Till 2020, BMW showed barely any interest in the cruiser segment. But the pendulum shifted big time when it debuted the mammoth R 18, and it has already birthed two variants of it - Transcontinental and Bagger - in these three years. Going full speed in the same direction, it seems BMW is now set to introduce a third variant of the R 18, this time focused on sportiness. This variant has been type-approved in Switzerland, as reported by Motorcycle.com.
The Sportier Variant Will Be Called The R 18 Roctane
According to the filings, the new variant will bear the name ‘Roctane’, alongside a different model code than its R 18 siblings. This suggests the new R 18 will differ significantly from the existing motorcycles, likely with a sportier attire to back up the ‘octane’ tag. The homologation documents also reveal the new model has a 67.7-inch wheelbase - smaller than the R 18’s 68.1-inch but longer than the R 18 B’s 66.7-inch dimensions - that hints at a different rake/trail.
The New R 18 Roctane Will Be Heavier
Similarly, the Roctane’s length and laden weight (curb weight + rider weight) also slot between the R 18 and the R 18 B. To be exact, it’s rated at 1009 pounds–63 pounds more than the base variant–and a little math suggests the new R 18 could weigh around 820 pounds. We believe some of the extra heft could be courtesy of a sportier bodywork–headlight fairing, brawnier belly pan, windscreen, different fender–while the other might be because of upgraded suspension, albeit with the same wheel sizes and disc brakes.
But It Won’t Have Any Extra Ponies
What you won’t get, however, is any extra performance. This is because the type-approval document mentions the same 1,802cc, boxer engine found on all current R 18s, that too, with the same 90 horsepower and 116 pound-feet output. The only noteworthy bit here is the exhaust system because the Roctane will feature straight pipes instead of the fishtail units on the R 18. Like the engine, the feature list - all-LED lights, ABS, keyless ignition, ride modes, stability control - will probably remain the same as the R 18 too.
When Will The BMW R 18 Roctane Debut?
BMW has made no comments on a new R 18 variant, which makes the Roctane’s arrival hard to predict. However, the type-approval documents reveal near-production-ready specs, so an official announcement could come by mid-2023. If so, expect the Roctane to be part of BMW’s 2024 lineup and hit American dealerships by end of 2023 or early 2024.