The BMW R 18 is wonderfully retro, but that’s being kicked up to ten with the new R 18 Spirit of Passion. The latest in a series of customized bikes, the R 18 Spirit of Passion was created by Kingston Custom and draws inspiration from the art deco movement.
That’s immediately clear as the bike
adopts a streamlined front end that appears more at home on a locomotive than a
motorcycle. It’s also notable for being the latest BMW to feature a massive
grille, but at least this one fits in with the old school styling.
The bodywork was handmade and features a
paint and stripe job inspired by the R 18 First Edition. However, the front end
isn’t the only unique feature as the bike also sports custom handlebars and a
rear fender. Elsewhere, the Spirit of Passion has been equipped with a modified
exhaust and an aftermarket seat. The model also has Kellermann indicators as well
as a recessed LED headlight.
While the changes are interesting, a
number of components carryover including the suspension and fuel tank. As
Kingston Custom’s Dirk Oehlerking explained, “The BMW R 18 is so perfect that I
left the technology as it is. The frame is 100% original and so sophisticated
that nothing should be changed here.” There’s no word on performance
specifications, but the standard bike has a 1.8-liter two-cylinder engine known
as the “Big Boxer.” It produces 90 hp and 158 Nm of
torque.