BMW R 12 S Review | Motorcycle Test

BMW R 12 S Evaluate

I’m nonetheless commonly shocked on the distinction a couple of little tweaks could make to not solely how you are feeling a few bike, however how a motorcycle feels on the street. Living proof: Ostensibly, what we now have right here is predicated on the R 12 NineT that I rode last year.

Nonetheless on this variant, it involves us dripping in a shiny, retro, vibrant orange swimsuit. Similar driveline and chassis. Similar exhaust. Similar suspension and brakes. Primarily, from a mechanical viewpoint, it’s the identical bike. And but… the texture is completely different.

You may simplify the variations between the 2 fashions by saying ‘entrance headlight cowl, solo seat and spoked wheels’, however that may be doing a disservice to a bunch of different small objects that distinguish this bike as one thing a little bit particular. The billet trim right here and there, the tasty seat stitching, the trendy mirrors, the black forks and bars. The little particulars all come collectively.

And that paint work. Ermagawd… haven’t they accomplished a pleasant job. That ‘Lava Orange Metallic’ positively glows in the suitable gentle. And with the pinstriping and silver offsets, there isn’t any denying the retro vibes.

This color scheme actually nails it on that entrance. It’s very BMW. From sure angles that tank screams old skool R 80 to me on this color for some motive. Way more than the extra subdued colors on the NineT.

On the optics entrance – you may even double down there and go for the matching Grand Racer Daytona helmet (together with loads of different gear and garment choices) for the entire look. Very distinguished gents…

I can verify that the 12 S obtained quite a bit of seems and a focus if that’s what you’re after. Shiny orange will most likely try this for you, with the pinstripes and brushed alloy being the icing on the cake.

However again to the ‘variations’ between the 2 sibling bikes. On the street, the 12 S felt a little bit heavier than I keep in mind the NineT feeling, significantly within the entrance. Requiring a slighty extra enter to vary course and the transition from upright to on its facet didn’t appear as instantly pure because the NineT.

Certainly, the bike felt heavier than the 220 kg kerb weight suggests, as if the load was concentrated across the gas tank space…

Whereas slower steering will usually convert to a motorcycle feeling a little bit sluggish, I didn’t discover it so on this case which is a optimistic. You do get used to it in a short time.

I can solely put it right down to the spoked wheels being barely heavier than the forged alloys and me maybe not gelling with the Metzeler rubber that had been fitted to the 12 S as a lot because the Conti’s on the NineT. So, I’d personally look to swap the tyres out for one thing with a barely sharper profile.

One callout right here although, is that BMW state the ergonomics are primarily based on the NineT and to my eyes and what I felt, the rider triangle appears shut sufficient to being similar. I admit I’m a little bit puzzled by the course they took there.

I’d have thought there was a chance to ease the bars down and ahead a smidgen and the pegs up and again only a tad. To extend the differentiation between the 2 fashions. A comparatively cheap change that may have dialled up the dynamics even additional than the nineT.

I’m not speaking about it needing sportsbike dealing with – however only a bee’s-todger sharper over the sister bike would make sense to me. I do surprise if that’s one thing potential house owners can be seeking to tweak. Little doubt there are many choices, each real and aftermarket, however once more – I’d have assumed that may have been included within the spec.

Whereas I’m at it – It’s most likely price going again and studying my thoughts on the NineT and HL (one other sibling bike) as I’ve clearly related emotions concerning the driveline right here.

Principally – it’s nice. Deceptively grunty. Whereas it’d ‘solely’ have 110 hp, that 115 Nm of torque is greater than prepared – and positively very ready – to offer ample thrust from low revs. The rev-limiter arrives faster than you assume it can, however the engine actually works greatest within the midrange.

Sadly, there are occasions when it felt a little bit disconnected from what I used to be doing with my proper hand. Roll off the throttle only a whisker and also you’ll get a little bit deceleration. Then quite a bit. As in fairly heavy engine braking. A lot in order that I discovered myself subconsciously utilizing the clutch much more than regular when in slow-moving visitors slightly than simply counting on the throttle.

Talking of the clutch and slow-moving visitors. Choosing the R 12 S up within the metropolis and dealing my method via stop-start drudgery highlighted a reasonably severe clunk from the driveshaft on clutch launch because the slack was taken up.

Noticeably greater than I recall on the opposite sister bikes. Not each time, however most likely one out of each three. As a non-shaft drive rider I can let you know that it was tremendous distracting to the purpose that I truly thought there might need been one thing improper with the bike.

I discovered the Gear Shift Professional quick-shifter setup to be a little bit inconsistent as nicely. Typically it’d slot in like Teflon and different instances there’d be a noticeable lurch in proceedings – a lot moreso within the first two gears.

Now I’m undecided if this bike had copped some abuse by the hands of a mechanically unsympathetic journo earlier than me or if there was a construct situation there, however just like the tailshaft clunk – I didn’t discover it being as dangerous on the opposite two variants examined. However hey, the large a part of the BMW Boxer attract is that mechanical connection that you just really feel from the cockpit, and I’m certain you’d simply get used to it.

The sprint cluster can be not with out idiosyncrasies. As I discussed within the NineT evaluate – it doesn’t have a distance to empty readout, or a gas gauge which shits me to no finish… And man does it shake about once you begin the bike up! However that settles down when on the go. Character 😉

That seat is price calling out. I discovered it fairly comfy. The attain to the bars for me was essentially the most pure when my butt was simply touching the again pad of the seat. I’m 181 cm or only a beneath six foot and didn’t really feel cramped. Pretty stitching highlights. Very properly executed.

The entrance cowl too is price mentioning simply because it’s completed so properly. It presents some wind safety, however you wouldn’t precisely need to be belting via a storm anticipating an excessive amount of assist. No buffeting nonetheless, only a good movement of air to the rider’s chest.

So there are some quirks with this bike that potential house owners will both discover endearing character traits, or annoying shortcomings. Paradoxically I’m someplace within the center.

I’d get pleasure from getting the dealing with fettled to my liking, most likely throw a special bar bend on and a set of delicate rear-sets. I’d most likely be taught to search out the candy spot with the gear-shift. However suspect the overzealous engine braking and driveline clunk may put on skinny for me.

So is it well worth the $8000 premium over the ‘common’ NineT? Effectively, there’s no denying that the S is a bit particular. It definitely has a presence. And it does include an entire lot of choices ticked that you just’d pay extra for on the usual NineT.

Heated grips, cornering lights, all of the digital assists, Dynamic Professional mode, a easy one contact TC off button (reward the lord!), and tyre stress monitoring to call a couple of.

Dynamically, the R 1250 R nonetheless has them each comfortably lined in just about each method, however there’s a appeal there that’s arduous to disregard. Each time I walked previous it within the shed I’d cease and discover a unique approach or element that I appreciated.

So ultimately it’s most likely a matter of determining how badly you need the look. And at sundown? Rattling… does that look step up a notch or 4.

BMW R 12 S Hits:

• Fantastic BMW retro styling.
• Surprisingly comfy.
• Terrific midrange from that 1170 cc Boxer.

BMW R 12 S Misses:

• Doesn’t really feel fairly as agile within the dealing with division because the NineT which is odd. Couldn’t they’ve thrown a special bar bend and rear-set on there?
• Throttle connection and overzealous engine braking.
• Noticeable driveline clunk on easing out clutch.

BMW R 12 S Specs

BMW R 12 S Photos

Photos by RbMotoLens