Seventies inspired BMW R12 S café racer pays tribute to the iconic R90 S and will cost £18,460

BMW are expanding their boxer twin-cylinder R12 retro family for 2025 by launching a pretty new S model, said to be inspired by the R90 S of the 1970s.

The R12 S will be priced at £18,460 and is due to arrive in the UK from February next year. It’s based on the R12 nineT roadster that arrived for 2024, rather than the laid back R12 cruiser, and shares the same 108bhp 1170cc air/oil cooled flat twin engine that can trace its roots back to the 2007 HP2 Sport.

The S is set apart from the standard £14,420 nineT by its standard fitment handlebar mounted cockpit fairing and tinted front windscreen. The striking metallic paint scheme is also done in tribute to the R90 S Daytona Orange livery from 1975.

This is further complemented by red double pinstriping, which borders sections of brushed aluminium on the fuel tank and rear pillion seat cover.

“The design is perfectly complemented by details such as the red-laid ‘S’ on the side covers, the red double line, and the brushed and clear-lacquered aluminum surfaces of the tank and seat hump,” Head of BMW Motorrad Design, Alexander Buckan said.

The original R90 S enjoyed much racing success for BMW – including a class win in the 1976 Production TT race on the Isle of Man. It also won the Daytona 200 in the same year at the hands of Steve McLaughlin, and his teammate Reg Pridmore used the bike to win the first ever AMA Superbike Championship in the USA.

Away from the colours, the R12 S gets BMW’s Option 719 Classic II spoked wheels with anodized rims. Both the handlebars and upside-down fork tubes are also finished in black – helping to contrast against the orange livery. Also coming in matt black are the left and right ignition coil covers, oil filler screw, and cylinder head covers.

There’s also a dose of extra tech in the mix too, with BMW’s optional Comfort Package coming as standard – including Hill Start Control, Shift Assistant Pro (quickshifter), heated grips, and cruise control.

All of the additional accessories available to the R12 nine T, including luggage, exhaust systems, anti- theft alarms, and more are also available.

Watch: MCN’s BMW R12 nineT review video