BMW is bringing the air/oil-cooled R12 series forward into 2024! Today, BMW unveiled a new series of air/oil-cooled machines, including a roadster and a cruiser. However, unlike the original R nineT series, there is no big-bore ADV-style machine… yet.
Instead, we get the R12 nineT, which is sort of an easy-to-customize roadster, and the standard R12, which is a cruiser with mid-mount controls. Both bikes are powered by an 1170 cc flat twin, with oil cooler instead of liquid cooling, and four valves per cylinder. But while the engines look the same, they’re tuned differently. The roadster makes 109 hp at 7,000 rpm and 85 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. The cruiser has been detuned to match its slower-turning chassis; BMW says it makes 95 hp at 6500 rpm and 81 lb-ft of torque at 6000 rpm.
Both engines have multiple riding modes. The cruiser’s two modes are named “Rock” and “Roll.” The R12 nineT roadster has “Rain,” “Road” and “Dynamic” riding modes.
A two-muffler exhaust is standard on both bikes (of course, BMW would happily sell you a new exhaust as part of its factory parts program). The engines have six-speed transmissions and shaft final drive. Riders can also dress up the flat twin with bolt-on accessories such as milled oil plug fill caps and ignition covers, and so on.
Both bikes have Dynamic Traction Control and Engine Drag Torque Control included, to keep you in line. There’s an IMU, and that means leaning-sensitive ABS also comes standard and riders can add a Headlight Pro system that “sees into” corners at night. Pretty swank stuff, for machines at the lower-priced end of BMW’s lineup. Keyless ignition comes standard as well, and USB-C and 12V charging plugs. A TFT gauge is available as an option.
Both machines also have four-piston calipers grabbing 310 mm dual discs up front. Stainless braided brake lines are standard equipment.
The R12 series comes with a steel trellis frame and bolt-on rear subframe, which is made to be easily removed for modification into bobber-style customs and the like. The R12 nineT has a sharper steering angle than the R12 cruiser, and less suspension travel in back. Both bikes come with an upside-down front fork (a standard telescopic design, not a Telelever design). In back, the shock mounts directly to a Paralever swingarm setup. Both front and rear suspension is adjustable.
The R12 nineT has 17-inch cast rims, which should presumably allow the rider to run fairly sticky tires. The cruiser R12 has a 19-inch front and 16-inch rear, also cast rims (spoked wheels are optional for both bikes). All added up, this means that the seat height is a lower 29.7 inches on the cruiser as opposed to 31.1 inches for the roadster.
BMW’s press release makes much mention of the fit-and-finish (each machine has three paint options) and the bikes’ build-to-customize design. It does not mention the MSRP, but we can expect a price tag and arrival date in early 2024.
That cruiser version – I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.