The Big Boxer-powered BMW R 18 has a new little brother—the 2024 BMW R 12 cruiser. Using the newly detuned version of the R nineT’s air-/oil-cooled boxer, BMW takes another shot at the cruiser genre—a category that has proven to be a challenge for the Berlin designers and engineers. Let’s fire up the new R 12 and hit the city streets and urban canyons.
- The R 12’s boxer motor is a superb example of why dyno numbers don’t necessarily reflect real-world performance. Although the R 12’s boxer puts out 15 fewer horses at its peak than the 1170cc powerplant used in the R nineT last year, that peak comes 1250 rpm sooner. That makes it more accessible. While the dyno peak torque is reduced 5 ft-lbs at the 6000 rpm peak, it doesn’t feel that way on city streets. Part of it could be because you expect something different on a cruiser than a retro-style Regardless, the sense of acceleration is impressive, as the motor spins up rapidly and smoothly. Ripping around town on the R 12 is an absolute undemanding pleasure.
- BMW gave the R 12’s motor the two power modes we still snicker about—Rock and Roll. The mode chosen impacts the throttle response, traction control, engine braking, and, unexpectedly, the idle. We can keep this one simple. Unless you’re a rank beginner or the pavement is wet, you’ll want to use the Rock mode, even though a dedicated Mode button makes switching nearly instantaneous. The throttle has a natural feel, traction control never brazenly intrudes, and the engine braking is as you expect. The idle is the odd one. BMW gives the Rock mode a lumpier idle, so you feel cooler at red lights—it works! Roll mode is tamer than almost anyone is going to want. It seems to be standing in for the non-existent Rain mode. Otherwise, let there be Rock!
- Even in Rock mode, the BMW does not intimidate or fatigue in town. You can ride through urban traffic all day long and never be bothered by the power delivery. Of course, when you want that blast of acceleration, you only have to give the throttle a serious twist, and the R 12 will reward you without jerking you around. UM Associate Editor Kelly Callan, our Light Bantamweight staffer, did complain about the clutch pull after a few hours of exploring the varied architecture in the residential canyons of the Hollywood Hills. The manly men on the Ultimate Motorcycling staff didn’t have an issue.
- The 2024 BMW R 12 has predictable and reliable urban handling. You will be hard-pressed to find a motorcycle with a more friendly personality—you don’t have to strongarm the R 12 around town, and the chassis isn’t fussy about rider input. The R 12 goes where you want to go, when you want to go, without over-reacting to your instructions. The generous 29.3 degrees of rake and 5.2 inches of trail assure stability, while the low center of gravity assists in maneuverability. Lane-splitting isn’t difficult—the handlebar is wider than the cylinders, so you only think the twin jugs will be a problem. The weight is carried low, and the all-day comfortable solo seat’s height is under 30 inches; I can easily flatfoot with my 31-inch inseam.
- A low seat height often means short-travel suspension, and that is the case with the BMW R 12. Wheel travel is just 3.5 inches at both ends. The suspension is properly valved and sprung, though Los Angeles potholes will overwhelm it, as well as deep cross-intersection gutters. The only adjustment available is the shock’s rebound damping. We doubt many riders will avail themselves of that feature.
- The 2024 BMW R 12 weighs a quarter-ton with the 3.7-gallon tank filled with high test, but you’d never know it when engaging in sport cruising. When you hit urban twisties like the storied Mulholland Drive, the R 12 is ready for stately action, though the peg feelers touch down long before the flat-profile Bridgestone Battlax BT46 tires engage in edge-grip discussions. The 19-/16-inch wheel pairing works just fine, with trustworthy footprints at both ends. The 310mm discs and radially mounted Brembo calipers slow things down without drama. When you need to decelerate more aggressively, tap into the 265mm disc and its BMW-branded caliper. BMW’s cornering-aware ABS is there as a backup, though you will rarely contract its services.
- Our test bike had the $1524 Select Pack, which provides a broad range of upgrades. The quickshifter is the most significant feature of the Select Pack. Big twins can be finicky about quickshifters, and the 2024 BMW R 12 is no exception. It’s clunky between 1st and 2nd gears, and works best at higher rpm. Well-implemented Select Pack features include cruise control, hill start assistance, and heated grips. Also included is Connected Ride Control, which works with your smartphone to give you additional info on the retro-/analog-style single clock. Only you can decide if those features total up to $1524.
- Don’t worry—there are several luxury standard features. You don’t have to pay extra for keyless operation (the fob has a key to open the fuel tank) and Intelligent Emergency Call. Using BMW’s eCall system, Intelligent Emergency Call will alert first responders if it senses you have been in an accident. The BMW Motorrad Multi-Controller (aka The Wonder Wheel) is next to the left grip, though it has less to do on the bare-bones-by-design R 12.
- Stylistically, the R 12 plays Sophia Loren to the R 18’s Jayne Mansfield. If you’ve seen the (in)famous 1957 photo (maybe) taken by Delmar Watson at Romanoff’s restaurant in Beverly Hills, you’ll understand immediately. While the R 18 is dominatingly boisterous, sporting a pair of 901cc protrusions, the R 12 is tastefully restrained, with appealing proportions. Unless you’re of Teutonic dimensions, the R 12 will likely be a better fit than its big brother. Of course, the horizontally opposed twin means you won’t be stretching your legs, though there’s plenty of room for cruising comfort.
- While “less is more” is a well-worn cliché, it’s hard to think otherwise when riding the 2024 BMW R 12. Much was made of the R 18 being inspired by the nearly century-old R 5. However, the R 12 better aligns with the 494cc, 386-pound BWM classic thanks to superior agility and a smaller motor, which also happens to be quicker than the Big Boxer. While the 2024 BMW R 12 may not appeal to those who subscribe to the “bigger is better” ethos for cruisers—and I completely understand that perspective—if you’re looking for a practical, stylish, and distinctive cruiser, the R 12 demands your consideration.
Action photography by Nic de Sena
Static photography by Don Williams
RIDING STYLE
2024 BMW R 12 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Horizontally opposed twin
- Displacement: 1170cc
- Bore x stroke: 101 x 73mm
- Maximum power: 95 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 81 ft-lbs @ 6000 rpm
- Top speed: 124+ mph
- Compression ratio: 12.0:1
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Fuel delivery: EFI w/ 50mm throttle bodies
- Cooling: Air and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed (tested w/ optional quickshifter)
- Clutch: Dry, hydraulically actuated
- Final drive: Shaft
CHASSIS
- Frame: Steel trellis w/ bolt-on rear subframe
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable 45mm inverted fork; 3.5 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustable BMW Paralever shock; 3.5 inches
- Wheels: Cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 19 x 2.75
- Rear wheel: 16 x 4.0
- Tires: Bridgestone Battlax BT46
- Front tire: 100/90 x 19
- Rear tire: 150/80 x 16
- Front brakes: 310mm floating discs w/ Brembo 4-piston calipers
- Rear brake: 265mm disc w/ 2-piston floating caliper
- ABS: BMW Motorrad ABS Pro
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 59.8 inches
- Rake: 29.3 degrees
Trail: 5.2 inches - Seat height: 29.7 inches
- Fuel capacity: 3.7 gallons
- Curb weight: 500 pounds
- Estimated fuel consumption: 44 mpg
COLORS - Blackstorm Metallic
- Aventurine Red Metallic (optional)
- Option 719 Thorium in Avus Silver Metallic (optional)
2024 BMW R 12 Price: $12,345 MSRP (as tested, $14,144)
2024 BMW R 12 Review Photo Gallery
