Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world

BMW Motorrad Expands The Big Boxer Range With R18 Transcontinental And R 18 B

Months after a series of images of an upcoming R 18 leaked online, BMW Motorrad finally unveiled the finished product, meet the 2021 R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B.

The R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B (Bagger) takes the R 18 range to new heights as a Grand American Tourer motorcycle.

Built based on the R 18 First Edition and Classic, the Transcontinental and Bagger are ideal for the long-distance ride thanks to the large batwing front fairing and taller windshield.

According to BMW Motorrad, while the Transcontinental offers the classic American motorcycle elements, the R 18 B, on the other hand, is designed as a “rider’s machine” delivering emotional riding pleasure and is ideal for cool touring and cruising.

Nonetheless, the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B continue to be powered by the Big Boxer 1,802 cc engine capable of producing 91hp @ 4,750rpm and 158Nm @ 3,000rpm.

Meanwhile, a double-loop tube steel frame sits at the heart of the chassis, designed to continue the legacy of the iconic R 5.

Other interesting features available on the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B includes:

49mm telescopic fork with fork sleeves
cantilever suspension strut (damping and preload-adjustable)
light alloy cast wheels
BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS
twin disc at the front
single disc at the rear
48L top case (Transcontinental)
24L tank

While the R 18 First Edition and Classic missed out on the cruise control feature, the two new variants come equipped with Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) as standard.

However, customers can opt for the Active Cruise Control (ACC) as an ex-works option.

The ACC allows relaxed gliding with distance control – without the rider having to adjust the speed to the vehicle in front.

To increase comfort, the R 18 Transcontinental feature a ‘mid-mounted footpeg’ and a comfortable seat with seat heating functions as standard, while the R 18 B comes with a slimmer seat bench.

The cockpit features classically designed round instruments and a 10.25″ TFT colour display with map navigation for convenient route planning and extensive connectivity as standard.

Other electronic features include:

three riding modes: Rain/Roll/Rock
Automatic Stability Control
engine drag torque control (MSR)
Hill Start Control
Marshall 2-way speaker
Marshall Gold Series Stage 1 & 2 (optional)

The R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B is expected to make their way to a worldwide dealership soon.

2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Now Available In Malaysia – RM132,900

Within just six months of the global launch for the 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, the all-new adventure touring motorcycle is already here in Malaysia.

The latest 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S has been unveiled where it represents the brand’s sportiest and most technologically advanced ADV bike to roll off its production line yet. In other words, it is more powerful and comfortable than ever.

Its chassis has been significantly upgraded to offer better weight distribution and riding agility thanks to the relocation of the steering head and engine mounting position. A longer open-lattice swingarm offers better stability, while a new subframe gives way to a lower seat height, which results in a very sporty machine that can handle sharp corners extremely well without compromising durability or practicality.

The 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S also comes with a new 23-litre fuel tank with a keyless fuel cap, updated bodywork, handlebar levers, a 7-inch TFT screen, and windscreen. There’s also a new generation of electronic aids that won’t take away any fun from the riding experience. Best of all, there’s a new Adaptive Cruise Control system using Bosch’s radar technology.

Underneath all that jazz lies a revised 1,301cc LC8 V-twin engine which now produces 160hp and 138Nm of torque. Thinner engine cases offer a weight reduction by 1.6kg, which further improves the bike’s power-to-weight ratio. Other specs include new pistons, updated water/oil cooling system, upgraded two-headed exhaust, revised PANKL gear mechanism, and many more.

The rest of the updates include lean angle-dependent Motorcycle Traction Control, Cornering ABS and Offroad ABS systems, WP APEX Semi-Active suspension package, and the additional Rally pack which includes MTC slip adjuster, Suspension Pro, Quickshifter+, Motor Slip Regulation, Hill Hold Control, and the adaptive brake light.

The 1290 Super Adventure S is available for RM132,900 and will be up against the ever-popular BMW R 1250 GS and soon-to-be-launched Ducati Multistrada V4.