First Look: 2025 BMW R12 G/S
Stylish retro scrambler from the Bavarian firm, the 2025 BMW R12 G/S
There’s probably an alternative universe somewhere, in which BMW engineers in the 1970s didn’t take their company bikes off-road riding. In that parallel world, they didn’t come up with a factory off-roader in 1980, using a version of the R80 roadster with longer suspension and a high-level exhaust.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
And those engineers failed to think up the name G/S – standing for Gelände/Strasse (German for offroad/street) – as the moniker for their weird Boxer-powered scrambler.
Luckily, though, we don’t live in that universe. And in this iteration of reality, the G/S range is very much a fact, and has gradually become a top-selling class of its own.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
In the 45 years since that first R80 G/S, BMW’s kept plugging away, refining the design and performance of its big flat twin-powered on/off roaders, culminating in the current R1300 GS: a high-tech 145bhp adventure tourer that is one of the best bikes – of any type – you can buy today.
There’s a full range of GS models today of course, from the G310 single through the F800/900 twins up to the R1300 Adventure. But BMW’s gone back to its roots for this one – the 2025 BMW R12 G/S.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
It’s a replacement for the old RnineT Urban G/S, which was based on the firm’s previous retro RnineT platform, with some styling cues to evoke the original G/S models. That was a great bike, with a fun combination of styling, engine and chassis, and the Munich firm has followed a similar path, using its new retro platform, the R12.
That engine/chassis foundation was launched last year, as an update to the old RnineT, with Euro 5 emissions capabilities, and more advanced electronics – albeit still based around the old 1,170cc oil/air cooled eight-valve DOHC Boxer powerplant with its roots in the first R1200 GS from more than 20 years ago.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
And here it is in a new G/S getup, without the Urban tag. The G/S moniker was the original name, only used on the first R80 adventure bikes, so even the name harks back to the 1980s.
The tech is all 2025 though, and the new R12 G/S looks like it will go as well as it looks. Its Boxer engine has the high power tune: 109bhp peak power, as seen on the R12 nineT and R12 S compared with 95bhp from the base R12. That comes from a 1,170cc capacity, with 101mm bore and 73mm stroke, and four radial valves, with chain-driven double overhead camshafts, in each cylinder.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
Compression ratio is 12:1, there’s a new classic cam cover design, and the two-into-one left-hand exhaust system has a high-mount rear silencer, made from stainless steel with matt black painted highlights. There’s also chrome-plate headers and titanium silencer options available from the factory.
BMW says it’s worked hard on the chassis too, to give a road-going machine with great off-road potential. The main frame is a steel tube bridge-style space frame, with fewer bolted joints than on the old RnineT, and a steel tube rear subframe. There’s no funny front end on the R12 range; just a set of proper front forks, which are 45mm USD fully-adjustable parts on this G/S variant.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
The back end sticks with BMW’s Paralever single-sided swingarm and shaft drive of course, but you also get a fully adjustable monoshock here too. There’s plenty of travel for offroad shenanigans should you have the need: 210mm wheel movement on the front end, and 200mm at the back.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
The wheels are also a statement of dirty intent: you get a proper 21” front fitment with a 90/90 tyre as standard and a 150/70 17 rear tyre with wire cross-spoked aluminium offroad rims. Need more capability on the dirt? There’s an optional 18” rear wheel available to slip right in there, as part of the Enduro Package Pro. Brakes are by Brembo, with twin 310mm discs up front, clamped by dual-piston sliding calipers.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
The big old Boxer engine, shaft drive, and steel frame means the new R12 G/S is a bit lardy at 229kg ready to ride though – and the seat height is pretty lofty at 860mm or 875mm with the Enduro Pro package. So, probably not one for stumpy novices off-road.
A big part of the R12 platform revamp was to do with the technology and customisation capability of the old RnineT models. Broadly, it was becoming harder and harder to integrate the latest BMW electronics onto the old engine: rider aids, optional LCD dashes and the like.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
So the new R12 G/S has a full setup of modern kit including three riding modes (“Rain”, “Road” and “Enduro”) as standard. It also comes with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which can be switched off for off-road use.
There’s also engine brake control (MSR) as standard, as well as BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, keyless ignition, a new round speedometer display unit with an optional micro TFT dash, up/down quickshifter and tyre pressure monitor system. Other options include the emergency call telematics function, Bluetooth phone link, Headlight Pro adaptive lights, and more.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
So – the new R12 G/S looks like a cracking new retro scrambler, ready to take on competition like the Ducati DesertX and Triumph Scrambler 1200 models. It’s got genuine heritage with its R80 G/S link, looks great, especially in the sand/red paint scheme, and is bang up to date in terms of technology and performance.
2025 BMW R12 G/S
It’s a bit on the chunky side, not cheap at (from) £14,420 and the 15.5 litre fuel tank is a bit skimpy for high-mileage fans. As it is though, the latest G/S looks like it could be a real hit – in this and any other reality…
The new 2025 BMW R12 G/S will be available in the summer, costing from £14,420
2025 BMW R12 G/S Technical Highlights
Original air/oil-cooled two-cylinder boxer engine with peak power of 109 hp (80 kW ) @7,000 rpm and peak torque of 115Nm@6,500 rpm
Left-hand single-flow exhaust system with high-mounted rear silencer and conical tailpipe.
One-piece tubular spaceframe with raised and forward- positioned steering head section. Bolt-on rear subframe.
Fully adjustable upside-down telescopic fork at the front and Paralever swing arm with fully adjustable rear shock absorber and revised travel-dependent damping.
21-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel as standard. 18-inch rear wheel as part of the “Enduro Package Pro” optional equipment.
Axially mounted 2-piston floating Brembo calipers, steel flex brake lines and 310 mm brake discs.
BMW Motorrad ABS Pro for safe braking even when leaning into corners.
“Rain”, “Road” and “Enduro” riding modes as standard. Additional “Enduro Pro” riding mode available as optional equipment.
DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and engine drag torque control (MSR) as standard.
Classic round instrument panel and 12V socket. Digital display available as optional equipment ex works.
Powerful LED light units as standard and adaptive “Headlight Pro” as optional equipment ex works.
Keyless Ride for conveniently activating the locking functions via radio as standard.
Colour schemes
There are three sweet colourschemes for the new BMW R 12 G/S: the basic version has a night black matt paint with a black seat. Then there’s the white motorsport option with a red seat. Our favourite is the ‘Option 719 Aragonit’ finish though – it has a gorgeous brown ‘Sandrover’ matt paint with red and grey highlights, a red/black seat and classy graphics.
Optional equipment packages
Comfort package: Hill Start Control, Shift Assistant Pro, heated grips, cruise control.
Enduro Package Pro: 18″ rear wheel, off-road tires, Enduro footrest system, large engine guard, hand protectors, handlebar riser +20 mm, long side stand.
Factory fit options
Headlight Pro with adaptive light.
Chrome-plated manifold.
Engine guard.
Tyre pressure monitoring.
Anti-theft alarm.
Intelligent Emergency Call.
Connected Ride Control.
Digital display.
M lightweight battery (lithium-ion battery, approx. 2 kg lighter than the standard battery.
Pillion Package: Pillion footrests, pillion seat, pillion strap.
Rallye seat (+20 mm seat height, incl. pillion footrests and pillion straps).
Cross-spoke wheels II (with gold finish in 21″ / 17″).
Cold country version (14 Ah battery for better starting behaviour in cold climates).
