Background
BMW Motorrad presents the R 12 S in a press release for their homage to a legendary motorcycle. The latest addition to the heritage range is a tribute to their peak performance motorcycle from the 1970’s, the R 90 S. Back then, it was not just fast, it was revolutionary! Blending a blistering 67hp and a top speed of 200km/h with head-turning aesthetics, it raised the bar for sports motorcycles. In line with that, the handlebar fairing matched the Daytona Orange colour scheme. And the red-laid “90” in the motor emblem expressed the sporty ambitions. The Chief Designer at the time, Hans A. Muth, hit the nail on the head. And it showed, BMW sold over 17,000 units of the R 90 S model between 1973 and 1976.
On top of that, the R 90 S performed excellently in the races. At the Production TT on the Isle of Man in 1976, Hans-Otto Butenuth and Helmut Dähne won a class victory. Across the pond, Steve McLaughlin and Reg Pridmore placed first and second at the 1976 AMA Superbike race in Daytona. Pridmore continued to win the AMA Superbike Championship in 1977 on an R 90 S.
Now these are some big shoes to fill. Can Alexander Buckan, Head of BMW Motorrad Design, pull it off?
BMW Motorrad presents the R 12 S. And it is not just a motorcycle. It is a time machine with a kick! While embracing its legacy and embodying the essence of retro sportiness, this new model, based on the R12 nineT (make it make sense, please…), leaps back to the future with the modern precision engineering BMW is known for.
Design
On the design, “the defining design elements of our R 12 S include the handlebar-mounted cockpit fairing with the tinted windshield, the seat with contrast stitching, and the Lavaorange metallic paint finish as a nod to the legendary R 90 S Daytona Orange from 1975. The design is perfectly complemented by details such as the red-laid ‘S’ on the side covers, the red double line, and the brushed and clear-lacquered aluminum surfaces of the tank and seat hump,” explains Buckan. Consequently, these details embody the original and retro sports bike, and wink back at the original R90S.
Aesthetics included!
Over the base model R12 nineT, the R 12 S includes a generous range of improvements. First, the Option 719 Classic II wheels, a set of anodised aluminium rims with wire spokes. Second, the Billet Packs ‘Shadow’ and ‘Shadow II’. The former includes the ignition coil covers, the oil filler screw, and the magnesium valve covers, with polished accents. Similarly, the latter includes footrests and controls, mirrors, brake and clutch reservoir covers, and the levers, all CNC milled of aluminium. The wheels save 3kg over the classic wire spoke rims, and can accommodate tubeless tyres. This will greatly improve thehandling, due to the reduction of unsprung mass.
Electronics
The R 12 S contains a range of electronic assistants. For example, it comes stock with Headlight Pro, an adaptive cornering light, Hill Start Control, Shift Assistant Pro, heated grips, and cruise control. The latter two are always welcome accessories, and the adaptive cornering light makes riding in the dark much less stressful. Do the other two accessories add to the riding comfort and safety? Or are the additional complicated electronics prone to failure and leaving you stranded on your trip? Time will tell! So far BMW has an excellent reputation, and we are sure that this motorcycle will live up to it. Additional factory installed options are also available. These include Tyre Pressure Control, Anti-Theft Alarm, Intelligent Emergency Call, and Connected Ride Control. Additionally, a digital display is available in case the classic round instruments are not to your liking. Furthermore, the entire range of R 12 nineT accessories and products are also available. We are quite excited to hear the titanium exhaust. Will these sound as good at the stock Akrapovic exhaust onthe 2017-2020 Euro 4 R nineT?
Does it have the power?
Mechanically, the R 12 S is no different from the base model R 12 nineT. The 1200cc boxer twin puts out 109hp and 115Nm at 6500rpm. This chucks the 220kg to a top speed of 215km/h through a series of 6 gears. Respectable numbers and plenty of oomph to have a very enjoyable and comfortable ride, whether it is to the cafe one town over or into the Bavarian Alps.However, we fear that this motorcycle will not be as ground breaking as its ancestor was 50 years ago. Does it have to? Was that the goal? Not one bit, we do not think so, and we are looking forward to trying it out!
Furthermore, what we are truly excited about is what happens when these R 12 nineTs and R 12 S models land in the hands of custom builders. An R 12 S Scrambler, like the R 90 Scrambler? Or will the R 12 nineT open the floodgates like the R nineT did?
Preorder yours now at BMW Motorrad, and show us what you can build in time for our 10 year anniversary next year!
