2024 BMW R12 First Ride Review / Best performing A2 Cruiser available?

[@TheHdleif]

Great vid Kate. The enthusiasm over roads and view`s are so contagious and fun to see and hear. Look`s like a good bike. Keep up the great work! 😊

[@UsernameKate]

Thanks Leif! 😊

[@mikep.9371]

Having fun riding twisties in the sun. Good review as always Kate.

[@trevormoss1396]

Thank you Kate for another great review/introduction to the R12. Probably helps move it off my list of test rides to chase down but it was more of a maybe option anyway. Probably headed towards a larger GS bike but not in a rush yet. Got to get myself some new riding gear as I've been out of it for sometime now and finding a big enough helmet is giving me the run around 🤷🏻‍♂🤣 I have fond memories of my old BMW R90S so leaning BMW's way is only natural I guess but there's a few Triumph' Tigers that look interesting. Having been through a lot of your recent back catalogue in recent weeks has been very entertaining and most useful and I appreciate your considered opinions on the bikes and have loved the trips through the UK countryside. Thanks for the effort you''ve put in. 👍 And to Mike also 👍

[@gazthebook]

Another smashed out the park Kate…well done my friend 👏👏

[@UsernameKate]

Thanks so much Gaz!

[@stefanmolz6244]

Thank you. Great Review. Beautiful bike. For my personal liking the display is too tiny. Kind regards.

[@stephenpotts8170]

Suites you Kate, got to be the traditional round clock though ha-ha. Thank you.

[@drsohailqaiser630]

So so Soooooooo beautiful bike and you.

[@alq1967]

They should make it in black with the old school pinstripe.

[@mikefrancais]

Very useful and realistic review. Thanks!

[@andrewmanahan2469]

I found the same as you Kate. I bought one and specced it with the spoke wheels. Looking forward to receiving it. I had a previous nine-t but couldn’t get on with the hobby horse riding position.

[@boomwindsurfing2744]

Great review Kate. Looks like a lovely bike. Recommendation for you on your intro to your video’s, I think you could drop saying “let’s roll the intro” to camera. I think it would flow more if you went from your hello, to your titles to the review. It’s something I’ve been working on for ages on my own channel.

[@UsernameKate]

Ahhh, drop the play the intro. Interesting. What do you mean by 'titles' sorry? I don't understand what that means if you could explain ... but thank you for the nice comment!

[@andrewharrop7932]

Great vlog Kate, definitely getting expensive when you start adding all the upgrades etc.... 🏍👍

[@Fernando90054]

Thanks Kate for the nice review and ride landscaping of the video in my hometown Country 🙌. For the moment I still prefer the R nine T Scrambler to these, R12 Ninety bikes. This more nimble cruiser is a beautiful bike on that 719 option iteration, though. My scrambler also has a nineteen inches front wheel which I do appreciate for the asphalt road and occasionally when I take a gravel road with light bumps it works superbly and the none adjustable suspension is ok for that matter as well. I m 5’/11”, so the 830mm of measurement from the seat to the ground suits me better than the 790 mm of the actual R12 Nine T and the quick shifter is very well built into the bike and works nice, but I prefer the conventional gearbox that is very good too (I don’t use this bike for racing or on track days). Although this bike you reviewed here, is a perfect alternative to the heavier R18, for the one who seeks for a cruiser bike but doesn’t want the big displacement and weight of the bigger sisters in the BMW cruiser range or segment of Bikes. A choice for a bike of this style, for me, I would be more inclined to the Triumph bobber than a BMW Motorrad proposal. Thank you, once more for the video and for your sharp analysis of this machine which you do with grace and always in a joyful way, that is much appreciated! 😎👍🏻

[@craigroche9509]

I’m telling your mum that yellow t shirt at the end needed an iron running over it. 😮 😂😂. If I lived in Portugal that’s the bike I’d have lots of low down grunt for hills and corners. ❤

[@jamesschneider3828]

I used to ride a 1995 R1100R and the main difference was it had the teleleaver front end like the GS model had. It was a fantastic handling motorcycle and one really never needed the power it produced. If I could still ride this bike would be on the top of my list to try out.

