It’s been four years since the world was introduced to the BMW R18, and the big Bavarian cruiser has enjoyed mixed success. The initial reviews were glowing, and just about every motoring journalist had positive things to say, but that hasn’t rolled over into the sort of sales success that BMW was hoping for. They believe in the product, they simply feel more people need to try and then they’ll buy. Well, maybe the marketing department may need to sling a few dollars the way of VTR Customs, because the boys have been building one incredible BMW after another. And now to show that the biggest of the Bavarians can be a beautiful brute, the Swiss outfit has released this stunning retro racer, appropriately named “Track 8716”.
The main minds at VTR Customs are Daniel, Stefano and Marcel, who have been friends for years, united by an absolute love of motorcycles and racing of all kinds. They’re part of the broader VTR Motorrad family, a BMW dealership in Schmerikon, at the head of Lake Zurich, a truly incredible part of the world which happens to have the postcode 8716. Naturally, BMWs make up the vast bulk of the customs they create, and they can do it all, from old airheads to the latest S1000RR, no model has been able to withstand their creative genius. But the R18 is an entirely different beast, it’s huge, 345kg or 760lbs for the Harley heads whom BMW would love to convert to owners.
The build starts with a brand new 2024 R18 and not only does it possess VTR’s own unique flavour, it’s fitted with some of the finest handcrafted and off-the-shelf parts. The design language is clear, the build is heavily influenced by the aircraft of WW2 with that rocket-like look and there is just something about a beastly bomber and a custom cruiser that work so well together. But there is also a sporty twist to this build, with the R18 given some major tweaks to lay claim to being a genuine performance vehicle. And just to make things interesting, VTR has given us a full breakdown of the cost of the build and they have a very special price if you like what you see.
To tackle the weight issue, the guys went for the single best modification you can make, drastically reducing the unsprung mass, for better handling and braking performance. At US$5,000 they’re not cheap, but the stunning full carbon Rotobox Boost wheels are a sensation, and wrapped in top-spec Michelin rubber, grip isn’t going to be a problem! With the cash flowing, a high-end Ohlins shock has been selected for the rear end, and the remote res with the adjuster is neatly mounted by the driveshaft for easy fine-tuning. In front of this are the FCR footpegs, again reducing weight and adding excellent ergonomics for a brisk ride.
Taking a break from the paid for parts, the guys have transformed the visual look of the BMW with a host of handcrafted goodies. The first of which is that slick front fender, minimalist in size, it’s held in place by a set of small strut mounts. That huge 200-section Michelin tyre would normally demand a massive fender for the rear, but again, things are kept lean and lightweight, with a blade fender to match the front. But the stand-out piece has to be the front cowl, completely handmade from aluminium, it’s a whole lot more than a cover for the yellow lensed headlight. The twin screens give it that cockpit vibe, while the solid rivets and pilot decal really drive home the theme.
To bring it all together meant coming up with the perfect paint scheme, and Freuler AG has absolutely nailed the brief. The main colour appears to be their take on the sensational BMW ‘fashion grey’, which not only fits the theme but allows the custom graphics, sponsor decals and BMW M Sport colours to really come to life. Those sick of all-black bikes will be over the moon, although a host of parts have been powder-coated in that darkest of hues to ensure longevity. A small number of raw metal pieces have also been painted black to tie things together, while a machined filler cap finishes off the tank.
But an engine the size of a 1,801cc boxer twin is always going to play a huge role in the look and the VTR team wanted to give it their own touch. To help achieve this, they’ve crafted their own engine plates with the bike’s name boldly emblazoned. While the front cover and valve covers have been given a make over in a crinkle coat finish. Then to awaken the beast, a set of Zard’s hulking mufflers emit a thumping harmony, with black heat shields to protect the rider’s legs and heat wrap to keep the hot air away from the air-cooled heads.
To give the pilot full control, the guys chose to use Wunderkind handlebars with all-new brake lines and brackets to suit. The saddle is the handy work of Yves Knobel, and the quality is out of this world, as you would expect from a Swiss artisan, and the extra M Sport leather stitching is a stylish additional touch. To enable the new seat to fit, an FCR saddle kit has been used and to match the blacked-out mechanicals, the oil-cooler has a cover also from the Wunderkind catalogue. Finally, a new number plate bracket was fabricated, wearing the tiny Kellermann 3-in-1 rear light combination.
The cost of building a bike to this standard, especially when crafted by an award-winning team is not cheap, US$71,690. But you have to remember with the quality of parts used alone, that’s actually not bad, especially when you consider it also includes the price of a fully spec’d brand new motorcycle with warranty. But if you call VTR, this beast of a BMW R18 can be yours for US$59,998, and you can be the pilot who puts the cat amongst the pigeons, next time there’s an all-American cruise coming your way.
[ VTR Customs ]