The R 18 lineup is BMW’s only flagbearer in the highly contested cruiser motorcycle segment. And the Bavarian giant has put a lot of effort into making it ever-so-capable. This is why we’ve already seen four trims - R 18, R 18 Classic, R 18 B, R 18 Transcontinental - of the cruiser in just three years, and for 2024, there’s now a fifth one too. Called the R 18 Roctane, the new thumper (unlike what we expected from its trademarks) adds some urban bagger flavor to the lineup, with eyes set on American offerings like the Harley-Davidson Road King. In addition, BMW has also teased the 2024 R 12 NineT retro roadster as a replacement for its existing R NineT.
What’s New On The 2024 BMW R 18 Roctane
One look at the R 18 Roctane, and it stands out from its four siblings. Credit here goes to the new jazzed-up bagger aesthetic. Up top, the Roctane features a chunky headlight cowl, paired with a long, old-school fender and fork covers for added brawn. This streamlines toward the rear, courtesy of the all-metal bodywork, which also includes two hard bags outback. Each one has 27 liters of storage and houses a sleek LED tail lamp. The svelte design is brought together by three gorgeous paint options - Black Storm Metallic, Mineral Grey Metallic Matte, and Manhattan Metallic Matte - all with blacked-out mechanicals. The dark chrome exhaust, in particular, is a sight to behold.
Hop aboard the Roctane, and it feels different here too. Unlike the swept-back handlebar on other R 18s, this one has mini ape hangers (finished in black), complete with bespoke handlebar-mounted LED turn signals. This is topped by a new gunfighter-style saddle (with enough space for a pillion) and a repositioned semi-digital instrument cluster (now integrated into the headlight cowl. Meanwhile, the feature list comprises all-LED lights, three ride modes (Rock, Roll, Rain), dual-channel ABS, cruise control, and keyless ignition. Whereas bits like reverse gear, hill start assist, and heated grips are optional extras. The reverse assist seems like a no-brainer to us, considering this weighs a whopping 825 pounds (64 more than the base R 18).
Where the new R 18 remains unchanged, though, is in terms of mechanicals. It employs the same 1,802cc, boxer engine you see on the other R 18s, that too, with the same 91 horsepower and 116 pound-feet on tap. The power is available from as low as 2,000 RPM and reaches the rear wheel via an exposed driveshaft paired with a six-speed gearbox.
Meanwhile, the engine sits inside a double-loop steel chassis, sprung on 49 mm telescopic forks and a monoshock. Though all this comes directly from the standard R 18, the only notable difference here is the 21-inch front wheel, instead of a 19-incher. Even the brakes (with two 300 mm discs up top and one at the rear) remain as is.
What’s The Price Of The 2024 BMW R 18 Roctane?
BMW USA has listed the 2024 R 18 Roctane at $18,695 ($3,700 more than the standard R 18) with an expected September 2023 timeline. That hike might seem steep, but we think it’s well-justified, given the new components on offer. More importantly, to make matters sweeter, this price is much lower than the Roctane’s American rivals - the Harley-Davidson Road King and the Indian Springfield Dark Horse (both priced at $23,999).
What About The 2024 BMW R 12 NineT?
The second reveal from BMW is the 2024 R 12 NineT. Though full details are yet to come out, the bikemaker has shown the motorcycle. Its silhouette remains identical to the 2022 R NineT, but not without notable changes. There’s a new tank that features brawnier knee cutouts, followed by refreshed side panels under the chunkier seat. Plus, you get an entirely new subframe which BMW claims is easily removable to enable customization.
As for mechanicals, the R 12 flexes a boxer engine in typical Bavarian fashion. Though it’s expected to be identical to the current 1,170cc mill, the bikemaker has equipped the roadster with a new intake system, along with four new chrome exhausts. The transmission appears new as well and so do the Michelin Road 5 tires (the current R NineT has Pirelli Rossos). That’s all for now, and you’ll have to wait a few months for the R 12 NineT’s entire specs, variants as well as pricing. We low-key hope BMW resurrects the R NineT Racer too.