Supertech Motorrad in Pinetown became the envy of motorbike dealerships in KwaZulu-Natal when it was selected to reveal to select clients from September 10 the much-anticipated R18 — the cruiser with the biggest Boxer engine yet from the Bayerische Motoren Werke AG.
The worldwide Covid-19 lockdown moved the R18’s official launch date from April to September, leaving bikers keenly anticipating the local launch to see if the R18 has what it takes to let BMW compete among the heavy cruisers.
Local riders clearly like the R18’s specs and classic good looks, as Sales Executive Damien Kotze told Dealerfloor 24 of the R18 cruisers are available, of which 17 have already been pre-ordered.
BMW’s engineers got 67 kW (97 Pferdestärken, for those who still think in terms of horsepower) from the 110kg drivetrain, thanks to an over-square design with a 107.1mm bore and a 100mm stroke in the 1802 cc, two-cylinder boxer engine.
But kilo-Watts are not what cruisers want. They need Newton metres, and here the R18’s big Boxer engine delivers in shovel loads, making its maximum torque of 158 Nm at 3000 rpm and a level 150 Nm between 2000 and 4000 rpm.
Steve Bailey, General Manager at Supertech Motorrad Pinetown said prices start at R319,900, including a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and the list of options include everything a rider can possibly want to “make life a ride”, as the Motorrad slogan reads.
Volvo Trucks South Africa delivered the first of nine new electric trucks that will be added to DSV’s (an international supply-chain operator) local fleet over the next few months.
Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has unveiled two striking prototypes, the GR GT and GR GT3, signalling a transformative chapter in the brand’s pursuit of performance and motorsport excellence.
Australia’s growing love affair with oversized bakkies (or Utes as they are known Down Under) has sparked a fresh safety review by ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program). This time, it is not just about surviving a crash, but avoiding one altogether.
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You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford
Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has unveiled two striking prototypes, the GR GT and GR GT3, signalling a transformative chapter in the brand’s pursuit of performance and motorsport excellence.
South Africa’s performance-car landscape is embracing a rare and welcome resurgence of pure V8 emotion, driven by the arrival of the 2025 Corvette Stingray.
With Dongfeng entering South Africa a couple of weeks ago and with four dealerships operational now, it is interesting to look at the Chinese brand and its joint venture with Nissan (Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company - DFN), launching the new Teana at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China for the Chinese market.
