The BMW R 12 is the company’s new, classic cruiser motorcycle and is part of the Heritage lineup. The bike is meant for “relaxed’ riding and offers a different take on cruisers, one with a Bavarian twist. Here are its top five highlights.
Distinctive design
The BMW R 12 has a rather distinctive design and it has those classic features that should appeal to a certain set of buyers. The shape of the fuel tank, for instance, is reminiscent of 1970’s BMW motorcycles. The teardrop shape of the tank is neatly done and we like how it flows into the single piece seat. The riding position is also pretty relaxed considering the low seat height and wide handlebar.
The curved fenders are inspired by classic BMW cruisers of the past. On the whole, the bike exudes a certain personality, aided by the stance offered by its 19-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear wheel.
Air-cooled Boxer engine
Powering the R 12 is a 1,170cc, air/oil-cooled boxer twin motor. It produces 95bhp at 6,500rpm and 110Nm of peak torque at 6,000rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox. Boxer engines possess a unique character and it should be true in the case of the R 12’s engine as well.
New Hardware
BMW has come up with a new tubular bridge steel space frame for the new R12 and it is significantly lighter than the frame in the previous generation bike. As for the suspension units, it has an USD fork and a Paralever rear swing arm, while the rear spring strut attached at an angle with revised travel-dependent damping. Braking duties are taken care of by a pair of 310mm discs at the front with monobloc callipers.
Features
The R 12 has all the safety features that you’d expect from a bike of this class. There’s Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), engine drag control as well ‘Roll’ and ‘Rock’ ride modes. There is a nifty USB charger and a 12V socket as well.
Price
The BMW R 12 is priced at Rs 19.90 lakh, ex-showroom.
