BMW Rocktane

Video

A New Idiom

BMW leans American.

“Straßenkönig.” That’s how my high school German would translate ‘Road King’.

Apt because with the new Rocktane model, BMW have attempted to translate their R18 series motorcycles into an American idiom – and have done a good job of it.

Our Paul Bailey compiled the Australian launch report, Mick dragged himself away from Project Packhorse and the Dyna Super Glide build for long enough to put together a quick spin in HEAVY DUTY Issue #192, and now the task of a compiling a full review has fallen north of the border.

Happy Dave

And I couldn’t be happier about it, because just like the R18 Standard and Classic models I previously tested for this masthead, I really, really enjoy riding this motorcycle.

“It just shows that we’re all different – and that’s a good thing.” Mick said, because frankly, he doesn’t share my enthusiasm.

But I see the Rocktane as refreshingly different.

It’s quirky, and it has an occasionally weird mix of old-school, big-bore, back-to-basics charm – with a dash of sometimes incongruous modern tech thrown in.

European thinking

For example, it has a detailed trip and efficient fuel consumption computers, tyre pressure sensors, hill hold, slipper clutch and advanced ABS, and a raft of modern niceties – but no fuel gauge or warning light, just a reverse countdown display when hitting reserve.

It shows a fuel pump icon and starts measuring the distance from the time it hits reserve with no way of telling how much of the allocated 4 litres is left – or how far till it’s completely dry - without an approximate calculation from the litres per 100km readout.

I guess owners will only need to find out once. I was hitting reserve around the 240km mark, depending on conditions and right wrist work.

Foot room under those big pots for my size 14s is minimal too – it’s viable, as long as I don’t wear heavy work boots. If I keep my summer cruiser boots on, it’s all good. I could get very comfortable by hanging my feet partly off the end of the footboards when cruising.

But the nub is that the very impressive-looking motor sings to me. Loudly.

“That’s the biggest bike motor I’ve ever seen!” Exclaimed the bloke who was watching our photo shoot with Roothy. We all know it isn’t – but it gives that impression, particularly from the riders perch and it made me feel good just looking down at it.

The 1802cc horizontally opposed boxer twin is an air and oil cooled four-stroke two chain-driven camshafts above the crank shaft.

It produces 91hp @ 4700rpm and 158nm @ 3000rpm. Which are similar numbers to a 114-cube Road King. (1868cc - 93hp and 158nm.)

It features fly-by-wire EFI with three riding modes: Rock, Roll and Rain, with the throttle responses moderated accordingly.

Spaß - German for fun

I pretty much left it in Rock mode and had a ball.

The way it gives a healthy shake when you boot it up made me laugh out loud, a portent of things to come and I really enjoyed the note from the 2-1-2 dual exhaust with tapered mufflers.

The 6-speed gearbox changed well, although I did miss a few 1st to 2nd upshifts due to the foot position. Current thinking around the HEAVY DUTY Editorial desk is that if it was ours, some modifications to the lever would be in order. Mick would shorten it. I’d put a longer peg on it.

The exposed shaft drive is great. It looks good and has no lash, no slop – just a nice feel to it, and that applies right through the drive train.

Simple

Same for its naked, chin in the wind outward simplicity. It’s a motorcycle that feels more like you are sitting on it – than in it.

That feeling is enhanced by the headlight mounted instrument panel and mini ape hanger handlebars.

There’s nothing between you and the breeze, (my preference).

The instruments are a mixed bag. The analogue Speedometer is clear and legible at all times. The LCD display, not so much. It can display a raft of information, tacho, tyre pressures and much more all selectable from the Menu button on the left-hand switch block. But in bright sunlight I had to shade it with my hand or lean forward to read it. Cloudy days and low light it’s all-good, and I mainly left it to show the digital tachometer.

Lumpy - and not just the camshaft

With its 1720mm wheelbase it’s a large, low motorcycle. It tips the scales at 374kg ready to ride (The Road King is 366kg) but there are times when low speed manoeuvring it feels every bit of it. It can be a lump.

I didn’t engage the reversing function during the test, but if you do mess up and park it downhill, it does have a reverse option that runs off the starter motor.

That said, its bulk disappears once moving and it feels nicely balanced. It handles well and is very stable with 49mm forks and pre-load adjustable central rear spring strut, although the cornering clearances are about average for a footboard-equipped cruiser.

The brakes are good with fully integral ABS and pull it up very nicely.

It’s no canyon carver, but it is still nice to flick around, and I found it very rewarding to tip in, within its limits. BMW calls it ‘relaxed touring’ – and it fits.

It has all the nice touches I’ve come to expect from a modern BMW – efficient switchgear, including the cruise control buttons, self-cancelling indicators, excellent headlight and LED lighting, good mirrors, and premium fit and finish. I loved the paint and overall blacked-out presentation.

The stylish panniers are smaller internally than Harley’s, but were very handy nonetheless, and easily lockable.

Conclusions

Overall, I really liked the R18 Rocktane (Did I already say that!). It pleased me in lots of ways, and I found it’s a big bike that’s very comfortable (once I got the foot overhanging the boards thing.)

I didn’t get any excess heat or discomfort from the engine, I enjoyed the ergos, found the saddle all-day good and spent a lot of time riding it, just for the ride’s sake. And I enjoyed looking at it.

Relaxed touring indeed.

Prompted by the ‘Berlin Built’ badges that it proudly sports in several locations, I think it’s very good… or should I say, “Zehr gut!”

Things I Liked

The engine
The style
The comfort

Things I Didn’t

The gear shifter
The digital instrument display

Things I’d Change

Add a pillion backrest
Not much else — good to go

BMW R 18 Rocktane

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Performance

Power67 kW / 91 hp at 4750 rpm

Torque158 Nm at 3000 rpm

TransmissionClaw-shifted six-speed gearbox with separate transmission housing

Primary driveCardan

Rear driveExposed shaft

ClutchSingle-disc dry clutch

Engine

TypeAir/oil-cooled twin-cylinder four-stroke boxer

Capacity1802 cc

Bore107.1 mm

Stroke100 mm

Compression ratio9.6:1

ExhaustTwo-into-one-into-two black chrome

Frame

FrameDouble-loop steel frame with bolted beams

SwingarmSteel twin-sided swingarm

Front suspension49 mm telescopic fork / 120 mm travel

Rear suspensionCentral spring strut / 90 mm travel

Front brakesTwin 300 mm rotors / four-piston fixed calipers

Rear brakeSingle 300 mm rotor / four-piston fixed caliper

Tyres120/70 B21 front / 180/55 B18 rear

Other

Length2615 mm

Wheelbase1720 mm

Seat height720 mm

Steering-head angle55.3°

Trail185 mm

Fuel capacity16 litres

Wet weight374 kg

Front rim3.50 x 21-inch

Rear rim5.50 x 18-inch