A throwback to the days of the first “real” dual-purpose adventure-touring motorcycle is the BMW Motorrad R12 G/S. Following on the road oriented BMW Motorrad R12 (priced at RM123,000 in Malaysia), the R12 G/S carries the Gelände/Straße (Off-road/Street) moniker first used on the legendary R80 G/S from the 1980s, not the ‘GS’ appellation currently used on the Munich firm’s adventure-touring machines.
Indicating the true dual-purpose intentions of the R12 G/S, two variants are offered, the Standard and the Enduro Pro package. The Standard is fitted with 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel while the Enduro gets an 18-inch rear wheel.
Riding modes are “Rain”, “Road” and “Enduro” while opting for the Enduro Pro gives an additional “Enduro Pro” riding mode. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and engine drag torque (MSR) control is standard I the electronic riding suite, with DTC switchable for off-road duty.
Selecting the Enduro package also gives the enduro footrest system with three rows of spikes for maximum boot grip in off-road riding conditions. The package also includes a 20 mm handlebar riser while there are three seat options – standard at 860 mm and the Enduro Pro with 18-inch rear wheel raises that to 875 mm, while the Rally seat option raises that by another 20 mm.
Power for the R12 G/S comes from BMW Motorrad’s classic boxer-twin, displacing 1,170 cc. Power is rated at 109 hp at 7,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 115 Nm at 6,500 rpm with the left-hand exhaust system with high-mounted rear silencers in the classic enduro style.
Suspension is done with fully adjustable upside-down telescopic forks at the front and Paralever swingarm with angled, also fully adjustable rear shock absorber featuring long suspension travel for riding off-road. For braking, twin 310 mm diameter discs are paired with two axial-mount two-piston floating calipers while a two-piston floating caliper and 265 mm diameter disc is used on the rear wheel, and BMW Motorrad ABS Pro is standard.
In keeping with the R12 G/S’ looks, a compact LED round headlight with a diameter of five-and-three-quarter inches and LED DRL in the shape of an “X” is fitted. Complementing the headlight, a classic round instrument panel and 12 Volt power socket is fitted and a digital display is available as optional equipment.
Other riding conveniences include keyless start while adaptive headlight, part of the Headlight Pro package, is San option. There are three colour options for the R12 G/S – Night black matt paint with black seat, Light white with red seat and Sandrover matt paint/Racing red matt paint/Mineral grey metallic matt with matching seat.
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