B M W PR E V I E W S ‘10 0 Y E A R S ’ R 18 A N D R N I N ET

The R 32 that kicked off BMW ’s motorcycle jour ney was officially unveiled in September, 1923, and carr ied features still found on many BMW bikes today ; namely a four-stroke Boxer twin engine and shaft final dr ive.

Styling touches applied to that or iginal motorcycle, like the black paint finish with double white coachlines, can also be found on some moder n BMWs, specifically those within the brand’s ‘Her itage’ family It is from this group that the two tr ibute models have been drawn.

100 YEARS EDITION – CHOICE OF TWO

To mark their centenar y of motorcycle production, BMW Motorrad will build special ‘100 Years’ edition versions of their R nineT roadster and R 18 cr uiser. Each will be defined by unique paint and chrome finishes and will also carr y many components from their respective accessor ies range.

Reflecting BMW Motorrad’s bir th year, only 1,923 units of the R nineT 100 Years edition will be released worldwide, with the same number for the R 18 100 Years edition. Of those totals, only 35 of each are allocated for Australia.

2023

R Ninet 100 Years Edition

Although it’s unchanged mechanically from the R nineT it’s based on (80kW/116Nm 1170cc Boxer twin with six-speed transmission and shaft dr ive), the R nineT 100 Years edition comes with a range of cosmetic par ts from the Option 719 range, as well as unique painted and chromed sur faces

While the 100 Years edition celebrates a centenar y, the “Classic Chrome sur face concept” on the R nineT 100 Years edition references BMW bikes from the more recent past, specifically the R 75/5 from 1972 that featured tank panels and slotted ‘toaster’ side covers that were chrome plated.

The fuel tank on the 100 Years edition is finished in black and features a chrome treatment that cur ves around r ubber knee pads and is encased within double white coachlines, while a fade applied to the outer edge of this chrome panel is in the style of the ‘smoke’ treatment applied to the famous R90S that debuted in late 1973

A ‘100 Years’ badge atop the chrome-andblack tank carr ies BMW branding, as well as each bike’s individual build number in the 1,923-unit r un

The humped pillion seat cover gets a similar treatment to the tank, with chromed side panels over black, separated by two white coachlines.

Identifying ‘100 Years’ badging features on the fuel tanks of each limited edition

Akrapovic exhaust on R 18 100 Years edition incorporates the BMW roundel into the

Ntcomplemen

To complement the retro chrome and paint finish, the fork legs are blacked out and the front mudguard is finished in back with white coachlines

Selected par ts from the Option 719 accessor ies range for the R nineT that are fitted to the 100 Years edition star t with 719 Classic spoked wheels, while Option 719 Shadow par ts include cylinder head covers, engine covers, seat brackets and other par ts, all with milled sections to complement the br ightwork.

Option 719 Shadow II milled par ts continue the theme, with levers, pegs, pedals, bar-end mirrors and expansion tank covers from this range all fitted as standard to the 100 Years edition.

Providing some contrast to this monochrome treatment is a two-tone finish on the solo seat, with black sides and an oxblood top

Other features on the R nineT 100 Years edition include the Comfor t Package of heated gr ips, Dr iving Modes Pro and cr uise control, as well as an adaptive headlight Selected options are available, too, including an anti-theft alar m

R 18 100 Years Edition

The R 18 100 Years edition r uns the same ‘Big Boxer’ as the standard R 18, which at 1802cc is the largest that BMW has built for a production bike. Outputs of 67kW and 158Nm from this air/oil cooled big twin are unchanged for the 100 Years edition, as are things like the six-speed transmission and shaft dr ive

The 19/16 wheel combo, tele fork front and monoshock rear suspension, 16-litre fuel tank and 300mm brake discs with 4-piston calipers all round also carr y over from the standard R 18

Like the Classic Chrome finish applied to the R nineT 100 Years edition, the chromeover-black treatment for the R 18 100 Years edition follows the contours of the fuel tank and is continued on the upper sur face of the valanced rear mudguard, with smoked edging and double white coachlines in each instance.

The front mudguard and side covers are finished in black, with a two-tone seat also used, although in this instance the oxblood upper section has a deeply quilted finish

Instead of grey, the engine is finished in Avus Black, which makes the br ight metal par ts from the optional Chrome design package, like the cylinder head covers, engine covers and intake manifold tr im, stand out even more

The exhaust system is fully chromed, too, with Akrapovic mufflers replacing the regular fishtail silencers and incorporating BMW ’s logo inside the tips

Other chromed par ts include the brake calipers and master cylinders, handlebar (including r isers and end weights), mirrors, levers and pedals, but most of these are the same as what’s fitted to the regular R 18

The electr ic Reverse Assist that’s nor mally an option on the R 18 is fitted to the 100 Years edition as standard, as is the Headlight Pro adaptive tur ning light, electronic cr uise control and heated gr ips

Options include a pillion package, Hill Star t Control, power reduction, footboards, an alar m and lockable fuel cap

Coming Soon

Australian arr ival of the R nineT 100 Years edition is expected before the end of March, with the R 18 100 Years edition to follow in early Q2 Local pr icing had not been released at time of wr iting, but the version of the R nineT that the 100 Years edition is based on lists for $26,735 r ide away, with the R 18 star ting at $24,870 r ide away

The extra features, unique finish and limited-edition status of each 100 Years edition means they will cer tainly carr y significant premiums over the standard model, but regardless of the pr icing, the fact that only 35 units of each limited-edition are allocated for Australia means they’re sure to sell out.

