by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com BMW’s latest motorcycle wonder, the R 18, is the freshest Bavarian creation, and the world keeps talking about it even days after it was launched by the Germans. But there are other BMW motorcycles worth talking about, both factory-made and custome, like the R nineT we have here. When BMW announced it is building a cruiser motorcycle based on the new Big Boxer engine it developed, it did so by tasking custom builders with advertising the powerplant. This is how with about a year left until the actual unveiling of the R 18, we got the Custom Works Zon R18, and later the Revival Birdcage. But the R nineT is even more tunable as the R 18, it seems. The bike pictured here is the result of work conducted in Moscow by a builder called Zillers Garage, allegedly with the support of BMW Motorrad Russia. It is, in essence, a tuned-up, futuristic version of a stock R nineT. Officially scheduled to have been shown at the now canceled Moscow motorcycle show, the bike made its online premiere this week. It presents itself as a stock two-wheeled Bimmer that sheds its skin and wrapps itself in a shell of aluminum, one that ends at the front with a large HID lamp that brings back memories of Lost in Space’s Robot. According to the information available, the modifications made to the standard motorcycle include altering the suspension to bring the body closer to the ground, some changes to the brake and clutch levers, and the additions of buttons required to control the air suspension. The engine of the R nineT remains the original one, and no modifications have been made to it. That translates into a 1,170cc powerplant, developing 110 hp and controlled by means of a six-speed transmission. There is no word yet from Russia whether this concept is just a show motorcycle, or some production run is planned for those able and willing to pay.

Hey,

We’ve had numerous versions on how the exclusive Bikernet Bandana can be used to save lives during this wide-spread Pandemic, while we work on the magnificent Pandemic Panhead.

The first, above, came from a secluded source in downtown Long Beach.

Then Sin Wu started to manufacturer Bandit’s Safety Masks sequestered on her boat in the Wilmington marina.

Currently Paul Davis, a former Harley mechanic, is working on one in Tennessee. He ordered six more so he would have one for every day of the week. We will keep you posted as we road test the Sin Wu version on a run to Winco, the only employee-owned grocery store in the area for supplies. But I was just informed that Emilio who owns his dad’s old shop in Wilmington was broke into last night by a homeless meth head. I need to take some welding gear up the street and see if I can fix his gate.

If you buy any book in the 5-Ball Racing shop, you get a Bikernet Bandana for free. Such a deal. The same applies if you buy any leather piece, and then you’ll receive a free book and a Bandana.

https://shop.bikernet.com/

When Can Life Return to Normal? 4 Signs to Monitor

Peter Brookes@Brookes_Peter

A Book about Two Brothers Riding from Los Angeles To Sturgis

Book by Bob Bitchin, Review by Rogue

I was thinking about all of you on Quarantine and how much I think you would enjoy reading this book by my friend Bob Bitchin. I will tell you ahead of time, it is an ADULT PUBLICATION and if you are offended by Sex, Drugs, or Rock and Roll it is probably not for you.

READ THE BOOK REVIEW ON BIKERNET – CLICK HERE

Shop for Books, Leather Gear and more in the 5-Ball Racing Shop

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by Fraser Addecott from https://www.mirror.co.uk

Fraser puts the German firm’s hugely popular thousand to the test – just before the lockdown kicked in – and finds he runs out of superbike superlatives

As someone who grew up riding Japanese sportsbikes, I still find it a little surprising that the definitive model for the past few years has not derived from the Land of the Rising Sun.

No, it’s German manufacturer BMW Motorrad which has, arguably, dominated the supersports market – in the form of its S1000RR.

The bike was first introduced in 2009, when just 1,000 were produced in order to meet homologation requirements for the firm’s new World Superbike Championship machine.

Since then, it has racked up successes in that series, the Superstock 100 competition and the Macau Grand Prix – not to mention multiple Isle of Man TT wins.

The S1000RR was given updates in 2012 and again in 2015.

This latest version I am testing here came out last year and represents a major overhaul.

Claudio De Martino, BMW’s vehicle technology team leader, told Mirror Motorcycling: “Our brief was to take the predecessor model – which has been a dominating force in all disciplines for 10 years – and significantly improve on its performance.

