Nothing sells like nostalgia; just ask the majority of the world’s motorcycle manufacturers who, following Triumph’s lead in the early 2000s, have increasingly turned to rose-tinted spectacles in order to sell motorcycles. Mind you, you could also say that they sell so well because of nostalgia on the part of the customers, who want the style of the bikes they owned when they were young, without any of the constant maintenance and reliability hassles that running classics entail.
BMW has enjoyed huge success with the R nineT range of retro roadsters, café racers and style-over-substance ‘scramblers’, none of which actually copied any BMW model from the past but all of which offer classic style with modern engineering.
Now, BMW has once again stirred the pot and brought us a full-on homage to the original adventure bike, the R 80 G/S. In essence, this is the latest (and confusingly named) R 12 nineT modern classic, with a little more than a mere nod to off-road ability and a huge
nod to the style of the original R 80 G/S.
The engine remains the 1,170cc, 107 horsepower, 84.9 lb.ft. air/oil cooled boxer twin engine, housed as a stressed member alongside a tubular steel space frame. It is Euro5 compliant, while the exhaust has been mounted high up on the left-hand side to keep it out of the way when riding the technical trails.
In line with the intended use of the original, the R 12 G/S should be just as at home on dirt and tar, if the name is to be believed. G/S stands for Gelände/Straße, or ‘off-road/street’.
Wheels are 21” front and 17” rear, and the standard solo seat sits 860mm from the ground. The optional Enduro Package Pro raises the seat height to 875mm.
Of course, being a BMW, the options list is extensive, including different foot peg set ups, a larger 18” rear wheel, handlebar risers and alternative seat options, including ones to accommodate pillions, as well as a Rallye Seat, which takes the height up to 880mm, when paired with the 17” rear wheel and a giraffe-like 895mm with the 18” rear wheel.
There are three riding modes as standard – Rain, Road and Enduro – as is traction control. The Enduro Pro Package is an option and allows the rider to turn off the ABS at the rear wheel (the traction control can be turned off without the Pro package). A quick-shifter is also an option. The forks are 45mm diameter, fully-adjustable upside-down items, offering 210mm of travel, while the single rear shock and Paralever system gives 200mm of travel. Brakes are 310mm twin discs up front, with cornering ABS and a 265mm rear disc.
Fuel capacity is 15.5 litres, and the R 12 G/S will be available in three colours: matt black, light white and an Option 719 colour scheme of ‘sandrover’/red/mineral grey.
Pricing hasn’t been announced as yet, but no doubt a call to your local BMW Motorrad dealer will provide an indication.
