New BMW R12 G/S combines retro roadster charm with off-road adventure bike ability for £14,420 OTR

BMW are once again expanding their R12 retro twin family, with a new dual-purpose G/S range said to be inspired by the original R80 G/S launched in 1980.

Starting at £14,420 on the road, it uses the same 1170cc boxer twin as the rest of the R12 family, currently consisting of the £11,990 R12 cruiser, £14,420 R12 nineT roadster, and half-faired £18,460 R12 S.

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Sitting at 229kg ready to ride, it kicks out the same claimed 107.3bhp at 7000rpm as the R12 nineT roadster, with a healthy 84.9lb.ft of torque arriving at 6500rpm. This comes courtesy of an 1170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin engine, held in place as a stressed member with a tubular steel space frame.

This chassis contains two steel eyelets to help tie down luggage, plus a taller steering angle, and bolt-on tubular steel subframe.

The Euro5+ motor is fed via a 15.5-litre fuel tank and paired with a six-speed gearbox, complete with adjustable lever to accommodate chunkier off-road boots. A high-mounted left-side exhaust silencer should also fight against unwanted knocks on an off-road trail.

“With the new BMW R12 G/S, BMW Motorrad is offering a classic enduro for puristic off-road fun,” Head of BMW’s Boxer Series, Markus Lederer said.

“The abbreviation borrowed from the legendary R 80 G/S stands for ‘Gelände/Straße’ (Off-road/Street) and signals that the new member of the BMW R 12 family masters both equally.”

As standard, the R12 G/S comes with a single riders’ seat, plus large 21in front spoked wheel and 17in rear. This solo perch is a fairly lofty 860mm as standard, and climbs to 875mm when you equip the optional Enduro Package Pro.

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As well as adding more off-road appropriate pegs to the equation, the enduro accessories also equip a larger 18in rear wheel and 20mm bar risers. A pillion seat can also be added to either configuration.

Taking things further still is an additional Rallye Seat option, which raises the riders’ backside to 880mm with a 17in rear wheel, and a rally bike-rivalling 895mm with an 18in back wheel.

Away from the seat height, the G/S gets three riding modes as standard, consisting of ‘Rain’, ‘Road’, and ‘Enduro’. There’s also traction control as standard, with an additional ‘Enduro Pro’ map unlocked when you opt to install the Enduro Package Pro equipment.

This gives you the option to deactivate the rear ABS with minimal intervention on systems such as wheelie control. Those wanting a quickshifter will have to pay extra.

To help tackle rough terrains, the G/S is fitted with chunky 45mm fully-adjustable upside-down forks, delivering a claimed 210mm of travel. At the rear, you’ll find 200mm of movement and a fully-adjustable shock, with the same Paralever swingarm in place as the rest of the R12 range.  

Twin 310mm front discs provide stopping power, equipped with axially-mounted two-piston floating calipers with cornering ABS. A two-pot single caliper, and 265mm rotor is found at the back end.

Watch: BMW R12 nineT first ride review video