For more details and to order, see your BMW Motorrad dealer

Peugeot Motocycles has added three new colour options to the 50cc version of their neo-retro Django scooter, br inging the available palette to four Joining the existing Dragon Red and Milky White two-tone combination are Pearl White, Signature Black and Racing Green.

Befitting the name, Racing Green features a ‘55’ race number on the flanks and dual white striping on the legshield and front mudguard. Signature Black offers a subtle two-tone effect, with a satin upper and gloss lower finish, while Pearl White has an all-over white finish that includes the wheels

The new black and green options both feature black wheels and chrome for the side trim, muffler shield and pillion grab rail, while the white version runs with black trim

A black two-piece saddle, chrome mirrors, levers and headlight trim are common to all three of the new colour options

Designed to evoke Peugeot Motocycles’ French roots and the brand’s own ‘S55’ scooter from 1955, the Django 50 combines retro-inspired styling with modern reliability in a compact, easy-to-ride package that’s made for the city.

As a more frugal alternative to the Django 150, the Django 50 features Peugeot’s 50cc single-cylinder ‘EasyMotion’ four-stroke engine, with twist-and-go automatic transmission Producing 2 7kW, this smaller, air-cooled single means the Django 50 weighs in at just 110kg – 25kg less than the Django 150, making it ideal for smaller and lighter riders

Also suiting smaller riders is the Django 50’s 770mm seat height, but underseat storage is still large enough to take a helmet, complemented by two lockable compartments in the legshield, one of which includes a 12V socket

The retro-look analogue speedo includes digital displays for the odometer, time, temp and fuel level, with other features including an anti-slip footboard, LED indicators and tail light, 8 5-litre fuel capacity, a disc front brake and ABS

LAMS approved, the Django 50 is priced from $4,990 ride away, backed by a two-year, unlimited kilometre warranty

For more details, including finance options, see your Peugeot Motocycles dealer a significant increase in attention as a result of his entr y

“It’s one of the most significant dr iver announcements in Bathurst 12 Hour histor y and we are thankful to BMW, WRT, Valentino and his team for making it happen We can’t wait to welcome him to Mount Panorama ”

Since retir ing from MotoGP, Rossi has focussed on spor tscar racing, competing for Team WRT in the GT World Challenge Europe Spr int and Endurance Championships As par t of that ser ies, the seven-time 500cc/MotoGP World Champion tackled the famous Spa 24 Hour race, so will br ing some endurance dr iving exper ience to the 12 Hour, even though it will be his Mount Panorama debut Mar tin and Far fus have both dr iven at Bathurst before - Mar tin in 2020 and Far fus in ’18, ’19 and ’20, with a best finish of fifth overall for Far fus in the 2019 12 Hour.

While Aussie fans missed out on Valentino Rossi’s “Farewell Tour” in 2021 due to the Australian MotoGP round being cancelled, there will soon be a chance for locals to see ‘ The Doctor’ on a racetrack again, but it’ll be in a ver y different for m to what they’re used to

In December, it was confir med that Rossi had entered the 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour spor tscar race, which will be held at Mount Panorama on 3 – 5 Febr uar y

The 43-year-old Italian will co-dr ive a

BMW for 2018 12 Hour winners Team WRT, alongside Belgium’s Maxime Mar tin and Brazilian Augusto Far fus.

“ Valentino Rossi is one of the biggest names in the world of motorspor t and we’re proud that the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be his first exper ience of Mount Panorama,” said Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director, Shane Rudzis.

“Having had so much success here on two wheels, Valentino has an enor mous Australian fanbase and we are prepared for

Team WRT ’s 2018 win came in an Audi, but this year they will r un two examples of the brand-new BMW M4 GT3, which will be making its Australian racing debut at the 12 Hour.

The Rossi/Mar tin/Far fus car will carr y the Italian’s iconic #46, while the other car, #32, will feature 2018 winner, Belgium’s Dr ies Vanthoor as lead dr iver, alongside 2022 DTM Champion Sheldon van der Linde from South Afr ica and Belgian r ising star, Charles Weer ts

The 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be held at Mount Panorama from 3 – 5 Febr uar y. For more details, go to: bathurst12hour.com.au