[cycleworld.com] - 2024 BMW R 18 Roctane First Look

[Ninjette Newsbot]

BMW is adding the 2024 R 18 Roctane bagger to its cruiser family. The new bike gets a 21-inch front wheel, mid-rise bars, and a blacked-out drivetrain.

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BMW’s latest R 18 variant is called the Roctane, and it joins the series as a 2024 model. (BMW Motorrad/)When BMW first introduced the R 18 cruiser in 2020, the brand made no secret of its intent to create an entire platform using the 1,802cc Big Boxer–powered cruiser as its foundation. The bikes we’ve seen in the intervening three years have been mostly incremental evolutions thereof; the bolt-on special Classic here, which added a shield and saddlebags, the fairing-equipped R 18 B and its full-dress cousin, the Transcontinental, over there, and the usual random custom one-offs and concept bikes from various builders sprinkled arbitrarily in between.

Now Bavaria is rolling out a fifth addition to the family, the 2024 R 18 Octane, which it calls “a cruiser, a bagger, and everything in between.” The new model brings a different stance with a greater emphasis on styling, featuring elements like a 21-inch front wheel, integrated hard bags, mid-rise handlebars, and a blacked-out drivetrain. Road King Special, are you watching?


The new bagger gets a low profile with custom vibes thanks to a big front wheel, taller bars, and a blacked-out drivetrain. (BMW Motorrad/)In brief, the Roctane feels like a stripped-down R 18 B with a minimal wardrobe and a bit more attitude. It loses the handlebar-mounted fairing and gives the integrated hard bags a more up-to-date color scheme (read: no pinstripes), while the front wheel grows to a custom-sized 21 inches, and the rear hoop to 18 inches. Other current styling trends can be spotted in the briefer front fender—no doubt to better expose the distinctive cast alloy wheel—and a subdued, blacked-out treatment on the drivetrain, which includes a dark chrome header and straight exhaust.

Related: 2022 BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental First Ride Review


The blacked-out Big Boxer engine (though apparently not entirely blacked out here) is mechanically unchanged in the new Roctane. (BMW Motorrad/)But underneath the visual sleight of hand, the foundational elements of the R 18 platform remain on the Roctane, with the air/oil-cooled 1,802cc engine still taking up most of the canvas, buttressed by the same double-loop steel tube frame found on the R 18 and R 18 Classic, with an exposed nickel-plated drive shaft and the rigid-style rear all carrying on the tapered streamliner design language BMW Motorrad laid down in 2020.

No changes have been made to the vertically split aluminum Big Boxer engine either, which still pumps out a claimed 91 hp at 4,750 rpm with peak torque of 116 lb.-ft. at 3,000 rpm, and that’s kind of a shame, as the Roctane is carrying around a not-inconsiderable 825 pounds of weight—35 more than the straight R 18.

Suspension elements on the Roctane also continue that classic approach, with nonadjustable telescopic fork and the central rear shock combining for 4.7 inches of travel at the front and 3.5 inches at the rear; same as on the R 18. The Roctane also retains the 4.2-gallon tank from the Classic and base R 18, rather than opting for the bigger 6-gallon unit from the B.


A fatter 21-inch front wheel and mid-rise bars give the Roctane a more streetwise attitude, moving it away from the initial R 18 classic design. (BMW Motorrad/)Up front is where the Roctane starts to take a noticeable design shift from the traditional R 18 models. The new 21-inch front wheel gives things a more dynamic feel and, combined with the mid-rise handlebars, confers a more streetwise stance. Blacking out the Roctane’s powertrain is the icing on the cake; take all those elements together and you’re sort of reminded of Harley’s Road King Special.

Regardless, it’s a clear step away from the stodginess of the original R 18 and its bulbous fishtail mufflers, with the Roctane’s dark chrome straight pipes providing a subtle underline to the body-color painted cases, which also boast integrated LED taillights. The mid-rise handlebars also frame an exposed solo LED headlight which floats seemingly by itself, but there’s more here than meets the eye; with no large fairing to tuck into, the Roctane’s round instrument cluster is necessarily slotted into the top of the metal headlight housing, keeping the classic look intact. Even though it’s smoothly integrated, the circular gauge still looks a lot like the base R 18?s, “Berlin Built” lettering and all, with a small window displaying relevant info such as engine rpm, gear indicator, status inquiry, and trip computer details.

