We had to wait a long time, but BMW Motorrad has finally presented the new R 12 G/S, the Allroad version of the R 12 Retro-classic platform of which the classic enduro design is inspired by the legendary R 80 G/S, which was put on the market exactly 45 years ago.
We write the year 1980 when BMW Motorrad took the concept of an Enduro with a boxer engine in series production. According to the Germans, blessed with off -road expertise, touring capacities and dynamic qualities on asphalt in equal sizes. Hence the type designation G/S, which stands for “Gelände/Straße”, or site/street.
The R 80 g/s was succeeded in 1987 by the R 100 GS, with the sloping line between G and S to be canceled. In 1994 the R 1100 GS, the first Enduro with a 4-valve engine, followed by the R 1150 GS in 2001. A year later, the very first Adventure version, the R 1150 GS Adventure, was launched.
In 2005, the Boxer -GS was upgraded to R 1200 GS, but the biggest leap was made to date in 2013, when the air -cooled boxer engine had cleared the field for a boxer motor with liquid cooling – at the time called precision cooling in order not to have the word liquid cooling in the mouth.
The R 1200 GS was succeeded in 2019 by the R 1250 GS, the first with variable valve timing, after which the R 1300 GS was launched two years ago, the first boxer-BMW with adaptive cruise control, which can also be performed with semi-automatic transmission since the end of last year.
The success of the GS made BMW Motorrad decided in 2016 to expand the R Ninet retro family with a R Ninet Urban G/S, inspired by the very first R 80 g/s. The retro-classic GS was-for retro classical concepts-a success, so when the new retro-classical R 12 platform was presented as the successor to the R Ninet platform, it was not the question if, but if the G/S version of the R 12 would be presented.
The new R 12 g/s comes standard with flat solo saddle, with a seat height of 860 with the standard 17 “rear wheel. With enduro Package Pro with 18” rear wheel, that is 875 mm. For those who want to ride with DUO, it will have to be in the pouch, a duo saddle will be housed in an optional passenger package. In addition, you can opt for a rally saddle that brings the seat height to 880 mm (17 “) resp. 895 mm (18”).
The basic version of the new BMW R 12 g/s is equipped with a footrest system that is mainly designed for use on the road, but thanks to the grooved profile is also suitable for off-road use. As part of the “Enduro Package Pro”, the R 12 G/S is equipped with an enduro footrests, which thanks to the enlarged contact surface in combination with three rows of spikes, offer optimum grip.
The tapered aluminum tube handlebars offers opportunities for further ergonomic adjustments. The optional Enduro Package comprises a steering booster of 20 mm.
By the way, do not let the new type designation R 12 be put in the Luren, the beating heart of BMW’s retro-classic R 12 family is exactly the same 1,170 cc boxer twin as in the R Ninet, but then adapted to the current emission requirements, with a top power of 109 hp at 7,000 Nm and a maximum couple of 115 Nm. For your image, at the R Ninet that was 110 hp at 7,750 rpm and 116 Nm at 6,000 rpm.
The big difference compared to his predecessor is therefore not in the block, but in the electronics and the bicycle part used. For example, the R 12 g/s three driving modes Rain, Road and Enduro, can be expanded with Enduro Pro as part of the Enduro Package Pro package. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and electronically controlled motor brake (MSR) are standard, as well as the Up/Down Quickshifter.
Then the bicycle part, where the 17 “front wheel of the Urban G/S has cleared the field for a 21” copy, while the standard 17 “rear wheel can optionally be exchanged for an 18” copy. The 45 mm upside down front fork is fully adjustable and has an impressive spring road of 210 mm.
The back of the R 12 g/s remains faithful to the family tradition with a Paralever Swingarm. The suspension and damping are provided by a shock absorber with a 200 mm spring road, which is placed slanted for optimum responsiveness. This shock absorber offers travel -dependent damping and is fully adjustable, so that the engine effortlessly adapts to the changing requirements of rugged terrain.
The front wheel of the new R 12 g/s is equipped with a double disc brake, with two axially attached floating calipers with two pistons each and a disc diameter of 310 mm. A single disc brake is used for the rear wheel with a floating caliper with two pistons and a diameter of 265 mm. The new R 12 g/s is equipped with BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, AKA as curves ABS as standard.
The R 12 g/s is by no means cheap. No less than € 19,900 must be put on the table for the standard version and that is almost 5000 euros more than the first Urban G/S. And then you only have the bare version, Full Options can still be counted on several thousand euros. Available from the start of this summer.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.