2025 BMW R12S First Ride Review: The Perfect Cafe ...

You’ve watched cafe racers fade as manufacturers minimize fashions that didn’t promote. Now BMW brings again the concept with the R12S, a modern bike that nods to a basic from the Seventies. You see a retro look, however you additionally anticipate actual efficiency and luxury that match right now.

You trip this bike to see if BMW realized from previous makes an attempt. You need type, a powerful engine really feel, strong dealing with, and options that make every day using straightforward. You additionally wish to know if this method can work in a smaller market.

Key Takeaways

• You get a retro look with trendy energy and management.
• You trip a balanced bike that feels fast and usable.
• You see a restaurant racer constructed for real-world using.

BMW R12S Overview

Retro Styling Roots

You see clear hyperlinks to BMW’s previous within the form and end of this bike. The look attracts from the Seventies R90S, with a small entrance fairing, an identical seat cowl, and a daring orange-style paint scheme with wonderful striping.

Particulars just like the brushed metallic tank panel and basic spoke wheels push the retro feel additional. BMW additionally suits billet components, equivalent to mirrors and controls, as normal, which carry the visible high quality with out altering the core format.

Launch Timing and Legacy

You’re a restaurant racer launched in 2025, at a time when many comparable fashions have left the market because of weak gross sales. BMW brings this one out after bikes just like the Thruxton and its personal earlier racer fashions ended manufacturing.

The using place stays true to the unique R90S with flat handlebars, not low clip-ons. That alternative hyperlinks again to historical past whereas making the bike simpler to dwell with for contemporary riders.

Engine and Efficiency 

You get the identical air- and oil-cooled boxer twin used throughout the R12 vary. It feels completely different from most bikes on the highway and carries a transparent BMW character. The format additionally hyperlinks intently to the older R90S that impressed this mannequin.

Energy and Torque Supply

The engine produces 109 horsepower on the prime finish. Torque peaks at 115 Nm round 6,500 rpm, with most of that pull out there from 2,000–3,000 rpm.
This provides you strong drive within the mid-range, particularly when exiting corners in greater gears.

Exhaust Word and Using Sensation

You hear a deep and full sound even with the usual exhaust fitted. The engine feels keen and responsive once you open the throttle. That blend of sound, shove, and steadiness makes the trip participating with out feeling aggressive.

Chassis and Dealing with

Suspension and Brakes Setup

You get a fully adjustable setup with an upside-down entrance fork and a rear monoshock. BMW suits 17-inch spoked wheels at each ends with Metzeler tires that supply strong grip.

Braking comes from Brembo radial monoblock calipers on 310 mm entrance discs. You’re feeling assured braking onerous into corners, even once you carry pace.

Consolation and Chassis Stability

The bike feels nicely balanced and never overly aggressive. You keep snug, and the chassis stays calm and secure.

At 220 kg curb weight, it isn’t gentle, however the low-mounted boxer engine helps. That low center of gravity permits you to make tight turns with out placing a foot down.

Conduct on Actual Roads

You’ll be able to flick the bike aspect to aspect once you wish to push on. The suspension stays composed and doesn’t get unsettled if you happen to enter a nook a bit sizzling.

You’re feeling completely happy using the identical stretch of highway repeatedly. The bike encourages spirited using whereas nonetheless working for on a regular basis use.

Trendy Options and Know-how

Adjustable Trip Settings

You get three selectable ride programs. You’ll be able to change how the throttle responds to go well with calm using or a extra full of life tempo. This helps you match the bike to completely different roads and moods with out effort.

Rider Safety Programs

You trip with lean-aware traction management. It adjusts grip assist whereas the bike is cornering. This technique works within the background and doesn’t interrupt the trip really feel.

On a regular basis Consolation Add‑Ons

You’ve cruise control for regular speeds on longer roads. A quick shifter can be fitted, although it might probably really feel a bit tough at occasions. These options add ease with out taking away from the bike’s basic type.

Styling and Construct High quality

Paintwork and Floor End

You see a daring paint scheme that takes clear inspiration from BMW’s previous. The colour has a shiny orange tone with a powerful visible pop, matched with wonderful pink pinstriping and small silver accents.

The gasoline tank provides distinction with brushed aluminum panels, which give the bike a premium, hand-finished look. The paint high quality appears to be like deep and even, with clear edges round each panel.

Possibility 719 {Hardware} and Trim

You get a full set of Option 719 parts fitted as normal. These items add element and weight to the visible design with out wanting overdone.

