Images of the new BMW R 12 cruiser motorcycle have surfaced following the completion of its homologation process in Australia. This model appears to be a smaller sibling to the established BMW R 18 cruiser, although BMW has not yet officially confirmed its existence.
While the image quality is not ideal, it offers a first look at the R 12 cruiser. It retains the rear shape of the R 18, but the handlebars are flatter than those typically seen on a cruiser. The BMW R 12 cruiser takes design cues from Harley-Davidson, particularly its smaller models. It is expected to weigh 229kg, slightly heavier than Harley’s Nightster at 216kg. The cruiser’s 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels feature tires with the same dimensions as Harley’s Nightster, Street Bob, and Softail.
The R 12 will be powered by a 1,170cc boxer engine, the same one found in the existing R 12 NineT scrambler-style naked motorcycle, producing 95bhp and 81lb ft (110Nm). The R 12 is also expected to feature dual front discs with ABS and EBV.
While the R 12 has a slightly longer wheelbase, its weight is expected to be almost identical to the R 12 NineT. BMW has yet to confirm the R 12’s existence, and no information is available about its release date or when it will be available in dealerships.
Considering BMW’s recent R18 model, a smaller and more efficient engine would likely offer more performance per unit displacement. The R nineT engine is more powerful and has only slightly less torque than the R18’s massive 1,800cc engine. Additionally, the R nineT engine is more flexible and could be optimized for more low-end torque with some ECU tuning. Using a smaller engine would also result in a lighter and more compact motorcycle, which could make the BMW cruiser more competitive in its class.
