I just took a 2021 R18 Classic on a 140km test ride. I absolutely loved how it handled and felt on the highway. It got up to road speeds quickly, and made passing speeds so well. I think I found my next bike.

The BMW R 18 is a piece of Motorcycle Art with that Boxer engine, the Cardanic transmission, the level of attention to every detail and the fact that is something new and different from the rest on the market.

I’d pick the R18. I prefer mid controls. Forwards tend to put a lot of pressure on my tailbone and are harder to weight the pegs when turning or to lift out of the seat over big bumps. I do have highway pegs on the crash bar of my GS, so I can have a forward position even with the boxer engine. However, I’d say 90% of the time, I have my feet on the mid pegs and only use the highway pegs to stretch occasionally on long highway sections. I never use them on backroads.

As a BMW rider, IDK. THere are ways I think the R18 falls short. I'd like a R18 that is more like a Road King than Heritage. Hard lockable bags, bigger tank, better seat, bigger windscreen.

Two years after watching this, then riding both, very pleased with my decision to purchase the R18 Classic. 👌 Thank you Mr. Darcy & The Ol' Man. 🤙

I like the comparison style you used here on this episode, please keep it up. Another great review lads, so far every one's a winner, many thanks

I have tried both models and i went with the R18. The unique looks and the 3 modes engine makes me decide on that side

Great job, gentlemen! The forward controls make the choice for me. Being able to relax my knees and stretch out a bit is one of the benefits of a traditional cruiser/weekender. Top review of both!

I love the art deco style of the BMW but that Harley Davidson engine is a piece of art.

Great great comparison!!! Thanks for that. It is great to see them back to back. Excellent gentlemen!

Hi guys, this is the video I've been waiting for and boy was it worth it. I’m so glad they were pitched evenly, as you know i have an R18 which i love and don’t think i could ever part with it and i have a Harley being delivered this Wednesday (street Bob 2021) so like you ....i love Chinese and Indian food. Many thanks and kind regards.

Just watched video again . The bmw is stunning and the finish on it is so beautiful

the harley is around 37k and the R18 is 27k in australia soo i think the R18 is quite the bargain

Great video guys...love your videos...very straightforward...well paced...good quality camera and remind me of myself and my oul man!

Just picked up a 2021 first edition. Its brilliant! I ride a 1200 GSA as well so the huge cylinders sticking out the sides is not a huge deal. Thank you for this review and keep up the great work. Cheers from Alaska

The R18 wins my vote.

I prefer the BMW but that is a subjective opinion. What isn't a subjective opinion is that this is a great mc channel. That is simply a fact!

I have demo ridden both of these. (The BMW that I rode was the initial model released) I really liked both. I would need a few hundred miles in the saddle to make my determination of which I would rather live with, especially considering the $$$$. I have owned a few big twin Harleys and the Heritage was a more familiar feel for me and it fits perfectly. The Heritage seemed to have a slightly lighter handling feel and the front end on the Bimmer seemed more planted and substantial. I was able to ride both on a mountain road and was equally impressed. Both were solid machines. A side by side fourth or fifth gear roll on would have been an interesting comparison to see which would pull away from the other. Several times, you mentioned that H-D should offer a bike between the Heritage and the Breakout which might compare more closely to this R18. I might suggest that the Road King might be that bike, although it does not have the hidden suspension. I agree with your assessment on the front brakes. You gave a point to the R18 for having riding modes where the Heritage had none. I can see that view. However technology, to some of us, is just an add on that we'd rather not have to deal with or pay for. (I'm not crazy about throttle by wire or keyless ignitions, either) I have owned and ridden several bikes with anti lock brakes and rider modes. I'm a simple guy and I prefer being 100% in charge of traction and braking. By the way, these two motorcycles are in my top five list of new bikes at the present time. I always enjoy your reviews. Keep 'em coming.

Both beautiful! I’d go for the Harley Davidson ❤️

I test rode a Softail, Street Glide, and Road King and went with a 22 BMW R 18 B. Absolutely love it. It's the best thought out bike I've ever ridden. Fast up to 90, sounds great, brilliant cruise control, headlights, heated seat and grips, hill assist, reverse, abs and traction control. I love Harley's too, but for me the BMW is where it is at. Instant classic. I read most of the reviews of the BMW before the test ride and was very pleasantly surprised. IMHO, some of the problem with the reviews, not this one, is that they are asking people that think cruisers are stupid what they think of them. Or people that say any cruiser that's not a Harley is an imposter.

Nice review. I think a Road King would have been a better comparison though. BMW & HD are both making great cruisers.

