BMW Motorrad officially launches its retro roadster ‘New R 12 nineT’ and sporty cruiser ‘New R 12’ in South Korea.
The BMW R nineT series is a hallmark of BMW Motorrad, providing pure riding joy through its retro motorcycles, which have garnered immense love from riders in South Korea.
The newly released New R 12 nineT and New R 12 feature a combination of the traditional design language of the R nineT with modern technology, and are distinguished by their modular concept that offers more customizable options.
Both models are equipped with an air-cooled 1,170cc flat-twin boxer engine and feature a newly developed monocoque frame that houses the engine. The new frame eliminates the need for fixed mounts, presenting a cleaner and more classic look as opposed to the separated front and rear sections of the previous frames.
Additionally, for the first time in the R nineT series, a Gear Shift Assistant Pro has been installed, allowing for bidirectional gear shifts without clutch operation. This contributes to faster and smoother shifting compared to traditional manual gear changes, ensuring enhanced riding stability and dynamics. It also integrates with dynamic brake control to maintain vehicle stability.
Both models come equipped with convenient and safe features such as Keyless Ride, dynamic engine brake control, and dynamic traction control as standard. Riders can also enjoy standard options like headlight pro with adaptive cornering light, connected ride control, digital displays, and tire pressure monitoring systems.
Moreover, the dashboard has seen modern evolution, with the previous round gauge replaced by a 3.5-inch digital display. The high-resolution digital display offers bright legibility even in sunlight and changes colors based on the riding mode, visually conveying the feel of each mode.
The New R 12 nineT is designed for dynamic riding in urban environments and winding roads, delivering a maximum output of 109 horsepower and a peak torque of 11.7 kg·m. It offers three riding modes—Rain, Road, and Dynamic—ensuring an optimal riding experience at all times.
Featuring a sleek aluminum fuel tank composed of essential elements, the design of the fuel tank, seat bench, and rear cover rises towards the back, presenting a dynamic aesthetic. Both models are fitted with 17-inch wheels at the front and rear.
The fuel tank has been designed to be narrow and short, allowing the rider to be closer to the handlebars, enhancing the sleek and dynamic impression, while improving ergonomics for a more aggressive riding position. This design allows riders to intuitively control the chassis, enhancing their riding experience.
The New R 12 is a sporty cruiser delivering a maximum output of 95 horsepower and peak torque of 11.2 kg·m, focusing on excellent acceleration at low engine RPMs. It supports Rock mode for dynamic riding and Roll mode for everyday comfortable cruising.
The fuel tank has a shape reminiscent of the classic ‘toaster tank’, combining with a large rear fender and single seat to create a smoothly angled line from front to rear that accentuates the cruiser’s unique charm.
Furthermore, it features front 19-inch and rear 16-inch wheels that harmonize with its laid-back appearance, and the low seat height combined with a wide handlebar encourages a comfortable riding posture, minimizing fatigue even on long rides.
The domestic launch prices for the New R 12 nineT and the New R 12 vary based on detailed trims and colors, with the New R 12 nineT priced between 28.1 million and 30.9 million won (including VAT) and the New R 12 priced between 23.8 million and 26.6 million won (including VAT).
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr