[Moto]BMW R 18 Dragster debuts The preparation done by Roland Sands is only on an aesthetic level, although that 1,800 engine could well prepare for competition.

[Back MaN]

 

Roland Sands has built a very strong reputation in the world of motorcycle prep, with an idea of practically taking a new motorcycle apart entirely and then recreating it for a theme or customer taste, in addition to their already well-known clothing line. Now Sands shows the first preparation - of an infinity that we will surely see - of the newly introduced R 18, and has given it a view of ¼ mile racing, a Dragster.

 

For Sands, this bike evokes the Muscle Cars of yesteryear, and this only gives us the idea of excessive power, something that can be seen in drag racing, so he took the R 18 to the essentials to function, although without touching the 1,800 cc engine that develops 91 hp and 116 lb / ft of torque.

 

 

The idea started on a sheet of paper, where the main thing was the pilot's position, one that is very important in this type of competition, the footrests were moved backwards and a special seat was adapted that supports the body during acceleration. When you see the photos you can immediately see that it lost many visual elements and replaced the chrome with titanium in the exhausts (the whole system is new). The fuel tank remains from the street version, the Goodyear signed tires are "slick" and under the seat we find the tank for nitrous oxide, for that extra "kick".

 

As for the dashboard, it maintains the minimalist idea with which the design of the R 18 was conceived, the set of levers, grips and headlights belongs to a collection that Roland launched for street models. This motorcycle, like the R nine T, was launched with the idea of being able to customize it to the maximum, either with the extensive catalog of parts or in a preparation house such as Sands.

 

 

Undoubtedly the idea is very good and the visual result is too, but we would like to see this R18 participating in the NHRA American Championships with a greater preparation.

 

 

The R18 Dragster in detail: 1. The frame was completely modified by eliminating the rear drag suspension.

2. The front and rear fenders were slightly modified using sheet metal to maintain the classic R 18 silhouette.

3. The headlamp was taken from the original R 18 and is highlighted by the headlamp frame from the milled aluminum parts design collection.

4. The stock exhaust has been replaced with a handcrafted stainless steel double megaphone system that uses the exhaust tips from milled aluminum parts.

5. Front brake and clutch hydraulic master cylinders are from Roland Sands Design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The tank has been taken from the original R 18.

7Paint finish is a two-tone metallic blue with classic BMW black and white stripes by Roland Sands painter Chris Wood.

. The fork is taken from the BMW R nineT.

9. The front braking system comes from the BMW S 1000 RR “superbike”.

10. The seat has been built from scratch and is a custom RSD seat by Saddlemen.