BMW’s R 12 S is presented as the modern embodiment of the 1974 R 90 S with its aluminum gas tank in two-tone Daytona Orange paint, a solo seat, and plenty of heritage nods. But heritage is easy to style and hard to earn. The real question is how well the R 12 S channels the magic of that era while performing as a modern motorcycle.Changed, but Not Too MuchThe R 12 S is based on the R 12 nineT, which succeeds the R nineT. Underneath, all of the R 12 nineT models get a new chassis, suspension, brakes, and revised intake and exhaust to meet Euro 5+ standards. Power is provided by the same air/oil-cooled 1170cc boxer engine, but with a slightly different attitude. From a distance, you’d hardly notice the changes. It’s clearly part of BMW’s heritage lineup. The silhouette is familiar, just a little sleeker with the deletion of the intake trumpet.Related: BMW motorcycles news, prices and updates

But under the bodywork, BMW made some smart updates. There’s a new trellis frame that’s lighter by a couple of pounds—now with a bolt-on subframe. The fork grows from 43mm to 45mm, while the shock now sits at an angle instead of straight up and down for improved action. Suspension travel is 4.7 inches front and rear. Wheelbase stretches almost an inch to 59.5 inches. Rake relaxes to 27.7 degrees, trail to 4.4 inches. All that means the R 12 S is more stable at speed. I didn’t have an R nineT on hand to compare directly, but riding this one, I wasn’t wishing for anything different.Engine and SoundPower comes from the well-known and loved boxer twin that has seen duty in the GS, RS, and RT in the past, producing 92.9 hp on the Cycle World in-house dyno. Peak torque is a measured 71.4 lb.-ft. at 6500 rpm, and output feels strong and usable everywhere in the available rev range.Fire it up and the boxer gives that classic tug to the side. The idle’s lumpy, throttle response feels raw and strikes at the core. It feels like an old BMW in the best way. It’s gruff, mechanical, and alive.

I had a 1974 R 90/6 when I was about 20, and this strikes that same nerve. It’s the same soul in a sharper suit—imperfect in a way that makes it better and adds charm. But that nostalgia may not hit the same for everyone. I know I’m a unique case. To a younger person or newer rider, the rough edges could just be unwanted vibration—it’s only nostalgic if you know the reference material.A new airbox sits under the seat, and the twin left-side pipes run through a big catalytic converter under the transmission. It’s large in both weight and appearance, but it gives the bike a more direct, honest sound. The old R nineT had a low-rpm exhaust valve meant to quiet it down in town; this one just lets the engine breathe. Crack the throttle and it sounds like a proper boxer again.

Ride Modes and TransmissionYou get three ride modes: Rain, Road, and Dynamic. Rain softens throttle response for slick days. Road is balanced with enough punch to bring the grins, but without a jumpy character. Dynamic sharpens throttle response up; great in the mountains, but small movements of the wrist give a twitchy ride in traffic and town. Leave it in Road, and twist harder when you want more thrust.Toeing the shift lever reveals a slightly clunky action as you row through the six-speed box, which, again, honestly feels like part of the heritage play at this point. BMW’s Gear Shift Assist Pro quickshifter is fine if you time it perfectly, but can be abrupt otherwise, especially at lower rpm. With the way this motor delivers torque, you don’t need to shift much anyway. You can pick a gear, ride the torque, and enjoy the view.

ErgonomicsThe cockpit is a mix of hits and misses. The bars are right where you want them, elbows relaxed, with an easy reach. The 31.3-inch seat height and rearset pegs make the lower half of your body feel compact—not cramped, but tight. You’re likely to burn through the entire 4.2-gallon gas tank before your hip flexors or knees need a break.

This R 12 S testbike is the “Special Model” and does not feature a passenger seat standard. The bike nonetheless was delivered with passenger pegs, which look out of place given the solo seat and sleek seat cowl, but it makes sense to include the pegs since a pillion pad is available from BMW as an accessory (it’s the same seat used on the R 12 nineT). It’s only a few minutes to remove the pegs, and we wish we’d done it for our photos and video.

A design choice that doesn’t at first make sense is the multicontroller on the left bar. This model has retro-style round gauges and there’s not a lot to do with the multicontroller. But BMW’s RideConnected app (which also requires a RideConnected cradle for the bike) allows for many functions accessed through and displayed on your smartphone. If you don’t opt for that, then the multicontroller is a bit like having a remote without the TV.Handling and RideThe R 12 S is planted; midcorner corrections don’t upset the chassis, and rough roads don’t faze it. At 488 pounds on the CW scales, it’s heavy, but steady and stable. Effort goes in, reward comes out. It’s not twitchy or sluggish, just a willing, predictable partner. It’s not a knee-down sportbike, but it’s fun to push. You can ride it hard through the twisties, or just cruise and let the chassis do the work. It’s comfortable, composed, and easy to trust.

Brakes are twin 310mm rotors matched to Brembo Monoblock calipers up front, a strong and consistent setup. There’s plenty of stopping power to keep the R 12 S from becoming a glowing orange meteorite at the end of the straightaways, but the initial bite could be crisper. More heritage touches? The rear’s mostly there for trail-braking and some reassurance to the rider. The lack of serious bite means you won’t find the ABS limits easily. When needed, ABS tuning is solid—never intrusive—whether the surface is wet, dusty, or dry.Our testbike came with Quickshifter Pro, cruise control, heated grips, and hill-start assist. The broader R 12 nineT lineup gets more tech options, including digital screens and even BMW’s smartglasses if you want to drop $700 to look like a cyborg. This being such a well-styled machine, it seems unlikely the R 12 S buyer is that person.

Style Versus Performance: A Delicate BalanceUnique styling touches on the S model do add to the heritage and overall premium feel of the R 12. The orange paint fading to show brushed aluminum underneath shines through when you see the bike in person, especially in changing light. Billet, wire-spoked wheels are an example of classic form made with modern technique—and to modern standard—in an elegant way. And small “S” details like that on the lower red pinstripe of the gas tank or on the side cover, make this model feel unique and special. Still it’s hard not to compare overall form to its predecessor, the R nineT.The original R nineT came from a small team led by Ola Stenegärd and Roland Stocker, and it showed. It was simple, unified, and pure. It reignited BMW’s heritage segment and led to the R 18 and now this R 12 line. This one feels just slightly less focused. Some lines don’t quite align. The frame lines above the engine are all close, but a little off from the lines of the gas tank, for example. The side covers are long, the catalytic converter is huge, the tank badges point skyward, and the R 12 S badge covers an empty space that needed filling. None of it matters when you’re riding, but when I walk away and look back, it doesn’t quite tug at my heart strings like the first R nineT did. Your results may vary.

Even with my personal nitpicking on some styling elements, BMW has made a better motorcycle in the R 12 S. It’s more stable, the suspension and brakes are better, and it rides great. This makes the R 12 S easy to like. It’s fun to ride, stable, well built, and full of personality. It looks good, especially in this paint, and it still has the heartbeat of that classic boxer. So put it in Dynamic, find a canyon, and let it sing. The R 12 S celebrates BMW’s heritage in a way that feels analog in a digital age. It’s not revolutionary, not all-new, but it’s still soulful. It’s the kind of bike you’re happy to be seen on—and be on.

2025 BMW R 12 S Specs