BMW Motorrad’s newest entry in their heritage lineup evokes one of the most famous BMW motorcycles of all time, the R 90 S. In 1976, the R 90 S saw victories at the Isle of Man TT and Daytona; in addition, Reg Pridmore and Steve McLaughlin finished first and second, respectively, in the first AMA Superbike Championship aboard the iconic R 90 S. As a result, the R 90 S remains a desirable motorcycle for both riders and collectors, and pristine or restored examples can fetch tens of thousands of dollars when they are sold.
The 2025 R 12 S has considerably more power (and technology) than its mid-1970s ancestor, which sported 67 horsepower and a mind-bending (for the time) top speed of 124 MPH. And let’s be real: It wouldn’t be a true R 90 S homage if it didn’t have Lava Orange Metallic paint to evoke the Daytona Orange paint of the original.
The design of the R 90 S was helmed by Hans Muth; listen to his two-part interview on our podcast, Chasing the Horizon.
The R 12 S is a variant of the R 12 nineT platform, itself an update of the well-received R nineT that kicked off the Heritage models in 2013. While this line of motorcycles relies on classic design cues to stir riders’ souls, they benefit from modern technology, materials and construction methods.
Alexander Buckan, Head of BMW Motorrad Design, said, “The defining design elements of our R 12 S include the handlebar-mounted cockpit fairing with the tinted windshield, the seat with contrast stitching, and the Lava Orange Metallic paint finish as a nod to the legendary R 90 S Daytona Orange from 1975. The design is perfectly complemented by details such as the red-laid ‘S’ on the side covers, the red double coach line, and the brushed and clear-lacquered aluminum surfaces of the tank and seat hump.”
The European version is pictured here along with its required long and brutally obvious tail section to mount the license plate and brake light; the U.S. version will come standard with a short tail and mount the license plate to the swingarm.
As is typical with the Heritage bikes, a number of accessories will be available soon after the R 12 S hits dealerships. You’ll be able to add Option 719 silver spoke wheels – made of aluminum, then anodized silver – which are not available for any other BMW bike at press time. Parts of the R 12 S is blacked out for a classic, sporty look, but adding the Shadow and/or Shadow II billet packs to the bike will black out much of the rest of the hardware. In addition, all accessories for the general R 12 nineT line are available for the R 12 S, including GPS prep, soft bags, Tire Pressure Control (RDC), Anti-Theft Alarm System (DWA), Intelligent Emergency Call, Connected Ride Control, and the digital display with micro-TFT display as an alternative to the classic round instruments.
Standard features include Headlight Pro (adaptive cornering LED unit), Hill Start Control, Gear Shift Assist Pro, Heated Grips, Cruise Control and short rear tail with swing arm mounted license plate holder. BMW has also added the break-in service to the purchase price of all its 2025 models, provided the owner takes advantage of this before 750 miles or six months, whichever comes first.
What riders have come to expect from the R 12 nineT bikes is all there: the 1,170 cc two-cylinder air/oil-cooled Boxer engine (109 hp @ 7000 RPM & 85 ft-lbs of torque @ 6500 RPM), six-speed gearbox, DOHC cylinder head with four radially arranged valves, shaft drive, cast aluminum wheels, BMW Motorrad ABS Pro, Paralever rear suspension, twin disc front brakes with radially-mounted calipers, DTC Dynamic Traction Control, Rear Preload Adjustable, Steering Stabilizer, a slick upside down fork with adjustable rebound, compression and preload, a 12V socket, both a speedometer and tachometer, Electronic Immobilizer, LED turn signals, LED headlight and tail light, a USB port, ride modes, adjustable brake and clutch levers, Keyless Ride, an aluminum fuel tank, Intelligent Emergency Call, and the aforementioned Ultimate Care Break-In Service.
At press time, neither a price nor an estimated street date had been announced.
