2025 BMW R 12 S – First Look
A modern R 90 S
BMW announced a new retro-inspired R 12 S model, paying tribute to the 1973 R 90 S. Built on the same platform as the R 12 nineT, the R 12 S will arrive in dealerships in Q1 2025 for an MSRP of $21,590.
A landmark machine for its time, the R 90 S was the world’s first production model with an aerodynamic handlebar fairing. Its 900cc air-cooled Boxer claimed an output of 67 hp, which helped propel it to a top speed of 124 mph. The R 90 S soon found racing success, with Steve McLaughlin piloting it to win the very first AMA Superbike race in 1976, and teammate Reg Pridmore going on to win the inaugural championship.
The color scheme is Lava Orange Metallic with brushed aluminum and red double pinstriping similar to the 1975 R 90 S’ Daytona Orange. The side panels covering the airbox are feature a badge with a red S, inspired by the original’s red 900 badge. Otherwise, the R 12 S is essentially an orange R 12 NineT with a fairing, which is not necessarily a bad thing, if you’re Alaskan18724:
Mechanically, the R 12 S and the R NineT are the same. Both are powered by a 1,170cc air/oil-cooled Boxer, claiming a peak output of 109 hp at 7,000 rpm and 85 lb-ft. at 6,500 rpm. The engine is matched with a six-speed transmission and a single-disk dry clutch, with power carried to the rear wheel via a cardan drive shaft.
The suspension is also identical, with a fully-adjustable 45mm inverted fork and a Paralever rear suspension with rebound and preload adjustability. The braking system is also unchanged, with dual 310mm discs and four-piston radial-mount monobloc calipers up front and a single 265mm disc and two-piston caliper at the rear, with BMW Motorrad ABS Pro as standard.
The rims are Option 719 Wheel Classic II, with natural and anodized aluminum and silver spoke wheels reserved specifically for the R 12 S. Other features include heated grips, cruise control, Headlight Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, Hill Start Assist and several billet components.
2025 BMW R 12 S Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Air/oil-cooled two cylinder boxer motor, four valves per cylinder |
Displacement | 1,170cc |
Bore x Stroke | 101.0 mm x 73.0 mm |
Horsepower | 109 hp at 7,000 rpm (claimed) |
Torque | 85 lb-ft. at 6,500 rpm (claimed) |
Compression Ratio | 12.0:1 |
Engine Control | BMS-O with throttle-by-wire |
Clutch | Single-disk dry clutch, hydraulically operated |
Transmisson | Constant-mesh 6-speed manual, cardan drive shaft |
Frame Type | Steel trellis frame |
Front Suspension | Upside-down 45 mm forks, compression, rebound and spring preload adjustable; 4.7 inches of travel |
Rear Suspension | Cast aluminum single-sided swingarm with Paralever brace, central progressive shock, rebound and spring pre-load adjustable; 4.7 inches of travel |
Front Brake | Twin 310 mm floating disks with 4-piston monobloc radial brake calipers |
Rear Brake | Single 265 mm disk with 2-piston floating caliper |
ABS | BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, partial integral |
Rake/Trail | 27.7° / 4.35 inches |
Wheelbase | 59.5 inches |
Front Wheel | 3.50 x 17" Option 719 Classic II aluminum spoked |
Rear Wheel | 5.50 x 17" Option 719 Classic II aluminum spoked |
Front Tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
Rear Tire | 180/55 ZR17 |
Length | 83.8 inches |
Seat Height | 31.3 inches |
Curb Weight | 485 pounds (claimed) |
Fuel Capacity | 4.2 gallons |
2025 BMW R 12 S Gallery
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Gorgeous motorcycle. Absolutely beautiful! One of the best-looking bikes in recent memory. I love this thing. People will cry about the price, but don't realize paint work and anodized aluminum with a great finish are expensive.
What is your argument ? Or you just don't have the intelligence to put one up and only choose insults without backup?🙄
This is such an obvious model for BMW to put out, surprised it took them so long to do it.
I love bikini fairing equipped bikes and really want to like this one but don't. The silver "swoop" on the tank is all wrong, it really grates on me. Irrational I suppose, but the original was so iconic. BMW simply should have matched the original's paint job but couldn't due to the shape of the new tank. The modern engine also isn't pretty either.
This bike is nice, but for a model that exists solely due to it's looks it is wide of the mark, especially for the apparent price premium asked for it. It does bring back memories though, I resto modded this formerly faded brown bought cheap because it was rather tatty '77 R100/7 back in the early 90s and still regret selling it. Lester mags! Remember those? 😁