Limited-edition bikes commemorate the firm’s 100n years of building motorcycles.
BMW is considered the world’s best-known manufactures of luxurious performance automobiles. However, the BMW Motorrad is nowadays the company’s youngest firm, which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023 with a pair of 100 Years edition street bikes. They come with a chrome design option involving many elegant chrome parts, such as hand and foot levers, handlebar clamps, front engine cover or mirrors. “The edition model boasts historic features with plenty of chrome. For example, the drop-shaped fuel tank with white lines, an element that made the R 5 unmistakable in as early as 1936. And of course the unique boxer engine #SoulFuel in its most exclusive form.
Taking a look back at the brand’s heritage, in December 2022, BMW chief designer Max Friz put the first full-scale BMW motorcycle on the drawing board. The first BMW motorcycle, the R 32, was presented in September 1923, marking an unprecedented success story for the company.
To celebrate its 100-year history, BMW Motorrad is now presenting the two protagonists of the heritage experience world – the R nineT Roadster and the R 18 Cruiser with big boxer – as 100 Years edition models. Both editions will be limited to 1923 units each.
The BMW Motorrad R18 100 Years features the same trusty 90 hp (91 PS) 1.8-liter boxer engine as the stock R18, but gets a visual makeover that combines black paintwork with high-gloss chrome and white pinstriping and a 100 Years badge. It also features a more liberal use of chrome, with the galvanic coating also applied to the handlebar fittings, gearshift and foot brake levers, handlebar clamps, brake calipers, cylinder head covers and intake manifold trims. This R18 100 Year0s chromed motorcycle also features perforated tips.
Considered as “one of the great modern standard motorcycle customization platforms”, the RnineT 100 Years edition is powered by a 109-horsepower two-cylinder boxer. The tank is half-black, half-chrome with white double-lining, while more chrome adorns the seat hump’s sides. The front wheel cover is also painted black with white double lining, and the seat bench is rendered in an elegant two-tone black/oxblood scheme. Fork tubes, air intake snorkel, black anodized rim rings are also customized for this RnineT edition.
“The edition model embodies nostalgia, yet remains contemporary. The R18 set off on its road trip as a modern interpretation of our historic motorcycles. The BMS R 18 100 Years sets the scene for the iconic components even more strikingly. Countless chrome parts reflect the sun as you cruise into the distance. The straight, chrome-plated Akrapovic rear silencer with integrated BMW Motorrad logo and the Oxblood red seat with a quilted look make it unique.” – BMW Motorrad.
Pricing and availability will vary by region. However, the U.S MSRP for the R 18 100 Years Edition starts at $18,990, and starts at $19,995 for the R NineT 100 Years Edition.
