BMW presents the BMW R 12 S

Photos: BMW Motorrad

 
With the BMW R 12 S, BMW Motorrad is expanding its Heritage experience with an apt homage to the iconic R 90 S, which in 1973 set a sporting exclamation mark for BMW Motorrad with 67 hp and a top speed of 200 km/h, and not only in terms of driving dynamics.

Rather, the then chief designer Hans A. Muth skilfully expressed the sporting ambitions in formal language and successfully sent the BMW R 90 S into the race for buyers' favour as the first production motorcycle in the world with a handlebar fairing designed according to aerodynamic aspects as well as a rear bumper and a red "90" in the R 90 S emblem of the engine.

Racing successes gave the BMW R 90 S an iconic image.
In addition, it didn't take long for the image of the R 90 S to benefit from racing successes. For example, at the Production TT on the Isle of Man, where Hans-Otto Butenuth and Helmut Dähne celebrated a class victory in 1976. In the same year, Steve McLaughlin also won the prestigious 200 miles of Daytona and his teammate Reg Pridmore became the first AMA Superbike champion in history. This is one of the reasons why an R 90 S is one of the most sought-after BMW motorcycles today as it was then.

The BMW R 12 S transfers the spirit of the R 90 S into the here and now.
Even more than the Concept Ninety study presented by BMW Motorrad in May 2013, the new BMW R 12 S takes up the spirit of the R 90 S in its overall concept as well as in many details and transfers it excellently into the present day. Based on the R 12 nineT, it embodies an authentic and sporty retro bike and uses a number of ingredients that make up a skilful homage to the R 90 S.

"The defining design elements of our R 12 S include the handlebar-mounted cockpit fairing with the tinted windscreen, the seat with contrasting stitching and the paintwork in Lava Orange metallic as a reminiscence of the legendary R 90 S Daytona Orange from 1975 Explains
Alexander Buckan, Head of BMW Motorrad Design.

Lavish standard equipment with option 719 wheels Classic II, milled parts packages Shadow and Shadow II, Headlight Pro, Shift Assistant Pro and much more.
The R 12 S underlines its claim to be a sporty retro bike with numerous standard product features such as the Option 719 wheels Classic II with wire spokes and shiny, naturally anodised aluminium rim rings as well as other high-quality add-on parts. For example, the handlebars and fork stanchions are black, and the components of the Shadow and Shadow II milled parts packages set particularly high-quality technical accents. Components of the Shadow milled parts package are the ignition coil cover on the left and right, the oil filler plug and the cylinder head covers coated in Avus Black metallic matt. The Shadow II milled parts package includes the footrest system including foot brake and gear lever, the pillion footrests, the handbrake and clutch levers, the reservoir covers for the front brake and clutch as well as the bar-end mirrors.

Other standard features include the Comfort Package, which includes Hill Start Control, Shift Assistant Pro, heated grips and cruise control. The adaptive cornering light Headlight Pro, which illuminates the road even better in curves, provides even more safety when driving at night.

Comprehensive range of optional equipment ex works and
Original BMW Motorrad accessories for individualisation.
The BMW R 12 S is based on the BMW R 12 nineT and therefore all accessories such as titanium rear silencers, soft bags or navigation preparation can also be used for this motorcycle. For example, the already expressive dynamics of the lines can be further enhanced with the short rear end available as an original BMW Motorrad accessory and the black licence plate holder attached to the swingarm. Other selectable options are also available ex works with Tyre Pressure Monitoring (RDC), Anti-Theft Alarm System (DWA), Intelligent Emergency Call, Connected Ride Control and Digital Display with Micro TFT Display as an alternative to the classic round instruments.