BMW’s 2026 R 12 G/S is Inspired by the Original Dakar-Winning Adventure Motorcycle

After the massive success of its original R 9T lineup, BMW rolled out a successor to its modular neo-retro platform in the Spring of 2024 with the R 12. And just like with the original R9T lineup, BMW has now expanded the R 12 family with a new retro-inspired model paying homage to the R80 G/S — with the “G/S” being short for “Gelände/Straße” which translates from German to “Terrain/Street). Unlike its R9T-based predecessor, the R 12 model isn’t just designed to merely look the part, and has instead been engineered to actually lend itself to both on and off-road riding — just like the R80 G/S that came before it. Introducing the BMW R 12 G/S. 

Turning Back The Clock

To fully appreciate the new R 12 G/S, it helps to have at least a basic understanding of the model’s lineage. Back in 1980, BMW introduced the R80 G/S — a motorcycle that’s now widely viewed as the first ever true adventure bike. The R80 G/S would quickly prove its go-anywhere capabilities by being used to win the infamous Dakar Rally just a year after its debut in 1981 — before seeing this feat repeated again, three years in a row in ’83, ’84, and ’85. Since then, the G/S family has continued to evolve, and the modern platform is now one of the most revered adventure motorcycles on the planet. 

Framing A Boxer Dual-Sport

Riding on a spoked wheel-set, the entire motorcycle is constructed around a tubular steel space frame that uses the engine as a stressed member. Like the rest of the R 12 lineup, the aft-end comes fitted with a Paralever single-sided swing arm setup while the front-end has been upgraded to a fully-adjustable 45mm USD Marzocchi fork. In addition to affording a respectable 9.4” of clearance, this setup offers 8.26” of travel in front and 7.87” in the rear. As a point of reference, BMW’R 1300 GS Adventure offers 8.3” of travel up front and 8.7” in the rear. Stopping power comes courtesy of a twin-disc Brembo front setup with 310mm discs and a single 265mm unit in back — both of which come backed by lean angle-optimized BMW Motorrad ABS Pro. 

An Adventure-Ready Boxer 

At the heart of the new G/S-flavored model is the air and water-cooled 1,170cc Boxer twin that’s shared by the rest of the R 12 range. Good for up to 109hp and 85ft-lbs of torque, the twin-cylinder unit allows the R 12 G/S to clock 0-60mph runs in 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 124mph. The engine comes paired with a claw-shift six-speed gearbox and a hydraulically-operated dry clutch. 

A Factory-Upgradable Enduro

Though BMW has designed the R 12 G/S to be a pretty solid Enduro in its basic form, the company is nonetheless offering an upgrade kit called the Enduro Package Pro, which further enhances the bikes off-roading capabilities with upgrades such as a raised seat height, an 18-inch rear wheel, handlebar risers, and serrated Enduro foot pegs. BMW is also offering an optional factory-installed Shift Assistant Pro multi-directional quick-shifter. 

Dimensions & Tech

Spanning 86.6” in length overall, the bike has a 33.8-inch seat height, though the Enduro Pro package brings that up to 34.44”. The entire thing weighs in at just over 500lbs, too. This might sound fairly hefty for a dual-sport, but the Bavarian brand’s R 1300 GS Adventure weighs in at almost 600lbs at the curb. The thing also comes loaded with a pretty impressive suite of tech that includes multiple ride modes — including a dedicated Enduro mode — as well as Dynamic traction control and Hill Start Control, just to name a few. 

A Well-Executed Homage

While some of its go-anywhere components are no doubt noteworthy, what really makes this model shine — and what will likely drive much of its sales — is the thing’s appearance. Based on the modern R 12 platform, the new G/S-spec wears a full set of retro-inspired white plastics that honestly look more like a kit from Italy’s UN1T Garage than they do a suite of factory bodywork. This setup includes a bulbous, high-capacity, knee-dented tank, a rear tail piece, a swooping high-mount front fender, fork guards, and a headlight nacelle. This bodywork design comes complemented via one of three paint options including a white livery with blue highlights that’s borrowed directly from the original 1980 R80 G/S, along with its’ red seat. The bike is also being offered in an Option 719 Argonite scheme (seen here) consisting of a sand and black setup with red highlights all under a fully matte finish, as well as in a fully murdered-out matte black scheme.

Why We Love It

There’s honestly a lot to love about BMW’s new R 12 G/S. For one, it actually does a pretty stellar job of capturing the aesthetics and DNA of the brand’s original R80 G/S, beautifully blending modern and retro visual themes. For two, this model does a terrific job of living up to the Gelände/Straße (German for “terrain/street”) name, as the bike can serve as a competent commuter or tourer, while also maintaining some pretty decent off-roading performance. This is thanks to the frame design, as well as the model’s cross-spoke wheels, Enduro-specific suspension, upright riding position, and compact cockpit fairing design — and that’s before even mentioning the available Rally Package Pro upgrade. Third and finally, BMW has absolutely nailed the look of the original G/S, with this bike’s plastics, red seat, and white-base, blue-stripe livery.  It also stays much truer to BMW’s original adventure than the R nineT Urban G/S — the R9T’s R80 G/S-themed model — not to mention performs much better in the rough stuff.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability 

Slated to hit dealerships this summer, the 2026 BMW R 12 G/S has been priced starting from $16,395.

Recap

2026 BMW R 12 G/S

BMW expands its neo-retro R 12 lineup with the introduction of the new R 12 G/S, a vintage-inspired, off-road-flavored boxer twin paying homage to the Bavarian brand’s original R80 G/S.

Learn More: BMW