The R 12 S is intended as a homage to the legendary R 90 S from 1973, the first BMW machine with a handlebar fairing.
BMW’s development department discovered that the 1973 R 90 S, designed by Hans A. Muth, was the brand’s first machine with a handlebar fairing and is still very stylish today. Interestingly, BMW presented the “Concept Ninety” in 2013 as a commissioned piece from designer Roland Sands. This model with a small fairing was painted in a striking orange color, clearly borrowed from the R 90 S. 51 years after the R 90 S and 11 years after the “Concept Ninety”, BMW finally brings the R 12 S series bikes to the market.
Strictly speaking, the R 12 S is actually just a special edition of the R 12 NineT, since it incorporates the core components of the R 12 S: handlebar fairing, pillion seat cover, short number plate holder, handlebar end mirrors, double exhaust and wiring. Spoke wheels – long available as an accessory from BMW. Only the “Lava Orange Metallic” paint is yet to be seen.
A successful retro model But BMW wants to see the R 12 S as an independent model, and this retro bike can be considered a success. While the R 90 S is clearly recognizable as a role model, the R 12 S does not deny its modernity. The handlebar fairing is surprisingly similar to the original, but a little smaller. The 16-liter aluminum tank looks more capacious, but the predecessor actually stored 2 liters more in a steel tank.
The R 90 S was the first BMW with a rear rear behind the long seat, and is a prime example of today’s designers who turned it into a pillion seat cover and made the rear end much earlier. So now there are short wheel covers sticking out at the back, including the number plate holder and indicators. The front fender is also significantly smaller than the original. Attention to detail
The developers’ attention to detail is also evident from the fact that fork-type fender mounts are also included again, albeit in a more modern interpretation. Slightly overlapping on the left side is the double rear silencer that was already available on the basic R-12 series, but the R 90 S is now equipped with extended exhaust pipes on both sides.
The wire-spoke wheels are very classic, but the cast rims bring a change of style. As for the tire sizes, BMW has very cleverly chosen the widely used combination of 120/70-17 at the front and 180/55-17 at the rear, which opens up a wide range of tire models for retrofitting. For a touch of nostalgia, the cockpit features two round instruments with needles that indicate speed and revs. As a bonus, BMW also offers handlebar end mirrors, which are popular but not available on the original model.
Orange connects
The orange, called “Lava Orange Metallic” by BMW, acts as a link to the R 90 S, but is darker than the original’s “Daytona Orange”. While the R 90 S’s tank, fairing and rear were painted in a very light, almost white-gold tone, the R 12 S is in a color BMW defines as “brushed aluminum”.
It also has a thin, red double line. Enthusiasts may be disappointed that BMW did not choose the original color of 1973, but Lava Orange Metallic matches it very well. The seats also feature orange decorative stitching. The cylinder head cover, made of machined aluminum, is also striking.
Technically the R 12 NineT
Technically, of course, the R 90 S is completely identical to the R 12 NineT. The latter offers very good grounds, and the air-cooled 1170cc boxer is still in good condition and considered very reliable, despite having debuted 20 years ago. The current version develops 109 hp at 7000 rpm and a strong 115 Nm at 8500 rpm. The unladen weight of the R 12 S is said to be 220 kg, but interestingly, this was the first BMW to break the 200 km/h sound barrier, its successor at the time with 67 horsepower. It achieved a top speed of 215 km/h.
Dynamic but not a handling miracle
The R 12 NineT is not a true handling miracle, with a wheelbase of 1511 mm and a rather flat steering head angle of 62.3 degrees, but it still flies smoothly through curves of any radius and does not cause any problems for the driver. The R12 S achieves a seat height of 795 mm, which allows even someone around 1.70 m tall to reach both feet to the ground. Two radial four-piston brake calipers on the front wheels with 310 mm brake discs slow it down very well. The R 12 S comes standard with three driving modes – Rain, Road and Dynamic – as well as ABS Pro, DTC, quickshifter, keyless ride, adaptive cornering lights, cruise control, hill start assistant and heated grips.
Not cheap
BMW has set the price of the R 12 S at 22,545 euros when it goes on sale from March 2025. This may seem expensive at first, as the R 12 NineT can be purchased from just 17,410 euros. However, if you add all the options that come as standard on the R 12 S, the price becomes even cheaper, with the handlebar cover alone costing 827 euros.
The defining difference is the orange-silver paint on the R 12 S, which is not extra on the R 12 NineT. Finally, a fun fact: BMW advertises the R 12 S with the slogan “Paint the Town Orange,” whereas until now competitor KTM has had a monopoly on the orange color and the corresponding advertising slogan.
