BMW R 12 G/S Unveiled; A Spiritual Successor To The World’s First ADV

Quick Highlights: 

• BMW Motorrad has unveiled the R 12 G/S globally 

• Shares the same 1170cc boxer engine with the R12 

• India launch likely later this year

The BMW R 80 G/S was an extremely capable dual-sport motorcycle. It was also called by enthusiasts the “World’s First Adventure Motorcycle”. After nearly 4 decades, BMW Motorrad has finally unveiled its spiritual successor, the R 12 G/S.  

The Legend Lives On 

The BMW R 80 G/S in the 1980s created a completely new segment, a motorcycle which was equally good on and off the road. While BMW Motorrad got the modern adventure bike formula absolutely spot-on with the extremely capable R 1300 GS, there wasn’t anything that was lighter while having the go-anywhere reputation of the GS. This is where the R 12 G/S comes in. It’s based on the new R 12 platform, which debuted with the BMW R 12 and the R 12 NineT.  That said, the design, which consists of a round headlight and a single-piece seat, and the Light White paint scheme on the R 12 G/S pays homage to the R 80 G/S.  

A Picture We’ve Seen Before?

The R 12 G/S  shares the same 1170cc boxer engine that makes 109PS and 115Nm as the R 12 NineT. That said, the exhaust routing is different and high-set in the G/S to ensure fuss-free water wading capabilities. The R 12 G/S gets three riding modes as standard: Rain, Road and Enduro, along with an optional bidirectional quickshifter. It also comes with cornering ABS, cornering traction control and engine braking control as standard. 

While the roadster is better at going down the broken road than its cruiser sibling, the R 12. The R 12 G/S takes things up a notch. The long-travel adjustable suspension at both ends (208mm front and 198mm rear wheel travel), a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear cross-spoked wheels with the option of knobby tyres, and a generous 238.7mm ground clearance should ensure the R 12 G/S walks the talk. 

Where Does It Sit?

The BMW R 12 G/S is the manufacturer’s only enduro motorcycle. The R 12 G/S will slot right between the R 12 NineT and the R 1300 GS in BMW Motorrad’s international lineup. In a nutshell, it is the only off-road friendly bike in the R 12 platform at the moment.

ZigSays

The R 12 G/S makes perfect sense for those who are looking for a capable off-roader with the trademark German boxer heart, while not wanting to deal with the visual heft the GS range is known for. BMW Motorrad also offers a variety of offroad-friendly features including a larger rear wheel, taller rally seat, extra Enduro Pro riding mode, handlebar riser, serrated footpegs, among others as part of the Enduro Package Pro. Expect BMW Motorrad to launch the motorcycle in India later this year, and it will likely be around the same as the R 12 nineT, which retails in India at Rs 21.10 lakh (ex-showroom India). Other off-road-friendly alternatives in the segment includes the Triumph Scrambler 1200 X, and the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro.