BMW R12 Review - Old school charm

[@TwoWheelDann]

First time I saw the photo of the R12 prototype I was very impressed. Then I went to the dealership and saw it live, but next to it, an R12 NineT was in full display. That was a done deal 😀

[@BikerTorque]

That’s interesting because, as mentioned in the video I was a bit underwhelmed by the press shots and loved it when I saw it for real. Actually prefe it to the R12 NineT, but that’s another video, watch this space. Thanks for watching

[@JDWDMC]

I looked at one of these and a VERY low mileage 2022 R nine T Pure. The difference in price was staggering. The R12 nine T is $33k here in NZ. I got the R nine T Pure for $15.5k. I've bought a cartridge kit for the forks and a Nitron rear shock is on the way and a rev counter, plus some Givi luggage, the lock rings for the tank and rear seat plus a tail pack and a tank bag. It came with a small Givi pannier on the right side and a Wunderlich screen. I've spent $3.8k on the extras, plus $2k for installation and I'm just over the $20k mark. I don't feel like I've missed out by not buying the latest and greatest.

[@BikerTorque]

The Pure is definitely a great bike also

[@aussiebandit9317]

As a recent purchaser of an older 1200GS, I am taken by this bike. I agree the engine on the GS has a unique character that I have fallen in love with. I will book in a test ride on the R12 to see if it has indeed 'missed the mark...'.

[@BikerTorque]

Plenty of character in that engine

[@gradocchio]

Fair review, i've had mine now for ~1500km and love it except for the suspension. It's either pre-load it to avoid bottoming out and suffer on all the small bumps, or soften it and suffer on the big/sharp bumps. Having Wilber 640s (+15mm) installed in a few weeks, then she will be perfect (for me)..

[@BikerTorque]

Let us know how the Wilbers go. Have been thinking about that for my R18

[@gradocchio]

@@BikerTorque will do, having them installed and set up by a top suspension shop near me on 9/9..

[@RoadsOfOz]

The R12 looks like a copy of the Moto Guzzi Griso (especially in the red). Sadly, they do not make the Griso anymore. It is a shame , they did not use a TFT dash but in the shape of twin guages. It could have given the wheel/dial more use than just for the phone.

[@gradocchio]

TFT dash is an option.. but a modern rectangular shape.

[@kaveiros75]

@@RoadsOfOz Moto Guzzi Griso became one of my all time favourite bikes when I test rode it back then. I couldn't afford it then, and now I am begging for Moto Guzzi to make a new V100 Griso!

[@BikerTorque]

That V100 engine is a cracker, hope they use it in a few new models, Griso, LeMans, the list goes on.

[@BikerTorque]

I didn’t know that

[@BikerTorque]

Twin clocks would look good, the R12 NineT has those, got that at the moment, looks great.

[@MTBrider26]

BMW need to do the engineering and Moto Guzzi need to do the design. Now that would be the best of everything.

[@BikerTorque]

Can’t help but think you are onto to something there.

[@GerhardWanninger-fi4bl]

@@BikerTorque Miguel Galluzzi (born October 26, 1959) is an industrial designer specializing in motorcycle design. Galluzzi currently heads Piaggio's Advanced Design Center (PADC) in Pasadena, California, where he manages the design of the Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Derbi, and Gilera motorcycle brands, working closely with the company's styling headquarters (Piaggio Group Style Center)[4] in Italy as well as its research and development centers in China, India, and Vietnam. Widely known for having designed the Ducati Monster, Galluzzi has also designed the Aprilia Dorsoduro, RSV4, Tuono, and the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer and California 1400. Under Galluzzi's direction, Moto Guzzi received the Motorcycle Design Association Award in 2012, and in 2013, Visor Down named Galuzzi one of its Top Ten motorcycle designers.

[@dalebest47]

Any chance we could get a graphic or leaderboard for different bikes reviewed so far? Awesome video by the way and love the discussion!

