BMW Debuts R 18 One Eight ‘C,’ Paul Yaffe Custom Bagger Motorcycle

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Paul Yaffe and his team stretched and raked the R 18 One C’s original frame to accommodate its new front wheel and engineered special triple trees to correct the trail measurement and optimize handling. (Photo courtesy of BMW.)

BMW Motorrad gave attendees of the Motor Bike Expo (MBE) held in Verona, Italy, in mid-January a massive eyeful of bagger beauty with the R 18 One Eight “C,” a customized version of the BMW R 18 Transcontinental. Completed by legendary custom designer and builder Paul Yaffe, the bike unites the essence of BMW motorcycles with the flavor of classic hot rod cycles and automobiles. 

The Master Builder 

As custom bike enthusiasts know, Yaffe’s custom-building bona fides are beyond question. The founder of the custom bike components and accessories company Bagger Nation has won numerous prestigious awards for his creations, many featured in magazine articles and on television shows. The self-taught Yaffe is also a member of the Sturgis Hall of Fame. 

The Inspiration Behind The Design 

BMW says Yaffe’s goal was to retain as many original BMW components as possible for the R 18 One Eight “C.” Before he began his build, he drove an R 18 Transcontinental nearly 6,500 miles across the United States to get a sense of the bike.

He also received inspiration from the distinctive low-slung, flowing style of 1950s-era Mercury Lead Sled hot rod automobiles. BMW says to stay true to that Sled aesthetic, Yaffe prioritized the air suspension and side pipe. For example, he and his team created a sophisticated air tank and distribution system, plus a dedicated frame under each side of the saddlebags to accommodate the necessary components. 

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Paul Yaffe’s BMW R 18 One Eight “C” sits parked on a desert highway at sundown. (Photo courtesy of BMW.)

Bringing The Bike To Life

The bike’s many standout features include exclusive Yaffe Monkey Bars crafted to complement the original design. Yaffe also commissioned a 26- by 5.5-inch (660- by 140-millimeter) front wheel cut from a 400-pound (181-kilogram) block of aluminum and made the 7-in. (180-mm)-wide front tire by hand.

The team also created the steel front fender from scratch, cut and restructured the front fairing, developed a chin spoiler that conceals the radiator, crafted a second rear fender to extend the original, rearranged the taillights, and stretched the side covers. Expert painter Hector Martinez applied the bike’s gloss-black paint, and the team added a blood-red classic seat for contrast.

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R 18 One Eight “C” designer Paul Yaffe and his team created a new set of “skins” to give the bike’s saddlebags a completely new and unique stretched profile while retaining their original engineering and functionality. (Photo courtesy of BMW.)

The 2024 R 18 Transcontinental 

The 2024 R 18 Transcontinental employs an air- and oil-cooled 1,802-cc twin-cylinder, 4-stroke boxer engine rated for 91 horsepower (68 kilowatts) at 4,750 rpm. The bike is offered in four attractive color schemes. It includes wind deflectors, floorboards, a heated passenger seat with a backrest, top case and saddlebags, and other features ideal for tour riding. 

Riders have three ride modes, dynamic cruise control, or optional active cruise control at their disposal, plus ride-enhancing technologies such as automatic stability control, reverse assist, and hill start control available. Four analog gauges and a 10.25-inch digital display grant easy access to fuel levels, navigational data, and other information.

Find BMW Motorsports Vehicles For Sale 

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Source: BMW