- Classic enduro machine.
- Featuring the new 1170cc boxer that we’ve seen in the other R12 variants.
- 109hp, 21″ front wheel, 240mm ground clearance.
We love the look of the recently announced BMW R 12 GS, although the action shots looked very CGI…
Still, we couldn’t help but post some more pics of this bike that pulls at the heart strings of us here in the BRM office, with the new bike’s design harking back to the days of the original adventure machine, the R 80 GS. Yet, the new model looks to have all the specs for riders who love to head off-road, but don’t necessarily need an all-singing and dancing adventure bike.
Firstly, the fact there’s the taller and skinnier 21-inch wheel at the front of the R 12 GS combined with an 18-inch at the rear proves that the engineers knew what adventure riders want. The taller, narrower front aids traction in the soft stuff, while the 18-inch rear gives more feel.
“With the new BMW R 12 G/S, BMW Motorrad is offering a classic enduro for puristic off-road fun,” explained Markus Lederer, Head of Boxer Series. “The abbreviation borrowed from the legendary R 80 G/S stands for ‘Gelände / Straße’ (Off-road / Street)and signals that the new member of the BMW R 12 family masters both equally. We know that numerous fans have been eagerly waiting for this motorcycle.”
Depending on the sort of riding you do will decide how you choose to option the R 12 GS, with the new model is available with three different saddles options (flat solo / flat enduro / Rallye seat) which depending which suspension package you go for (standard / Enduro Package Pro) sees the seat height ranging from 860mm to 895mm. And if you can even opt for a 17-inch rear wheel if you don’t think you’ll be doing much off road and would like the advantage of better tyre options for road work.
The basic version of the new BMW R 12 G/S is equipped with a footrest system designed primarily for on-road use, but also suitable for off-road use thanks to its serrated profile. As part of the “Enduro Package Pro”, the R 12 G/S is equipped with an enduro footrest system which, thanks to the enlarged contact area of the footrest body in combination with three rows of spikes, provides optimum grip for enduro riding.
The new model get the familiar 101 mm bore, 73 mm stroke, 1,170 cc capacity boxer engine from numerous BMW motorcycle models and delivers 80 kW (109 hp) at 7,000rpm and a maximum torque of 115 Nm at 6,500rpm. The left-hand exhaust system with high-mounted rear silencer meets the requirements of a classic enduro.
Standard riding modes include “Rain”, “Road” and “Enduro” as well as additional riding mode “Enduro Pro” as part of the Enduro Package Pro. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and engine drag torque (MSR) control as standard. For off-road use, DTC can be switched off completely on the new BMW R 12 G/S. In addition, the 12 G/S is equipped with engine drag torque control (MSR) as standard plus you can option a quickshifter.
The large 21-inch front wheel as standard is there for optimum off-road performance, while the optional Enduro Package Pro means you get an 18-inch rear instead of 17-inch rear wheel for maximum off-road performance. Fully adjustable 45mm, upside-down telescopic forks at the front and Paralever swingarm with angled, also fully adjustable rear shock absorber paired with long spring travel (210mm) offer decent off-road capability, while the bolt-on rear subframe helps with repairs should you get a bit carriedaway on the R12. Braking is provided by a twin-disc set-up at the front with two axially bolted 2-piston caliper and comes equipped with ABS Pro (corning ABS). Theres no mention of the rear being switchable.
A classically-styled single round instrument panel is purist in design, with a ‘micro-TFT’ at the bottom of the analogue clock giving additional info. And you can then add the ‘Connected Ride Control’ to link your phone.
The new BMW R 12 G/S can, as with all their models, be customised further thanks to a wide range of optional equipment and accessories. Optional equipment items are supplied ex works and are integrated in the production process. Optional BMW accessories areinstalled by the BMW Motorrad dealer or by customers themselves. These items can also be retrofitted.
Optional equipment packages.
- Comfort package: Hill Start Control, Shift Assistant Pro, heated grips, cruise control.
- Enduro Package Pro: 18″ rear wheel, off-road tyres, Enduro footrest system, large engine guard, hand protectors, handlebar riser +20 mm, long side stand.
BMW R 12 optional equipment.
- Headlight Pro with adaptive light.
- Chrome-plated manifold.
- Engine guard.
- Tire pressure monitoring.
- Anti-theft alarm.
- Intelligent Emergency Call.
- Connected Ride Control.
- Digital display.
- M lightweight battery (lithium-ion battery, approx. 2 kg lighter than the standard battery.
- Pillion Package: Pillion footrests, pillion seat, pillion strap.
- Rallye seat (+20 mm seat height, incl. pillion footrests and pillion straps).
Specifications
BMW R 12 G/S
Pricing: TBC
Engine
Type Water-cooled, 2-cylinder, four-stroke boxer engine with four valves per cylinder operated by cam followers and two overhead camshafts per cylinder
Capacity
1,170cc
Bore/stroke
101 x 73mm
Output
80/109kW/hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque
115Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel
Premium unleaded 95 RON
Power transmission
Clutch
Dry clutch, hydraulically operated
Transmission
Claw-shift 6-speed gearbox
Chassis
Frame construction type
Tubular space frame in steel, engine self-supporting
Front wheel suspension
SD telescopic forks, spring base, rebound and compression damping adjustable Ø 45 mm
Rear wheel suspension
Aluminum Paralever swinging arm, directly linked WAD spring strut, spring base, rebound and compression damping adjustable
Spring travel, front/rear
210/200mm
Wheel castor
120.8 / 121.3mm (Enduro Package Pro)
Wheelbase
1,580 / 1,585mm (Enduro Package Pro)
Steering head angle
63.1 / 63.2° (Enduro Package Pro)
Brakes
Front
Twin disc brake with two axially bolted 2-piston floating calipers, Ø310 mm.
Rear
Single disc brake, Ø 265 mm, 2-piston floating caliper
ABS
Standard equipment BMW Motorrad ABS Pro (lean angle optimised)
Wheels
Aluminum cross-spoke wheels
front 2.15 x 21″
rear 4.00 x 17“ / 4.00 x 18“ (Enduro Package Pro)
Tyres
front 90/90-21
rear 150/70 R 17 / 150/70 R 18 (Enduro Package Pro)
Dimensions and weights
Total length
2,200mm
Overall width incl. hand levers
830mm
Seat height
860 / 875mm (Enduro Package Pro)
DIN unladen weight, road read
229kg
Fuel tank capacity
15.5l
Performance figures
Fuel consumption (WMTC)
5.1 l/100 km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h
4.1s
Top speed
200 km/h