[@BikerTorque]

That’s a great idea, in fact we started doing up a table so we could keep track. Results were surprising. For Tegan - Triumph Street Triple, Ross - R12 and Lukas has a new leader as of this week, review in that one out in a week or two

[@FlyRideBeemer]

Hello. Nice review, almost concurring with all you said (I'm the happy owner of the R12 719, I have to be picky 😉). Just wanted to say that I ordered mine without the phone mount and without the spinning wheel as I would never need it. Makes the left handle lighter.

[@BikerTorque]

Didn’t realise you could order it without the phone mount and wheel. That makes sense though. Thanks for watching

[@juanalbertojimenezdelira2651]

Nice review, well done. Greetings from Mexico

[@BikerTorque]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching

[@hachewie]

Love the look of this bike. Classic and modern. So good.

[@BikerTorque]

Couldn't agree more!

[@awdadwadwad1723]

I had r12 for the weekend few weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. Was genuinely sad giving her back. My only complaint was the rear suspension being absolute garbage. On the highway I had bumps felt in my spine that I almost screamed ouch.

[@BikerTorque]

The rear is adjustable, I do d when I tweaked it, it was better, but still not great. Someone on here mentioned installing Wilber’s on theirs.

[@awdadwadwad1723]

@@BikerTorque I admit I haven’t adjust it, I would assume it was on some middle setting. I have Wilbers on my Harley and it’s a dream. That’s the first thing I would do on r12.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Looks like they abandoned their telelever front end. My r model had the best front suspension. Perhaps they have everything figured out in the forks and knowing bmw you can count on that. Throwback looks rock.

[@BikerTorque]

Yes, no Telelever on the R12 or any of the RNineT bikes

[@Vegesaurus7]

I’m with you Ross, I really love this style of bike. My only worry is that it’s not big enough for me at 185cms. How did Lucas feel about the size of the bike?

[@BikerTorque]

Lukas found it fine, reasonably comfortable riding position

[@awdadwadwad1723]

My dad is 185 and he said after first ride that it’s too small. I am 183 and I also would say tad too small. Nevertheless it’s still doable for both of us, but wouldn’t go touring on that haha

[@jamieoneill7585]

Would be great to see a review of Moto Guzzi V7 from you guys as a comparison to R12.

[@BikerTorque]

I did a video on the V7 a couple of years ago, great bike one of my favourites, kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHK1d3SHiJ6XpaMsi=z0z4yDtXaJ7SsLDv

[@pin0teres]

10:28 I have seen R12 with bar end mirrors for some reason set in vertical position, so there is a way.

[@BikerTorque]

There’s definitely a way, but not one that we could work out

[@Scout4x]

I love the plain, long seat R12. The only thing I don't like is the price.

[@BikerTorque]

Yes, price is up there…but it is a premium bike

[@granttaylor2000]

Was surprised with the pricing at 28k, was expecting 23.9k and I’d be more interested

[@BikerTorque]

Base bike is about $23k I believe

[@granttaylor2000]

@@BikerTorque locally at ‘24 R12 HL at 27.7k on the showroom floor a few months now Not sure of the model line up

[@granttaylor2000]

But have just checked Bikesales and yes it’s 24k the dealer hasn’t updated their bmw dealership page price

[@whatsstefon]

No one forgot the old bike. How can you? It’s a trainwreck. This model is so much better. Adaptive headlights is definitely a need in all bikes. The stock exhaust sounds good. Heated grips. How far in the menu was the setting buried? 😂

[@BikerTorque]

lol, heated grips are a button on the bars, don’t know how Tegan missed it

[@whatsstefon]

@@BikerTorque she was probably blinded by how much she loved the bike.

[@jessicacrawford6757]

Tegan is the coolest biker gal ever ❤❤❤ slay queen

[@BikerTorque]

have no idea what Slay Queen means, but yes I suppose she is.

[@MisterDillPickle]

hey the R1200C looks cool!

[@BikerTorque]

I agree

[@BDHO73]

That’s a lovely looking bike.

