Celebrating 45 years in 2025, BMW’s GS line will get higher with age. The R 1300 GS was Rider’s Motorbike of the Yr in 2024, earlier variations have been our MOTY in 2005 and 1995, and the F 800 GS was MOTY in 2009.
BMW went retro in 2017 with the R nineT City G/S, one in every of a number of variants within the R nineT lineup underneath the Heritage banner powered by the air/oil-cooled 1,170cc opposed-Twin relatively than the liquid-cooled boxers within the R-GS collection. Based mostly on the R nineT Scrambler, the City G/S paid homage to the unique R 80 G/S with a white fuel tank, excessive entrance fender, and headlight cowl, blue accents on the tank, and a vivid pink seat.
The R nineT identify debuted in 2013 to honor BMW Motorrad’s ninetieth anniversary. In 2024, BMW modified the identify to R 12 to evolve to its common mannequin naming conference. Bikes within the R 12 lineup embody the R 12 cruiser, the R 12 nineT roadster, the R 12 S cafe racer, and new for 2026, the R 12 G/S.
BMW has produced bikes powered by boxer Twins since 1923, in order that they’re a Massive Deal. To check the brand new R 12 G/S, BMW invited us to Munich, Germany. Along with paved backroads, we did some testing at BMW’s legendary Enduro Park in Hechlingen. (I need to give a shoutout to U.S.-based BMW off-road coaches Owen Balduf and Gina De Pasquale who’ve taught me a lot over time on the BMW Efficiency Heart in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and RawHyde Adventures in Castaic, California. Their tutelage allowed me to pay attention extra on the R 12 G/S’s traits than my very own competence.)
The City G/S had unmistakable type, nevertheless it was a streetbike with 19-inch entrance/17-inch rear cast-aluminum wheels and 4.9/5.5 inches of entrance/rear suspension journey. For the R 12 G/S, BMW created an off-road-capable bike that’s an ode to the unique G/S that gained the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1983, 1984, and 1985. It has 21-inch entrance/17-inch rear cross-spoke tubeless wheels, 8.3/7.9 inches of entrance/rear journey, an Enduro journey mode, and an non-compulsory Enduro Bundle Professional that provides an 18-inch rear wheel and different off-road-ready upgrades.
The 1,170cc boxer within the R 12 G/S has been in steady manufacturing for the reason that R 1200 GS debuted for 2005. Again then it was rated at 100 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque. Refinements and revisions have bumped horsepower as much as 109, however torque stays the identical. Sure, there are many bikes on the market with greater numbers, however do you actually need extra?
Twist the throttle in the actual world – particularly on forest switchbacks, gravel climbs, or a dusty two-track windmill entry street like we did – and the boxer’s state of tune feels excellent. Easy, linear, and stuffed with character, the engine makes using – particularly at gradual speeds – extra intuitive and fewer like a psychological math equation. No throttle drama. No clutch abuse. Torque climbs from simply off idle, delivering a predictable, confidence-inspiring surge whether or not you’re standing on the pegs or carving via curves.
On the Enduro Park, we put the R 12 G/S via its paces on a mixture of mud, gravel, sand, water crossings, and even some singletrack. I may swear the boxer beneath me was smiling again whereas I grinned inside my helmet. The R 12 G/S was taking me locations my very own 2015 R 1200 GS hasn’t.
GEAR UP:
On the pavement, the R 12 G/S rides like a sport-tourer within the twisties, with its low middle of gravity serving to the bike really feel a lot lighter than its moist weight of 505 lb. It suggestions in predictably, holds its line, and feels unflappable. The agency seat is much extra supportive than it appears to be like, and vibes are minimal even at 80 mph. This can be a strong all-day tourer that simply occurs to like getting soiled too.
The selectable journey modes – Street, Rain, and Enduro (a fourth mode, Enduro Professional, comes with the non-compulsory Journey Modes Professional and Enduro Bundle Professional) – all ship the specified impact. Street mode supplies a crisp and balanced journey; Rain softens throttle response and ramps up ABS and TC intervention; and Enduro mode is optimized for low-traction circumstances with easy throttle response and minimal ABS/TC intervention.
The absolutely adjustable suspension – a 45mm inverted fork and a single shock on the Paralever single-sided swingarm – are tuned to take care of management on a variety of on-road and off-road circumstances, and there’s loads of journey to soak up hits from potholes, rocks, and roots.
Using trails whereas standing up, the bike flowed underneath me, swish and well-balanced. Engine response, gear adjustments, and braking felt intuitive, neither too relaxed nor too aggressive. I used to be capable of deal with steep gravel climbs, free descents, and singletrack with shocking ease. The R 12 G/S is a correct journey bike that may go as far into the backcountry as your consolation and abilities will permit.
Upright and pure, with huge bars for leverage and a slim tank for management, the GS rider triangle is good whether or not seated or standing. At 5-foot-7, I discovered the 33.4-inch seat top manageable. An non-compulsory Rallye seat will increase the peak to 34.2 inches, however – surprisingly – there aren’t any low seat choices.
The controls are intuitive, the ergonomics have been thoughtfully refined, and the entire bike felt excellent whether or not cruising, exporing, or charging arduous. The analog-meets-digital sprint – borrowed from the R 12 cruiser – provides some retro aptitude with a spherical speedometer and a small TFT for gear place, gas degree, journey mode, and different information. Easy, clear, and efficient.
As with most BMWs, choices abound. The Premium Bundle ($1,805) provides Hill Begin Help, Shift Assistant Professional, Headlight Professional, heated grips, cruise management, and tire-pressure monitoring. The Enduro Bundle Professional ($880) provides Journey Modes Professional, enduro footpegs, an 18-inch rear wheel, off-road tires, a big engine guard, silver handlebar risers (+0.79 inch), black handguards, and an extended sidestand. There are a lot of extra particular person choices and equipment to reinforce or present consolation, type, safety, navigation, and storage.
The BMW R 12 G/S isn’t about chasing a spec sheet. It’s not making an attempt to outdo the competitors by way of energy or know-how. It’s a fusion of old-school cool and new-school efficiency. And it delivers on the promise of an trustworthy, balanced, soulful journey bike that’s enjoyable to journey in your favourite roads and trails or these you might have but to find.
2026 BMW R 12 G/S Specs
- Base Value: $17,690
- Value as Examined: $20,720 (Premium Pkg., Enduro Pkg. Professional, Mild White)
- Web site: BMWMotorcycles.com
- Guarantee: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles
- Engine Sort: Air/oil‑cooled longitudinal opposed‑Twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 1,170cc
- Bore x Stroke: 101 x 73.0mm
- Horsepower: 109 @ 7,000 rpm (manufacturing unit declare)
- Torque: 85 lb‑ft @ 6,500 rpm (manufacturing unit declare)
- Transmission: 6‑pace, hydraulically actuated single‑plate dry clutch
- Last Drive: Shaft
- Wheelbase: 62.2 in. (62.4 in. w/ Enduro Pkg. Professional)
- Rake/Path: 26.9 levels (26.8 levels w/ Enduro Pkg. Professional)/4.8 in.
- Seat Peak: 33.9 in. (34.4 in. w/ Enduro Pkg. Professional)
- Moist Weight: 505 lb (manufacturing unit declare)
- Gasoline Capability: 4.1 gal.
