Page 21 - RidingOnSummer

BMW R18 September 2021 - Update

When bikes are released it takes a number of years from R 18 Transcontinental – a full dressed tourer, high screen, wind
inception through design, testing and onto release. Interestingly GHÀHFWRUV OLWUH WDQN ZRQGHUZKHHO DFWLYH FUXLVH FRQWURO
as BMW was planning its foray into the heavy cruiser market, cornering control system, footboards
Harley Davidson was reinventing itself with the PanAmerica.
These two heavyweight marques, taking each other on and There is a plethora of options for all of the models, several
forging new territory. Let’s stay with BMW. colours to choose from. BMW have an Option 719 customisation
available for its other bikes and the R18 has not been left out.
I submitted my test report for the R18 First Edition to Riding On 7KH VXVSHQVLRQ KDV EHHQ LPSURYHG DQG ZLWK GL໤HUHQW VHDW
#152, and before it went to press, BMW released the upgraded options through the models should greatly improve the ride
R18 range ... yes a range, not an upgrade. This immediately over the First Edition.
made my article redundant but rather than dwell on that, it was
logical to follow up and have a look at the new R18 and where Looking at the performance numbers, they do not appear to
it is going. vary between the models. This suggests that as you move
up through the more equipped bikes, with more weight the
BMW have gone to town with the R18 platform. I cannot see SHUIRUPDQFH PD\ VX໤HU VXFK DV VORZHU SRZHU GHOLYHU\ DQG
anyone buying the base model, there are now a number of new longer overtaking distances. As we know, we cannot compare
models based on that platform. Here we go with some (not all) GL໤HUHQW VW\OHV RI ELNHV :LWKLQ WKH 5 UDQJH GL໤HUHQW VW\OHV
RI WKH GL໤HUHQFHV KLJKOLJKWHG« DWWUDFW GL໤HUHQW ULGHUV DQG ZKRHYHU EX\V WKH 7UDQVFRQWLQHQWDO
will not ride or use it the same way as the base model.
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keyless Having ridden most of the Harley Davidson and Indian
heavyweights, I can’t wait to ride the R18B and the
R 18 Classic –Windshield, 15 litre soft panniers,spot-lights, 7UDQVFRQWLQHQWDO DQG JLYHQ , KDYH WKH ¿QDO YHUVLRQ RI WKH
cruise control, pillion pad, elongated silencer Victory Cross Country Tour in my garage I might be tempted…
R 18 B –a hard bagger, handlebar mountedtop fairing, low Mark ‘Avachat’ Price #63342
screen, with integrated instruments and TFT system (integrated
connectivity with phone, navigation etc.), dynamic cruise
control, Marshall speakers

Rocky Creek Designs – MotoPressor go to take it for a ride. The starter spins faster than a dope
dealer surrounded by the dog squad! There’s protection against
Battery Charger/Maintainer. reverse polarity, short circuit or over-charging. I set the Beemer
up with the terminal leads, and the plug sits ready for easy
connection just under the seat.
Our friends from Rocky Creek Designs asked Riding On to have
a look at 2 battery chargers which have the added feature of At $46.75 RRP it’s a fantastic, safe and reliable unit at a bargain
maintaining the battery once it reaches full charge. The larger price.
unit, RC-2000 we will keep over for the next issue of Riding On
and this edition we’ll look at the smaller RC-750. Contact Rocky Creek Designs on 02 66895703 or email Janice
jjansen@rockycreekdesigns.com.au
If you have a motorcycle that doesn’t get used on a regular
basis, it may lose some charge during its ‘resting’ state. Modern May Your Lid Never Skid, Ian Parks #11735
bikes also carry a lot of electronics that require a constant
feed from the battery, and this, if left for some time without a
regular run can lead to sluggish starting (or worse) when you
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I have an historic plated 1988 BMWK100 which has a new
battery, a fully function charging system, but, if left for a week
(about the amount it gets out) it can be questionable as to
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for the bike prior to being contacted by Rocky Creek Designs.
The RC-750 is very simple and easy to use. It is also very
compact and if you are going on a long trip, it wouldn’t take
up much room to take along with you (has neat carry case
too). It’ll charge all types of battery, including lead acid, GEL,
Maintenance Free and EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery)(write
to me and explain what that is please). It’ll also charge 12 or 6
volt, but, never (repeat NEVER) connect it to a lithium battery
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So, after 3 weeks with the RC-750 Charger/Maintainer, I’m
sold. The old Beemer has all the charge it needs whenever I

RIDING ON 21