Harley-Davidson Road King vs BMW R 18 Roctane

The cruiser market is heating up with new models from different manufacturers, each offering their own vision of what a modern cruiser should be. Two of the most anticipated bikes for 2024 are the BMW R 18 Roctane and the Harley-Davidson Road King, both of which are based on iconic models from the past but updated with modern technology and features. How do they compare in terms of design, performance, comfort, and price? Let’s find out.

Design

The BMW R 18 Roctane is the fifth member of the R 18 family, which launched its first model in 2020 and was inspired by the iconic BMW R 5 from the 1930s. The Roctane, which BMW describes as a “cruiser, a bagger, and everything in between,” joins the standard R 18, the R 18 Classic, the R 18 B (Bagger), and the R 18 Transcontinental.

The Roctane stands out from its siblings with a blacked-out engine and drivetrain and a Dark Chrome exhaust system. The larger 21-inch front and 18-inch rear alloy wheels, combined with the mid-rise, black-coated handlebar give the Roctane what BMW calls “a more purposeful look.” The bike also features a round LED headlight with an optional adaptive function, a traditional round dial speedometer integrated into the headlight housing, a slim two-level seat that tapers towards the rear, hard-shell cases, and footboards with a heel-toe shifter.

The Harley-Davidson Road King is one of the most popular models in the Touring lineup, which has been revamped for 2024 with new engines, frames, suspension, and electronics. The Road King retains its classic styling cues such as the chrome nacelle housing the halogen headlight, the large windshield, the leather-wrapped hard saddlebags, the chrome exhaust pipes, and the tank-mounted analog speedometer and fuel gauge. The bike also features a low-profile solo seat with a detachable passenger pillion, floorboards with a toe-only shifter, and cast aluminum wheels .

Both bikes have a similar bagger outline, but the Roctane has a more aggressive and modern look with its blacked-out components and larger wheels, while the Road King has a more traditional and elegant look with its chrome accents and smaller wheels. The Roctane also has a more streamlined design with its integrated speedometer and LED headlight, while the Road King has a more bulky design with its separate nacelle and halogen headlight. Related Articles: 2024 Harley Davidson Street Glide: A Glimpse Into The Future

Performance

The heart of both bikes is their respective engines: the BMW “Big Boxer” opposed Twin and the Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin. Both engines are air/oil-cooled, fuel-injected, four-stroke, two-cylinder units that deliver plenty of torque and character.

The BMW Big Boxer has a displacement of 1,802cc and produces 80 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 109 lb-ft of torque at 2,900 rpm at the rear wheel. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with a single-plate dry slipper clutch and a nickel-plated driveshaft. The engine also features three ride modes: Rain, Roll, and Rock, which adjust the throttle response, Automatic Stability Control (ASC), and Engine Drag Control (EDC) according to different riding conditions.

The Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight has a displacement of 1,868cc (114 cubic inches) and produces 92 horsepower at 5,020 rpm and 111 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm at the rear wheel. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with a hydraulically actuated wet clutch and a belt drive . The engine also features four ride modes: Rain, Road, Sport, and Custom (which can be personalized), which adjust the throttle response, Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS), Cornering Enhanced Anti-lock Braking System (C-ABS), Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS), Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System (C-DSCS), and Vehicle Hold Control (VHC) according to different riding conditions .

Both engines have a similar displacement and output, but the BMW Big Boxer has a slight edge in torque and a lower rpm range, while the Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight has a slight edge in horsepower and a higher rpm range. The BMW Big Boxer also has a simpler and more reliable drivetrain with its shaft drive, while the Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight has a more complex and maintenance-intensive drivetrain with its belt drive. The Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight, however, has a more advanced and comprehensive electronic package with its RDRS, which includes cornering-enhanced features and a vehicle hold control, while the BMW Big Boxer has a more basic and limited electronic package with its ASC and EDC.

Comfort

Both bikes are designed to offer comfort and convenience for long-distance cruising, but they have different approaches to achieve that goal. The BMW R 18 Roctane has a 49mm telescopic fork and a central rear shock with travel-dependent damping and adjustable spring preload, providing 4.7-inch/3.5-inch front/rear travel. The bike also has a 21-inch front wheel that extends the trail to 7.3 inches for better straight-line stability. The bike has a 28.3-inch seat height, which puts it an inch higher than the standard R 18 but right about on par with the R 18 B¹. The bike also has footboards and a heel-toe shifter for more relaxed leg positioning, and a mid-rise handlebar for more upright posture. The bike can be equipped with optional Reverse Assist and Hill Start Control for easier maneuvering in tight spaces.

The Harley-Davidson Road King has a Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) fork and an emulsion rear shock with hand-adjustable preload, providing 4.6-inch/3-inch front/rear travel . The bike also has a 19-inch front wheel that reduces the trail to 6.9 inches for better cornering agility. The bike has a 26.3-inch seat height, which puts it lower than the R 18 Roctane but higher than the standard R 18. The bike also has floorboards and a toe-only shifter for more flexible leg positioning, and a pullback handlebar for more relaxed posture . The bike can be equipped with optional Reflex Linked Brake System (RLBS), which applies both brakes when either lever or pedal is applied, for more balanced braking performance .

Both bikes have similar suspension travel and wheelbase, but the R 18 Roctane has a larger front wheel and longer trail, which may make it more stable on straight roads but less agile on twisty roads, while the Road King has a smaller front wheel and shorter trail, which may make it more nimble on curvy roads but less stable on highways. The R 18 Roctane also has a higher seat height, which may make it more comfortable for taller riders but less accessible for shorter riders, while the Road King has a lower seat height, which may make it more comfortable for shorter riders but less spacious for taller riders. The R 18 Roctane also has footboards and a heel-toe shifter, which may make it easier to shift gears but harder to adjust the foot position, while the Road King has floorboards and a toe-only shifter, which may make it harder to shift gears but easier to adjust the foot position. The R 18 Roctane also has a mid-rise handlebar, which may make it more upright but less relaxed, while the Road King has a pullback handlebar, which may make it more relaxed but less upright.

Price

The BMW R 18 Roctane will be available in three colors: Black Storm Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic Matte, and Manhattan Metallic Matte. The bike will be priced at $18,695 and is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2023.

The Harley-Davidson Road King will be available in four colors: Vivid Black, Billiard Red/Vivid Black Two-Tone, Gauntlet Gray Metallic/Vivid Black Two-Tone, and Deadwood Green/Barracuda Silver Two-Tone. The bike will be priced at $19,999 for Vivid Black and $20,599 for other colors and is expected to be available in early 2024 .

The BMW R 18 Roctane is slightly cheaper than the Harley-Davidson Road King, but the difference is not very significant considering the features and performance of both bikes. The choice between them may depend more on personal preference and style than on price.

Conclusion

The BMW R 18 Roctane and The BMW R 18 Roctane and the Harley-Davidson Road King are both impressive cruisers that offer a blend of heritage and modernity. They have similar dimensions, engines, and features, but they also have distinct personalities and characteristics. The Roctane is more of a hot rod with its blacked-out look, larger wheels, and simpler electronics, while the Road King is more of a classic with its chrome accents, smaller wheels, and advanced electronics. The Roctane may appeal more to riders who want a more aggressive and streamlined bike, while the Road King may appeal more to riders who want a more traditional and elegant bike. Ultimately, the best way to decide between them is to test ride them and see which one suits your style and needs better.