Just as BMW’s R nineT family expanded over its ten-year lifetime with variants that ranged from the fun-focused Urban G/S to the beautiful-but-uncomfortable Racer, the R 12 introduced last year now has a second sibling—the 2025 BMW R 12 S. The new S is inspired by a classic BMW sport bike from over 50 years ago, so let’s dig in.
- The 2025 BMW R 12 S bears a striking resemblance to the similarly named and aimed 1973 BMW R 90 S. The R 90 S was designed by Hans A. Muth as a performance motorcycle with a narrow handlebar, a fairing, and dual front disc brakes—all unusual features for the era. By 1976, the S scored wins at the Isle of Man TT and Daytona 200 before taking Reg Pridmore to the first AMA Superbike Championship. That’s not a bad pedigree. Later in Muth’s career, he designed the R 80 G/S, R 65 LS, and the original Suzuki Katana. Okay, that’s enough of a history lesson—on to the new S in town.
- After enjoying a dip into BMW’s Option 719 catalog, the 2025 BMW R 12 S gets dressed for success. Sourced from Option 719 includes Billet Packs Shadow (ignition coil covers, oil filler plug, and cylinder head covers painted Avus Black Metallic Matte) and Shadow II (hand and foot controls, footpegs, brake reservoir cover, and bar-end mirrors) milled aluminum goodies. Option 719 Classic II wheels feature wire-spoked and aluminum rims that are naturally anodized. That’s certainly an impressive start.
- The Cockpit fairing is unique to the R 12 S. Behind the bikini-style fairing is a handlebar on modest risers and fork legs—all finished in black.
- The paint is straight out of the 1973 playbook. It’s called N42 Lava Orange Metallic and is applied to the tank, side covers, fairing, front fender, and seat cowling. The side covers get a distinctive “S” badge that goes nicely with the tank’s BMW roundels.
- Plenty of functional upgrades are part of what BMW calls the R 12 S Daytona Package. The S gets a quickshifter, cruise control, adaptive headlight, hill start assistance, and heated grips. We enjoyed These features when we recently tested the 2024 BMW R 12 nineT, which shares the same chassis and motor.
- Note that the photos show a rear fender with a license plate mount—that’s not what the US models will have. We get a swingarm-mounted fender/plate-holder combo. We’ll take it.
- There’s a nice list of factory-installed options available. A TFT display to replace the round clocks, TPMS, anti-theft, Intelligent Emergency Call, and Connected Ride Control can all be added to the S without the dealer’s intervention.
- Your dealer can still add plenty of goodies to the 2025 BMW R 12 S. Ask about a titanium exhaust system, soft bags, and navigation prep.
- Expect the 2025 BMW R 12 S in dealerships before Spring arrives. The MSRP is $21,590, and don’t even think about asking if it’s available in any other color.
2025 BMW R 12 S 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: 134 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 single-disc, hydraulically actuated
- Final drive: Shaft
CHASSIS
- Frame: Steel trellis w/ bolt-on rear subframe
- Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable 45mm inverted fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustable BMW Paralever shock; 4.7 inches
- Wheels: Option 719 Classic II aluminum
- Front wheel: 17 x 3.5
- Rear wheel: 17 x 5.5
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- Front brakes: 310mm floating discs w/ Brembo 4-piston monoblock 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
- Color: N42 Lava Orange Metallic
2025 BMW R 12 S Price: $21,590 MSRP
2025 BMW R 12 S Photo Gallery
