BMW R 12 GS Debuts Globally

After years of development and anticipation, the BMW R 12 GS has finally broken cover. This is an enduro bike based on the R 12 nineT, so the engine and mainframe are shared. However, BMW has revised the suspension and aesthetic of the bike so that it can fully commit to some good off-road riding.

Being an enduro bike, the biggest upgrade that the R 12 GS gets are those new long travel USD fork and monoshock good for 200 mm and 210 mm travel, respectively. While the BMW R 12 GS might get a slightly smaller fuel tank than the R 12 nineT(16-litres) at 15.5-litres, interestingly, it is quite heavier than the road-spec bruiser (220 kg) tipping the scales at 229 kg (kerb weight). Meanwhile, braking duties are carried out by large 310 mm dual-disc brakes up front, and a single 265 mm rotor at the rear. Lastly, giving the bike a more purposeful and hardcore stance is that Paralever swingarm, which can be traced back to the iconic R 80 GS from the yesteryears. 

(Also Read: BMW Launches New R 12 nineT and R 12 in India)

The new BMW R 12 GS gets a 21-inch front wheel as standard, but the rear wheel is available in two sizes, which depends on the package you opt for. There are two packages on offer – Standard and Enduro Pro. The former gets you a 17-inch rear wheel, but with the latter option the size increases to 18-inch. Plus, the seat height also grows tall from the standard 860 mm to 875 mm, and with the optional Rallye seat it further increases to 890 mm. 

On the features front, you get all the necessary bells and whistles for off-road riding. From traction control to cornering ABS and engine braking control, plus three ride modes – Rain, Road, and Enduro, are available as standard. With the Enduro Pro package, you also gain a new Enduro Pro ride mode as an option too.

(Also Read: BMW Brings Out New R 12 S Sports Bruiser)

Powering the new BMW R 12 GS is the same 1,170 cc, boxer engine producing the same 107.5 bhp/ 115 Nm as the R 12 nineT. This performance is sent to the rear wheel via a sleek 6-speed gearbox, and it comes with a slip-and-assist clutch. 

The new BMW R 12 GS has just debuted for global markets. It will be available as a single variant model, with the choice of four colour options. Will it arrive in India or not, can’t be said with certainty at the moment. But given BMW Motorrad India already retails the R 12 nineT at a whopping ₹21.10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), we cannot totally negate the possibility of the R 12 GS launching here too.