BMW R 12 S
With the retro R12S, BMW pays homage to its own icon, the R90Sport.
When I was told that MC-Oslo had received a copy of BMW's new retro classic R 12 S, I became curious. Recreating a legendary motorcycle, such as BMW R90Sport, in retro format is no easy feat. Such a motorcycle should combine modern technology with a design that harks back to the original's DNA. The conclusion after the visit is that BMW has gone "all in" here. I have written several articles and ridden the original R90Sport, and I must say that with the retro R 12 S they have really set the bar high and shot the inner tier. The copy is almost better than the original, at least to look at. Riding it is out of the question. The bike I got to take a closer look at had already been sold, and was in the shop waiting to be picked up by the owner. Whether there will be more is uncertain and unlikely, according to the salesman at MC-Oslo.
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With the R 12 S, BMW has fully demonstrated that they are capable of recreating the greats of the past. When the R90Sport was launched in 1973, BMW showed that they had mastered the sports segment. The model became very popular, was BMW's fastest motorcycle, and was in production until 1976. A total of 17,450 copies of the R90Sport were produced, and 84 of these found their way to Norway. Today, the R90Sport is almost iconic, and a highly sought-after classic throughout Europe, and with the R 12 S, BMW pays tribute to its old icon.
Round, analog instruments emphasize the classic expression
Sporty exhaust system
As I said, BMW has really succeeded in drawing the lines back to the original R90Sport. The spoked rims, the steering wheel cover, and the fastback are like seeing the original. The paint code Lava Orange is confusingly similar to Daytona Orange, which was one of the two paint codes on the R90Sport. The instruments are of course round and analog, so all praise to BMW for not falling for a digital dashboard. Unlike the R90Sport, which has an exhaust pipe on each side, the R 12 S has two upturned exhaust pipes on the left side. A tough solution that emphasizes the model's sporty character, and which is definitely "in".
S for Sports
Classic design packed with high-tech
Beneath the classic exterior, the R 12 S is packed with modern technology. The bike offers three riding modes; Rain, Road and Dynamic. The brakes naturally have ABS Pro and are partially integrated, and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) ensures that the power from the engine is safely planted in the asphalt. Heated grips are also standard equipment, as is Hill Start Control. With the R 12 S, BMW offers nostalgia in combination with the latest in tech, for optimal riding experiences.
Flattering details
Technical data BMW R 12 S, 2025 model:
Engine: 2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer, 4-valve technology
Displacement: 1170 ccm
Power: 109 hp at 7000 rpm.
No. of gears: 6
Torque: 115 Nm at 6500 rpm.
Front tires: 120/70 ZR17
Rear tires: 180/55 ZR17
Tank: 15.9 liters
Weight: 220 kg
0-100 km/h: 3.6 sec.
Top speed: 215 km/h
