BMW R 12 and R 12 nineT | Models arrive in style Down Under

The new 1200cc R 12 & nineT, which broke cover back in May 2023, have been launched with a party at Deus Ex Machina Cafe, Sydney, yesterday. Their debut comes exactly 10 years after the arrival of the R nineT, which launched on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of BMW Motorrad. Check it out.

The new R 12 nineT was first presented to coincide with the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad.

The event was emcee’d by BMW Motorrad Australia Head of Marketing, Joel Simondson, who with the help of other key BMW Motorrad staff, lifted the covers off the from $22,575 R/A R 12 and from $26,465 R/A R 12 nineT to a packed venue last night. The new models certainly won the crowd over, with plenty of applause as the covers came off, and we have to say, they look fantastic in the flesh…

As well as running us all through the vast tech highlights of the new models, including connectivity and rider aids (all of which we will certainly research in more depth at either the official press launch or when we independently test the bikes), BMW had a talented artist painting a tank live in the retail side of the store, a band playing in the cafe side and a number of variations of the R 12 on hand to view.

These R 12s are absolutely going to haul arse and looking at the geometry spec and the serious high end suspension and brake hardware (and software) they are going to be a blast in the hills too. We absolutely fell in love with the R 12 nineT Option 719 variant, which has spoked wheels, Single Seat, Option 719 Billet Pack Classic, Option 719 Billet Pack Shadow II, and Aluminium Windshield.

The Black Storm Metallic standard R 12 looks stunning, too, as does the San Remo Green Metallic. There are three nineT versions here, the R 12 nineT, the R 12 nineT HL and the R 12 nineT Option 719. In the R 12, there are also three, the R 12, R 12 HL and R 12 Option 719, and the colours are Black Storm Metallic, Aventurine Red Metallic and Avus Silver Metallic. See them here.

BMW R 12 and R 12 nineT Highlights

Classic, purist design
High level of workmanship with rigorous attention to detail
Air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder boxer engine
Designed for customising
One-piece tubular space frame with bolted-on rear frame
Classic wheel guides with high-quality upside-down telescopic forks at the front and Paralever at the rear
Left-side exhaust system with double silencer and conical end pieces
Radially mounted 4-piston monobloc calipers, steel braided brake lines
Tailor-made, high-quality original BMW Motorrad accessory range
Further details to be announced in the second half of 2023

As with the BMW R nineT in 2013, the new BMW R 12 nineT is a purist, powerful classic roadster that offers a wealth of conceptual options for almost unlimited customising and personal individualisation.

Dr. Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad said: “The R nineT and its customising concept established the new heritage experience for BMW Motorrad’s 90th birthday and has become an indispensable cornerstone of our model range. The new R 12 nineT consistently continues the successful heritage story surrounding the legendary BMW boxer engines with an even more classic, reduced design language, even greater degrees of freedom when it comes to customising and, last but not least, new and innovative technology”.

One hundred years ago, the very first BMW motorcycle – the R 32 – was based on the flat-twin engine. The boxer’s unmistakable design, powerful acceleration, unique power delivery, hallmark sound and smooth running quickly made it a legendary synonym for BMW motorcycles. With its air/oil-cooled boxer engine, the new R 12 nineT continues this great tradition.

With its 1200cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine, the new machine continues this great tradition.

BMW Motorrad say the new machine combines the distinctive character of the boxer engine and the design language of traditional motorcycle eras with innovative technology and a modular concept that offers the rider a maximum of customisation options.

Edgar Heinrich, head of design for BMW Motorrad, said: “The purist design language is dominated by the clear tank/seat/rear line, in the style of the traditional /5 or the legendary R 90 S of the 70s. At first glance, the tank itself is a classic BMW boxer tank, with a typical bend in the lower edge and classic knee contact. The new R 12 NineT also features side covers in the area of the frame triangle in the authentic Roadster look – another reminiscence of BMW motorcycles of the 1970s”.

BMW Motorrad will publish further information on the new 1200 machine in the second half of 2023.

Customisation options are offered as part of the original BMW Motorrad accessory range. With customising in mind, the new machine also features an LED rear light unit integrated into the seat, which now makes for a “short tail”.

BMW R 12 and R 12nineT Launch Gallery – Dean Walters

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