BMW Motorrad Canada Rolls Out Three R 18 Customs

BMW Motorrad Canada’s first-ever customization venture resulted in these three various R 18 builds. (BMW Motorrad/)

Even earlier than its official debut in 2020, BMW’s R 18 cruiser had already made its option to a slew of customizers from the US in addition to from world wide, with the marque itself commissioning a prototype and a number of other idea variations of the Large Boxer–engined, custom-styled machine effectively earlier than the general public ever noticed it on a seller’s ground. It appears that evidently the BMW’s Motorrad offshoot in Canada wished in on the motion too, and though they’re a bit late to the sport, this trio of slick R 18–based mostly customs launched earlier this 12 months are nonetheless value a more in-depth look.

For its first-ever bike customization venture, BMW Motorrad Canada partnered with three proficient builders—all working in several kinds—from throughout the nation, giving every of the customizers a brand new inventory BMW R 18 to switch as they happy. However this being a company-commissioned deal, we are able to additionally assume BMW wished to current the R 18′s customizing potential in its finest gentle, and it’s a protected wager this trio was chosen for his or her craftsmanship and a spotlight to element.

Associated: A Timeline Of The 2021 BMW R 18 Launch

It took some slick metalwork, however Jay Donovan was capable of downplay the R 18’s huge exhaust pipe and create this construct he calls “Future Cafe.” (BMW Motorrad/)

Along with his so-called “R 18 Future Cafe” bike, Jay Donovan from British Columbia approached the construct with one fundamental objective: to reroute the R 18′s chunky exhaust up and over the cylinder head and straight again to an exit below the seat, lessening its visible bulk alongside the best way. Though BMW likes to tout the cruiser’s 1,802cc, twin-cylinder Large Boxer engine, Donovan’s imaginative and prescient sought as an alternative to reduce its profile, which meant a great deal of steel shaping would make its means into the construct.

With Donovan’s spectacular steel fabrication expertise on full show, the Future Cafe additionally encompasses a absolutely redesigned tank, saddle, and the bike’s higher part in naked, polished aluminum, with severely chopped entrance and rear fenders in contrasting black to emphasise the lengthy, smooth, and sure, futuristic, look.

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Professional Avenue? Bobber? Rob Thiessen at Konquer Bikes calls his bronze-coated R 18 construct dubbed “Diamond Customized” a “manufacturing facility {custom} dragster.” (BMW Motorrad/)

In the meantime, Rob Thiessen and his group at Konquer Bikes (additionally based mostly in British Columbia) took a very completely different method to the R 18, going for what he calls a “manufacturing facility {custom} dragster” vibe. The bike’s standout Bronze Metallic paintwork and pinstriping immediately set it aside from the remainder of the {custom} crowd, with shapely, modified entrance and rear fenders, a low {custom} seat, and a entrance chin fairing additional magnifying the low-and-long, manufacturing facility {custom} look. Up on the tank, old-painted BMW roundels and {custom} graphics add an air of sophistication, whereas a subtly coloured and electronically adjustable exhaust assist tie the brand new look of the “Diamond Customized” collectively.

Associated: BMW R 18-based ‘Magnifica’ Customized by Radikal Chopper

It’s formally often called the “Tattooed Chopper,” however Nick Acosta from Increase Motorworks calls his {custom} construct “El Boxeador”—for apparent causes. (BMW Motorrad/)

Naturally there was going to be a chopper model of the R 18, and the particular person doing the hacking on this case was Nick Acosta from Increase Motorworks, based mostly in Toronto.  Acosta went for the basic American chopper type on the massive German boxer, which he has nicknamed “El Boxeador.” Together with the requisite mini apehanger bars, {custom} solo seat, hand-carved headlight mount, and cocktail shaker exhaust, we additionally get an old-school sissy bar, and a punchy tattoo-themed paint job on the tank and aspect panels, giving this R 18 an immediately basic ‘70s type.

BMW Motorrad Undertaking Chief Roland Stocker got here out to see the brand new builds at their reveal in Canada. (BMW Motorrad/)

Additionally available to examine the brand new creations was Roland Stocker, BMW Motorrad venture chief for the Heritage fashions and one of many guiding minds within the improvement of the R 18. Stocker stated he was impressed not solely with the finished bikes, but additionally by the builders themselves. “The imaginative and prescient, craftsmanship, and high quality of labor could be very spectacular, particularly contemplating how younger among the builders are,” he stated.

So yeah, it’s been two years for the reason that R 18 was formally launched, but it surely seems to be like the massive cruiser’s {custom} potential remains to be being realized.

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Jay Donovan together with his Future Cafe R 18 construct. (BMW Motorrad/)