BMW R18's bookings live in India, launch imminent
What's the story
BMW R18, the premium cruiser that made its global debut last week, is likely to hit the Indian roads in the coming months. An Autocar report has claimed that BMW dealerships are accepting unofficial bookings for the cruiser at a token amount of Rs. 1 lakh. The report has also hinted that the company would commence the deliveries of the cruiser from October onwards.
Design
A look at the BMW R18
The BMW R18 sits on a double-cradle steel frame and features an old-school cruiser design with a single type seat, tear-drop shaped fuel tank, and a swept-back handlebar to offer a comfortable seating position. The rounded LED headlamp, chrome-finished exhaust, and spoked wheels accentuate its retro appeal. Furthermore, it has a kerb weight of 345kg and a fuel tank capacity of 16 liters.
Information
Power and performance
Under the hood, the BMW R18 draws power from a BS6-compliant 1,802cc air-and-oil-cooled twin-cylinder engine that comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. This motor is capable of producing 91bhp of maximum power at 4,750rpm and 158Nm of peak torque at 3,000rpm.
Safety
BMW R18: On the road
The BMW R18 comes equipped with disc brakes on both the ends, along with dual-channel ABS, switchable automatic stability control, and several other driver-friendly features for improved road handling. To manage suspension duties, the bike gets telescopic fork up front and a mono-shock absorber on the rear. Moreover, it offers three riding modes: Rain, Roll, and Rock.
Information
Finally, how much will it cost?
BMW will announce the official pricing of the R18 cruiser at a later stage. However, reports suggest that the motorcycle is likely to arrive in India at a price of around Rs. 18-20 lakh.