the front and a single 300 mm disc at the rear, and BMW Motorrad Integral ABS is standard equipment. The R 18 Roctane has a 49mm telescopic fork and a rear hub with travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload, delivering 4.7-inch/3.5-inch front/rear travel. same as R18.
Related: 2022 BMW R 18 Transcontinental | Road test evaluation
Also inspired by the 1936 BMW R 5 – and almost all BMW motorcycles up until the early 1970s – the round instrument cluster of the R 18 Roctane is integrated into the metal LED headlight housing. and includes information such as engine rpm, gear indicator, status investigation, and detailed trip computer. Adaptive headlights are still optional and work by activating separate LED elements in the main headlights depending on the angle of inclination.
The R 18 Roctane has slim, rear-facing double-decker seats with straps for rear passengers, and is equipped with footrests and heel-shift paddles. The 28.3-inch saddle height puts the R 18 Roctane an inch taller than the standard R 18 but roughly the same as the R 18 B.
R18 Roctane is also equipped with a saddle bag painted in the same body color and integrated with LED taillights. They offer 27 liters of storage on each side and are available with optional removable liners. The “extra stripes” that cover the space between the bag and the bike can be selected from the available accessories. The original BMW Motorrad Accessories line also offers soft luggage options such as a rear bag or a canvas bag with a leather trim.
The car has a 4.2 gal fuel tank and a claimed wet weight of 825 lb.
The BMW R 18 Roctane 2024 will be available in Black Storm Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic Matte and Manhattan Metallic Matte with prices starting at $18,695. It is expected to launch in Q3 2023, but horseman will be arriving in Germany at the end of May for our first trip, so we’ll be sharing our impressions soon.
