With BMW Motorrad turning 100 this yr, it’s pure to anticipate a slew of restricted version centenary fashions. However right here’s one we actually didn’t see coming. Meet the brand new BMW R 12 nineT—an evolution of the much-loved R nineT, ten years after its debut.

Complicated nomenclature apart, there’s lots to like about this face-lifted nineT. For starters, BMW have managed to maintain the R 12 nineT air- and oil-cooled, regardless of ever-tightening emissions rules. Secondly, eager eyes will discover that the R 12 nineT cuts a really completely different line than the outgoing mannequin.

BMW hasn’t stated a lot concerning the R 12 nineT’s motor, aside from that it contains a redesigned air field and exhaust. Visible giveaways embody an absence of the distinguished air consumption that sits alongside the prevailing nineT’s gasoline tank, redesigned valve covers, and a lot of smaller engine trim items.

The R 12 nineT nonetheless runs with upside-down forks up entrance, BMW’s proprietary ‘Paralever’ single-sided swingarm on the rear, and 17” spoked wheels at each ends. Twin radially mounted four-piston monobloc Brembo calipers sit up entrance, hooked as much as metal braided brake traces.

However the largest modifications are visible. The ‘previous’ R nineT continues to be a pretty bike, however it’s much more angular than most retro-styled bikes. For the R 12 nineT, BMW’s designers have straightened out the boxer’s silhouette with recent bodywork.

“The purist design language is dominated by the clear tank/seat/rear line, within the fashion of the normal /5 or the legendary R90S of the 70s,” says BMW Motorrad’s Head of Design, Edgar Heinrich. “At first look, the tank itself is a traditional BMW boxer tank, with a typical bend within the decrease edge and traditional knee contact.”

The R 12 nineT’s new gasoline tank is paying homage to the memorable BMW R100R Basic, and the brand new aspect covers really feel much more classic than the subframe braces on the outgoing mannequin. The seat and tail unit are new too, as is the plastic trim that hides the subframe (a element we may most likely dwell with out). And the brand new exhaust cans look rattling good for OEM elements.

BMW say that the purpose right here was a “traditional, purist design.” And whereas the R 12 nineT is undeniably a contemporary motorbike, it certain is tidier than the R nineT. Different particulars embody a redesigned entrance fender mount, an LED headlight and tweaks to the dual dials.

Ease of customization continues to be excessive on the record for the R 12 nineT. To our eye, the chassis appears prefer it’s been redesigned too—however the subframe continues to be a bolt-on unit, making it simpler to tweak. The LED taillight can also be a part of the seat unit relatively than the license plate mount, making ‘tail tidy’ conversions much less of a problem, and since we’re not seeing any passenger peg mounts, we’ll assume that these are detachable.

BMW will little doubt have a slew of equipment obtainable for the R 12 nineT too. Till then, they’re maintaining mum on what it’s going to price, its energy and weight numbers, and whether or not we’ll be seeing Scrambler and City G/S variations of it too.

Till then, who’s the primary customized store that you just’d wish to see customise the brand new BMW R 12 nineT?

Photos provided by BMW Motorrad