BMW reveal R 12 S

BMW Motorrad have expanded their Heritage range with the addition of the ‘R 12 S’. Based on the R 12 nineT and fitted with additional rider assistance tech and many factory accessories as standard, the R 12 S also features a special paint finish and detailing that’s inspired by the iconic R 90 S from the 1970s.

Announced in December, the R 12 S will be released in Australia in Q1 this year in very limited numbers.

R 12 S Genesis

The look of the R 12 S has been inspired by BMW’s R 90 S that debuted as a 1974 model and was produced for three years. Created primarily to turn around BMW’s staid image at the time, the R 90 S was part of a wider family, colloquially known as the “slash six,” that included the R 60/6, R 75/6 and R 90/6.

Using the same 898cc air-cooled boxer twin as the R 90/6, but with a higher compression ratio and Dell’Orto carburettors instead of Bings, the R 90 S produced more power (50kW vs 45kW) and torque (76Nm vs 72Nm). Despite being heavier, the R 90 S was quicker than the R 90/6 in 0-100km/h acceleration and had a higher top speed, too.

In competition, the R 90 S won its class at the Isle of Man TT, in the Daytona 200 and was the inaugural AMA Superbike Champion. Locally, an R 90 S was ridden by Kenny Blake to runner-up finishes at the Castrol Six Hour in 1975 and ’76.

Styled by BMW’s Hans Muth, the R 90 S was fitted with a larger fuel tank, a headlight fairing (that housed additional instruments) and small seat hump that echoed the café racers of the 1950s. What really defined the R 90 S against other BMWs was a distinctive paint scheme. Initially offered in ‘Smoke Black/Silver’ with gold coachlines and a fadeaway finish between the two colours on the fuel tank and fairing, the two-tone ‘Daytona Orange’ and silver paint (with red coachlines) that followed in 1975 came to define the R 90 S. It’s this colour scheme that’s been reinterpreted for the R 12 S.

New Take on a Classic

The R 12 S’s ‘Lava Orange’ metallic paint is bolder and richer than the Daytona Orange on the R 90 S, with a much more defined division between the base colour and silver accents, too. This richer colour and some of the other aesthetics have been borrowed from the R 90 S-inspired 'Concept Ninety’ created by Roland Sands and BMW in 2013 to preview the R nineT.

In addition to the special paint and ‘S’ identification on the side covers, other cosmetic touches that set the R 12 S apart from the R 12 nineT that it’s based on include the headlight fairing, a black solo seat with orange stitching, black fork legs, handlebars and bar-end mirrors, 17-inch wire-spoke wheels and other parts from the Option 719 accessory range and chromed exhaust headers.

"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 Lava Orange metallic paint as a nod to the legendary R 90 S Daytona Orange from 1975,” said Alexander Buckan, Head of BMW Motorrad Design.

“The design is perfectly complemented by details such as the red 'S' on the side covers, the red double coachlines, and the brushed and clear-lacquered aluminium surfaces of the tank and seat hump.”

Mechanically, the R 12 S is unchanged from the R 12 nineT, so the 1170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin produces the same 80kW at 7000rpm and 115Nm at 6500rpm. The six-speed gearbox, shaft drive, suspension (fully-adjustable 45mm USD forks, preload/rebound adjustable Paralever rear) and brakes (dual 310mm floating front discs with Brembo four-piston radial calipers, 265mm rear disc with two-piston caliper) are unchanged, too. The 795mm seat height and 16-litre fuel tank are also the same as the R 12 nineT, as is the listed wet weight of 220kg.

Loaded with Options

Along with the Option 719 wheels, other BMW factory accessories fitted to the R 12 S include billet parts from the Option 719 Shadow and Shadow II (ie., black) range. Shadow parts include the left and right coil covers, oil filler screw and cylinder head covers that have an Avus black metallic matt finish. Items from the Shadow II group include brake and gear pedals, pillion footrests, brake and clutch levers, master cylinder covers and the bar-end mirrors.

In terms of tech, the R 12 S comes standard with the Headlight Pro adaptive headlight for better illumination though corners, as well as Tyre Pressure Control and Connected Ride Control electronics that are optional on the R 12 nineT. The Comfort Package, that includes Hill Start Control, Shift Assistant Pro, heated grips and cruise control, is also fitted as standard.

All the existing R 12 nineT tech, like ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, selectable riding modes, keyless ignition, a 12V socket and USB port, carry over to the R 12 S.

The only listed options for the Australian market are an anti-theft alarm ($395) and digital instrument display ($195) to replace the twin analogue gauges.

Strictly Limited

Australian release of the BMW R 12 S is scheduled for late Q1, 2025, but only 30 units will be coming here. The list pricing of $31,990 (+ ORCs) is a premium of more than $5,500 over the $26,465 ride away price for the current R 12 nineT.

For further details and to confirm availability, contact you BMW Motorrad dealer.