As mentioned in my R1250RS demo ride writeup, I got a chance to see the new R12 in person last weekend, though it was a new bike on the local dealer's showroom floor, not a demo. To be clear, I'm talking about the R12 cruiser variant, and not the new R12 nineT. I was very disappointed the new R12 nineT and R12 were not among the demo bikes at the demo days. I really wanted to test ride both new bikes. (They did have a 2023 R9T and 2023 Scrambler demos though. Kind of odd to have bikes that are out of production if you ask me, though people did test ride them.)
The new R12 on hand just came in, and is in black paint. It looks a little smaller than I'd imagined. Fit and finish look good, as you'd expect of a BMW. The single seat looks good with the bobber rear end and is pretty comfortable. The all-black mag wheels on this bike aren't fancy, but look pretty good with the rest of the bike being in black. (I generally prefer cast wheels, but on this bike spokes I think would be a better fit visually.) The dual exhaust design kind of looks out of place to me on this bike. And the combination of black handlebar and silver clamp looked 'off' to me. Also of note, the R12 badges below the tank look like a total afterthought.
The seat is low, as you'd probably guess on a cruiser style bike. The footpegs are further forward than on our R9Ts, but are still definitely mid-controls, not forward. As with the R18, there's only so far you can move the footpegs forward due to the cylinder heads sticking out. The handlebars' grips are higher and further back than the tubular bar on our bikes, so you're sitting pretty upright.
Probably the biggest difference to me in sitting on the bike, however, is how much smaller the tank is than on our R nineT models. From the top, the center of the tank is similar to the R9T's tank, but on the sides it is much smaller. Whereas our tanks jut outward and are rounded, the R12's tank is more slender. It's not slab-sided, but the differences in size and looks are huge. It kind of looks too small in my opinion, like you're on a much smaller displacement motorcycle. Frankly, I didn't like it.
Overall, it's a decent looking bike and a nice modern take on a cruiser, but I actually think it looks better in photos. That's the opposite of what I usually experience, where many bikes (and cars) look better in person. In this case, part of the difference is the paint. In my humble opinion, the R12 just lacks character in all black. With its smaller stature, upright seating position, comfortable handlebar and generally non-aggressive looks, what could be a power cruiser instead just looks and feels kind of anemic and boring, at least in black. Hopefully it will ride better than it looks.
All that being said, I still really want to ride the new R12. I'm hoping the local dealer will have a demo bike I can test ride later this year. Some part of it appeals to me, and maybe a good test ride would make me appreciate the new machine more.
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The new R12 on hand just came in, and is in black paint. It looks a little smaller than I'd imagined. Fit and finish look good, as you'd expect of a BMW. The single seat looks good with the bobber rear end and is pretty comfortable. The all-black mag wheels on this bike aren't fancy, but look pretty good with the rest of the bike being in black. (I generally prefer cast wheels, but on this bike spokes I think would be a better fit visually.) The dual exhaust design kind of looks out of place to me on this bike. And the combination of black handlebar and silver clamp looked 'off' to me. Also of note, the R12 badges below the tank look like a total afterthought.
The seat is low, as you'd probably guess on a cruiser style bike. The footpegs are further forward than on our R9Ts, but are still definitely mid-controls, not forward. As with the R18, there's only so far you can move the footpegs forward due to the cylinder heads sticking out. The handlebars' grips are higher and further back than the tubular bar on our bikes, so you're sitting pretty upright.
Probably the biggest difference to me in sitting on the bike, however, is how much smaller the tank is than on our R nineT models. From the top, the center of the tank is similar to the R9T's tank, but on the sides it is much smaller. Whereas our tanks jut outward and are rounded, the R12's tank is more slender. It's not slab-sided, but the differences in size and looks are huge. It kind of looks too small in my opinion, like you're on a much smaller displacement motorcycle. Frankly, I didn't like it.
Overall, it's a decent looking bike and a nice modern take on a cruiser, but I actually think it looks better in photos. That's the opposite of what I usually experience, where many bikes (and cars) look better in person. In this case, part of the difference is the paint. In my humble opinion, the R12 just lacks character in all black. With its smaller stature, upright seating position, comfortable handlebar and generally non-aggressive looks, what could be a power cruiser instead just looks and feels kind of anemic and boring, at least in black. Hopefully it will ride better than it looks.
All that being said, I still really want to ride the new R12. I'm hoping the local dealer will have a demo bike I can test ride later this year. Some part of it appeals to me, and maybe a good test ride would make me appreciate the new machine more.
