BMW Motorrad has reached out to Shinya Kimura to bring his distinctive “Zero-style” to the new R 18.
Interestingly, Kimura took the stock R 18 for a ride to understand the character of the big-bore cruiser.
As a result, the custom R 18, dubbed as “The Wal”, gets a bigger fuel tank that was extended rearward and a new subframe that raises the seat height.
The bike also features a bucket-style seat by Japan’s Backdrop Leathers and a newly designed tail section.
Kimura also installed a metal bubble fairing with two asymmetrical headlights at the front, including a teeth-like design that mimics The Wal (German for whale) concept.
To further enhance the esthetics, Kimura also adds a bronze powder coat finish.
Fast facts about the custom R 18:
- Handlebars: 8 inches narrower, 6 inches lower.
- Fuel tank: Made longer to move the seating position rearward and gain additional fuel capacity of about 1 gallon for longer trips.
- Seat pad designed by Kimura himself, handmade by BACKDROP Leathers in Japan in bucket style for more bottom support.
- Seat is designed so that it creates a natural flow from the seat cushion and leads to the round rear light.
- Semi-shell fairing for comfortable handling at high speed.
- The side covers have been designed in such a way that they do not destroy the look of the original frame.
- Special paint finish in the form of a bronze powder coating after the components have previously been hammered to give the surface texture.
- After Kimura had completed all the bodywork, he decided to keep the classic symbolic shape of the standard exhaust system, but paint it black.
