BMW R NineT or R12: Which model to choose in 2025?

Embark on a journey through time with these two motorcycles from the BMW Heritage range! This leap into the past comes with the best technologies and innovations offered by BMW Motorrad. So sit back, relax, and discover these two gems now.

BMW R NineT: The icon of the BMW Motorrad Heritage range

The BMW R NineT perfectly embodies the Heritage spirit of BMW Motorrad, combining neo-retro design, modern performance and nearly endless customization possibilities. This iconic roadster impresses with its air/oil-cooled 1170cc boxer engine, delivering generous torque and 109 hp (80kW), while complying with the Euro 5+ standard.

Its boxer engine delivers a deep, authentic sound and unique road sensations. The boxer pistons provide remarkable power and torque, ensuring dynamic performance on all types of roads. The R NineT also stands out with its clean, classic design, featuring a round LED headlight with daytime running light, a vintage-style front fender and an aerodynamic line reminiscent of the first BMW motorcycles. The bike also offers an adaptive cornering headlight that improves the lighting inside the curve with a lean angle of 25 degrees, allowing you to fully and safely experience a more sporty riding style.

The wide handlebar and the comfortable saddle invite a ride that is both dynamic and pleasant, whether in the city, on winding roads, or during countryside trips, improving riding posture.

The motorcycle is equipped with modern technologies such as Rain & Road riding modes, allowing for useful settings on dry or wet roads. It can also include the Pro riding mode (optional): the Dynamic mode makes the engine more responsive, offering a more spirited ride on dry roads and letting you enjoy a sportier riding experience.

The engine braking is optimized for better control, while the cruise control ensures increased comfort on long trips. The suspension, adjustable in rebound and preload, ensures precise handling and optimal comfort.

The BMW R NineT is also an ideal base for customization enthusiasts. With a wide range of accessories and options, anyone can create a bike that reflects their own style—playing with paint schemes, spoke wheels, machined parts, or tank finishes. This versatility makes the R NineT a motorcycle suited for every desire, from laid-back cruising to sporty riding.

A2 license accessible thanks to a restricted version, the R NineT opens the doors of the Heritage world to younger riders while retaining its character and power once unrestricted. In short, the BMW R NineT strikes a perfect balance between tradition and modernity, offering timeless design, a powerful engine, and comprehensive equipment to enjoy every ride to the fullest.

BMW R12: an inimitable rock’n’roll style

The BMW R 12 is an iconic motorcycle that perfectly embodies the vintage and rugged spirit of the BMW Motorrad brand. With its classic design and retro appeal, it attracts fans of bikes with an authentic and laid-back style. The R 12 stands out with an aerodynamic silhouette typical of cruisers, with a flowing line that drops elegantly toward the rear, giving the bike a look that is both dynamic and timeless.

Beneath its retro appearance, the BMW R 12 offers a powerful engine, staying true to BMW’s boxer tradition. This air/oil-cooled engine delivers generous torque and 95 hp (70 kW), and complies with the EU 5+ emissions standard, making it suitable for everyday rides, whether in the city or on country roads. The bike is designed to provide a comfortable and accessible riding experience, thanks in part to equipment aimed at easing journeys, such as an ergonomic handlebar that allows the rider to adopt a more upright riding position to reduce forward lean and minimize body fatigue. This handlebar also improves handling. A comfortable seat with high-density foam that reduces pressure on the coccyx and hips, and an efficient braking system with powerful, precise front and rear brakes complete the equipment designed to enhance rider comfort.

The BMW R 12 also stands out for its modern technical features discreetly integrated so as not to detract from its vintage style. Among them are riding modes suited to different road conditions (Rain & Road: for wet or dry roads), a cruise control useful for long rides, and a keyless ride start system that lets the rider start the bike with the key nearby, adding a modern touch to this vintage-styled motorcycle.

Its cruiser spirit and refined design make the BMW R 12 a key member of the Heritage family, combining classic inspiration and contemporary technology for uncompromised riding pleasure.

What are the differences between the BMW R Nine T and the R 12?

Here is a comparison table of the two motorcycles:

The BMW R NineT and the BMW R 12 are two iconic models from the BMW Motorrad Heritage range, but they are aimed at different rider profiles and uses.

First of all, the BMW R NineT is a sporty neo-retro roadster, launched in 2014, that stands out for its clean design and 109 horsepower. Its air/oil-cooled boxer engine is ideal for dynamic riding, whether in the city or on twisty roads. It features modern technologies that offer a safe and customizable riding experience. In terms of comfort, this bike is designed to improve riding position and reduce rider fatigue. The R NineT is also highly regarded for its customization potential, thanks to a wide range of accessories and Option 719 parts (such as the comfort pack or pro finish, optional), making it a great choice for building the bike of your dreams.

By contrast, the BMW R 12, launched in 2024, embodies more of a relaxed neo-retro cruiser spirit, with a more laid-back style and a flowing, rear-sloping silhouette. It delivers slightly less power, but enough for comfortable, accessible everyday riding. Its 1170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine also prioritizes comfort, with a lower seat height (754 mm) and equipment designed for easier travel, such as an ergonomic handlebar and keyless ride start system. The R 12 offers suitable riding modes (rain & road) and cruise control, but remains simpler electronically compared to the R NineT.

In terms of weight, the R NineT is slightly lighter (221 kg vs. 227 kg for the R 12), enhancing its agility. The R NineT also has a larger fuel tank (17 liters vs. 14 liters), making it better suited for longer trips without stops.

Which BMW Heritage model should you choose?

In conclusion, the BMW R NineT is aimed at riders looking for a sporty motorcycle with neo-retro styling, high performance, and plenty of customization options, while the BMW R 12 targets those who prefer a vintage-style cruiser that is comfortable and easy to handle for relaxed everyday riding.

Your choice will therefore depend on your needs in terms of features, comfort, and budget, as well as your personal preferences. Before setting off to explore the roads on your Heritage range motorcycle, don’t forget to gear up properly by visiting our online store!