Retro motorcycles don’t always have to be slow or just an eye-candy, and the new BMW R 12 G/S is a big punch in the face of whoever believes so. The whitecoats at Bavaria turned the suave R 12 nine T into perhaps what is the most desirable neo-retro motorcycle in the world right now. And you won’t be wrong in believing that this one seems like the spiritual successor to the iconic R 80 G/S.
From its sculpted tank and the skinny bench seat to the headlight shroud and the high-mounted fender, everything seems to be inspired by BMW Motorrad’s first series-production boxer Enduro. Of course, bits like the digital console and the LED illumination add some neoteric charm, but it doesn’t end there. BMW has ensured that the R 12 not only looks like the R 80, but is as capable, if not more, than the legendary Paris-Dakar bike.
And to make it that capable, the base R 12 has been reworked entirely to give this scrambler a new steering geometry, long-travel suspension and a dirt-friendly 21-inch front wheel. While the standard bike comes with a 17-inch unit at the rear, an optional Enduro pack will allow you to swap it for an 18-inch wheel, wider enduro-style footrests, taller handlebar and flyscreen. Even the seat height can go from the standard 860 mm to 875 mm with three different seat styles, if you intend to carry a pillion.
The R 12 G/S flaunts the same air-/oil-cooled 1170cc boxer motor dishing out 109 bhp and 11.7 kgm to the rear wheel via a shaft drive. Naturally, being a BMW, this comes with a myriad of electronic nannies ranging from riding modes and traction control to a quickshifter. While most of it sounds impressive, the 228-kg kerb weight might make things a bit challenging.
