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
P116 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 BMW R 12 NINET OPTION 719 In 1976, Steve McLaughlin won the Daytona 200 on a Butler & Smith-pre- pared R 90 S, with teammate Reg Prid- more finishing second; Pridmore would also become the first AMA Superbike Champion that year. The R 12 nineT doesn't attempt to replicate the R 90 S mechanically. It doesn't need to. Instead, the Lava Orange paint provides the visual con- nection, while the underlying motorcycle brings the concept forward by half a century. That is what BMW does particularly well with its Heritage models: it borrows the emotional cues from its history without asking the rider to accept the compromises of an old motorcycle. At $23,745, the 2026 BMW R 12 nineT Option 719 is not cheap. The $17,245 base R 12 nineT is already a substantial purchase, and the additional $6500 or so represented by the fac- tory equipment and destination charge pushes this motorcycle firmly into premium territory. It's therefore a good thing that it also feels premium. The Option 719 treatment gives the R 12 nineT an extraordinary level of fin- ish, while the R 12 S-derived equipment adds features that genuinely improve the ownership and riding experience. More importantly, beneath the beautiful paint and machined aluminum is a motorcycle that is genuinely enjoyable to ride. It doesn't feel like a motorcycle designed exclusively for looking good outside a cafe (although it does that very well). Take it into the mountains, ride it hard, and the R 12 nineT suddenly makes perfect sense—then take it to the cafe. And in Lava Orange Metallic, with a little bit of R 90 S history shining through, it might just be the most desir- able version of the R 12 nineT yet. CN 2026 BMW R 12 NINET OPTION 719 ($23,745) Engine Air/oil-cooled, four-stroke, horizontally opposed two-cylinder Boxer; DOHC, four valves per cylinder Displacement 1170cc Bore x Stroke 101 x 73mm Compression Ratio 12.0:1 Transmission Six-speed Final Drive Shaft Horsepower (claimed) 109 hp @ 7000 rpm Torque (claimed) 85 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm Clutch Wet, hydraulically operated, multi-plate Frame Tubular steel space frame Front Suspension 45mm upside-down fork, adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping Rear Suspension Single shock with BMW Motorrad Paralever; adjustable spring preload and rebound damping Front-Wheel Travel 4.7 in. Rear-Wheel Travel 4.7 in. Front Brake Dual 310mm floating discs, four-piston radial-mount calipers, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro Rear Brake Single 265mm disc, two-piston floating caliper, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro Front Tire 120/70 ZR17 Rear Tire 180/55 ZR17 Overall Length 83.9 in. Wheelbase 59.5 in. Seat Height 31.3 in. Fuel Capacity 4.2 gal. Weight (curb, claimed) 485 lbs. Electronics & Rider Aids Rain, Road and Dynamic modes; dynamic traction control; dynamic engine-brake control; ABS Pro; Hill Start Control; cruise control; Gear Shift Assist Pro; tire-pressure monitor; heated grips; Headlight Pro; ConnectedRide Control; LED lighting; TFT display Color Lava Orange Metallic