2025 BMW R 12 S

Here’s a detailed review of the 2025 BMW R 12 S — what it is, what it does well, where it falls short, and whether it could be a good fit for you.

What the bike is

• The R 12 S is part of the new R 12 family, built on the same platform as the R 12 nineT. bmw.europe-moto.com+3Rider Magazine+3Motorcycle.com+3

• It is a “neo-retro” café-racer style motorcycle, intended to pay tribute to the iconic BMW R 90 S of the 1970s. Motorcycle.com+2Rider Magazine+2

• Key styling cues:

  • “Lava Orange Metallic” paint as a nod to the R 90 S’s Daytona Orange livery. Rider Magazine+1

  • Handlebar-mounted fairing with tinted windshield. Visordown+1

  • Spoked wheels (Option 719 Classic II), brushed aluminium tank/seat-hump surfaces, red “S” badge on side covers. bmw.europe-moto.com+1

• Technical highlights:

  • Engine: 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin, roughly ~109 hp and ~85 lb-ft (≈115 Nm) of torque. Motorcycle.com+2bmw.europe-moto.com+2

  • Fully adjustable suspension: inverted fork up front, Paralever single-sided swingarm rear. Two Wheel Addicts

  • Premium tech as standard: ride modes (Rain / Road / Dynamic), traction control, ABS Pro, heated grips, cruise control, quickshifter (Shift Assistant Pro) for up-shifts. Cycle Trader+1

• Price: In the U.S., the MSRP is listed around $21,590. Motorcycle.com+1

• Purpose: It is not built as a hardcore track weapon, nor a full tourer. Rather, it’s a stylish, fun, premium roadster for spirited rides, urban rides, and weekend blasts. Reviews say it’s best suited to carving back-roads as well as looking great doing it. Two Wheel Addicts+1

What it does well

Styling & heritage appeal

• The look is standout — the retro homage is executed with modern touches. Many reviewers say it nails the aesthetic. brm.co.nz+1

• The build quality and finish are high level — components like the spoked wheels, aluminium accents, and premium paint elevate the feel. bmw.europe-moto.com

Performance & ride feel

• The boxer twin engine offers strong torque and character. From one review:

  “The 1170 cc boxer is pure enjoyment in the canyons… the twin loves to pull hard, and the Dynamic mode lets the motor spin up quickly for fantastic real-world performance.” Ultimate Motorcycling

• Handling: Despite its substantial size and weight, reviewers say the chassis is well sorted and the bike feels planted in corners. For example:

  “The bike… is neutral steerer, happy to tip in with just a gentle nudge on the bars, and once settled, it feels extremely planted.” Two Wheel Addicts

• Braking and chassis components rank high: Brembo radial calipers, high-quality rubber (Metzeler Sportec M9 RR in one test) make for confidence-inspiring performance. Ultimate Motorcycling

Equipment & standard value

• Features that used to be optional are standard here: quickshifter, heated grips, cruise control, Hill Start Control, adaptive cornering headlight. Rider Magazine

• The heritage styling plus high tech make it feel like a premium package.

Where it falls short / things to consider

Price

• At around $21 k USD (and likely more with taxes, accessories), this is expensive territory for a roadster. Some reviewers flag that you’re paying for style & brand as much as outright performance. Ultimate Motorcycling

Weight & positioning

• It’s reasonably heavy (claimed wet weight about 485 lb with full tank) which means it won’t feel feather-light. Ultimate Motorcycling

• The riding posture is café-racer leaning: sporty, but maybe less relaxed than a pure cruiser or standard naked. If long-distance comfort is your priority, might be trade-offs.

Quickshifter / gearbox feedback

• Although the quickshifter (Shift Assistant Pro) is standard, some testers found it “clunky” especially in low gears:

  “The quickshifter … isn’t absolutely on point… I went old school — used the clutch for changes.” Two Wheel Addicts
  “Use the clutch between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears … the up-shifts are excellent from 3rd on up.” Ultimate Motorcycling

• So if you’re expecting seamless rapid shifts in all conditions, there might be small compromises.

Comfort / ergonomics for some use cases

• While the suspension is praised, some reviewers still felt the ride is firmer than comfort-oriented bikes. One wrote:

  “The ride-by-wire throttle … somewhat of a light-switch affair, which can make navigating bumpy roads a jerky experience.” Two Wheel Addicts

• Fuel tank is modest (4.2 gallons / ~16 litres) so if you’re planning long touring rides you’ll likely be stopping more often. Rider Magazine

Verdict: Should you buy it?

The R12 S is a compelling package if you check these boxes:

• You value heritage styling and want a motorcycle that turns heads in addition to giving a fun ride.

• You’ll ride it mostly on roads where its sporty, retro‐roadster character can shine (urban + weekend blasts) rather than long highway touring every day.

• You’re okay paying a premium price for features, fit and finish, brand, and style rather than chasing purely the best performance/price ratio.

• You don’t mind a somewhat firmer ride, and are comfortable with the weight and sporty ergonomics.

If instead you’re looking for:

• The lowest possible price for given performance, or

• A super tourer with ultra-long range and ultra-soft ride, or

• Lightweight nimble machine for commuting/light duties exclusively,

then you might find better value elsewhere, or consider a different model in the R 12 family (or another brand).

Summary

In short: The 2025 BMW R 12 S is modern retro at its best. It brings wow‐factor styling + genuine substance (good engine, chassis, features) wrapped in a heritage package. There are minor compromises (price, weight, quickshifter smoothness in lower gears, range) but for the right rider it’s a strong contender. If you’ve got ~$21k budget, like the café-racer aesthetic and want something premium with character, it’s definitely worth riding.