BMW R18 spotted in final form ahead of EICMA debut

The BMW R18 cruiser has been spotted once again by eagle-eyed enthusiasts in almost showroom-ready form ahead of its much-anticipated bow at the 2019 EICMA show in Milan, Italy.

We have already caught fleeting glimpse of the BMW R18 in the last week, but these photos - published first by Motociclismo – show the BMW R18 fully undressed.

Revealed in concept form earlier in the year, these images show the R18 remains faithful to the prototype with the same sweeping design and intricate detailing largely intact, with most notable changes coming from the more standard parts.

The most obvious change is the front wheel, which seems to have been swapped out for a much chunkier and wider item, but have retained the same black gloss rims and spokes to emphasise its retro throwback finish.

The front forks appear different from the concept, while the bottom of the fork is a beefier design and finished in gloss black, not the polished finish of the bike we saw at Garmish.

BMW’s decision to enter a market that has been largely cornered by Harley-Davidson for many years is a bold move given the impending shift to more economical powertrains.

However, the BMW R18 represents a halo model for the German firm, one that emphasises its premium image.

It is expected to be one of four models to receive a world premier in Italy.

A new BMW F850R and BMW S1000XR are also expected to be amongst the new reveals when EICMA begins on 5 November