The biggest difference between these two motorcycles is the riding position. Open and relaxed on the Harley and cramped on the big BMW. Sit on them both and it’s easy to decide which one you would like to spend the most time on. I will keep my heritage, thank you.

Forgot to mention, excellent comparison and points! To solve left side view problem for my fxbb i bought a swing arm bag😅

Thank you guys🤙

Overall cost of ownership should be compared. Durability and reliability are major factors.

Just for the reverse gear - BMW.

Love the throwback design to BMW's heritage in the R18. I do like the look of the Harley better. Great vids :)

Great presentation would go for the Harley-Davidson Heritage

I'm just getting my BMW Classic tomorrow!!!! it is so beautiful.. a piece of art.!!!!

Enjoyed the comparison, like the look of both, however this ole long legged country boy is addicted to forward controls and stretching my legs out on the crash bar with highway pegs on a long sunny day of riding. thanks...

If I was buying a bike of this type, it would be the Honda Goldwing Bagger DCT.

I own a 2020 Harley Low S. I considered the Heritage Classic after I bought the Low Rider S, haha. But I do love my LRS. I made some changes to my LRS such as crash bars, a saddleman step up seat, 10 inch handle bar riser with 2 inch pull back (I used the stock handle bars), viking saddle bags witj quick release, a Harley luggage rack with quick release sissy bar. Plan on adding passenger pegs and swapping out factory mufflers with Vance and Hines TWIN SLASH 3″ SLIP-ONS.I also took off the factory front and replaced it with a 18 inch wind shield. In hind sight I should have bought the saddleman Explorer Seat instead of the Step seat for added comfort.

Great review guys, very informative.

I'll take the HD.Aesthetically more pleasing to my eyes.I've heard that the R18 is prone to much peg scraping too,which puts me off.

Great even handed review. I am a HD and Ducati man but I was impressed with your review of the timeless BMW.

You look better on the R18! The proportions and riding position look more comfortable and a better fit.

Great review once again, but when it comes to flavour you need to evaluate what you can afford to eat! 😊

I chose the most beautiful one. R18 Frist Edition. Thank you for the interesting comparison. Keep up the good work!

Picking up the R 18 Classic next week. Been riding a Heritage Springer for the past 5 years. Looking forward to having reverse, and better front end control. No gas gage may be an adjustment. Will need to watch my kms, or hope for a reset at the very least.

My, oh my! Does the name "Road King" ring a bell? Dual discs, big clear screen, big tank, roomy seat?

Interesting, informative and well made...and that's just just the video !

BMW might be better. But Harley Davidson has soul and heart. I just bought the 2021 harley heritage and I love it.

I’ve owned both brands and have found owners are very brand loyal...currently I own a BMW R1200RT. This review was quite good because it was even handed and didn’t play into brand loyalty...it just dealt with the bikes. Well done.

Both beautiful machines. I sat on the BMW and felt I could ride it for a short distance or time, but my leg position would require me to get off and stretch at regular intervals. I need to get my feet forward. Great to have more competition as it drives innovation. Thanks for posting.

Great review as always. I had a 2007 Heritage Softtail Classic. I loved it but it got to hard to move around. I got older. Reverse was definitely needed. I sold it for a 2016 Bonneville T120. Great bike! I want another cruiser and I’d choose the BMW, mostly for something different. I also had a BMW F650GS. Great too! All are high quality.

Great video. I really like the reverse on the BMW. My '01 Goldwing had it. I like the look of the BMW, but I will be keeping my Ultra Classic with dual front discs and tubeless tires. From Canada.

I loved R18.....fantastic

Oh man, fantastic video! Good job being extremely objective on all those points, agreed 100%. I found the mention of the short fenders extremely on point, I traded my 2019 Heritage for a Low Rider S and the short fairing is just for looks, the oil cooling panel gets sooooo dirty. Oh I also loved the last mention about the symmetry of the bike, I thought that was a very good point and I didn’t think about that until you mentioned it

Nice one boys. R18 for me. Different class.

Love both, good review

There was a comparison video done by Motorcyclist between the R18, Street Glide, and Indian Chief. Very interesting. The stand out for the BMW is the fit and finish and how the bike is put together. They said they thought HD was great until the BMW showed them how good it can get. Something else to consider is engine heat. It’s actually worse on the Harley bc of the rear cylinder running hotter and the exhaust pipe being next to your leg. The BMW cylinders and exhaust headers are in the wind and cool better.

We do not need the chassis of the bmw r18 and the V- Twin HD engine at the end of this show, but they are perfect what they are. The two great motorrad companies made the two amazing beasts on two wheels and that is great! Good job!

