Suitable for customization, BMW R 18 gets unique versions in Canada

April 25, 2022 Marcelo Souza

BMW Motorrad Canada has revealed the results of its first-ever motorcycle customization project. The company has partnered with three talented builders from across Canada and given them each a new BMW R 18 as their canvas.

The selected builders are Jay Donovan from Victoria, British Columbia, Konquer Motorcycles from Kelowna, British Columbia and Augment Motorworks from Toronto, Ontario.

The builders revealed their bikes to BMW Motorrad Canada as well as Roland Stocker, BMW Motorrad Project Manager for the Heritage models. “These projects show how important it is to create bikes that inspire creativity and act as a good base for owners and builders alike,” said Roland Stocker.

Stocker, who was essentially involved in the development of the R 18, travelled to Canada for the reveal. He was not only impressed by the completed bikes, but also by the builders themselves. “The vision, craftsmanship and quality of work was very impressive, especially considering how young some of the builders are,” said Stocker. “I was very pleased with the result.”

Due to its classic design and extravagant proportions, the R 18 serves as an ideal base for customization work. The centrepiece of the R 18 is its 1,802 cc, 2-cylinder “Big Boxer” engine – the most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever used in a production motorcycle.

“We wanted to demonstrate the potential of the R 18 and designed a project to do just that,” said Johann von Balluseck, Director of BMW Motorrad Canada. “We chose builders that would approach this project in different ways in hopes they would give us three very different styles – and that’s exactly what we got.”

The only requirements for the builds were that the custom bikes remain operational and road legal. This summer, the three motorcycles will be included in a national retailer tour, visiting locations all across Canada.

Check out a brief summary of the three models below:

Jay Donovan – R 18 Future Café.

The R 18 Future Café is a study in metal fabrication by artisan motorcycle builder Jay Donovan. Donovan’s design began with a desire to reroute the exhaust up and over the cylinder head and straight back, ending under the seat.

A fully redesigned tank and upper section in bare, polished aluminum and chopped front and rear fenders in contrasting black make for a long and sleek look.

Augment Motorworks – R 18 Tattooed Chopper.

Nick Acosta from Augment Motorworks has applied the classic American chopper style to the big German boxer, which he has nicknamed “El Boxeador”.

Fine, tattoo-themed paintwork paired with a sissy bar, hand-carved headlight mount, mini ape hanger handlebars, cocktail shaker exhaust and a custom seat transform the bike into an instant classic with light-hearted touches.

Konquer Motorcycles – R 18 Diamond Custom.

Rob Thiessen and his team at Konquer Motorcycles have taken the R 18 and created a factory custom dragster.

Bronze Metallic paintwork and pinstriping, modified front and rear fenders, custom seat and a diamond motif throughout, create a low-and-long, factory custom look.