BMW announce R12 nineT and R12 cruiser in rejuvenated boxer heritage range

Ten years on from the introduction of the first R nineT retro in 2013, BMW have pulled the covers off two new R12 models – marking the start of a new generation for the German heritage range.

Consisting of a £14,420 R12 nineT roadster and £11,990 R12 cruiser, they made their UK public debut at the annual Motorcycle Live show at Birmingham’s NEC and feature a Euro5+ friendly version of the DOHC 1170cc boxer twin engine previously found in the non-shiftcam R1200GS.  

From the outside, the R12 nineT looks very similar to the original R nineT, however there’s now a new frame, advanced electronics, and quality chassis components – meaning both new retro machines should stop and turn with typical BMW composure.

Although both models are powered by the same 1170cc motor, complete with a new airbox under the seat, revised cylinder head covers, and a twin exit exhaust, only the R12 cruiser can be restricted for an A2 licence. The roadster nineT produces an additional 13.4bhp, putting it squarely in the realms of Triumph’s Speed Twin 1200, and Kawasaki’s four-cylinder Z900RS.

From here, it’s also reasonable to expect BMW to add further variants to bolster the range, with previous additions including the Racer, Scrambler, and Urban G/S.

While the power outputs may differ, both R12 variants benefit from a new two-piece tubular bridge steel space frame, complete with a bolted on subframe at the back end. The old nineT series used a front and rear main frame, and this new design is said to be lighter and cleaner in its look. Slotting into this is a shared set of fully adjustable 45mm upside down forks and four piston Brembo monobloc brake calipers.

To distinguish the riding sensations, the R12 gets 90mm of front travel, with the new nineT getting 120mm of movement. This character is further enhanced by the steering head angle, with the R12 getting a flatter 60.7 degrees, compared to the roadster’s 62.3.

Consequently, wheelbase is 9mm longer on the R12 at 1520mm, with a 19in front wheel and a 16 incher at the back. For greater cornering prowess, the R12 nineT runs on a pair of 17in rims and comes seven kilos lighter ready to ride at a claimed 220kg.

At the back end, both models use an aluminium paralever swingarm, with a single disc and 265mm two piston brake caliper for company. Up top, there’s a 14 litre fuel tank for the R12, and a larger 16 litre tub for the nineT which is 30mm narrower and shorter than before.

Away from the fuel load, both R12s will come full of technology, with cornering ABS as standard, as well as multiple riding modes and traction control.

On the nineT, riders receive ‘Rain’, ‘Road’, and ‘Dynamic’ as standard, with the R12 cruiser getting ‘Rock’ and ‘Roll’ options. Both bikes can also be equipped with a quickshifter, but in 2024 this really ought to be standard on a premium BMW model.

A hill start assist can also be added, as can LED cornering lights, and a 3.5-inch diagonal TFT display to replace the standard analogue clocks. Visit bmw-motorrad.co.uk for more.

BMW R12 range highlights:

• Engine 1170cc boxer twin
• Power 93.9bhp @ 6500rpm (R12) / 107.3bhp @ 7000rpm (R12 nineT)
• Torque 81.2lbft @ 6000rpm (R12) / 84.9lbft @ 6500rpm (R12 nineT)
• Fuel capacity 14 litres (R12) 16 litres (R12 nineT)

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

First published on 30 October 2023 by Ben Purvis

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.

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Spot the difference! BMW modernise retro range with new R12 nineT

First published on 11 May 2023 by Dan Sutherland

BMW are preparing to reveal their next generation of retro roadsters, teasing a new R12 nineT model to a select group of journalists at their Motorrad headquarters in Munich.

Although no official specs or details will be released until November 2023, MCN can confirm that the R nineT replacement retains the air/oil-cooled 1170cc boxer twin engine from the non-shiftcam R1200GS, with a host of new electronic and ergonomic changes to bring the bike up to date.

“We used the package from the R1200, which was already there from the GS with the airbox, and the frame so that was basically a little bit of a compromise… because it was not a roadster package.” BMW’s Head of Design, Edgar Heinrich said, speaking about the original model. “There were not some super perfect conditions in terms of ergonomics, for example.”

Since introducing the first R nineT in 2013, which was mated to a pair of front forks from the S1000RR superbike, BMW have gone on to sell around 106,000 bikes across the globe – spawning derivatives including café racers, scramblers, and even retro adventurers. This new bike looks to build on that success, retaining the old looks with claimed greater refinement.

“You will also know the derivatives of the R nineT,” Heinrich continued. “They had a very nice design but for the purpose it was probably not always 100% spot on, and we said we have to fix this, with a completely new package, still using our air-cooled boxer engine. 

“This was the main target for the new R nineT,” he continued. “We tried to clean all of the clutter, and make it very straight, and make it more dynamic with [improved] ergonomics, and super dynamic in terms of riding.”

From the brief look in person and the images provided, it appears the twin cylinder motor will be held in a revised tubular steel chassis, which is indicated most clearly by the revised pipework surrounding the comfortably set rider’s foot pegs.

Still appearing to use the motor as a stressed member, other notable changes include the cylinder head covers, bodywork tweaks, and revised 17in spoked rim design, which come dressed in Michelin’s competent all weather Road 5s.

The angle of the shock is also completely different – changed from upright to sloped forwards. Featuring manual adjustment, it bolts in beneath the single seat, with further access presumably granted with the removal of the glossy nineT-badged coverings running down either side.

“Of course, we wanted to keep the heritage look of the bike, but underneath everything is new, basically,” Heinrich continued. “On one hand, you need to meet the latest regulations with the Euro5 and noise emissions, and this is not easy with all these new electronics that you need to have.”

Given the vast range of R nineT versions that have come before, it’s pretty safe to assume the R12 will give rise to multiple variants.

When questioned on whether this would include a smaller cruiser, to sit alongside the R18 he added: “I’m not allowed to talk about future motorbikes but maybe that’s a good idea.”

Sounds very promising. Check back for more news coming soon.