The 2024 BMW R 12 is an urban cruiser and the little brother to the Big Boxer-powered R 18. Along with the sportier R 12 nineT, it replaces the R nineT platform, and it carries a $12,345 MSRP.
The 1170cc air-/oil-cooled boxer makes 95 horsepower, 15 fewer than last year’s R nineT, and the peak comes 1250 rpm sooner, at 6500 rpm. That makes the power more accessible. The motor spins up rapidly and smoothly, and it neither intimidates nor fatigues in traffic.
Rock and Roll modes change throttle response, traction control, engine braking, and even the idle, with Rock getting the lumpier one. Most riders will stay in Rock, and Roll stands in for a Rain mode. BMW Motorrad ABS Pro is cornering-aware.
The steel trellis frame has a customizer-friendly bolt-on subframe, and 29.3 degrees of rake and 5.2 inches of trail keep the R 12 stable. The chassis isn’t fussy about rider input, and the low center of gravity helps maneuverability. Lane-splitting is easy because the handlebar is wider than the cylinders.
The 29.7-inch seat is comfortable all day, and it makes flat-footing easy. The tradeoff is 3.5 inches of wheel travel at each end. The suspension is properly valved and sprung, though large potholes and deep gutters overwhelm it.
Aluminum 19-/16-inch wheels are standard, and wire-spoke wheels are optional. A pair of 310mm discs and radially mounted Brembo calipers provide the stopping power up front. The 500-pound R 12 is ready for stately sport cruising, and the peg feelers are the first things to touch down.
Keyless operation, Intelligent Emergency Call, and the Multi-Controller wheel are standard. The $1524 Select Pack adds cruise control, hill start assist, heated grips, Connected Ride Control, and a quickshifter that works best at higher rpm.
BMW offers Blackstorm Metallic, along with optional Aventurine Red Metallic and Option 719 Thorium in Avus Silver Metallic. The R 12 is for riders who want a practical, stylish, and distinctive cruiser with more agility than the R 18.
Benda motorcycles are beginning to make a ripple on US shores with four intriguing and competitive models, courtesy of its partnership with Keeway Group. We were impressed with the Napoleonbob 500 and have now gotten our gloves on the persuasive, entry-level 2026 Benda Chinchilla 300, with its modest MSRP of $4999. It would be difficult to design a more welcoming entry-level cruiser than this easy-handling, visually appealing boulevard bobber. Editor Don Williams and Associate Editor Kelly Callan discuss the Benda Chinchilla 300 and how it actually rode for them.
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Our guest this episode is Jesse Merriman, Chief Technician for Jeremy McWilliams at the Arch Motorcycle racing project. Arch Racing was founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reevs to compete in the Moto America Super Hooligan race series. Teejay Adams chats with Jesse about the Arch motorcycle and the challenges of extracting the absolute most from an air-cooled V-Twin racing engine and custom chassis.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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![2024 BMW R 12 Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]](https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-bmw-r-12-review-8-768x512.webp "2024 BMW R 12 Buyer’s Guide [Specs, Price]")
