The Bavarians are really trying to introduce their new boxer engine. The Concept R18 is now the third design study on this subject. in-house interpretation of the large-volume boxer engine from BMW Motorrad. Last December, at the Yokohama Hot Rod Show, the construction of the Japanese custom forge CUSTOM WORKS ZON was presented around this new prototype engine. The "Departed" won the highest award of the show, the "Best of Show Motorcycle" award and impresses with classic design, modern production techniques and a lot of craftsmanship in the detailed solutions. The next serve was the interpretation by Revival Cycles. The customizers from Austin, Texas created a bike with their "The Revival Birdcage" construction.

Then let's introduce the engine: The heart of the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 is a newly developed two-cylinder boxer engine with 1800 cc. Its appearance is deliberately reminiscent of the boxer engines that were built at BMW Motorrad until the end of the 1960s – only with significantly larger displacement and modern air-oil cooling. The large prototype boxer is designed down to the last detail: the engine block and gearbox made of glass bead-blasted aluminium offer an ideal stage for hand-polished aluminium parts such as the belt cover and the valve covers. The motor badge bears the name of the concept bike and sets a high-quality accent. In addition, a Solex double carburetor – similar to the one in a BMW 2002 – creates the connection to the brand's history in terms of construction and completes the authentic appearance.

An optical highlight is the exposed chrome-plated cardan shaft, which connects the rear wheel to the drive. There are no other covers on the motorcycle; the technology is deliberately made visible and staged. Likewise, the electronics of the concept bike are reduced to starters and light and underline the puristic concept.