BMW R 12 nineT 2025 — Specifications

When BMW decides to rename its NineT, it's never trivial. And so it becomes the BMW R 12 nineT, a deliberate nod to the Heritage lineage where the massive R18 reigns, and a reminder of an era when Bavarian motorcycles bore numbered names. The parallel with the 1935 R12, the first production machine equipped with a hydraulic telescopic fork, is no coincidence. Nine decades later, this new iteration inherits a 45 mm inverted fork borrowed straight from the S 1000 R, the sharpest roadster in the lineup. The tone is set: this character-driven roadster cultivates nostalgia without denying modernity.

Beneath the redesigned cylinder head covers, rounder and more organic, the air- and oil-cooled 1170 cc flat-twin continues to beat. BMW had to fight to keep this engine alive against Euro5+ regulations, with two lambda sensors moved closer to the cylinders and a substantial catalytic converter under the crankcase. The result speaks for itself: 109 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 115.3 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. Figures that place the R 12 nineT in solid midfield against a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 or a Ducati Scrambler 1100, without quite dominating them. The boxer engine remains a choice of the heart rather than the head, with that characteristic lateral thrust on every blip of the throttle and a sound that nobody else offers.

The chassis has been rethought around a lighter one-piece tubular frame, complemented by a bolted-on rear subframe. The tank, shortened by 30 mm, brings the rider closer to the handlebars for a more engaged riding position. At 220 kg wet, with a 1,519 mm wheelbase and a seat height of 795 mm, the machine remains accessible to a wide range of builds. The shaft drive and Paralever single-sided swingarm are still present, true to BMW's DNA. On the braking front, four-piston radial calipers up front on dual discs do the job with ABS as standard. On the downside, the aluminum plate under the seat has been replaced by a plastic cover that clashes somewhat with the premium feel reflected in the 18,290-euro price tag. In this segment, the bill is steep, especially knowing that the BMW R 12 nineT is available at your dealer starting from 16,200 euros for the base version, with affordable monthly payments.

Standard equipment has improved: keyless ignition, three riding modes, traction control, full LED lighting, USB port, and engine brake control. The options catalog remains extensive, including a digital display, cornering adaptive headlight, spoke wheels, and styled side cases. Good news for new riders: the R 12 nineT is now available in an A2 version, broadening the target audience well beyond experienced motorcyclists alone. Its boxer engine, accessible with an A2 license, pairs with an unmistakable style that should appeal to urban riders and weekend cruisers alike. The cast alloy wheels replace the older models and modernize the silhouette without betraying the retro spirit.

New motorcycle or deep evolution? The question deserves to be asked. BMW has touched nearly everything, from the frame to the engine covers, from the intake to the exhaust, without ever stripping away what gives this machine its essence. The R 12 nineT remains an emotional roadster, built for those who want to ride with character beneath the seat rather than numbers on their mind. Against Japanese competition that often delivers more power for less money, it plays the card of personality and the BMW dealer network. It's a deliberate choice. And for many riders, that's exactly what they're looking for.