The motorcycle show circuit isn’t exactly running full speed ahead these days, but itisrunning, and BMW’s using the Verona Motor Bike Expo to show off two new customs based on the R18 cruiser—and one of them points towards a possible M-series future for the platform.

BMW R18 M

For years, the M-series was the mark of performance for BMW’s autos. In 2020, that branding finally came to the motorcycle line, with theM1000 RR superbike. This hopped-up version of the four-cylinder superbike paved the way for other M-series motorbikes, and reportedly, BMW is even working on an upscale GS for this series.

The R18 M custom that BMW unveiled at Verona is only a one-off, but based on similar custom projects that BMW’s been involved with in the past years, it’s a good hint as to what the company is thinking.

“Stability, long wheelbase and readiness of the 1800 cc big boxer instigate lightning starts and deserve, in our opinion, a sporty and retro look. In the R 18 M design, we find suggestions from BMW Motorrad tradition and cues from the four-wheelers: M stands for Motorsport,” said Giuseppe Roncen, director of LowRide, the Italian moto-mag that worked on the bike with BMW.“We remain curious to experience its potential. Significantly lightened, the bike should also be easy to handle due to its riding position, which is more compact and forward loaded, without exaggeration.”

To start this project, BMW Italia partnered with LowRide; in turn, LowRide partnered with well-known designer Oberdan Bezzi, who did the initial design sketches. The actual assembly and coordination of sub-jobs was done by American Dreams, an Italian custom shop. As far as fabrication of the individual bits, here’s BMW’s list of credits:

Elaboratorio,专攻原型和模式ling, created tail, tip and fiberglass windshield from scratch. Carbon Italy handled the head covers, intake ducts, and other carbon fiber details. The short exhaust pipe, designed to make the line more compact and allow greater lean angles, bears the signature of ER Exhaust Revolution. The short exhaust pipes also give greater prominence to the splendid uncovered nickel-plated shaft, an evocative detail that deserves to be highlighted. L.R. Leather covered the saddle in leather, while the paintwork was entrusted to Dox Art Factory. Rizoma provided mirrors, grips, and universal indicators for the accessories, perfectly in line with the bike’s character.

The result? We get a cool power cruiser that’s on par with some of the more modern boulevard-bashers that Milwaukee’s cranked out in recent years. No doubt that lump of a flat twin engine is still a heavyweight; no amount of carbon fiber bodywork can change that. Still, BMW bigwigs are likely considering an M-series R18 that looks something like this custom. That seems to be the whole point of these custom exercises to start with.

BMW R 18 Aurora

This is the other custom BMW unveiled at Verona. It’s far less radical than the R18 M, with more traditional American cruiser styling. Still, there’s a market for this look, and this sort of transformation will be popular at many Euro custom shops in coming years.