“This we translated into straightforward targets – one second faster on the track, more than 10kg lighter and easier to control.

“These targets were taken as the basis for every decision.”

Claudio and has team were true to their brief – the new engine produces a whopping 207bhp, an increase of 8bhp on its predecessor and the bike has dropped from 208kg to 197kg.

It is also more controllable with an enhanced ride due to a redesigned main frame, even better suspension and improved technology, such as traction and wheelie control.

The red model I tested looked superb – sleek, powerful and classy.

On board, the ride position is surprisingly comfortable.

Yes, its a sportsbike and the ergonomics leave you in no doubt of that, but it is less tucked-up and cramped than some others.

There are four ride modes – Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race.

For track fans, there’s also an optional Pro mode, which offers individual tweaking of the throttle, engine braking, traction control, wheelie control and ABS.

Everything is beautifully displayed on the 6.5in TFT screen, which has multiple view options, all adjusted via the intuitive switch gear.

Out on the road, the power on tap is simply awesome.

Whereas previously most of this tended to be up towards the redline, now it is much more broad and linear, with plenty available in the mid-range.

This is made possible by BMW’s variable valve timing system, plus hollo-bored titanium valves – a world first.

Handling is superb thanks to the new Flex Frame, improved suspension and dynamic damping control.

Braking, employing Hayes calipers and 320mm front discs and a 220mm rear is pleasingly subtle at first and reassuringly powerful when needed.

I’ll leave the overall verdict to Claudio himself, who said: “The result is a fascinating new motorcycle that exceeds the targets we set ourselves and will once again set the benchmark.”

The Facts: BMW S1000RR

Stylish: Available in three colours

Engine: 999cc in-line four

Power: 207bhp @ 13,500rpm

Torque: 83 ft lb @ 11,000rpm

Colours: White/blue/red; silver; red

Price: £15,585

 

 If you are a Biker who was around in the ’70s you will like the memories. If you were to young then, well you missed what I consider a great time during the lifestyle.  To be fair Not All Of The Sturgis Rally Was Like In This Book.

Bob and Degenerate Jim and I hung out a lot in the late ’60s and early ’70s and we did have a lot of interesting times together. NO, I Was Not Part Of This Story.

 

LEGAL CRAOLA FROM THE BOOK

 As this didn’t actually happen, it didn’t actually happen about mid-August, 1973.

 What I am trying to allude to never happened…and when it did, I wasn’t there, because, if it were labeled as non-fiction a whole lot of people could be highly embarrassed (or worse!).

 Well. Not a lot, because most of them are dead by now, or in jail. Just in case, and to keep from having what little I have left taken away from me by lawyers and other blood-suckers, I will label it as FICTION! There, no one can sue me for anything.

 But those of you who were there, you will know. You will also know when I stray from the facts. Ya gotta have a little poetic license, right? I mean, hell, if Tom Clancy can use the Royal Family and sitting Presidents in his “fiction” I guess I can use a bunch of degenerate bikers in mine, right?

 By the way, degenerate is not a derogatory term in this book. In fact, at the time this DIDN’T happen (wink-wink, nod-nod) it was my fervent hope that I had reached the pinnacle of being a truly degenerate and sleazy outlaw biker!

 Okay, if this had happened (wink-wink, nod-nod) it would have been about 50 years ago, and if I were there I would have been in my late twenties.

 As we reach senility sometimes things that happen get foggy, and things that didn’t happen seem to warp into some kind of fuzzy reality. So once again, this never happened, and when it did, it was a long time ago, and in my alleged drug-addled state of mind, it could have all just been a dream.

    Or a nightmare.

    Read on and judge for yourself.

 This book is available by contacting FTW Publishing, Inc www.seafaring.com The ISMN Number is 978-0-9662182-9-9 in case you wish to order from BobBitchin.com or Amazon

 

by Kyle Hyatt from https://www.cnet.com/

We loved the concept at Villa d’Este, and now the production version will haunt our dreams until it’s released.

I’ve been looking forward to a production version of BMW’s R18 concept since it debuted last year at Villa d’Este, and now it’s finally here. How close does the production model get to the utterly gorgeous prewar-inspired concept?

