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2025 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
R 12 S (MY2025)
Boxer Soul With Modern Manners
The Machine's Character
The R 12 S is BMW building a roadster around a shape first, then making the engineering hold it up. The 1170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer makes 109 hp and 85 lb-ft, and it does its real work early, feeding through a shaft drive with low-rev authority. The bikini fairing is not decoration; it manages air cleanly instead of sealing you off from the road. Under the Lava Orange paint, billet wheels and polished aluminum sits a full electronics package: ABS, traction control, ride modes, cruise control, heated grips, and suspension you can adjust at both ends.
It rides best on roads with a rhythm. Long sweepers, a steady pace, the boxer pulling from just off idle. At 483 lb this is real weight, but the 31.1 in seat and the low center of gravity keep it manageable, and it stays planted when the speed climbs. Build quality and reliability sit where they should for a bike people buy to keep for years. It suits riders who want presence and a strong bottom end more than a spec-sheet win. The honest caveat is heat and a gearbox that lets you know when you rushed it.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 109 hp (80 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1170 cc |
| Engine | Flat-twin (boxer) |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 483 lb (219 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal (16 L) |
| Top speed | 126 mph (203 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 46 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Drivetrain
- Quickshifter Standard
Lighting
- LED Headlight Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
- Traction Control Standard
- Ride Modes Standard
Known issues
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Drivetrain clunkiness and false neutrals
The gearbox can miss shifts and produce loud clunks, especially when shifting quickly or under load. False neutrals occur sporadically between 4th, 5th, and 6th gears.
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Radiated engine heat in warm weather
The engine emits significant heat onto the rider's legs and lower body, making riding uncomfortable on hot days or in slow traffic.
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Cold-engine roughness
When first started, the engine runs roughly and may hesitate until it reaches operating temperature after about 10 minutes of riding.
The Numbers Compared
Compare the technical specifications of the BMW R 12 S with other bikes in its class.
Head-to-head: BMW R 12 S vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Alternatives to the BMW R 12 S
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this BMW R 12 S. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
