What’s Old Is New: BMW Unveils 1930’s Style “Concept R18”

The Bavarian brand draws on its rich history to deliver a stunning new concept cruiser.

Six months ago Japan’s Custom Works Zon unveiled a very special custom build that featured a massive air/oil-cooled, flat-twin prototype BMW engine that was rumored to be utilized by a forthcoming production cruiser model. Dubbed the “R18”, the project was an official collaboration with the Bavarian brand. In addition to revealing its approximate displacement (1.8 liters), the moniker also hinted at the fact that this new BMW model would be the newest addition to the company’ heritage lineup. However, instead of drawing inspiration from the 60’s/’70s era like the R nineT, the R18 would pay homage to BMW’s pre-WW2 era mounts.

A few months after Zon pulled the cover of its prototype-powered build, Revival Cycles debuted their custom build, featuring the same 1,800cc protomill, albeit dressed up a little differently. Entitled “The Birdcage”, the Austin-based outfit’s bike clearly bore an antique visual theme, furthering our suspicion that whatever model uses the new engine, will almost certainly be modeled after one of BMW’s earlier offerings. Over the weekend the company put an end to the speculation with the unveiling of a gorgeous new factory-built prototype.

Debuted at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, the new BMW — called the “Concept R18” — looks strikingly similar to a mid-1930’s production model BMW, specifically the R5, though keen eyes will also spot subtle hints of the R50 as well. The concept boasts Beamer’s depression-era-style teardrop tank, bobber-style solo saddle, flared fenders, a faux hardtail chassis complete with hidden monoshock, and a set of beautiful single-pipe, fishtail exhausts.

BMW was absolutely spot on when it came to the minor details as well, choosing to create each piece from scratch in order to bolster the yesteryear feel instead of going the parts-bin/off-the-shelf route. The bend in the handlebars harkens back to the R5, the levers are inverted, the vertical grooves in the headlight look borrowed straight off the 1930’s model, the visible shaft drive is pure R5, the top triple legit looks like an antique unit, and to top it all off, the concept has been adorned in BMW’s classic black livery with the double white pin stripping. Even the Roundels (BMW logos) on the tank are “period correct”, and aside from the presence of (dual front) disc brakes in place of drums, the R18 could pass for a slightly modified R5 at first glance.

While it’s clear that a few changes need to happen before the concept sees production, it’s wildly refreshing to see such a big brand take such a novel approach to designing a new model (if you can call it that). Either way, based on the amount of hype generated by the R18’s debut, it won’t be long until we have another new BMW cruiser on our hands.