Motorrad celebrates century of ‘boxer’ bikes

To celebrate 100 years of building classic motorcycles, BMW Motorrad has taken the wraps off special editions of the R nineT Roadster and R 18 Cruiser with the big boxer engine.

Tracing its beginnings back to 1923, each of the 100 Years editions is limited to just 1923 units worldwide.

Only 35 examples of each will be available for customers in the Australian market.

BMW R nineT 100 Years

The minimalist design language of the R nineT is shaped by 100 years of motorcycle construction and BMW Motorrad’s unbroken passion for the boxer engine.

The classic roadster design sets the scene with a compact tank and upright seating position as well as high-quality materials and stylish design elements.

At the heart of the R nineT lies an air/oil-cooled, 80kW 1170cc two-cylinder boxer engine.

Aside from the legendary engine, the anniversary edition is also accompanied by a wide range of options and an elaborate surface concept.

The tank is a combination of black with chrome and white double-lining and is complemented by knee pads and a 100 Years badge.

Classic chrome is also found on the seat hump.

The front wheel cover is also painted in black and features white double lining.

The seat bench in two-tone combination black/oxblood rounds off the high-quality look.

R nineT 100 Years includes the 719 Classic wheels option with black anodised rim rings, along with the Option 719 Shadow milled parts package (milled cylinder head covers, engine housing covers, seat holders and oil filler plug) and Option 719 Shadow II milled parts package (adjustable hand levers and a footrest system, pillion footrests as well as expansion tank covers and handlebar end mirrors).

Adaptive turning light and the Comfort Package with heated grips, cruise control and Driving Modes Pro complete the extensive equipment list.

BMW R 18 100 Years

Unmissable centrepiece of the R 18 100 Years is the 67kW 1802cc boxer engine which is the largest displacement ever installed by BMW Motorrad.

Both technically and visually, the BMW R 18 borrows elements from famous BMW models such as the BMW R 5 and puts the focus back on the essentials of motorcycling: purist, no-frills technology and the boxer engine as the epicentre of riding pleasure.

The big boxer is also complemented by numerous special features as well as a high-grade surface concept in the anniversary edition.

The colour scheme of the R 18 100 Years, like that of the anniversary model of the R nineT, is in Classic Chrome, combining black paintwork and high-gloss chrome surfaces with a white double lining and a 100 Years badge.

The paint-on-chrome concept in Classic Chrome is also found on the rear wheel cover in combination with white double lining.

The front wheel cover and the side covers are painted in black, complemented by white double lining on the front mudguard.

The Option 719 seat is upholstered in a combination of black and oxblood with high-quality diamond embossing.

Black as a symbolic colour scheme of great BMW Motorrad tradition also adorns the engine, transmission housing and rear axle drive.

The R 18 100 Years is complemented by numerous chrome parts from the Chrome design option.