It’s been 45 years since BMW set the ADV bike genre ablaze with its R80 Gelände/Straße, or G/S for short. Now in 2025, the R 12 G/S sets out to keep that drool flowing with a nod to that legacy. But is it really enough to satiate the purists’ hunger for the glory days of motorcycling?
In the spirit of the R12 lineage, the R12 G/S joins its siblings—the R12 and the R12 nineT roadster—sporting the same renowned air/oil-cooled boxer twin engine that defines this family. This familiar 1170cc DOHC powerhouse churns out 107bhp (or 109PS, 80kW) at a 7000rpm, coupled with a hearty 85lb-ft of torque (115Nm) at 6500rpm.
The absence of liquid-cooling here may strike some as a nod to yesteryear. Yet, defying modern emissions standards is no cakewalk. While 107bhp might not set the dyno ablaze for a 1.2-litre motor, it eclipses the 50hp that the original R80 G/S eked out back in 1980.
Distinctively, the G/S features a streamlined, single exhaust can on its left side, diverging from the dual pipes found on its counterparts. BMW has also chosen to not echo the original R80 G/S’s iconic high-level silencer design.
Equipped with ride-by-wire technology, the R12 G/S presents the trinity of riding modes: ‘Road’, ‘Rain’, and ‘Enduro’, with the fourth option, ‘Enduro Pro,’ lurking in the mix. Opt for the ‘Enduro Pro’ package, and you’ll enjoy minimal rider aids combined with the sharper throttle feedback of the ‘Road’ mode—great for those who crave a more unfiltered connection with their machine.
The transmission is a trusty six-speed, complete with a shaft final-drive. And for those with sportier leanings, a factory-fitted up/down quick-shifter can be added to enhance the ride.
While the tubular steel chassis holds true to its design roots within the R12 family, the G/S sports revised geometry, with the steering head elevated and pushed forward to cater to its off-roading aspirations.
As standard, the G/S rolls on a hefty 21-inch front wheel wrapped in a 90/90-21 tyre, complemented by a 150/70 on a 17-inch rear rim. For the more adventurous, the option to switch to an 18-inch rear wheel—still sporting that 150/70 tyre—awaits, elevating ground clearance from 240mm to 255mm and extending the wheelbase to 1585mm. The generous 42-degrees of steering lock should make weaving through tight spots less daunting.
The suspension comprises fully-adjustable, upside-down, 45mm telescopic forks—eschewing BMW’s Telelever design—paired with a similarly adaptable monoshock nestled in the standard Paralever swingarm setup. With 210mm of front travel and 200mm at the rear, this bike is ready to tackle some decently gnarly off-road terrain.
However, if more rugged terrain is on the menu, the 229kg kerb-mass of the G/S might be a tad unsavoury. The optional lithium-ion ‘M Lightweight’ battery can shave off a whopping 2kg; like a ball-bearing in an ocean of wrecking balls.
While it does seem to have all the ingredients to set the retro-nerds salivating, BMW isn’t going to let this enter your stables for cheap. So, let’s just hope BMW Motorrad India keeps some good sense on the table when the time for on-road, India pricing comes up.