[@s.venkateswarpatnaik2484]

Hello Ka Nice review of BMW R12.I agree with your concern and I also like BMW R12

[@kenmason9354]

R12 every time 👍😎

[@corujariousa]

That's a very nice motorcycle. Thanks for the video!

[@donsmith3573]

Great video, I’m getting more drawn towards BMW as my next bike

[@Scout4x]

Nicely done Kate! As I told Courtney Scarlett, I'd take the R12 over the nine-t. I'm old and prefer a cruiser that can still zip along well.

[@nealehanning4700]

Nice review👍

[@jsagazio]

Well done, lovely!

[@kdexpressoo6023]

Not a rider, but I like to see that latest tech here and there., It just reminds me of a P.C.'s cpu cooling choices lol, liquid.....small fin @ cooling fan....or just a big hunk of an air cooling unit!! Can easily see the smooth welds on the more expensive motorcycle. Looks a nicely built design. A couple inches on height/wheelbase/lquid cooling is another model so...

[@x1aou]

Great video Kate. I have no interest in the bike (prefer sports bikes currently) but found myself watching it still

[@laurencebrowning1545]

Always had a soft spot for flat-twins since my R80/7. Thinking my MG Audace is getting too heavy, will check this R12 out. Thanks.

[@mcgoo721]

BMW makes some beautiful cruisers and there are concepts they use that i absolutely love. But there's always some weird little details that i either hate or dont understand 😂

[@PNH63]

£850 for spoked wheels when they are not having to put cast wheels on is a major rip off.

[@logangodofcandy]

You can bet they are shipping all of these bikes with cast wheels. Better for them than to ship some with and without

[@jimbryan2271]

Are the pegs forward? Nice voice down to earth and soothing

[@patrickstephens5886]

Hi Kate I love your reviews. I ride a 719 r9t, and wonder which you prefer. You made a few comparisons but which one does it for you after riding each?? Best wishes for your safety

[@millinutz]

I always find myself listening to you rabbiting on, about bikes that interest me in no way what so ever... ie, those being ALL BMWs! But I just can't help myself, coz I love your witty way of deliverance, coupled with that gorgeous Lancashire accent. Thank heavens you do other stuff...., yes, what you do have on your channel, is variety and that is the reason that I stay, plus admiring your very competent and informative way of Presentation. I have subbed 9 Bike channels and yours is up in the best 2. I adore those characterful little Mk1 TWINGOs and have had two of them, even been to Switzerland and back in one. They are so cheap and reliable to run..., I would buy one again if I could find a low mileage one in good nick. They're like a Tardis... very decieving as to having sooo much space inside. I absolutely luv 'em.

[@G91YS]

Same here, I don't like BMW at all because of their business practices. I liked Kate's videos on the GSXS1000GT the most, and the trip to Germany last year (with the little accident ahah).

[@pixelmixture3067]

road both the R12 and R12 nineT and found the suspension travel of the R12 to be a problem ...

[@UsernameKate]

Yea, I think people that are heavier than me do which is why I wanted to include Tim's impressions 😊

[@rodneybarcus2233]

Kate does the boxer on the new r12 have that nice engine noise like a tractor? I know some of the boxer engines have a little more noise than others. I know some people don’t like all of the mechanical noise but I appreciate it.

[@mikeberry2736]

Lovely bike the R12 and R12 nine T. I’m looking to replace my ageing R1200GS. Love the air cooled boxer, never wanted a water cooled one, they just got heavier and the 1300 is too expensive, that’s why I’ve kept mine for so long, ( 50k on this one, 80k and a previous one). I’ve not tested a R12 yet, but to me that 90 mm suspension travel is a mistake and can’t fit any luggage, ( yet ), no racks. The nine T is too sporty for me, but the R12 is more comfortable. Maybe put risers on the nine T 🤔. I just wish BMW would bring out another air cooled GS, it would sell like hot cakes !! Thanks for the vid. 👍🏻

[@chema1546]

Ok ☕🌹 Kate

[@rlw85]

I e got one of those bmw phone mounts and it’s a total ripoff and killed my iPhone 📱 😡😡😡 That tft looks nice 😊 Your bee top matches the bike 😊

[@UsernameKate]

