While I have a penchant for sport and sport-touring motorcycles, my long-term test of the 2024 BMW R 18 Roctane has been a real eye-opener. If you read my review of its sibling, the R 18 Classic, you may have seen that I had ignored the R 17 for its first three years. I didn’t think there was any room in my riding life for a heavyweight cruiser. Seven months with this newest R 18 changed that, so let me tell you about it.
I attended the European launch of the Roctane last year, which was my introduction to the lineup on the wonderful roads in Bavaria. I rode the Roctane again at the US launch, which coincided with BMW Motorrad Day Americas 2023 at the Barber Festival last fall, and that gave me the idea that I needed to spend more time to find the soul of the machine.
The Roctane is the fifth element of the BMW’s R 18 range, utilizing the 1802cc Big Boxer powerplant and drivetrain. I took delivery of the long-term test bike at home in California, and, aside from an unseasonably cold and wet winter cutting into saddle time, I’ve been riding this bike over hill and dale. This follows on the heels of riding the R 18 Classic for three solid months as a precursor to testing the Roctane. My combined time and mileage on these similarly setup R 18s has given me a new attitude toward cruising, and the R 18 lineup.
The 2024 BMW R 18 Roctane exudes that certain German charm and engineering cues. It offers a soulful experience, whether putting around the neighborhood, jamming along the coast road, or lazily navigating corner-to-corner through the local canyons.
In a sea of American V-twins and other cruisers, the R 18 is a unique vision of what can be done that is distinctive, exciting, and thought-provoking. Is it better than the American iron? Some might answer one way or the other, yet to ride this testament to timeless design courage and modern engineering is an experience worth having.
During my months riding the Roctane, my sport and sport bike pals asked me why I was riding the R 18 so much and not swapping back to the Ultimate Motorcycling BMW R 1250 RS Project Bike or other press loaners. The answer was simple—I’m really enjoying it, and this cruiser has so much personality.
Whether powering this 91-horsepower motorcycle through the twisties, skimming the floorboards just above the tarmac, settling into a rhythm on a shady road through ranchland, or tapping into the 116 ft-lbs of torque while riding around town to meet up with pals, the Roctane delivers an emotional experience.
Given the unique experience of riding the Roctane, I’d like to see more motorcyclists try it—not necessarily for the benefit of BMW Motorrad’s bottom line, but to understand something similar yet vastly different. Making this happen might be akin to asking a Windows user to get a Mac, or vice versa.
Every so often, a bike comes in for a long-term review, and it becomes a solid part of my family, even though I know I must eventually return it—the 2024 BMW R 18 Octane is such a motorcycle. If you’re stuck in the same cruiser modality for years, I suggest you consider taking a ride on the Roctane. Only then might you decide whether this German beast is for you.
Photography by Don Williams
RIDING STYLE
Helmet: Schuberth S3
Communications: Schuberth SC2
Jacket: BMW RoadCrafted 100 Years Denim
Gloves: BMW BoxerTorque
Pants: Bolid’Ster Jeans’Ster 2
Boots: Chippewa Rally
2024 BMW R 18 Roctane Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Opposed twin
- Displacement: 1802cc
- Bore x stroke: 107.1 x 100mm
- Maximum power: 91 horsepower @ 4750 rpm
- Maximum torque: 116 ft-lbs @ 3000 rpm
- Maximum speed: 111 mph
- Compression ratio: 9.6:1
- Valvetrain: Pushrod-actuated OHV w/ two camshafts; 4 vpc
- Cooling: Air and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed (w/ optional reverse)
- Clutch: Hydraulically actuated single-disc dry clutch w/ slipper function
- Final drive: Shaft
CHASSIS
- Frame: Steel-tube double-loop
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable 49mm fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Cantilevered spring-preload adjustable shock; 3.5 inches
- Wheels: Cast alloy
- Front wheel: 21 x 3.5
- Rear wheel: 18 x 5.5
- Tires: Michelin Commander
- Front tire: 120/70 x 21
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 18
- Front brake: 300mm discs w/ 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 300mm disc w/ 4-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard w/ linked braking
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 67.7 inches
- Rake: 34.7 degrees
- Trail: 7.3 inches
- Seat height: 28.3 inches
- Fuel capacity: 4.2 gallons
- Curb weight: 825 pounds
COLORS
- Black Storm Metallic
- Mineral Gray Metallic Matte
- Manhattan Metallic Matte
2024 BMW R 18 Roctane Price: $18,695 MSRP
