case , seat heating , chrome trim and an engine in Silver metallic .
In contrast , the new R 18 B does without a top case and , in the style of a " bagger ", offers a low windshield , a slimmer seat and a matt black metallic engine among other things .
The heart of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B is a 2-cylinder boxer engine , the " Big Boxer ", which is a completely newly development for the R 18 models . Not only its impressive appearance , but also its technical specifications show its ties to the traditional air-cooled boxer engines that have provided inspiring riding experiences for more than seven decades since BMW Motorrad began manufacturing motorcycles in 1923 . The most powerful 2-cylinder flat twin engine ever built in motorbike series production boasts an engine capacity of 1,802 cc . It generates an output of 67 kW ( 91 hp ) at 4 750 rpm . In the 2,000 to 4,000 rpm range , it delivers more than 150 Nm of torque at all times as well as elemental pulling power and sonorous sound .
The heart of the chassis of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B is a double-loop tube steel frame made of steel with a backbone of sheet metal formed parts . Its design perpetuates the longstanding BMW Motorrad tradition of this frame type . The particularly high manufacturing quality and attention to detail are also evident in barely perceptible details such as the welded joints between steel tubes and cast or forged parts . Like the legendary BMW R 5 , the rear swinging arm , which is manufactured in a similar design , encloses the rear axle drive in the same style using bolted connections .
The suspension elements of the new R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B deliberately dispense with any adjustment options that the rider has to make . Instead , a telescopic fork and a directly swingingarm mounted cantilever suspension strut with traveldependent damping and automatically adjustable spring preload ensure superior light-alloy cast wheel control and responsive suspension comfort . In order to achieve the best possible ride response even when riding with a pillion and fully loaded , the rear suspension strut features travel-dependent damping and automatic load compensation .
BMW Motorrad say that the ' new ' to the family R 18 machines are the ultimate touring machines , if looks are anything to go on , we ; d find it hard to disagree .
Australia takes delivery of the new tourers this month with prices starting from $ 39,310 for R 18 B and $ 41,675 for R 18 Transcontinental , plus onroads .
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