Related: How Much Power Does The 2021 BMW R 18 Make?


The Roctane integrates its round instrument cluster into the top of the metal headlight housing for a clean, classic look. (BMW Motorrad/)On the ergonomic front, the Roctane combines those tall black bars with the expected mid-mounted controls and heel-toe gearshift. Just below the shifter you’ll find shortish running boards positioned (where else?) behind the cylinders. The bike comes standard with a solo seat placed at a reasonably low 28.3 inches, or an inch taller than the R 18.


The taller, black-coated handlebars provide mounting points for the front turn signals. (BMW Motorrad/)The rest of the running gear should sound familiar too, including a steering damper, 300mm triple disc brakes with four-piston fixed calipers, and BMW’s Integral ABS as standard equipment. Also standard is cruise control, stability control, brake control, and the same three Rain, Rock, and Roll riding modes found on all the R 18s.

The R 18 Roctane’s wheels do veer off into custom territory however, with the spoke-style cast alloy wheels providing a visual punch thanks in part to their fatter diameters (compared to the base R 18). You get a 21 x 3.5-inch hoop up front, and an 18 x 5.5-inch rear; BMW says the 21-inch front wheel extends trail significantly (from 5.9 inches on the R 18 to 7.3 inches on the R 18 Roctane), improving straight-line stability.


Integrated saddlebags are painted the same color as the bike body and come with integrated taillights. Cargo capacity for each bag is 27 liters. (BMW Motorrad/)This being BMW, of course there are optional accessories, with the brand touting its adaptive headlight for the Roctane, said to be unique in this class, but there’s also a Reverse Assist and Hill Start Control option, as well heated grips and a range of performance, comfort, and style accessories like exhausts, engine covers, seats, and luggage.


Optional accessories for the Roctane include this adaptive headlight which activates separate LED elements in the main headlight depending on lean angle. (BMW Motorrad/)BMW has said that the R 18 Roctane will be a 2024 model, and priced at $18,695, with the company also stating it expects availability sometime in the third quarter of 2023. The bike will be available in Black Storm Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic Matte, and Manhattan Metallic Matte, colors that we’ve seen before in the R 18 family.

Black Storm Metallic is standard while Mineral Gray Metallic Matte and Manhattan Metallic Matte are available options. You can get more info at bmwmotorcycles.com.


This early sketch of the R 18 Roctane shows a bigger, passenger-worthy saddle and more blacked-out finishes on the engine. No doubt there are accessories for that. (BMW Motorrad/)2024 BMW R 18 Roctane Specs

MSRP: $18,695 (base) Engine: 1,802cc, air/oil-cooled, horizontally opposed twin; 4 valves/cyl. Bore x Stroke: 107.1 x 100.0mm Compression Ratio: 9.6:1 Transmission/Final Drive: 6-speed/exposed shaft Fuel Delivery: Electronic fuel injection w/ 48mm throttle bodies Clutch: Dry, single plate; hydraulically activated Engine Management: BMS-K+ electronic engine management w/ throttle-by-wire Frame: Double-cradle tubular steel Front Suspension: 49mm telescopic fork; 4.7 in. travel Rear Suspension: Steel swingarm w/ central cantilever shock w/ travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload; 3.5 in. travel Front Brake: Fixed 4-piston calipers, dual 300mm discs w/ linked ABS Rear Brake: 4-piston calipers, 300mm disc w/ linked ABS Wheels, Front/Rear: Cast; 21 x 3.5 in. / 18 x 5.5 in. Tires, Front/Rear: 120/70B-21 / 180/55B-18 Steering Head Angle: 55° Wheelbase: 67.7 in. Ground Clearance: N/A Seat Height: 28.3 in. Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gal. Claimed Wet Weight: 825 lb. Contact: bmwmotorcycles.com