No way!!! Thats interesting to know 😭 and thank you! I ended up matching 💛

[@rlw85]

@@UsernameKate it might just be my s1xr dunno 🤷‍♂️ might eBay it one day

[@UsernameKate]

Oh christ, it's a miracle if anything would survive on an xr with the vibes through the bars 😭

[@rlw85]

@@UsernameKate The gen two isn’t all that bad mind I’ve added evo tech bar ends and two brass washers each side. Mind I’ve only really ridden two bikes a fazer600 and this s1xr

[@mattmacpherson1033]

This looks a lot more like my 1974 R90 than the nine t. IMHO , the roads look like Western Wisconsin. All along the Mississippi River up on the bluffs.

[@RobEnglish-ratman]

I loved my demo on the exact same model. Although I found the suspension hard on the bumps. The rock mode was the best mode, the roll mode was just too sluggish I found. Would I buy one? Well my wife loved it, but given the choice of the R12, or the 2018 GS1200 I took out, the GS1200 was a much nicer ride, plus I can get a bike with luggage and a screen for a lot less money.

[@AmenCornerRider]

Would you pick the R12 over the R 12 nine T? And, how do you remember all the facts on the bike specs? Amazing 🥰

[@sdferh]

That rear mudguard is all wrong 🙈

[@philelsey7639]

Specced one on a configurator nearly 16k without the cruise etc do prefer the cast wheels and the tft screen, only sat on one at excel and defo preferred it to the R129T Would i spend 16 grand on one absolutely

[@trailingarm63]

Nice T-shirt, you look like a canary. I had an R1200r for a decade so I know (and love) that engine well. The torque makes it ideal as a cruiser - they've reduced the top end for more mid-range but they didn't need to, it had plenty anyway. A six-foot person would be sitting bolt upright, which is fine although any bumps in the road tend to travel right up your spine. If you've got a dodgy back beware! That aside, great bike!

[@UsernameKate]

I used to have a Canary called Tinkerbell 💛

[@trailingarm63]

@@UsernameKate Nice tribute.

[@shaneryan9076]

did you just hit 80k subs?

[@UsernameKate]

Just now yes! 🙌

[@shaneryan9076]

@@UsernameKate congratulations 🎊 100k is around the corner

[@UsernameKate]

Thanks so much! 🫶

[@ely-t4o]

what's with that protruding cylinder heads? it will burn your shoes.

[@UsernameKate]

No, it doesn't burn your boots don't worry

[@alq1967]

It's quite scrambler-y... with the pillion seat and spoke wheels... hmmmm 🤔

[@millinutz]

I've noticed that you hardly ever say where you are, when on these test rides..., swooning and oooing and ahhhing about the roads and the wonderful scenery.... pleeease let us know where you are in future? I had to go over to Courtney's channel to find out where these roads are. For anybody else in my predicament, our Kate is in PORTUGAL.

[@UsernameKate]

I never bloody know where I am, that's usually why! 🤣 Portugal is probably as much as I know

[@millinutz]

@@UsernameKate that's enough, and what I mean. the country or the island👍.

[@UsernameKate]

Ah, anything you see in future on the F900GS, F900GSA, F800GS, R12 and new R12 Nine T content will be from this launch in Portugal :) 5 bikes is a lot to film in 2 days so it just felt like I was saying Portugal a lot haha

[@UsernameKate]

Millinutz!! I just rewatched my intro and I do say I'm in Portugal! 20 seconds in!! Yay go me haha

[@millinutz]

@@UsernameKate I just rewatched your video and bugger, I saw/heard you say "in Portugal" Sorry..., yay go you Kate!

[@stevieeplea5611]

Hey Kate how are you doing today looking forward to seeing this later on I've now got my own incredible totally stunning dream house nothing beats seeing you on 2 wheels in your biker gear and your world famous swanky helmet and dark visor ride looking forward to seeing a trackday with lily duke of blonde ride safe lovely 😍

[@headrace4863]

Ah, the new playmobile range from bmw. I’m sure it’s great but, the looks, dear oh dear. Great video though Kate.

[@Simulera]

I have seen this frequently in the last couple of years, ignored it, but now want to ask: why would you call this perfectly nice standard motorcycle a “cruiser”? It just isn’t completely “standard street oriented motorcycle”? Cruisers are different I think? Thanks.

