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/1547197
P114 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 BMW R 12 NINET OPTION 719 ing stability, suspension control and the low-slung boxer engine that makes the R 12 consider- ably more sporting than its styl- ing suggests. There are plenty of motor- cycles that look like they should be fun but become less convinc- ing once the road gets fast and twisty. The R 12 is the opposite. Its visual identity suggests a relaxed Sunday ride but start linking corners together and it reveals a chassis that is ex- tremely competent. If you do want to ride it quick through the canyons, you'll want to hang off the chassis more and keep it on the fat part of the tire, lest you start hitting those footpegs on the ground. The steering is deliberate rather than nervous, the suspension gives you a good sense of what the tires are doing, and the boxer engine supplies enough torque that you don't need to be perfect with your gear selection. The 31.3-inch seat height is low enough to make the bike ap- proachable for almost any rider and although the 4.2-gallon fuel tank isn't enormous, the engine's relaxed nature means the R 12's claimed 485 pounds can cover respectable distances between stops. The Orange Connection The original R 90 S was one of BMW's defining motorcycles of the 1970s. Its Daytona Orange finish became inseparable from the bike's identity, particularly after the model's competition successes. The brakes provide the con- fidence you want from a mo- torcycle this heavy. Initial bite is strong without being abrupt, and there is plenty of power available when you really need to slow the bike down. More importantly, the chassis stays composed under heavy braking, but if you're really pushing the R 12, you might want to look at sportier BMW options. The R 12 is more about quick cruising than sportbike performance, but it will keep up with quicker bikes up to a point—at that stage, the lack of ground clearance starts to show, and the ride can get a little nervous. The R 12 doesn't pitch dra- matically onto its nose or fight you when significant brake pres- sure is applied. Instead, it stays composed and predictable, letting you release the brakes smoothly and transition onto the throttle. It is this combination of brak- stable character rather than the hyperactive steering of a mod- ern naked sportbike. But that's part of the appeal. Turn into long, sweeping corners and the BMW settles naturally onto its line. There is a reassuring lack of nervousness, and the relatively low center of mass makes the 485-pound, fully fueled R 12 feel consider- ably more manageable than the number suggests. The weight is there, but it is carried low, and with the relaxed suspension geometry, the ride is far from intimidating. The braking hardware is an- other area where the R 12 nineT punches above its retro appearance. Up front are twin 310mm floating discs and four-piston radial-mount monobloc calipers. The rear uses a 265mm disc with a two-piston floating cali- per, backed up by BMW Motor- rad Integral ABS Pro. Bespoke Option 719 bits like levers, mirrors and cylinder- head covers give a touch of class to the R 12.