BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship: Pursuing The Most Unique BMW R 18 Creativity

Night Dragon, winner of the BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship from England who is heading for the European final. (Doc. MCN)

JAKARTA - Among all the motorcycles in the current BMW Motorrad lineup, it can be said that R 18 is one of the most eye-catching.

This motorcycle is one of the first models of this Bavarian manufacturer to directly target the crudeer motorcycle market that has grown rapidly over the past few decades. In addition, R 18 also has the largest production boxer engine in the BMW lineup.

BMW has organized the BMW Motorrad Customizing Championship, a contest that aims to recognition extraordinary creativity and art skills in changing the BMW R 18.

This contest has started since April 2023. Registration for this event has been closed, and participants have started the process of customizing their motorcycles. There are 150 BMW Motorrad dealers in 18 countries that will compete to create the most unique, creative, and eye-catching modifications.

BMW Motorrad dealers from various countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Britain and the United States, all participated in this championship.

For the motorcycle model used, participants are limited to using four variants of R 18, namely R 18, R 18 Classic, R 18 B, and R 18 Transcontinental. Although it has the same basis, these four variants are distinguished by different accessories and configurations to accommodate different driving styles.

In the international semifinals scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 14, 2023, the six best motorcycles in total will be selected by a jury consisting of industry experts and leading figures in the world who modify custom motorcycles.

After that, the championship election will be carried out through public voting in the world final which will take place at the opening of the BMW Motorrad Welt event in Berlin on September 29, 2023.

"This competition is a celebration of the enthusiasm and creativity of the BMW Motorrad dealer network and motorcycle enthusiasts, and we can't wait to see the R 18 family with a new look to be created by the participants," said Stephan Reiff, Head of Customer Service and BMW Motorrad Brand, in the company's official release.

Most recently, reported by MCN, July 20, two BMW Custom Championships winners for the UK this year have been selected from the results of R 18 fan voting with two radical BMW R18 motorcycles now heading for the European final for a chance to go to the grand final of Berlin later this year.

First, is Dimi Morus' Night Dragon, and built by Pier City Customs at Henfield, just north of Brighton. And in second place is the Cotswold Cruiser, built by Cheltenham's Cotswold Motorrad, who took inspiration from the classic California Cruiser with a touch of England.