[@skesby]

Since when are Naked bikes "Cruisers" ?

[@UsernameKate]

Since BMW decided to call it that I guess 🤭

[@56Spookdog]

👍👍

[@keweenawbee]

Why doesn't BMW have cameras along the test route and make the clips available to you? It looks like they're flying you in and providing rooms for you guys? It's mostly FPV with vocals (just saying). Ever watch the Italians review BMW's?

[@UsernameKate]

They normally do but this was a dealer launch so laid out a bit differently. I was hoping for more broll but it is what it is. I was just happy to be invited 😊

[@Bryan-lg3fn]

Great review . I really love that bike but im skeptical about its size . Im 6'1" and i remember seeing the BMW ninety pure and i had to laugh because it was so small . Its difficult to gauge how big a bike is by watching a video .....

[@martinhughes9769]

Nice review, don’t like that modern clock set up,would have to be old style, side on view of that rear mudguard is absolutely atrociously ugly,

[@mattmacpherson1033]

That biker in front of you needs to learn to handle weight distribution and curves. Are they a new rider?

[@reddog8145]

We all grumble about the price of the extras , but we still pay out for it ……

[@Theorangeman.]

Mini pinch

[@bloodknottrevelian3396]

Seems like your going to double the price of the bike by the time you’ve added all those extras.

[@UsernameKate]

Haha maybe not double but the way I'd spec it, I'm 2k deep already!

[@JLo1960]

Good video Kate but that bike fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Uuuggggllllyyy!.

[@johngreen6795]

No rain mode and no fuel gauge madness what are bmw thinking

[@jamesschneider3828]

I rode for over 50 years and I never had anything but seat of the pants mode and a idiot light for low fuel warning on any of my 13 motorcycles I owned.

[@sublimeister9630]

Do see that air gap in the front of the rear fender, below the seat-it looks prematurely cut-off and bad design. BMW should also pay attention to the negative spaces of the silhouette of their design. 🙏🏼😊

[@marcbrasse747]

Just back from a great holiday in Northern Spain ourselves. Off course nobody cares but every comment feeds the algorithm so here it is anyway. About the bike though: Not my thing. 😘

[@terryoneil6209]

Changing gear in a corner,not something that I would personally do.

[@trevjones1315]

Surely if you had that kind of money and wanted that style of bike, you would buy a Harley or Indian?

[@AuxesisHyperbole666]

Bit of a pain following Courtney slowing through bends, not powering out and not keeping up..

[@AdamForeman]

I prefer the R12 NINE T, unfortunately, my bank account doesn't.

[@KarinaSM650]

Expensive but of kit 😮

[@ianhalliwell8604]

Typical BMW this is the price then you can add on this, then you can add on that, then the other so in the end it comes in at a very high price indeed.

[@Seymour_Cox]

Those looked more like stray dogs than wild dogs.

[@paulabraham8724]

I lost count of the number of times you used the word extra in this film.

[@UsernameKate]

Take a shot everytime 🤣

[@thepub245]

If you are heterosexual, you will get a Triumph Bobber.

[@Boxer1250RT]

This bike may get some interest from young Harley and Indian buyers, but only the time will tell. It is definitely a more user friendly bike than the unridable, uncomfortable, elephant R18. By the way, they should get rid of that terrible thing you "Clock". It looks like it belongs to some cheap Yamaha.

[@jimlcher8201]

WASTE of TIME!!! I want to see THE BIKE, NOT what you see when riding it. You did NOT EVEN show the left side of the bike, much less the front or back...

[@UsernameKate]

Glad you enjoyed it ❤️

[@logangodofcandy]

As much as these bikes interest me, there are two reasons that keep me away. I may be an ethnic German, but I despise Germany, and those UGLY colors. Omg, the colors. That purple r18 was definitely tempting. Everything should come in purple.

[@chrishart8548]

There is always paint. Or a wrap

[@jonno94]

And i think nothing should come in purple, horrendeous colour 😂

[@stevebeale2187]

Ugly bike I’m afraid, BMW cocked up on the design front in my opinion 😟