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RIDE REVIEW I 2026 BMW R 12 G/S
ers absolutely nailed it. Like many rid-
ers of a certain age, I'm probably a bit
biased. I'm also a big fan
of BMW's R
12 R nineT, which I rode a lot last year,
but there's no denying the new G/S is a
head-turner, especially in the white, red
and blue (or "Light White," as BMW calls it).
Of course, how much you like the styling
may depend on your age, your riding history,
and whether you appreciate retro-inspired
design. But you don't have to be an '80s Paris-
Dakar diehard to love the looks and vibe of
this G/S. And no, you definitely don't have to
be a hipster to appreciate the cool factor of
that air-cooled 1200 boxer engine.
The 1170cc flat-twin engine is shared with
the R 12 R nineT and R 12, delivering 109
horsepower at 7000 rpm and 85 lb-ft of torque
at 6500 rpm. It features three riding modes—
Rain, Road and Enduro—with an optional
Enduro Pro mode as part of the Enduro Pro
But don't be fooled by its throwback
looks. This bike is loaded with modern
tech: multiple riding modes, rider aids,
BMW's Shift Assist, heated grips, cruise
control, and hill start control. It's also ready
for adventure with 9.4 inches of ground
clearance, fully adjustable enduro suspen
-
sion, and an optional Enduro Pro Package that
swaps the 17-inch
rear wheel for an 18-incher
and adds another 0.8 inches of clearance.
We headed to Germany to see whether the
new R 12 G/S lives up to the legend, both on
and off the road.
WHAT HAVE WE
GOT HERE?
Before we dive into power, torque, rider aids,
and chassis details, I'd urge you just to take
a moment and look at it. In person, it's even
better—so much so that I think BMW's design
-
Fully optioned up
(we've got no idea how
much this version is),
but it's certainly a looker.
Almost like it's too
pretty to get dirty.
