Why This Premium Touring Motorcycle Is The Smarter Harley Street Glide Alternative

The Street Glide underwent a significant update in 2024. Aerodynamics, technology, and even the engine were upgraded to make this Harley-Davidson more desirable. All of these have been carried over to 2025 as well. But these perks of the Batwing-faired Street Glide come at a steep cost: $27,749 to be precise. That’s a lot of money for a touring-ready bagger.

If this pricing also bothers you, and you’re looking for a more affordable yet equally enticing alternative, we’ve got you covered. With a bold engine, improved comfort, increased storage space, and cutting-edge technology features, a gorgeous retro-vibing BMW touring bike outshines the Street Glide. Oh, and it is a more bang-for-buck offering, with a full-dresser treatment, while the Harley is a bagger.

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The BMW R 18 Transcontinental Is The Smarter H-D Street Glide Alternative

The Transcontinental is a full-dresser version of the barebones R 18 cruiser bike. While the Harley Street Glide nameplate has been around since 2006, the latest iteration has evolved notably. It is in its most advanced form yet, with substantial technology upgrades enhancing the sophisticated appeal of this classic touring bike. However, despite its large 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and five ride modes, along with a plethora of standard safety features, this well-rounded Harley struggles to match the Value-For-Money proposition of the R 18 Transcontinental.

The Beamer edges the Harley with more of everything, but the nail in the coffin is its notably affordable price tag of $24,395. The Harley Street Glide starts at $27,749, which makes the Beamer a whopping $3,354 cheaper. We are unsure how BMW can price its plush-looking R 18 full-dresser so low. Still, it does make the Harley sweat, as the more affordable price tag is accompanied by superior technology, comfort, and offbeat powertrain features.

Elevated Comfort And Added Storage Space

The Beamer Is A Luxurious Full-Dresser

The Transcontinental packs underpinnings that elevate the comfort quotient. It has a double-loop steel frame featuring bolted beams, suspended by telescopic forks at the front and a unique hidden cantilever-mount strut at the rear. The latter incorporates travel-dependent damping and automatic load compensation. The Beamer offers more suspension travel (with 4.7 inches at both ends) compared to the H-D’s setup, which features 4.6 inches of travel up front and 3.0 inches of travel at the rear.

Both these touring bikes offer a relaxed riding stance, but the BMW edges over the Harley with better wind protection, courtesy of a taller and wider windscreen. The R 18 full-dresser also gets heated grips as a standard feature, whereas you need to opt for an optional one on the Harley. It also features standard wind deflectors that divert air away from the rider, reducing fatigue during long highway rides.

The R 18 Transcontinental takes the cake when it comes to luggage space as well. Its full-dresser treatment makes it a no-brainer, with a total storage space of 102 liters (3.6 cu-ft). The hard saddles offer 27 liters (0.95 cu-ft) each, and the top box offers 48 liters (1.695 cu-ft) of luggage space. The Street Glide trails behind in this aspect with a total of 2.42 cu-ft with its hard saddlebags. Seating comfort is also superior on the BMW, as the standard top box is equipped with well-padded back support for the pillion rider.

Hardware Specs

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Sophisticated Technology Features You’ll Love

Even Gets Optional Radar Tech

Harley did dial up the technology features of the Road Glide with its intensive 2024 MY update. However, it still falls behind the more impressive technology suite on the Transcontinental. The Beamer’s cockpit is a fine fusion of analog dials and a 10.25-inch TFT screen. Yes, the Road Glide is clearly superior in terms of technology when it comes to the cockpit layout, but the BMW evokes nostalgia with a balanced blend of past and present. Moreover, the R 18 also features a cool analog gauge that displays the current power reserve as a percentile, similar to those found on certain Rolls-Royce cars.

The safety suite on the Beamer is notable, with the R 18 Transcontinental also offering an optional Active Cruise Control, courtesy of a radar sensor positioned between the headlights and windscreen. On the entertainment front, it gets two 25W speakers neatly integrated into the front fairings. But dialing things up to 11 is BMW’s optional Marshall Gold Series Stage 2 package, which adds four more speakers powered by a 180W booster, making for a total of six speakers! The Harley, at most, gets four speakers.

Notable Standard Technology Features

• Dynamic Engine Brake Control
• Keyless Ignition
• Heated Seat And Grips
• Cruise Control
• Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
• Intelligent Emergency Call
• Dynamic Brake Control
• 10.25-inch TFT Display
• Electronic Immobilizer
• Three Ride Modes (Rock, Roll, and Rain)

Looks Gorgeous, Thanks To The Old-School Vibes

The 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide is sure to turn heads with its curvaceous design and iconic Batwing fairing. However, there is a visual confusion in its design language, as it integrates both old-school and modern elements. It doesn’t look cohesive when pitted against the R 18 Transcontinental. Despite being just five years old, the BMW has nailed the classic charm with the R 18 full-dresser. The Transcontinental draws many design cues from the 1930s BMW R 32, the very first motorcycle produced by the brand.

An impressive design feat is that, despite packing a sizable 6.3-gallon fuel tank, the R 18 doesn’t look bulky. But, on the other hand, the 6-gallon fuel tank on the Harley shows! Additionally, despite having triple the color options, we still favor BMW’s gorgeous three distinct colors. This is due to the R 18 full-dresser’s silhouette, which significantly amplifies the pinstriped dual-tone paintwork. What do you think is the most old-school-looking touring bike? Chime in with your thoughts in the comment section below.

Dimensions

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A Bold, Boxer-Twin Engine

Power: 91 Horsepower

The Harley-Davidson Street Glide is powered by the iconic Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin, producing 105 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. The BMW touring bike may pale in terms of performance figures, but it garners attention with an unconventional boxer-twin engine configuration. We generally associate cruisers and touring bikes with big-burbly V-twins. However, the R 18 Transcontinental defies the norm and boasts a gigantic 1,802 cc air- and oil-cooled boxer twin.

This is the largest boxer engine ever equipped on a motorcycle today. The torque rating is substantial, with 120 pound-feet available at just 3,000 RPM. This surge in torque is even earlier than the Harley, which peaks at 3,250 RPM. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a 6-speed gearbox with a final shaft drive, while the Street Glide has a final belt drive. Between the two, the shaft drive would be our pick here.

Engine And Transmission Specs