BMW Motorrad bares ‘R 18 The Crown’

BMW Motorrad has unveiled a bespoke R 18 motorbike built by Dirk Oehlerking.

Per the motorcycle arm of BMW, the special R 18 crafted by the custom bike builder represents the “essence” of the creations of the German craftsman. The Ruhr-based builder is said to have always been passionate about assembling individual and unusual motorcycles.

True enough, the aptly called “BMW R 18 The Crown” looks like a motorcycle you would see in a Final Fantasy title. At a glance, it dons appointments that make it look like it came straight out of a fantasy video game.

Noticeable is its seamless, streamlined look. The body parts, as well as the eight-liter fuel tank, are made out of a two-millimeter-thick aluminum sheet. To achieve such components, the metal was bent and driven by hand.

Also made by hand are its two stainless steel exhaust manifolds.

Making the BMW R 18 The Crown look more unique is its front wheel suspension, which had to be constructed in the form of a double-sided swinging arm with a central suspension strut.

Further, numerous standard components such as the headlight, instrument, switch units, and footrest system have been integrated perfectly into the spectacular concept of the R 18 The Crown.

The clutch and handbrake fittings are from Magura; the rear mudguard and brackets are from Wunderkind; and the saddle is made from genuine leather.

Rounding up its highly sophisticated suite of appointments is a Champagne Platinum paint finish with mother-of-pearl, complemented by the BMW brand emblem adorned with a small crown.

“I started with a new BMW R18 which I then stripped down. As always, I worked with hard foam and cardboard to create the shape, the lines, and the design. The aim was for it to look powerful, elegant, and fast combined with an innovative look,” Oehlerking stated.

Photos from BMW Motorrad

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