Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1519483
P106 RIDE REVIEW I 2024 BMW R 12 nineT comfortable for several hours in the saddle. Tick the optional comfort extras on the configurator, and, with cruise control espe- cially, there's no reason why you can't take on 300 miles in a day or more. On test, our bike returned over 41.6 mpg, meaning it should get close to 200 miles between fuel stops if speeds are kept legal-ish. As mentioned, the factory options are seemingly limitless. Our test bike came with the optional 3.5-inch TFT dash, but I'd prefer the standard analog clocks for a retro ma - chine of this type, and while the R 12's key- less ignition is useful, you still need to use a key for the fuel cap. Overall the standard of equipment is very high, and the level of finish is superb and, of course, while other manufacturers in this class work hard to try to disguise their bikes' radiators, BMW does not. The look is clean. Verdict Admittedly, some potential customers are not going to enjoy the R 12 nineT. The rocking movement of the motor, the pull of the shaft drive, and a gearbox that isn't the quickest won't impress everyone. But, for many, a little personality, just like we had in the old days, will only be a good thing. Furthermore, once you adapt to its quirks, it's an easy bike to ride. Superbly fueled, it's enriched with torque from the very bottom of the rev range and can give much faster bikes a scare when let off its ultra-cool retro leash. Meanwhile, the revised chassis makes shorter riders welcomed, and the bike can hustle like all the best boxers and does so without dragging its pegs or pipe on the road. Yes, the R 12 nineT is an expensive motor - cycle. Personalize it with a few options (and let's face it, who wouldn't want to?), and you are into serious money. But at least you can see where the money has been spent. Some won't get it, but in a class where authenticity is the most valuable commodity of all, the quality, character, and mechanical intimacy of this air-cooled boxer will be exactly what many want from a retro. CN 2024 BMW R 12 nineT ($16,295) ENGINE: Boxer twin-cylinder, 4-stroke w/central counterbalance shaft DISPLACEMENT: 1170cc BORE X STROKE: 101 x 73mm VALVETRAIN: 2 overhead camshafts, 4 radially arranged valves COOLING SYSTEM: Air/oil FUEL INJECTION: Electronic fuel injection system MAX POWER: 109 hp @ 7000rpm MAX TORQUE: 85 lb-ft @ 6500rpm EXHAUST: 2-1 TRANSMISSION: 6-speed CLUTCH: Wet, multi-plate, slip and assist ELECTRONICS: Riding Modes, Cornering ABS, Traction Control as standard CHASSIS: Tubular space frame FRONT SUSPENSION: Upside-down, 45mm diameter, fully adjustable, 4.7 in. travel REAR SUSPENSION: Single rear shock, preload and rebound damping 4.7 in. travel FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 4.7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 4.7 in. FRONT BRAKE: Twin disc brake, diameter 310mm, 4-piston monobloc caliper REAR BRAKE: Single disc brake, diameter 265mm, 2-piston floating caliper FRONT TIRE: 120/70 ZR17 in. REAR TIRE: 180/55 ZR17 in. WHEELBASE: 59.5 in. TRAIL: 4.35 in. HEAD ANGLE: 62.3° SEAT HEIGHT: 31.3 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 3.2 gal. WEIGHT (WET): 485 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S