Pope R 18 Transcontinental
A specifically modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental was offered to Pope Leo XIV throughout a celebratory occasion on the Vatican earlier this month, the place it obtained his blessing and his signature.
The distinctive machine will now head to public sale by way of Missio Austria and Sotheby’s this October, with all proceeds going to kids’s help tasks in Madagascar.
The one-off R 18 Transcontinental was donated by BMW Motorrad Deutschland and customised by long-time seller BMW Motorrad Witzel. The mission was dreamed up by Witzel and Thomas Draxler, founding father of JESUS-BIKER, as a strategy to create a very distinctive bike for the Pope and lift funds for trigger.
Completed in mother-of-pearl white with the Vatican coat of arms and different bespoke touches, the bike launched into a symbolic ‘Peace Experience’ on 31 August from Witzel’s Sennfeld dealership to Rome.
The route handed by way of Schaafheim, Altötting and Verona, with church providers alongside the best way. Representatives from JESUS-BIKER, BMW Motorrad and Witzel joined the experience, most of them aboard BMW R 18s equipped by BMW Motorrad Germany.
As soon as in Rome, Markus Flasch (CEO of BMW Motorrad) and Michael Sommer (head of BMW Motorrad Germany) personally handed the bike over to the Pope for his blessing and autograph after the overall viewers.
“What initially sounded extra like a loopy thought has developed into an awesome charity marketing campaign,” mentioned Flasch. “I’m pleased that we at BMW Motorrad can help help tasks for youngsters in Madagascar with our R 18 Transcontinental. I’d additionally wish to thank Pope Leo XIV for taking the time to help this mission.”
Earlier than heading to public sale, the signed R 18 Transcontinental will go on show at BMW Welt in Munich from 15 September to 7 October 2025.
Trending Merchandise
