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BMW's second-ever attempt at a cruiser, the R18 is a beefy boxer-twin-powered behemoth...and we love it.

Cruisers are essentially an American motorcycle style, and the first image you conjure with the mention of these bikes is highly likely a Harley-Davidson. That is why cruisers from the rest of the world don't receive enough recognition for their excellent cruiser bikes. Some Japanese cruisers like the Yamaha V-Max will out-muscle and out-handle most Harleys. Also, Europe produces some rad cruisers that deserve all the plaudits. They come laden with high-tech, comfort, and superior stylings, such as the Moto Guzzi Californi Touring, the Ducati XDiavel, the Triumph Rocket III, and the subject of this article, the BMW R18.

The BMW R18 generated quite the hype leading to its release in 2020, after five solid years of development. The bike is the Bavarian automaker's second attempt at penetrating the cruiser market, following in the footsteps of the BMW R1200C built between 1997 and 2004. It was a special breed of a cruiser with a boxer twin engine instead of the traditional V-Twin. BMW has gone bigger and better with the R18, and we love it. Here's why.

BMW loves the boxer twin engines and has deployed them in their motorcycles since 1923. The big heart featured in the R18 is their latest iteration, and it shares the DNA of its predecessors, from the iconic outward appearance to the technical nitty-gritty. It is also the highest-displacement boxer-twin BMW has ever built.

It comes with 1,802cc and delivers 91 hp and 116 lb-ft of low-down torque. The torque delivery is smooth, and more than 110 lb-ft is readily available just after 2000 rpm at all times.

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One of the many reasons gearheads love cruisers is the room and freedom they provide to personalize, and properly customized cruisers are among the coolest motorcycles on the road. BMW understood the assignment and ensured the R18 was scaled back to its core and could adapt to various configurations. It is an ideal base for a custom job, and you can turn it into a café racer or a wild American chopper-style bike.

Besides the many aftermarket options, you can dive into BMW's Option 719 offering for factory individualization, including paintwork and other optional state-of-the-art tech accessories.

BMW created the Heritage lineup as an homage to icons. The first offering was the R Nine T, a classic roadster embodying the passion and innovation of BMW's 90 years of design. Now the R18 invokes the spirit of the classic R 5, which was among the first BMW cruisers suitable for touring.

It is a thing of beauty with obvious styling cues from the legendary pre-war machine that enjoyed a short production time but with a lasting impact. BMW got the R18 looks and styling right. Also, the polished pushrod tubes on top of the cylinders look nice.

The BMW R18 is a cruiser at first glance. It might be Berlin built, but it is BMW's bid to tackle the American cruiser market where Harley has a strong foothold. Underneath the R 5 mythos clothing, the bike feels strikingly American in ride quality and performance. The brake-lever effort is similar to American baggers, requiring a firm squeeze.

Also, most parts are interchangeable with American cruisers, from handlebar risers to foot controls and gas caps. It is a clever strategy to appease the Americans, and BMW even showed an R18 with ape hangers, which looked correct.

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The big torque engine needs a good transmission to ensure a smooth power transfer to the wheels. Here BMW excels once again with its slick six-speed gearbox. Shifting between the gears is effortless and silent, and engagement is solid and immediate.

On shifting, you experience a physical and audible cue that doesn't get in the way, but you expect this from a cruiser. Also, an optional reverse gear is activated by a small lever and powered by the starter motor.

Cruisers are a laid-back beast meant to rack up highway mile after mile, so you don't want a boring view in front of you. Sitting behind the R18 handlebars offers one of the cleanest motorcycle cockpit views.

You'll love the low and elongated fly line accentuated by the fuel tank's leading lines, which pull your eyes to focus on the tidy space featuring perfectly proportioned triple clamps. The round instrument housing brings the retro feel with white numerals upon a black backdrop. Wrapping around the bottom radius of the gauge is the inscription "Berlin Built," just to remind you every time you forget what you are riding.

In the world of the R18, the focus is on a laid-back approach to delivering unforgettable riding experiences. BMW utilized a century of engineering, tech, and design know-how to deliver simplicity rather than technical competence and outright speed.

It feels planted and refined, and the suspension is much firmer than Harleys and Indians. The seating position is a low 27.2 inches and offers a simple upright, comfortable and in-control posture. If you want exhilarating performance from BMW Motorrad, you won't look in the way of a cruiser. Instead, you'd be drooling over the BMW S100RR.

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Sound is a big part of a cruiser, and bikers are essentially obsessed with the exhaust note from the cruiser's straight pipes. The R18 doesn't have the bark and rumble of a Harley V-Twin, but it does sound glorious.

The flat-twin generates a rhythmic pulse and a refined soundtrack off the twin-exhaust system that rises with throttle input. It screams power in tandem with the mammoth torque that pushes you forward. Undoubtedly, many will opt for aftermarket pipes to add to the bike's character.

The original R 5 came with chain-driven cams instead of pushrods, which was quite high-tech in the 30s. Similarly, the R18 comes with notable modern tech and mechanical features, which create a seamless blend of technology with the classic look. Hence, the rider enjoys the benefits of a modern bike without affecting the classic design.

The small LCD in the speedometer provides a ton of configurable information, including RPM, gear, mpg, trouble codes, and time to keep the rider in the know. You get three rider modes: the sportier Rock, touring-focused Roll, and Rain. Also, there is a Hill Start Control which enables uphill starts.

RELATED: This Custom BMW R18 Uses 3D-Printing To Look Perfect

BMW must be racking serious R18 sales after adding more trims to the 2022 R18 lineup. Two versions, the open road-oriented R18 Transcontinental and the R 18 B "Bagger," join the standard R 18 and R 18 Classic options.

Both bikes have handlebar-mounted fairings, a passenger seat, and a locking saddlebag with 1647 cubic inches of storage. The Transcontinental adds a top trunk with an integrated passenger backrest which helps extend the R18's touring capability and turn it into a luxurious grand American tourer. The Bagger has a low windshield and a slim seat. But they are pricier, starting at $25,790 compared to the standard bike's $16,790 asking price.

Bryan is a content marketer who works as a staff writer for HotCars.com where he covers a variety of topics, from the first Motorwagen to the latest Electric vehicles. A writer by day and a programmer by night. When he is not writing about cars, catch him tinkering with his old motorcycle.