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.