[@BikerTorque]

I really liked it

[@greatkingrat]

Looks great but that price!!! How can they justify $18.5KUSD!!!

[@BikerTorque]

Not sure, it is all quality though

[@roostfezza7563]

You mention the 1200c which has to be the most hideous ever, this is not that bad, however the rear end of the bike does not suit the front. They wanted half an indian scout? But its easy to criticize, i think the r nine t range has design merit, so bmw can make decent styling choices just not this one.

[@BikerTorque]

Yes I generally like the R Nine T range, and as mentioned like the styling of the R12 also

[@ginoasci]

Everything you three are looking for are on a Triumph Scrambler 1200XC…..find a 2022 or a 2023, but not a 2024, go ride it. It has everything you could ever want for technology, suspension, comfort, power, and definitely looks.

[@BikerTorque]

Reviewed the XE, liked it, but found it a bit tall

[@ginoasci]

@@BikerTorque : looked for your review on it but couldn’t find it.

[@BikerTorque]

@@ginoasci here you go. Hitting the dirt on the Triumph Scrambler XE kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4e1faOdqrKZf5Y

[@ginoasci]

@@BikerTorque : thank you for that link. I’ll definitely watch it.

[@kaveiros75]

Having a million electronic gimmicks that most of them are of no real use, while not having a fuel meter, is just fucking plain stupidity! Even mopeds and scooters do have one for the last 20-25 years and I can't find a reason for a premium bike not to include one. I don't know why you guys neglect this and make excuses.

[@BikerTorque]

We didn’t, it was one of Tegan’s main gripes about the bike as mentioned in the video. Whereas Lukas and Ross are just happy to use the trip metre, have never understood why people get so hung up on fuel gauges

[@kaveiros75]

@@BikerTorque Because it can be a life saver if you travel in unknown non-urban places (you have a 1200 bike after all) and ultra useful in ever day use. Plus, how much does it actually cost to implement one? Is it only Tegan that seems to understand that? This, the ABS in the front wheel (not in the back) and the tyre pressure monitoring are the only actually useful electronics bikes got in the last 20 years.

[@painlesstom]

@@kaveiros75 You use the trip meter and you know your range, there is a low fuel light so you're not just going to run out of gas without some warning. It's not a big deal. Your trip meter is your gauge, the light is warning.

[@kaveiros75]

@@painlesstom I 've been riding for almost 30 years. I know how it goes! But, is there any actual reason or excuse for not having one? Especially on a premium bike, full of other useless electronic shit. Does it cost much more? Is it hard to implement? Is it heavy or complicated? Does it distract from the looks of the bike or the dashboard? NO! Only hipsters would prefer e.g. "phone connectivity" over fuel metering.

[@painlesstom]

@@kaveiros75 I've read it had something to do with the shape of the tank, making sending unit placement not practical. And the R12 isn't a "premium" bike in BMW's lineup, in the grand scheme of things it's one of their lower tier bikes. I have a '23 R1250R, which is a a few steps up. The GS and RS, and larger touring bikes would be the "premium" bikes IMO.

[@mopargrub4448]

As a R1250gs owner, I can’t see the value in paying 25k+ for one of these, better value to get a R1250gs and set it up for road touring

[@BikerTorque]

Very different bikes though, particularly styling wise

[@painlesstom]

I have a 2023 R1250R set up for touring, it's great for that, but not as much fun as the R12 for playing in traffic around town. Two different bikes, totally different characteristics. Picking up my 2024 R12 this week, only $15.7k US.

[@rinofastpachuca]

@@mopargrub4448 the 1250 looks like robocop the r12 is elegant. No comparison

[@cisa1622]

not practical- no space for two up . Stiff suspension and uncomfortable.

[@BikerTorque]

Each to their own

[@painlesstom]

Not everyone rides two up. It's a great solo bike, best suited for that. I personally found the R12 VERY comfortable as-is, more so than my R1250R that I had to make MANY changes to before I was happy with that.