BMW R 12 nineT nods to ‘primal’ Boxer

The BMW R 12 nineT is the successor to the R nineT released in 2013. A purist, powerful classic Roadster, whose curtain slipped a decade ago in honor of 90 years of BMW Motorrad. That model was also the cradle of BMW’s current comprehensive Heritage line. This includes the R 18 Big Boxer introduced a few years ago.

BMW Heritage

Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad: “The R nineT and its personalization concept laid the foundation for the new Heritage experience around BMW Motorrad’s 90th anniversary. The model has become a pillar of our model range. The new R 12 nineT is the continuation of this success story. The R 12 nineT has an even more classic and minimalist design and offers more freedom for both personalization and new and innovative technology.”

Very first BMW motorcycle

100 years ago, the very first BMW motorcycle – the R 32 – featured a boxer engine. The unmistakable design, powerful acceleration, unique power delivery, distinctive sound and smooth running still make the boxer engine synonymous with BMW motorcycles.

Air and oil-cooled boxer engine

With its air- and oil-cooled boxer engine, the new R 12 nineT continues this tradition. The number 12 in the model designation refers to the engine capacity, namely 1,200 cc. The air-oil-cooled boxer engine delivers 80 kW (109 hp). Great attention to detail is evident in the front fender, the LED headlight with black surround and the two round instruments in the traditional style of days gone by.

Purist design

Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad: “The purist design language is dominant in the line from the tank through the buddyseat to the rear. In the same style as the traditional /5 or the legendary R 90 S from the 1970s. You can immediately see that the tank resembles a classic BMW boxer tank, with the typical curvature at the bottom and the contact points for the knees. The new R 12 nineT also features side cover panels in the triangles of the frame for an authentic Roadster look. That, too, is a reference to the BMW motorcycles of the 1970s.”