A decade ago, the retro-modern BMW R nineT roadster debuted as part of the German manufacturer’s 90th anniversary. It spawned countless variants, from the Urban G/S to the Racer S. The nineT brand has now been repositioned as a variant of the new R 12 lineup. With the standard R 12 taking on the job as a sporty cruiser for urban dwellers, the 2024 BMW R 12 nineT looks to satisfy performance-oriented customers. We put plenty of miles on the new R 12 nineT up and down California, so it’s time to share what we have learned.
- The 2024 BMW R 12 nineT is powered by a retuned version of the old nineT that satisfied the Euro 5 standards. While the standard R 12 was considerably detuned, the R 12 nineT gets a healthy torque boost. This is unquestionably a more muscular nineT, with a 10 ft-lb peak torque output increase compared to the outgoing nineT. The torque peak comes at 6500 rpm, just 500 rpm before the 109 horsepower summit, so the power is more usable in 2024. This is a step up, and an evolution worthy of the motor that debuted 17 years ago on the HP 2 Sport.
- Being a DOHC 1170cc boxer twin, the R 12 nineT loves to pull. If it’s running, the new nineT is in the powerband. Twist the throttle, and away you go, with purely linear acceleration. It’s a sweetheart of a motor, with all the inspiring vibes you expect to get from an air-/oil-cooled horizontally opposed twin. Adding to the experience is a delightful sound from the new twin mufflers.
- The R 12 nineT has three power modes—Dynamic, Sport, and Rain. As you’d expect, Dynamic is the way to go for sport riding. It spins up noticeably quicker than Road mode, though Dynamic is snappy without being snatchy. If you have decent throttle control, you can handle the Dynamic mode. Still, on the tightest canyon roads—Big Basin Highway in the Santa Cruz Mountains, IYKYK—Road mode comes in handy to reduce mental fatigue. Also, Road mode kicks up the traction control and compression braking traction, making it easier to avoid mistakes. Still, if the route opens up at all, the Dynamic mode is great fun, and you can invoke every single horse and ft-lb on demand.
- The 2024 BMW R 12 nineT has upgraded suspension. The suspension is on the firm side as delivered. Fortunately, the fork is fully adjustable, and the shock has everything but compression-damping customizability. As it requires tools to make adjustments, you’ll have to find the right balance if you’re riding in a variety of conditions, as I often do. Because I’m of average weight and riding ability, the suspension feels set up for me—how convenient. BMW laid the outboard-mounted shock down and gave it progressive damping rather than linkage. This works fine for the R 12 nineT’s roadster mission. While the suspension is firm for urban riding, it is fantastic when pushing along in the canyons.
- Handling is deliberate on the R 12 nineT. With 27.7 degrees of rake on tap and a spacious 4.4 inches of trail, nothing happens in a hurry. The R 12 nineT is a hefty ride, tipping the scales at 485 pounds with the 4.2-gallon tank topped off with high test, so you don’t want a twitchy chassis. Instead, you get a predictable platform that isn’t easily disrupted. The geometry of the trellis frame, along with the conservative Continental ContiRoad sport/touring/commuting tires on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, delivers a secure feeling of the road, rather than a frenetic ride. Plan your lines carefully, and you will be rewarded with an impressively stable ride that is far from slow.
- BMW did not skimp on the braking. Those are radially mounted Brembos in the front, working on 310mm discs. The initial bite is soft, as you would expect and want. Pull harder and the Brembos do their deceleration duties impressively. Adding the 265mm disc with its two-piston BMW-branded caliper helps when you’ve overcooked your approach. The standard ABS Pro is cornering-aware and not overly intrusive. Downshifting adds more to the process, automatically adjusting engine compression braking to prevent rear-wheel skids when the slipper-less dry clutch does not. While throwing out an anchor for a 485-pound mount is serious business when sport riding, the R 12 nineT is up to the task thanks to modern electronics.
- The term “gentleman’s sport bike” has a long history, and the R 12 nineT fits the bill. A gentleman’s sport bike cuts both ways, as it’s not just about the motorcycle. It’s an attitude of the rider—sporting, but not rudely in a hurry, a calculated decision-maker, and appreciative of stability. The 2024 BMW R 12 nineT speaks to a rider—lady or gentleman—who embodies those attributes.
- There’s no reason you can’t use the R 12 nineT as a commuter. It’s comfortable, with a rider triangle that is only slightly canted forward. For most, the standard R 12 is a superior urban and suburban warrior, with a noticeable relaxation of the seating position, chassis geometry, and power delivery. However, if you like aggressive city riding, the nineT variant satisfies that preference.
- Our test bike featured the Select Package, which runs $1524. The prominent functional feature is a quickshifter. As it has to work with a big twin, the quickshifter requires an aggressive throttle hand and works best from 3rd gear on up. Cruise control reduces fatigue on long rides on the open road, while the heated grips saved the day on a chilly Northern California ride. Hill start assistance is welcome, and conveniently implemented. The Connected Ride Control smartphone system is of limited value with the old-school dual analog-style gauges. The bike also had an adaptive headlight ($245, worth it if you sport ride after dark) and tire pressure monitoring ($275, worth it if you don’t like checking the PSI). BMW’s Intelligent Emergency Call feature is standard and triggered by a shrouded right-handlebar button or a mishap. Missing, regrettably, is backlighting for the switchgear.
- Although the retro gauges look great, the numbers are small. You get a speedometer and tachometer—the latter is hardly needed. The famed Multi-Controller (aka Wonder Wheel) is standard, though only usable if you have the Connected Ride Control. Otherwise, the nicely ergonomic switchgear intuitively runs you through the setup options and data readouts on the small LCD inset. Given the tiny mph numbers, I would have liked the speed to be one of the LCD’s display options as you scroll through, as the digital number would be easier to read. For the most part, you’ll never need to look down, as the BMW R 12 nineT is not a demanding ride. If you prefer, a stealthy 3.5-inch TFT display is a $145 option.
- The fob system is convenient, but falls a bit short. While you can press the right-handlebar-mounted power button and have the R 12 nineT spring to life, you need to pull the fob out and access the integrated key to open the fuel tank or engage the steering lock.
- The 2024 BMW R 12 nineT is a step forward. BMW took advantage of the need to update the motor to Euro 5 emissions standards to refine the nineT concept. This is a motorcycle that appeals to riders who want a motorcycle that is as sure of itself as the riders are of themselves. The nineT is for riders who want to get somewhere fast, without appearing to be in too much of a hurry.
Photography by Kelly Callan
RIDING STYLE
2024 BMW R 12 nineT Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Horizontally opposed twin
- Displacement: 1170cc
- Bore x stroke: 101 x 73mm
- Maximum power: 109 horsepower @ 7000 rpm
- Maximum torque: 85 ft-lbs @ 6500 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
- Clutch: Dry, hydraulically actuated
- Final drive: Shaft
CHASSIS
- Frame: Steel trellis w/ bolt-on rear subframe
- Front suspension; travel: Damping-adjustable 45mm inverted fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustable BMW Paralever shock; 4.7 inches
Wheels: Cast aluminum - Front wheel: 17 x 3.5
- Rear wheel: 17 x 5.5
- Tires: Continental ContiRoad
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- 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: 59.5 inches
- Rake: 27.7 degrees
- Trail: 4.4 inches
- Seat height: 31.3 inches
- Fuel capacity: 4.2 gallons
- Curb weight: 485 pounds
- Estimated fuel consumption: 44 mpg
COLORS
- Blackstorm Metallic
- San Remo Green Metallic ($325 option, as tested)
- Option 719 Aluminum / Night Black (optional)
2024 BMW R 12 nineT Price: $16,295 MSRP ($18,664, as tested)
2024 BMW R 12 nineT Review Photo Gallery
