BMW has a knack for this sort of thing. Reach back into the archives, pull out a design that had us all swooning in the ’70s, and give it a proper 21st century twist. The new BMW R 12 S is exactly that — a spirited tribute to the iconic R 90 S, a bike that not only looked fast standing still but was fast when it mattered. Just ask Helmut Dähne or Steve McLaughlin.
Fast-forward to 2025, and BMW has wrapped all that 1970s style around a very modern boxer twin. The R 12 S isn’t some lightweight styling exercise either—it’s a fully equipped, premium heritage machine that’s got just as much go as it’s got show.
Daytona Dreaming
Visually, it’s an instant hit of nostalgia. The paintwork — Lava Orange Metallic, if you please — is a deliberate nod to the Daytona Orange that adorned the original R 90 S in 1975. It’s bold, bright, and just the right side of cheeky. You also get a handlebar-mounted fairing with a smoked screen, proper brushed aluminium tank panels, and that classic twin-pinstriped tail section with orange-stitched seat. Lovely stuff.
There’s a red “S” on the side panels too, which feels like the designers tipping their cap to those in the know. And the aluminium is clear-lacquered, not polished, which gives it a premium feel without looking too bling.
Boxer Brains and Brawn
Under the skin, the R 12 S is based on the R 12 nineT, so it gets BMW’s air/oil-cooled 1,170cc boxer twin. That means about 109bhp and 115Nm of torque, all delivered with that unmistakable boxer thrum and a slick six-speed gearbox. If you’ve ever ridden one of BMW’s recent Heritage bikes, you’ll know how tractable and surprisingly eager that engine is.
What makes the R 12 S stand apart is the way it’s been dressed: Option 719 wire-spoked wheels, high-spec billet packs (Shadow and Shadow II, for those keeping track), and blacked-out fork tubes and handlebars. All of it speaks to the attention to detail and quality we’ve come to expect from Munich.
Modern Muscle
Despite its retro looks, the R 12 S is properly loaded. You get Heated Grips, Cruise Control, Hill Start Assist, and BMW’s excellent Gear Shift Assist Pro as standard. The adaptive Headlight Pro bends into corners, which is just the thing for night blasts down your favourite B-road. Even the mirrors are bar-end items, because of course they are.
If you’re the sort who likes to tinker or tailor your ride, there’s a full catalogue of accessories from the nineT range — tail tidies, titanium exhausts, soft luggage, and even Connected Ride Control with a fancy micro-TFT screen if you prefer a digital dash to the classic clocks.
Ride Me, Don’t Just Look at Me
We haven’t had a chance to ride the R 12 S yet, but based on its nineT underpinnings, expect a well-planted chassis, neutral steering, and suspension that favours sporty comfort. The riding position is still relaxed, the seat height manageable at 795mm, and the shaft drive as fuss-free as ever. This isn’t a café racer pastiche — it’s a proper bike you’ll want to ride hard and often.
Final Thoughts
BMW could have played it safe and just painted a nineT orange, but the R 12 S is much more than that. It’s a loving reinterpretation of the R 90 S, with enough performance and tech to make it a genuinely appealing everyday machine. Yes, it’s evocative and beautifully finished—but it’s also ready for a proper Sunday morning ride, a continental tour, or just a blast to the local biker café.
If you grew up ogling pictures of the R 90 S or just appreciate bikes that blend heritage with real-world ability, the R 12 S ticks a lot of boxes. And let’s be honest — it looks absolutely fantastic doing it.
Base price in the UK is £18,460 (Summer 2025) with a bunch of options including wire spoke wheels to add to that 1970s look, and BMW’s Connected Ride.
