Cycle News Staff | December 4, 2024
BMW Motorrad expands its Heritage range with the 2025 BMW R 12 S, which is built from the R 12 nineT platform, and pays homage to the R 90 S, circa 1970s, in its design and livery.
With the BMW R 12 S, BMW Motorrad expands its Heritage range with a fitting tribute to the iconic R 90 S, which in 1973, set an exclamation mark for BMW Motorrad with 67 hp, a top speed of 124 mph (considered the “sound barrier” for motorcycles at the time), double disk front brakes and sporting riding dynamics.
This is a press release from BMW…
Inspired by the BMW R 90 S
The R 90 S was the world’s first production motorcycle with a handlebar fairing designed according to aerodynamic principles. A red “90” in the R 90 S emblem of the engine, subtly pointed to the capabilities of the new BMW and the model became very popular with buyers at the time.
Helmut Dähne riding the 1976 BMW R 90 S
At the 1976 Production TT on the Isle of Man, Hans-Otto Butenuth and Helmut Dähne celebrated a class victory. In the same year, Steve McLaughlin (No. 83) won the prestigious 200 Miles of Daytona on a Butler & Smith prepared R 90 S, and his teammate Reg Pridmore (No. 163) went on to become the very first AMA Superbike Champion in history, with McLaughlin finishing the season in second place. Today, the R 90 S is, as it was then, one of the most sought-after BMW motorcycles.
2025 BMW R 12 S
Today, the new BMW R 12 S takes up the spirit of the R 90 S in its overall concept as well as in many details. Based on the R 12 nineT, it pays homage to the R 90 S in its design and livery.
“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 finish 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-laid ‘S’ on the side covers, the red double coach line, and the brushed and clear-lacquered aluminum surfaces of the tank and seat hump.”
2025 BMW R 12 S Features
Option 719 Wheel Classic II, Billet Packs Shadow and Shadow II, Headlight Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, and much more.
The claim to a sporty retro motorcycle is underlined by the R 12 S with numerous standard product features such as the Option 719 Classic II wheels with wire spokes and naturally anodized aluminum rims. The handlebars and fork tubes are in finished in black, and the components of the Billet packs Shadow and Shadow II make for attractive accents. Components of the Billet Pack Shadow are the left and right ignition coil covers, the oil filler screw, and the cylinder head covers coated in Avus Black Metallic Matte. The Billet Pack Shadow II includes the footrest system with foot brake and gear shift levers, the pillion footrests, the hand brake and clutch levers, the expansion tank covers for the front brake and clutch, as well as the handlebar end mirrors.
Further standard features include Hill Start Control, Gear Shift Assist Pro, Heated Grips, Cruise Control and short rear tail with swing arm mounted license plate holder. For even more safety during night rides, the adaptive cornering light Headlight Pro ensures better illumination of the road in corners.
2025 BMW R 12 S Standard Equipment
Like all 2025 model year BMW motorcycle models, the new R 12 S includes the Ultimate Care Break-In Service, or “600 Mile Service” as standard. This included service further provides BMW customers with a truly premium experience. Time and mileage limits apply – maximum 6 months from the in-service date or maximum 750 miles – whichever comes first.
1170cc 2-cylinder air/oil-cooled Boxer engine 6-speed gearbox, DOHC cylinder head with 4 radially arranged valves, Shaft Drive, Cast aluminum wheels, BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, BMW Motorrad Paralever, Twin disc front brake with radial brake caliper, DTC Dynamic Traction Control, Rear Preload Adjustable, Steering Stabilizer, Upside down fork with adjustable rebound, compression and preload, 12V Socket, Speedometer and Revolution counter, Electronic Immobilizer, LED turn indicators, LED Headlight and tail light, USB Port, On-Board Computer, Ride Modes, Adjustable handbrake and clutch levers, Keyless Ride, Chrome plated Header, Aluminum Fuel Tank, Intelligent Emergency Call, Ultimate Care Break-In Service.
R 12 S Daytona Package
Lava Orange Metallic Paint.
Cockpit Fairing.
Short rear tail with integrated LED lighting.
Black license plate frame attached to swing arm.
Option 719 Classic II Wheels.
Hill Start Assist.
Headlight Pro.
Shift Assistant Pro.
Single Seat and Rear Hump Cover.
Heated Grips.
Cruise Control.
Billet Pack Shadow.
Milled Shadow ignition coil covers, oil filler plug, Avus Black Metallic Matte cylinder head covers.
Billet Pack Shadow II
Milled shadow foot shift and brake levers, rider and passenger footrest systems, hand brake and clutch levers, brake reservoir cover, bar end mirrors.
2025 BMW R 12 S Specifications
| MSRP |
$22,285 |
| Engine |
Air/oil-cooled, two-cylinder boxer motor |
| Displacement |
1170cc |
| Bore/stroke |
101.0 x 73.0mm |
| Output (claimed) |
109 hp at 7000 rpm; 85 ft-lb torque at 6500 rpm |
| Compression |
12.0:1 |
| Engine control |
BMS-O with throttle-by-wire |
| Emission control |
Closed loop 3-way catalytic converter EU5+ |
| Power transmission |
Single-disk dry clutch, hydraulically operated |
| Frame |
Steel trellis frame |
| Front wheel suspension |
Upside-down 45 mm forks, compression, rebound and spring preload adjustable |
| Rear wheel suspension |
Cast aluminum single-sided swingarm with Paralever brace, central progressive shock, rebound and spring pre-load adjustable |
| Spring travel, front/rear |
4.7 / 4.7 in. |
| Wheel castor |
4.35 in. |
| Wheelbase |
59.5 in. |
| Steering head angle |
27.7 degrees |
| Front Brake |
Twin 310mm floating disks with 4-piston monobloc radial brake calipers |
| Rear Brake |
Single 265mm disk with 2-piston floating caliper |
| ABS |
BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, partial integral |
| Wheels |
Option 719 Classic II aluminum spoked |
| Wheel size front/rear |
3.50 x 17 / 5.50 x 17 |
| Tire size front / rear |
120/70 ZR17 / 180/55 ZR17 in. |
| Seat height |
31.3 in. |
| DIN unladen weight, road ready |
485 pounds (claimed) |
| Fuel tank capacity |
4.2 gal |
| Acceleration (claimed) |
0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds |
| Top speed (claimed) |
134 mph |
