BMW heritage range incoming: Previously revealed R12 nine T will spawn series of retro models

The introduction of the massive R18 cruiser motorbike in 2020 gave the heritage section of BMW’s range a huge boost and for 2024 it’ll grow even further as the new R12 models join the line-up.

In May, BMW previewed the first of these, the R12 nine T, which replaces the decade-old R nine T and its derivatives. A second version – simply called R12 – has also been evidenced by Type-Approval documents that confirm it complies with the UN-ECE standards required for it to be sold in Europe and the UK. 

It’s set to be a more cruiser-style bike, sitting below the R18, and providing BMW with a competitor for bikes such as Harley-Davidson’s Nightster. It’s also supported by comments made by BMW’s then head of design, Edgar Heinrich, who was asked by MCN whether the nine T would spawn more R12s. “I’m not allowed to talk about future bikes but maybe that’s a good idea,” he said. We’ll take that as a yes, then.

The new documents also give the first confirmed specs for the R12 nine T. It’ll have three different power outputs to suit European rules and comply with A2 bike rules in the UK.

Both the R12 and R12 nine T share the same main components, including the engine and frame. The motor is BMW’s 1170cc, air-cooled boxer twin, putting out a maximum of 107.3bhp in the top-spec version of the R12 nine T. 

It hits that power at 7000rpm, 250rpm lower down than the current R nine T’s peak, and allies it to a maximum torque of  85 lb.ft at 6500rpm. A second derivative of the R12 nine T will come with the option of a 94bhp/81 lb.ft version of the engine, meeting A2 licence requirements. A ready-restricted 47bhp version has also been Type-Approved.

Meanwhile, the cruiser-style R12 is approved only with the 94bhp and 47bhp versions of the engine – with the documents suggesting the full-power R12 nine T is capable of a respectable 134mph.

Both the R12 and R12 nine T have the same 1520mm wheelbase, confirming that they share their chassis as well as the engine, but the R12 is longer at 2200mm, compared with 2130mm for the R12 nine T. 

That’s in part thanks to a bigger, 19-inch front wheel which contributes, along with a small 16-inch rear, to a cruiser-style stance compared to the R12 nine T, which has a sportier look thanks to 17-inch wheels at both ends. 

The R12’s wheels are also narrower than the R12 nine T’s, with a 100/90×19 front and 150/80×16 rear tyre compared to 120/70×17 and 180/55×17 for the R12 nine T.

Other dimensional differences show the R12 is 40mm narrower across the bars than the R12 nine T, but those bars are also 40mm taller. Both models will have the option of front cowls too.

The R12 nine T is the lighter bike, coming in at 222kg including a full tank of fuel: the R12 cruiser is 7kg heavier at 229kg in the same state. We can expect further R12 variants to follow, including replacements for the R nine T Scrambler and R nine T Urban G/S, as well as a pannier-equipped touring cruiser model.