BMW Teases a New R 12 nineT

In 2013, BMW Motorrad introduced the R nineT. Now, to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary, BMW has given us a teaser of a new machine in the retro-style roadster lineup—the R 12 nineT.

The newcomer continues the nineT line’s tradition of offering a purist, classic roadster design with plenty of options for customization.

“The R nineT and its customizing concept established the new Heritage experience for BMW Motorrad's 90th birthday and has become an indispensable cornerstone of our model range,” Dr. Markus Schramm, head of BMW Motorrad, said in a statement.

“The new R 12 nineT continues the successful heritage story surrounding the legendary BMW boxer engines with an even more classic, reduced design language, even greater degrees of freedom when it comes to customizing, and, last but not least, new and innovative technology.”

The new bike draws its power from a 1200cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine — much like BMW’s first motorcycle R 32 100 years ago. The “12” in the name refers to the engine’s displacement.

According to BMW, the powerplant will deliver powerful acceleration and a smooth ride.

The R 12 nineT incorporates the boxer engine into the rest of the bike as a more pronounced design element than its predecessors. Dominating the bike design is the clear tank-seat-rear line, which harkens back to the bikes of the past, particularly the R 90 S from the ‘70s.

“The new R 12 NineT also features side covers in the area of the frame triangle in the authentic roadster look—another reminiscence of BMW motorcycles of the 1970s,” said BMW head of design, Edgar Heinrich.

Other highlights of the bike’s appearance include the redesigned front fender, LED headlamp, and two round instrument gauges.

The R 12 nineT will feature a one-piece tubular space frame with a bolted-on rear frame. Suspension components include inverted telescopic forks, with a Paralever in the back. Braking power comes from radially mounted four-piston monobloc calipers, pulled by braided steel lines.

As mentioned, the R 12 nineT has been built with customization in mind. BMW will offer an extensive accessory range for making the motorcycle uniquely yours.

More information on the bike, including pricing and specification, will follow in the second half of 2023. In the meanwhile, we’ll have to settle for staring at the R 12 nineT’s press photo and imagining what it will be like on the road.