BMW’s big boxers get new tech and engine updates for 2025
They’ve not been a massive success in markets like the UK. But the BMW R18 is gigantic in just about every other way. The range of US-style cruisers and grand tourers come with an enormous 1,802cc Boxer engine – the biggest ever from the firm – with tremendous amounts of torque, and they also come with massive all-up weights.
The tourers have huge lists of equipment, and they also attract large crowds of gawping spectators when you park one up – partly because it’s still a fairly rare machine to see on the road, and partly because that humongous engine is a genuine sight to behold.
And now, for 2025, they have released updates for the BMW R18 range, giving them even bigger spec lists and optional equipment. The main driver behind the changes is an engine retune to suit the Euro 5+ emissions rules that kicked in on January 1 this year.
That means the ECU has been retuned to cut emissions eve more – but also to give a bit more torque. The maximum torque of the 67 kW (91 hp) 1,802 cc Big Boxer has been increased by 5 Nm to 163 Nm at 3,000 rpm. And, between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, more than 150 Nm of torque is available at any time – gargantuan levels of grunt.
There’s a load of chassis tweaks, including the dropping of the heavy fork shrouds on the basic R18, but the most fundamental change is moving from a 16-inch rear wheel to an 18-inch fitment. That allows a wider tyre choice, and the rear suspension has also been tweaked, to suit the new geometry of the bigger wheel.
There are wheel size mods on other models too: the R18 Classic switches from the slightly silly 16-inch front wheel it had before to a 19-inch rim (which is also an optional fitment on other models now).
The other three R18 models – the Roctane, B bagger and Transcontinental mega-tourer have had a series of tweaks in addition to the Euro 5+ engine mods, mostly cosmetic, but also some equipment changes, with new switchgear, and Blacked Out variants. There’s also a new Comfort Package for these models which adds Hill Start Control, heated grips and tyre pressure monitoring.
There’s no word on price or availability as yet – more when we get it, or check out www.bmw-motorrad.com
2025 BMW R18 range technical updates
All BMW R 18 models.
- Euro 5+ standard.
- Maximum torque increased by 5 Nm to 163 Nm, available at 3 000 rpm as before.
- New optional equipment and Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.
BMW R18.
- New front and rear mudguards.
- 18-inch rear wheel (previously 16-inch).
- New wheel design with seven double spokes.
- Side cover with more marked side contour.
- “Rough look” of the fork section without classic fork sleeves.
- New rear silencer with circular cross-section.
- Single seat with thicker padding and modified design contour.
- Seat is removable, released via push button (hidden under the cover).
- Spring strut with new spring/damping rates for increased comfort. · Daytime running light (depending on market) and USB-C charging socket as standard.
- New Blacked Out equipment variant.
BMW R 18 Classic.
- New front mudguard in conjunction with a 19-inch spoke front wheel (previously 16-inch).
- Side cover with more marked side contour.
- Daytime running light (depending on market) and USB-C charging socket as standard.
- New Blacked Out equipment variant.
BMW R 18 Roctane.
- New colour scheme Two-Tone Dragonfire Red Metallic.
- New optional equipment Filler Panel in body colour.
- Push rods, intake silencer and inner ring of the headlamp in Dark Chrome.
BMW R18B.
- Favourites button for quick access.
- New Blacked Out equipment variant.
- New optional equipment Filler Panel in body colour.
- Optional equipment variant Option 719 Black Pearl now with push rods and intake silencer in Dark Chrome.
BMW R 18 Transcontinental.Favourites button for quick access.
- Basic version now available in a new, additional colour scheme: Two-Tone Dragonfire Red Metallic.
- Two-Tone Dragonfire Red Metallic exclusively with push rods and intake silencer in Dark Chrome.