BMW R 12 GS motorcycle review | BMW bike off-road tested

The return of the HP2?

BMW’s latest R12GS pays homage to the legendary R80GS from the 1980’s. It sports the original colour scheme, Boxer engine and a high chassis, all combined in a stylish retro look.

“Take a ride on the wild side” is the tag line for this machine.

BMW’s 1200 Boxer engine has garnered legions of fans, thus Motorrad opted to power the new bike with this timeless power plant. The new R12GS is powered by the 80 kW, 109 hp, 1,170cc air/oil cooled two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine, with two overhead camshafts, four radially arranged valves and a central balance shaft.

The framework is made up of the engine in a one-piece tubular space frame with a rear subframe bolted-on and a flat-lying rear shock absorber.

The transmission is a hydraulically operated single disc dry clutch with a dog-shifted 6 speed gearbox in a separate gearbox housing.

The R12GS comes with three riding modes – Rain, Road and Enduro.

Front suspension are with 45 mm upside-down forks with 210 mm of travel. Rebound and compression damping is adjustable. Out back, a travel-dependent damped central spring strut is directly connected to a cast aluminium single sided swingarm with BMW Motorrad’s Paralever. This provides 200 mm of travel.

The R12GS has 240 mm ground clearance.

The BMW R 12 GS is fitted with Brembo 2-piston floating calipers biting down on 310 mm double disc brakes up front with a Brembo 2-piston caliper and a 265 mm single disc brake out back.

The tubeless wheels are fitted with enduro tyres and are aluminium cross-spoked. The front wheel is a 21” and there is 18” rear wheel with the Enduro Pro Package.

For those looking for a more comfortable ride, BMW offers an optional Comfort Package. The Shift Assistant Pro offers “More dynamic and comfortable riding” and allows the rider to shift gears without using the clutch.

The R12GS offers Hill Start Control assists and electronic cruise control.