HD. The cylinder protrusion is a game changer for me.

Very nice videos. I would choose the bmw. Classier and the engine is simply fabulous.

Keep up the good videos you have been doing

Both mechanical art on 2 wheels, both world class cruisers...decisions decisions🤔. Great comparison video👌 Greetings from Canada... 🇨🇦🏍💨🔥✌️😎

I understand comparing the two but for me the Road King Classic (although the Classic is no longer available I think 😞) out-classes both. Similar lean angle to the R18, more than the Heritage, bigger tank (22.7 ltr) fly-by-wire and with a fuelpak perfectly tuneable whatever the situation or changes, belt drive so zero maintenance and lasts forever. Such a comfortable seat and position, I do four hours riding before I need a break and styling that warms the cockles of a classic bike lover like myself but with all mod cons, cruise, ABS (inc cornering on newer ones, mine’s a 2010) detachable everything, clear big screen (not for me), backrest Inc rider and rack. Twin discs up front. Perfect blend of classic styling and modern ease, I wouldn’t swap even for a new Heritage or R18. Cons- I ride the ‘twisties’ a lot so cornering without too much plate-scrape is challenging and makes for some interesting riding style (I like a challenge) and I wear through tyres quickly. Being tied to the dealer takes getting used to, only they can do anything with the ABS system but bikes older than 5 years get 25% discount on parts and labour so it works out ok and I think BMW would be the same cars or bikes. A bike for people who like to ride and makes anywhere a photo opportunity.

Long time Harley and Guzzi owner in the past but today I'd go for the BMW. Something about literally strapping yourself onto what looks and sounds like a BMW aircraft radial engine from the war is extremely appealing. Plus the custom ability for something completely different to anything else. Couldn't care less about a fuel gauge, that's what the trip odometer is for. Great review, subbed.

Thank you for the video. I hesitated (a little) between the two, and I just ordered ... a Heritage. My main reasons : - Impossibility of moving the legs on the R18, - Zero rear suspension of the R18, - Look of the Heritage without the saddlebags and windshield

Another good video! I think I am in the R 18 camp, but I haven't ridden one. All comes down to individual preferences. Can't always sort that sort of thing out in advance. If we could, I wouldn't have an ex-wife. Yeah, if only she had known!

I had a BMW R Cruiser several years ago and I liked it. Was a lot of fun. I now currently own the 2018 HD Heritage like the one here. I love this bike. I've done a few things to it in past 3 years such as pipes and changed some things such as the mirrors. Its great for me, was going to get the Road King but opted for the Heritage and I really like its lighter weight and has great handling for what it is. Where I live if I go south, its all hills and if I go east, its straight road and this bike is great for both.

No doubt at all The Amazing BMW R18 it's one of my favorite Motorcycles but definitevily I stand with the majestic Harley Davidson which has always been my favorite Motorcycle!, Good video, Thanks for sharing!!!

Just stumbled across your channel and subscribed all the way from West Aus.. love the content. If you haven’t already I would possibly suggest reviewing the BMW k1600 Bagger.. inline 6 engine. You’ll love it.

Great review

they both do an excellent job!

I think the ol man is going to sell his harley for a R18, can't believe no fuel gauge bmw tut tut , great viewing as per usual

Great review fellows! And not being partial to either one was refreshing. Haven’t rode the BMW yet, hopefully they’ll be at Daytona Bike Week next week so I can give it a spin. Already own a Heritage 114 so I know that bike inside out. Will keep you posted on my thoughts!

The BMW shaft drive is trouble free if properly maintained. The Harley m8 is a great platform to work off of and blueprinting the motor with after market parts would bring it up the BMW level of quality.

I think something to consider is maintenance schedules and costs. Great video!

I'd have the Beemer based almost entirely on the look and sound. The HD is a good looking bike with a great sound but that big boxer is a work of art and some slightly louder pipes on it would let it sing.

Just saw the BMW. I have been thinking about getting a cruiser again. I was leaning towards the Challenger but just sat on the R18 classic and it felt very comfortable. Didn't get a chance to ride it though. The bike feels very practical in person.

Wanted the R18, bought the Harley today, first ride, is amazing. Reasons: 1. riding position - less engine in the way, 2. noise - no great range of exhausts as yet from BMW, 3. price - better price by 4k almost, 4. amount of extras - much more with Harley, 5. sense of community - BMW is great for my GS not sure for cruisers, 6. gut feel - loved the look of the R18 but the use of word segment in all their videos made me feel it was really a blatant marketing exercise whereas the Harley is more real. May buy the R18 too....

