MASSAPPEAL
2022 BMW R 18 Transcontinental
Glancing at the spec sheet for the new BMW R 18 Transcontinental, one finds it hard not to raise an eyebrow in suspicion. The model is big. Really big—bigger than however big you’re thinking right now. But even weighing in at 942 pounds full of fuel, this $24,995 motorcycle offers an experience that’s as close as one can get to a flying carpet—but only when brought up to speed.
Unfortunately, even the Transcontinental’s massive hunk of crafted
The machine’s superb promise is hinted at by an auto-sensor that can tell how much preload to automatically
set on the rear suspension.
aluminum that is its 90 hp, 1,802 cc flattwin motor is not enough muscle for a bike this size, especially factoring in the likelihood of two riders and all the cargo that’s meant to be stored in the 12.6-gallon top case and 7.1-gallon side bags. In our opinion, output needs to be increased by at least 30 percent for the model to live up to its true potential.
The machine’s superb promise is hinted at by an auto-sensor that can tell how much preload to automatically set on the rear suspension, as well as BMW’s optional radar-assisted Active Cruise Control. With the fork mounted behind the steering head and the steering angle steepened, the Transcontinental will work through tight spaces, assuming some forward planning from the rider.
Also noteworthy is the Tesla-like 10.25-inch TFT display complemented by a new sound system from Marshall Amplification. The dash, however, does not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capability, so pairing phones and using navigation requires more effort than might be expected. Other elements lost on us are the flimsy passenger-seat attachment and a gearshift location—just behind the left cylinder—that leaves little room for anyone with large feet. Intended to go toe-to-toe with Harley-Davidson’s heavyweights, the R 18 Transcontinental has the aesthetics and engineering to make it a solid contender, but a few miscues have prevented BMW from squarely landing its punch.