BMW Motorrad Concept R18 Custom Motorcycle

Year after year, the two-wheeled concept bikes bearing the BMW Motorrad name–most of them collaborations with other builders–draw no shortage of oohs and aahs as their unveiled at bike and motor sport shows across the globe. Their latest, unveiled once again at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este like the Concept Link Bike, is a collaborative work designed by BMW and built by Swedish shop Unique Custom Cycles that BMW says “transports the essence of the big BMW Motorrad classics into the modern age, or in other words, it is taking a historical motorcycle design and giving it a modern, custom attitude.” Essentially, the BMW Motorrad Concept R18 Custom is the much anticipated, mostly-official version of what a long, long slung cruiser from the brand would look like in practice instead of just in theory. It’s mean. It’s beautiful. It expertly showcases the absurd sounds and looks of the impressive engine. Most of all, it’s clean and simple. It’s a return to form and the way a bike should look, feel and sound.