Big Massive Whale

bdalameda

bdalameda

PaleoCyclist
Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 13, 2009
Messages
221
Age
69
Location
Salinas, California
Bike
BMW R18 TC
Well... I'm almost embarrassed to tell you about the new motorcycle I just bought. I would never have guessed that I would have ever have bought such a bike. This bike is a brand new 2023 model still in the crate when I was told about it. It is a model that is not selling well in the US so BMW has a lot of leftover stock and it was offered to me at an absolute ridiculously low price - less than half the original price. I could hardly buy a 250cc dual sport for what I paid, so I bought it. Amazingly I have found this thing to be a hoot to ride. It has massive torque - 116 ft lbs and at 3K rpm equals 81 mph. It is glass smooth at 60-75mph on the highway but vibrations build rapidly as you turn the throttle open wide. It is super comfortable too. Its massive weight disappears as soon as it is moving at all and it handles surprisingly well in twisties. It is fully loaded with XM radio, HD radio, Nav connected to phone, has adaptive cruise control and a huge Marshall sound system, heated seats and grips, central locking system. I don't know how long I will keep it but I will give it a few trips to see how it goes. I still have my Africa Twin as a backup. It is incredibly well finished - the best fit and finish that I have ever seen on a motorcycle.

Let me introduce you to my B(big) M(massive)W(whale - R18
 

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That is quite the tourer, no lane filtering will be going on with that one! When you get that kind of deal, why not? Enjoy.
 
I test rode one of that series of BMW's at the local dealer's test ride. The BMW guy told me to turn the handlebars to the right before I tried to haul the bike up off the side stand - that made the bike stand more upright. That made it doable. The 1800 model I rode had much bigger floorboards.
 
SMSW said:
I test rode one of that series of BMW's at the local dealer's test ride. The BMW guy told me to turn the handlebars to the right before I tried to haul the bike up off the side stand - that made the bike stand more upright. That made it doable. The 1800 model I rode had much bigger floorboards.
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It is good that the center of gravity is so low on this bike. Once you get used to the weight - basically only when taking it off the stand - it really is easy to ride as the seat height is so low and the CG is low.
 
dduelin said:
That's what BMW was hoping would happen. However looking like a Harley and selling like a Harley Auf keinen Fall.
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Yep - they had dreams that all these Harley and Indian riders would buy this bike - that wasn't going to happen. It is a unique bike - not for everybody. It does have a lot of character though. If it had forward controls like a Harley, I would not have bought it, It does have a very conventional riding posture though.
 
Brand loyalty is strong among H-D fans. It is a good looking bike even if it's not an H-D.

One thing about bikes of that style regardless of manufacturer is the apparent reach from seat to bars. In pics it always looks like it's farther than it should be for riding of any extended nature. It probably looks long because of no rider to help reference dimensions.
 
I looked at one of those when I was looking at the Gold Wing. They weren't selling up here very well either. I think the dealer still has new 2022 & 2023 models for sale. The only drawback for me is the closest dealer that's about 2 hrs away. Congrats on your new ride!
 
ST Gui said:
Brand loyalty is strong among H-D fans. It is a good looking bike even if it's not an H-D.

One thing about bikes of that style regardless of manufacturer is the apparent reach from seat to bars. In pics it always looks like it's farther than it should be for riding of any extended nature. It probably looks long because of no rider to help reference dimensions.
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This bike has very upright seating position and does not have a far reach to the bars at all unlike a lot of cruisers.
 
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