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[mark]

Sorry BMW, but IMO this is a swing and a miss.  While Indian and HD are moving to water-cooling, higher HP, with performance suspension, braking, etc., you’ve introduced a pushrod, air-cooled, low horsepower bagger. You're a few decades too late.  I predict these will be sitting unsold in showrooms in 2023, especially the iridescent purple/blue/green paint.

[BigLew]

Well that's...........interesting?

BigLew

[iski]

BMW's return shot over the bow to answer the PanAm.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Well that sure is different.  I think Harley did better with their Pan America shot than BMW did with this shot.

[BigLew55]

Well that sure is different.  I think Harley did better with their Pan America shot than BMW did with this shot.

I may be biased, but absolutely!  That bagger thing is not a good looking bike IMO.

...from someone who test rode the PA and is probably buying a GSA.   

[iski]

Well that sure is different.  I think Harley did better with their Pan America shot than BMW did with this shot.

Yeah, that Beemer is about as appealing to a Harley rider as a 2 wheeled bowling shoe.  PanAm was much closer to their target.

[CaffeineBuzz]

My first bike was the r90s.  When this r-18 came out I was really interested.

I was hoping for a touring version, but I'm not a fan of the looks of what they put together.

The k1600b is more appealing to me, but I still prefer the looks of my SG.

I wouldn't mind taking either for a spin

k1600b  160hp and 129tq
r18  91hp 116tq

[JCZ]

Well that's...........interesting?

BigLew

 

[iski]

Not the Bagger R18, but a good comparison of the BMW R18 to HD Softail Slim.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2021-bmw-r-18-vs-2021-harley-davidson-softail-slim-battle-of-the-big-twins?utm_source=jpc-facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=boosted-posts%7Ctpfn-content-organic&utm_content=bike-review-article-organic&utm_term=2021-bmw-r-18-vs-2021-harley-davidson-softail-slim-battle-of-the-big-twins-081321-%7Ctpfn-organic&fbclid=IwAR1_jQQgcQWoSVrA94WDVmGCcCEd8hSOaj-tXK7qnNVyZluDSwFDOaXrj4w

[mark]

Not the Bagger R18, but a good comparison of the BMW R18 to HD Softail Slim.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2021-bmw-r-18-vs-2021-harley-davidson-softail-slim-battle-of-the-big-twins?utm_source=jpc-facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=boosted-posts%7Ctpfn-content-organic&utm_content=bike-review-article-organic&utm_term=2021-bmw-r-18-vs-2021-harley-davidson-softail-slim-battle-of-the-big-twins-081321-%7Ctpfn-organic&fbclid=IwAR1_jQQgcQWoSVrA94WDVmGCcCEd8hSOaj-tXK7qnNVyZluDSwFDOaXrj4w

My estimate is the R18 will be out of production within five years.  My local BMW dealer is already offering heavy discounts.  For some reason, the Germans don’t grasp the American market. 

[iski]

My estimate is the R18 will be out of production within five years.  My local BMW dealer is already offering heavy discounts.  For some reason, the Germans don’t grasp the American market.

Agreed, if it lasts that long.  Started riding bikes in the late 1960s.  Back then each company was mostly unique in the markets they served. Harley, BMW, Triumph, Norton, BSA, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc. each had their markets carved out.  Sure there was overlap, Harley tried motocross with some little private labeled bike and the others sometimes tried other markets out.  Generally, each company was pretty good at what they did, some better than others. 

Now with the M/C buyer market shrinking, the manufacturers left can't just "dance with them that brung 'em".  They are losing sales but if they start losing significant market share it can be the end of a brand.  Old days they just bought out a competitor & milked it for cash.  Tougher to do now. Wish Harley well. 

This new Beemer doesn't look "right".  It looks like a Beemer somebody tried to bolt stuff on to make it look sort of like a Harley.

[Threephase]

My take away from the article is this:

It does not sound like the Harley
It does not feel like the Harley
It does not handle like the Harley
And, if you still choose to purchase one,
You will need to carry extra footpegs if you ride any twisties.