Expert review
BMW R 12 G/S (2025 - ) review
Retro-style adventure bikes never used to be a thing, but BMW has now come up with probably the greatest incarnation imaginable
The Autotrader expert verdict:
4
BMW’s new R 12 G/S is, in simple terms, the latest addition to its R 12 retro family but this time we have an adventure style bike inspired by the instigator of the whole breed, the 1980 BMW R 80 G/S. However, it’s also much more than that. With these proven foundations it’s a credible real-world performer. With uprated, multi-adjustable suspension and off-road wire wheels, it’s not only more substantial but genuinely dirt capable. And with its 80 G/S-inspired styling it not only looks great but is arguably the definitive BMW retro honouring the German marque’s arguably greatest bike of all. Even its starting price seems reasonable but watch out given extras ramp that price up pretty quickly.
Reasons to buy:
- Definitive ‘retro-adventure’ style
- Decent all-round dynamics
- Tempting equipment options
Design
“BMW’s take on the genre is little short of genius and, with hindsight, such a ‘no-brainer’ you wonder why BMW didn’t do it years ago”
Retro roadsters such as Triumph’s reimagined Bonneville or BMW’s own R NineT may be commonplace and rightly popular, but retro-style adventure bikes have never really been a ‘thing’, despite the success of Moto Guzzi’s slightly oddball V85 TT and the ever-popular 'big' 1200 Scramblers also from Triumph's modern classics line-up. But BMW’s take on the genre, using the base R 12 retro platform and adding styling influences from its own, original adventure bike, the 1980 R80 G/S combined with uprated, dirt-capable cycle parts, is little short of genius and, with hindsight, such a ‘no-brainer’ you wonder why BMW didn’t do it years ago. It’s all executed superbly, too, as you’d expect from BMW, with the option of adding plenty more ‘bling’, too…
Expert rating: 5/5
Riding position
“The G/S feels like a taller, more substantial bike, which may appeal to taller riders”
As mentioned, the R 12 G/S is based on the roadster R 12 NineT but with longer-travel suspension, 21-/17-inch dirt style wire wheels, a narrower, thinner seat and higher enduro bars. The result of all that is a taller 860mm seat height and more upright riding posture. One good side-product of that is the G/S feels like a taller, more substantial bike, which may appeal to taller riders. Nor is that seat height too off-putting, thanks to the narrow seat and waist area. The G/S is also reasonably manageable thanks to fully-fuelled weight of 229kg. But with no screen (a small headlamp cowling is available as an extra) you are pretty exposed to the elements, the standard seat is a little uncomfortable after 40 minutes or so (again, a ‘Comfort’ option is available as an extra) and, worst of all, as standard it comes without pillion pegs or much of a pillion seat.
Expert rating: 4/5
Practicality
“It’s fine in most road circumstances including around town, where its nimble manners aid in cutting through traffic”
The R 12 G/S is virtually as practical and versatile as any modern adventure bike because, after all, that’s what its mechanicals are – modern. It’s fine in most road circumstances including around town, where its nimble manners, commanding riding position and narrow-ish dimensions all aid cutting through traffic. It’s sufficiently potent and fine handling to be entertaining on A and B-roads plus, it’s also off-road capable, too. Where it falls down a little, at least in stock trim, is its inability to take a pillion (but pillion footpegs and seat are again available as extras), lack of weather protection and limited (but available) luggage options. But then, you can’t have everything and for this amount of style it’s possibly a price you’re willing to pay.
Expert rating: 4/5
Performance & braking
“This is a lighter, less demanding bike and more than sufficient with bags of ‘feel’”
Power comes from the same air-and-oil cooled 1,170cc boxer twin that dates back to the early 2000s, which powered all GSs of that era up to the then-new ‘liquid-cooled’ 1200 GS of 2013, but has also been successively updated to meet the latest Euro5+ regulations. The result is 109 horsepower at 7,000rpm and 115Nm of torque at 6,500rpm through BMW’s usual six-speed gearbox and traditional shaft drive, complete with characteristic torque reaction ‘twist’ when you blip the throttle at standstill. And although those 109 horses are now significantly overtaken by the latest R 1300 GS it’s enough in this retro guise. It’s also proven with bags of character and there are also three riding modes – Rain, Road and Enduro. Braking may also be behind the latest 1300 GS in terms of spec, with the R12 version having just twin-piston calipers biting on its twin 310mm discs, but, again, this is a lighter, less demanding bike and they’re more than sufficient with bags of feel.
