Bavarian bagger: BMW reveal blacked out R18 Roctane cruiser for 2023

BMW have added yet another model to their 1802cc R18 cruiser line-up, with a new blacked-out BMW R18 Roctane joining the party to sit somewhere between the £17,480 standard bike and more distance-focussed £19,540 Classic.

Now the fifth bike to be powered by the firm’s torquiest boxer twin engine of all time, the 374kg Roctane comes with a classically-inspired headlight and is dressed in a black matt finish, with glossy black paint found on the cylinder head covers and twin underslung exhausts. Two metallic options are available as optional extras.

Alongside the murdered-out look, the new model is also dressed in a pair of side cases, offering 27-litres of storage each. Some 11.5-litres more than the aforementioned Classic’s soft 15.5-litre side bags, the Roctane can also be equipped with an option front screen with auxiliary headlights and suspended indicators – providing more of a heritage look.

Being a derivative of the R18 and sharing the same tubular steel frame, you can expect a low seat height of 720mm. You can also expect some pretty epic pulling power too, with 116.6lb.ft of torque at just 3000rpm. There’s also 89.8bhp at 4750rpm – meaning amazingly you can have the bike on an A2 licence, should you so wish/afford.

Electronics-wise, the R18 Roctane gets three riding modes as standard: ‘Rain’, ‘Roll’ and ‘Rock’, as well as heated grips, keyless ignition, hill hold control, and more. There’s also a reverse gear, which should help avoid any embarrassing tumbles when parking up.

Suspension is manually adjustable, with the pegs placed in a ‘mid-mounted’ position behind the cylinders, which BMW also say adds to the relaxed riding position.

BMW have now sold more than 20,000 R18s since its introduction, with the firm’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Stephan Reiff confirming to MCN that this wouldn’t be the final model in the range.

“We plan to stay with the family for a long time, this won’t be the final chapter,” he told MCN. “Do we think at the moment that five different models in the range is enough? Yes.”