I dig that BMW. Harleys are everywhere here in the states. Get a Heritage and you will see several others on your ride. The Beemer? Probably won’t see on other one in several months if ever. So there is a built in uniqueness to the beemer that you just don’t get with the Harley.

The aftermarket is huge for BMW. Oh wait a minute, there is almost nothing.

Always been mostly a Harley guy including a 07 Heritage Classic I had, but I'm really warming up to the BMWs. Really interested in the new R18.

Thanks for the informative video. Well done! I 've owned three boxers. I currently ride a 2001 road king. Occasionally visit a Harley dealership but have yet to be willing to trade in my road king for any of the new Harleys. But the R18 is very tempting. I think an R18 with a springer front end would look awesome.

I'd take the Beemer because of the shaft drive, I also think it's exhaust sound is slightly preferable

I am a BMW1200GSA rider and am considering to buy a 2nd bike in the next year. At first I would go for the HD just to have "something" else, but 2 things certainly have made my choice lean more towards the BMW, and that is the reverse gear possibility and the dual front disk breaks. I am so used to these breaks with my GSA, that it would kind of hard to get used to a single front disk break. Thanks for the review! I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work and ride safe!!!

The R 18 is better

Cant believe you gave a point to the harley engine because the BMW has a wider engine, Better cooling More torque and more power per size. I own both the Harley and the BMW but bet the engine on the BMW will last longer also.

Thank you for taking the time with this review of bmw and the heritage. I like the BMW R18 I am thinking of purchasing one .Regards Paul Richardson 😅

I would love either

Interesting review and comparison, Think I'll stick with a Ruby Murray!

Which one is more reliable? I suspect the BMW is more reliable. Back in the day, one needed two Harelys one to ride and one to work on. I would go with the BMW.

Cruisers aren't my thing but the BMW R18 Classic looks stunning

There both amazing bikes. If chose the HD just because I love the sound

Love the Retro 1940's look of the Harley Davidson Heritage....The BMW R-18 looks more like an official Police Bike a bit bulky...Both are great bikes..... but, Definitely like the Harley Davidson Heritage 114 Best ✔️✔️✔️

The reverse gear of the BMW seems really useful but not having something as simple as a fuel gauge is a real limitation, at least in my view.

Great review and not one sided either which was nice. I think BMW really brought something to the table and I’m very impressed. I don’t think you could go wrong with either. I myself own the HD.

I prefer the BMW styling to the Harley but, like the guy said, that's subjective. Both bikes are winners in their own right.

I love the way the R18 saddlebags flow with the bike contour lines, seems very well thought out. I wish the bike had the 6.3 gallon tank on it like the transcontinental.

Traded in my HD for the R18 Classic few months ago. I love it. Hopefully it’ll be more reliable than the Harley. Great neutral review.

I can honestly say I don’t know which would be the better bike. While I don’t like the look of the flat twin, HD has some issues as well. I’d probably give a slight edge to the Harley simply because it has a fuel gauge, which isn’t a difficult thing to add the BMW. Great review as always.

I’m a convert from HD to an R18 (bought it about a month back her in SoCal). The handling of the R18 is what did it for me , but it definitely is a potato vs potatoe decision. Great review guys!

The R18 has the engine in the way. Thus necessitating the R gear. The Harley is so light and maneuverable without reverse, it doesn't need it.

In BMW they have come up with a nice engine, with 68cc less it manages to have slightly higher torque and power values (not that they make a difference). As a motorcycle itself, I prefer the Heritage though. Thanks for the video

that reverse gear is from heaven, i have to waste time finding a good place to park or im stuck with my heavy bike and weak legs

Enjoy your reviews. Thank you. Just subscribed. I have a question about wind buffeting and vibration in the bars. How do you compare them? For context, I like taking long trips in the US. Big touring bikes with engine character from Harley and Indian are fine on the highway, but not so great once you get where you were going. And better-handling touring bikes such as BMW's RT or the new Wing, lack character to delight you along the way. What should be the perfect bikes for my need, the Heritage, has terrible buffeting at highway speeds and leaves my hands numb on a long ride. (Older Harleys and rubber-mounted Harleys don't have that effect on me.) So I was wondering whether you noticed a difference between the two in this regard.

I’ve got to say that the Road King would be a better comparison for the R18. The Heritage has always had an inferior suspension and ride compared to the FLH type.

I thought maybe the HD would win the suspension compare, it has 4.4” rear travel vs. BMW’s 3.5”. But I have never ridden either.