The Great Getaway. That’s what German bike maker BMW Motorrad calls its first event dedicated to the moniker that marked its return to the cruiser segment, the insane R 18 motorcycles.
from https://www.autoevolution.com by Daniel Patrascu
The motorcycle was first shown back in 2020, and quickly expanded into an entire family that now comprises no less than four models, namely the standard cruiser and the Classic, and the more recent R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental.
Advertised as one of the most important two-wheeled BMWs in recent memory, the family makes use of the most “powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever used in motorcycle series production,” the mighty Big Boxer – 1,802cc in displacement and rated at 91 hp at 4,750 rpm, and a maximum of 158 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm.
Now, not enough time has passed since the model’s introduction for the world to have plenty of them on the roads, but that isn’t stopping the Germans from coming up with a series of mammoth ride events meant to advertise the bike to new customers.
The Great Getaway is in fact the first in what will be a series of travel events dedicated to R 18 riders. Next year, BMW promises “three inspiring destinations […] to provide riders with outstanding motorcycling pleasure in heritage style.”
The tour kicks off in March 2022 in Costa Rica, moves to Portugal in June, and ends in August in the U.S. Each of the tours in these countries will comprise eight days of riding “along rugged coasts, through dense forests and past mountains and waterfalls,” and benefit from “a tour guide, hotel accommodation and meals, support vehicle and an extensive social program.”
At the time of writing, BMW does not give any info on the cost for the rides, but says more info will be provided in due time on the dedicated webpage.
PRESS RELEASE: 15 NOVEMBER 2021
Experience the beauty of nature for eight days on the “Big Boxer” motorbikes of the R 18 family, enjoy the freedom of endless expanses, immerse yourself in the urban jungle, sometimes discover the unexpected and leave the stress of everyday life behind. In “The Great Getaway”, BMW Motorrad will be offering the perfectly organised travel format for a perfect time-out, arranged and carried out by BMW Motorrad partner Elephant Moto.
For the 2022 motorcycle season, three inspiring destinations have been planned to provide riders with outstanding motorcycling pleasure in heritage style: Costa Rica, Portugal and the USA. Each tour includes eight days of riding on motorcycles from the R18 family, a tour guide, hotel accommodation and meals, support vehicle and an extensive social programme. In short: everything has been thought of.
The “Big Boxers” will be cruisng along rugged coasts, through dense forests and past mountains and waterfalls. The participants will get to know hidden places and exciting people, indulge in local and international cuisine and recharge their batteries for the next day in accommodation specially tailored to the tours.
With a maximum of twelve participants per tour, the 150 to 200 kilometre daily stages guarantee speedy progress on the road, great fun together in the evening and an intensive shared experience on the “Urban Day”, where the participants get to immerse themselves in the melting pot of famous cities: San José in Costa Rica, Lisbon in Portugal and Portland/Oregon in the USA.
New, intense impressions await the participants at every turn: pulsating life, foreign scents, spectacular architecture, even the soundscape is never the same. After all, every city has its own rhythm. And you meet the people who make the city’s heartbeat. For example, when visiting a handcrafter or a local market.
After dinner, the day ends in a variety of ways. For example, with a whiskey tasting, cocktails “on the roof” or live music, before everyone is back in the saddle the next morning: “The Great Getaway – start your R 18, please!” Eight days of unforgettable riding pleasure combined with impressive experiences await the participants.
The time slots for “The Great Getaway” are:
1. Costa Rica, March 2022
2. Portugal, April to June 2022
3. USA, August to October 2022
Further information and bookings via www.thegreatgetaway.net