Possibility 719 components you possibly can see embrace:

• Billet engine covers
• Machined foot pegs
• Steel levers
• Reservoir caps
• Bar-end mirrors
• Basic spoke wheels

All of those components work collectively to carry the end and make the bike really feel particular straight from the manufacturing facility.

Basic Design References

You discover clear visible hyperlinks to older BMW sport fashions. The small entrance fairing and the seat cowl give the bike a real café racer shape with out excessive bodywork.

From the aspect, the bike appears to be like balanced and purposeful. The combo of retro panels, trendy elements, and cautious detailing makes the design really feel intentional from each angle.

Tendencies within the Cafe Racer Phase

Pullback of Icon Fashions

You’ve seen the cafe racer area shrink as main manufacturers minimize prime fashions after weak gross sales. Triumph ended the Thruxton with a ultimate version, and BMW dropped the R nineT Racer years earlier.

BMW now brings again the concept with the R12S in 2025, betting {that a} revised setup can work higher.

What Riders Need Now

You seemingly need type with out ache, and the market displays that shift. Aggressive clip-ons pushed riders away, particularly as the common rider age rises.

You see stronger curiosity in bikes with flat bars that keep usable for commuting, errands, and lengthy days. The R12S follows this path, utilizing a relaxed bar place whereas retaining the cafe racer look.

Key desire shifts

• Consolation over race-like posture
• Day by day usability over observe bias
• Retro design with trendy aids

How Rivals Stack Up

You’ll be able to examine decisions inside the identical model strains. Patrons favored the Pace Twin over the Thruxton, and the usual R nineT over the Racer, as a result of each supplied comparable engines with simpler ergonomics.

BMW positions the R12S nearer to these winners by sharing components with the R12 roadster. You get the identical core bike with added styling, which can assist gross sales whereas retaining heritage cues from the R90S.

Ergonomics and On a regular basis Usability

Bar Top and Attain

You sit behind flat handlebars somewhat than low clip-ons. BMW carried this setup over from the usual R12 platform, and it really works nicely.

• Your wrists keep impartial.
• Your again doesn’t hunch ahead.
• You’ll be able to commute, run errands, or trip all day with out pressure.

This format additionally matches the unique R90S, so the place feels true to the bike’s roots.

Using Posture and Lengthy‑Trip Ease

Your physique kinds a relaxed triangle between the bars, seat, and pegs. The stance feels comfortable and balanced, not aggressive.

You’ll be able to keep within the saddle for a full day with out paying a consolation penalty. The bike feels straightforward to handle at low speeds, and tight turns don’t power you to place a foot down.

What you discover whereas using:

Pricing and Worth

How the Worth Stacks Up

You pay a high asking price for this bike. I received’t faux in any other case. BMW costs it above many retro choices that after stuffed this area, particularly now that key rivals just like the Thruxton are gone.

What You Get for the Cash

BMW consists of a variety of visible and {hardware} upgrades as normal. That helps clarify why the quantity on the tag climbs so quick.

• Possibility 719 billet components already fitted
• Spoke wheels from the 719 vary
• Distinctive paint and brushed alloy tank panels
• Trendy electronics like using modes, traction management, and cruise management

You don’t want so as to add these later. They arrive on the bike you see.

The place It Suits within the Market

You’re a distinct segment bike in a shrinking class. BMW goals this at riders who need café racer style with out excessive ergonomics.

This bike retains the particular picture however makes use of flat bars for consolation. That alternative makes it simpler to dwell with than older café racers and will assist it attain extra patrons regardless of the excessive worth.

Conclusion and Closing Ideas

You trip a motorcycle that blends previous type with trendy ease, and that blend works in every day use. The flat bars provide you with a relaxed reach, so your wrists and again keep snug on lengthy rides.

You’re feeling the boxer twin most within the mid-range. It pulls onerous from low revs, sounds deep even with the inventory exhaust, and retains a transparent BMW character.

What stands out once you trip it:

• Robust torque from low RPM
• Secure dealing with with straightforward turn-in
• Good brakes that encourage confidence
• Helpful tech like trip modes and cruise management

The chassis feels acquainted if you recognize the R12 vary, but it nonetheless feels keen once you push it. The load stays low, which helps in tight turns and sluggish speeds.

Visually, you get a motorcycle that appears particular from each angle. The paint, half fairing, brushed tank, and billet components carry the design with out hurting consolation.

You’ll be able to commute, run errands, or trip all day with associates on the identical setup. One concern does stand out, and it could provide you with pause, however the remainder of the package deal feels nicely judged and punctiliously thought by means of.