BMW F 850 GS versus BMW R 18
BMW F 850 GS
BMW R 18
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- raised seating position
- good handling on and off-road
- Wide range of extras and accessories
- successful appearance
- Torque - bearish engine
- Processing
- Details
- Comfort
- Windscreen could be slightly larger
- Price skyrockets with extras
- not quite as manoeuvrable
- High price
- Effort for front brake
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Length : 2.440 mm Height : 1.232 mm
Seat : 690 mm
Weight : 345 (max: 560 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.802 ccm
Hub: 100 mm
Hole: 107 mm
Cooling: Luft-/ölgekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Performance: 91 HP at 4.750 U/Min
Torque: 158 NM bei 3.000 U/Min Tank contents: 16 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 285 km
Chassis
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Double loop steel frame with bolted beams (steel) Front suspension:
Telescopic fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 90 mm)
Rear suspension:
Steel two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 R 19
Rear tyres: 180/65 B16
Brakes
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc brake, 4-piston fixed caliper (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 4-piston fixed caliper (∅ 300 mm)
Cruiser in BMW style
Now the BMW R18 is finally available for testing at the dealership, and that's a good thing. Even though the guardians of the Holy Grail reviled the BMWs in advance and as producers of these bikes only Indian or Harley or otherwise, but certainly not the Bavarians, let it come into question, it has become very good. Attention: very good, not great. It is full of loving details, enthusiastic with workmanship and the whole concept – but can't do anything that the others couldn't.
In this respect: Welcome to the cruiser market, BMW R18. From now on, you don't have to convince with marketing, but on the street. You all have the facilities for this, but Harley or Indian can stay calm.
The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Pinneberg.