Expert rating: 4/5
Ride & handling
“Handling overall is neutral and stable yet nimble and engaging when you’re in the mood”
One of the key material differences with the R 12 G/S over the road R 12 NineT is the more off-road orientated suspension. Forks are now longer-travel, 45mm USD items which are also fully adjustable for preload plus rebound and compression damping. While the rear monoshock acting on the traditional BMW Paralever is also longer travel and similarly fully adjustable. Their class and quality shine through. Handling overall is neutral and stable, yet nimble and engaging when you’re in the mood. The aluminium-rimmed wire wheels may have an off-road flavour but grip through the Michelin Anakee Wild semi-knobbly tyres wasn’t an issue and the overall ride had a sense of controlled plushness and refinement that was welcome. The R 12 G/S is no real sportster, admittedly, but if you’re buying into this style of retro-adventure bike, you won’t be disappointed.
Expert rating: 4/5
Running costs
“The classic BMW ‘tricolor’ paint costs £305 extra and you could easily find yourself shelling out for lots more”
The starting price looks pretty decent considering the style, spec, performance and kudos that comes with it. But beware, the price is for the bland matt black version. The classic BMW ‘tricolor’ paint costs £305 extra and you could easily find yourself shelling out for Pillion Pack (£210), cockpit fairing (£226) and lots more, so quickly ramping up the price. Otherwise, however, it should be fairly cheap to run, at least for a +1,000cc bike. It won’t place excessive demands on its tyres and brakes pads, shaft drive means there’s no chain, BMW residuals are better than most and it’s not the kind of bike you’re likely to cover huge miles on or ride through winter.
Expert rating: 4/5
Reliability
“Cycle parts are quality and proven, there are few electronics other than modes, traction control and cornering ABS”
BMWs are among the most highly respected when it comes to reliability and the R 12 G/S benefits further by being both a variant of an existing bike and by having a powertrain dating back many years with continual refinement and no major reliability issues over that time. Nor has it got much to go wrong. Cycle parts are quality and proven, there are few electronics other than modes, traction control and cornering ABS and the whole thing's designed to be rugged and durable.
Expert rating: 4/5
Warranty & servicing
As with all of BMW's current range of boxer twins the R 12 G/S comes as standard with a warranty for three years with unlimited mileage from first registration, which isn’t bad considering many rivals only offer two years. As for servicing, like the other bikes in the R 12 family after the initial, 600-mile ‘break-in’ service, routine services are due every 6,000 miles (or annually) with major, valve-adjustment services every 12,000 miles.
Expert rating: 4/5
Equipment
“Yes, you get quality suspension and wheels and it’s also keyless and has three riding modes, but that’s about your lot”
Although a BMW, the R 12 G/S is also an old-school-influenced, back-to-basics machine so there’s not that much in terms of standard equipment. Yes, you get quality suspension and wheels and it’s also keyless and has three riding modes, but that’s about your lot. Of course, by being a BMW, lots of further equipment is available as extra-cost options. Among these are the aforementioned Pillion Pack, Comfort Package (heated grips, adaptive cruise, quickshift), cockpit fairing, Option 719 billet head covers along with lots of other cosmetic Option 719 goodies. The list goes on…
Expert rating: 4/5
Why buy?
“The fundamental mechanicals and dynamics are all you need in a bike like this”
At first thought the R 12 G/S may seem odd. Once you see it, appreciate and experience it, it’s so compelling it’s almost a ‘no-brainer’. The fundamental mechanicals and dynamics are all you need in a bike like this. The styling is gorgeous and the spec is sufficient. The G/S extras give it a stature previous R 12s can’t match and an off-road ability that’s another string to its bow. Its R 80 G/S influence and heritage is genuine and deserved and its BMW badge and price only add to its appeal. The Triumph Bonneville may remain the definitive retro roadster. But this is the definitive retro adventure bike and, because of that, even more versatile.
Expert rating: 4/5