BMW R 12 And BMW R 12 nineT Launched In India

Quick News Highlights:

- BMW R 12 and R 12 nineT have been launched in India

- Both motorcycles are powered by a 1170cc, twin-cylinder boxer engine

- The roadster and the cruiser get gorgeous retro-themed styling

BMW Motorrad has launched the 2024 R12 and the R 12 nineT in India at Rs 19,90,000 and Rs 20,90,000 (ex-showroom) respectively. Both bikes will be available as CBUs (Completely Built Units) and deliveries will start from September 2024. 

Both motorcycles get beautiful retro-themed styling. The R 12 nineT gets an aluminium fuel tank with brushed and clear-coated side panels, while the R 12 gets a steel tank inspired by the R50/5, R60/5, and R75/5 models of the 1970s. The R 12 nineT and the R 12 get a new tubular steel space frame, which BMW Motorrad says has helped in reducing weight compared to the previous models. A twin-exhaust system with a reverse cone design is available in both bikes. 

Both motorcycles are powered by a 1170cc, air/oil-cooled, twin-cylinder boxer engine. In the R 12 nineT, it produces 109PS at 7000rpm and 115Nm at 6500rpm while in the R 12, it produces 95PS at 6500rpm and 110Nm at 6000rpm. The roadster has a claimed maximum speed of 215kmph while the cruiser’s claimed maximum speed is 203kmph. The suspension setup on both bikes consists of a 45mm inverted fork (rebound adjustable) and a paralever swingarm with a monoshock (preload adjustable). Braking duties are taken care of by twin 310mm disc brakes at the front with radially mounted 4-piston monobloc callipers and a single 265mm rear disc with a 2-piston floating calliper. The R 12 nineT gets a 120-section front tyre and a 180-section rear tyre with 17-inch wheels at both ends while the R 12 gets a 100-section front tyre with a 19-inch wheel and a 150-section rear tyre with a 16-inch wheel. 

The R 12 nineT gets a dual-pod analogue instrument console while the R 12 gets a single-pod analogue console. Other features include lean sensitive ABS, traction control, engine drag torque control, tyre pressure monitoring system, USB charging port and adjustable clutch and brake levers. 

The R 12 nineT gets three riding modes: Rain, Road and Dynamic while the R 12 gets two riding modes: Rock and Roll. As part of the Comfort package, heated grips, hill-hold assist, BMW’s Shift Assistant Pro and cruise control are available as optional features on both the R 12 nineT and the R 12.  

While expensive, these bikes are a sweet addition to the big retro bikes’ lineup in India. Rivals for the R 12 nineT include the Triumph Bonneville T120 and the Kawasaki Z900RS while the R 12 rivals the likes of the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, Harley-Davidson Nightster and the Indian Scout Classic.