Well, pretty close, actually. Sure, there will be plenty who argue that it should be closer, that the production bike’s front wheel is too small or that BMW should have retained the concept’s fork covers, but I’m not one of those people. This thing is a handsome-as-hell cruiser-bobber style motorcycle, and I badly want to ride it already.

The R18’s headline feature is its massive 1.8-liter horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engine. This is the biggest boxer that BMW has ever offered — by over half a liter — and it’s still air-cooled. This lump outputs a 91 horsepower and a whopping 116 pound-feet of torque. It’s got four valves per cylinder with dual overhead camshafts on each cylinder, and it promises to be a characterful old thing, in the best traditions of the brand.

The bike also features the classic BMW boxer large single-disc dry clutch and a six-speed gearbox. Unusual for the BMW though (these days, at least) is the decision to leave the bike’s driveshaft exposed. This was done in homage to the prewar Beemers like the R5 and R51 from which the R18 takes much of its inspiration. A reverse gear ala Honda’s Goldwing is available as an option.

The R18 is probably closest in spirit to the R NineT, at least as far as current production motorcycles go, and like that bike, it’s been designed with easy customization in mind. To that end, BMW has partnered with the likes of Roland Sands Design and Mustang Seats to offer factory-approved accessories to help make the R18 more your own.

Unlike the R NineT, the R18 features multiple ride modes which include Rock, Roll and Rain. The former being the most aggressive ride mode, with access to the bike’s full power and torque. Roll mode is analogous to most motorcycles’ Road mode, while Rain offers softer throttle response and more limited power and torque.

The bike’s suspension is pretty neat in that it looks very much like a hardtail (aka no rear suspension) but, in fact, is merely hiding its rear suspension bits. The bike’s front fork legs are each a whopping 49 millimeters in diameter and look suitably old-timey — though I’d have loved to see a modern BMW interpretation of the classic Earles fork design that it used in the 1920s and 30s.

The R18 will be available in two flavors at launch: the standard version and the First Edition, and it’s the latter one that really gets my attention. The First Edition pays the closest homage to the classic Beemers with all kinds of pinstriping and chrome. It also comes with some neat extras like historically accurate tank emblems, slotted screws (to look period correct while also annoying your mechanic), a leather belt, a screwdriver, gloves and a book celebrating the BMW motorcycles’ 97-year history.

The standard R18 will set you back a surprisingly reasonable $17,495, while the First Edition will go for $19,870. Bikes are currently slated to hit dealers later on in 2020, but given the dramatic effect that the coronavirus outbreak has had on the industry, that could be pushed back.

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

Despite being at the top of sales charts in the motorcycle industry, BMW hasn’t had an entry in the cruiser segment since the R1200 RC . That changed with the introduction of the brand new R 18 this week.

Featuring the Big Boxer engine, the “most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever used in motorcycle series production,” the R18 is described as a bike that blends the classic lines of older BMW bikes with modern day technology.

The design of the motorcycle, and parts of its construction, like the rear swingarm, are reminiscent of the R 5, a bike designed way back in the 1930s as the first BMW motorcycle to use a foot-operated four-speed gearbox. Cues to that resemblance are also the double-loop frame, the pear-drop tank, the open-running driveshaft, the pinstriped paintwork, and of course the exposed drive-shaft.

At the center of the motorcycle lies the Big Boxer BMW has been teasing for more than a year now. The 2-cylinder engine is 1,802 cc in displacement, develops 91 hp at 4,750 rpm, and provides a maximum of 158 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm.

The motorcycle comes with three driving modes – Rain, Roll and Rock – and is equipped with automatic stability control (can be disengaged) and drag torque control as standard. Optionally, reverse assist and hill start control can be specified.

BMW did not announce yet when the motorcycle will become available and how much it will charge for it. When it hits the market though, it will be available in First Edition guise, adding a few unique extras like a classic black finish with white pinstriped paintwork, chrome highlights and First Edition badges.

Additionally, for the U.S. market BMW partnered with several companies to give the bike a local flavor. The customization program there includes parts from Roland Sands Design, Mustang Seat, or Vance & Hines.

Full details on the BMW R 18 can be found in the press release section below.