In 2024, there are only a small number of motorcycles with boxer twin-cylinder engines and all of them are from BMW. There was a time when Harley-Davidson and Indian also experimented with boxer engines. However, various refinement and weight balance issues persuaded them to abandon the idea. But BMW remained steadfast with its boxer twin-cylinder heart. Currently, BMW boxer bikes can do it all – from off-road to cruiser, touring, and even drag racing. A customization project by Roland Sands Design shows us the straight-line potential of BMW boxer engines.
Based on the BMW R 18 Cruiser, the RSD R 18 Dragster II is a carefully modified dragster. This is not the first time Roland Sands Design has turned a cruiser into a burnout monster. In fact, this orange model is the second generation of the R 18 Dragster. The first iteration participated in the BMW SoulFuel Customization Championship, an event created for customization houses from around the world to unleash the R 18, thus exploring its diverse potential.
The R 18 Dragster II becomes brighter, more rebellious, and more intense in an attempt to showcase the elegance of a straight-line boxer engine.
The first BMW R 18 Dragster from Roland Sands Design was an exploration project. Weight reduction was a crucial part of the project, and it lost about 22.6 kg from the frame and swingarm, removing the rear suspension and replacing the subframe and swingarm with a lighter and stiffer construction.
Source: https://www.hotcars.com
The component list of this drag bike gives a Frankenstein-like feeling. Some stock parts remain, including the headlight assembly and the fuel tank. Even the fenders are stock, except for some modification to accommodate the bulky drag-spec rear tire.
The front forks are from the BMW R nineT, and the front brake setup was taken from the BMW S 1000 RR. However, the front brakes were modified with the Roland Sands Design master cylinder. The low-slung, beautiful but heavy exhaust system was replaced with a handmade free-flowing unit.
The 2020 BMW drag bike was designed by Roland Sand Design, who focused on the straight-line potential of the R 18 cruiser. With the 2024 model, the brand went all out and elevated the dragster formula.
Indian Motorcycle has two new limited-edition, exclusive bikes – the Challenger Elite and the Pursuit Elite. Each unit of each model is numbered. The American manufacturer will release...
Yamaha has been distinguished at the Red Dot Award for the 14th consecutive year, with the NMAX 125 Tech MAX scooter receiving the Product Design award. The model...
CFMoto has announced its entry into the EnduroGP World Championship, signing on as an official partner of the series – whose season kicked off in Portugal in early...
Ultraviolette introduces its electric naked F77 Mach 2 in Europe, arriving in the United Kingdom and the Benelux region countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands). According to HT...
