BMW’s decade-old R nineT has been upgraded heavily for 2024, but instead of leaving it’s quirky name alone, those crazy kids in Berlin just slapped a “12″ smack in the middle of the model’s name: R 12 nineT. The “nineT” moniker was to celebrate the 90th anniversary of BMW’s motorcycle production when the model was first introduced in 2014. How about R cenT?, R 12 100th? R 100? It’s been over 100 years, after all. But not so fast—it’s still very much the same concept as it was before despite the updates. So maybe just leave the 12 out of it? Why mess with a good thing? And I’m not just talking about the name, now; this motorcycle is a good thing despite a few misses.A long look from a distance at the R 12 nineT wouldn’t give you many clues of the changes from the previous model. You might notice the air-intake trumpet is gone and the lines are a bit sleeker, but most of the changes are underneath the R 12 nineT’s bodywork. And that’s a good thing. BMW nailed the retro yet modern styling that pays homage to the brand’s motorcycle history.

Underneath our test unit’s $325 San Remo Green Metallic paint upgrade and brushed and clear-coated aluminum is a new, lighter trellis frame with a bolt-on subframe (cutting 2.2 pounds from the overall weight of the nineT) and new electronics. Suspension is beefed up with the fork growing from 43 to 45mm while at the rear the linkless shock is now mounted at an angle rather than vertically. Travel is 4.7 inches front and rear. Alterations to chassis geometry emphasize stability: Wheelbase has grown nearly an inch to 59.5 inches with a 0.9-degree more relaxed steering rake of 27.7. Trail is 4.4 inches.

Power is still provided by the same 1,170cc air/oil-cooled eight-valve boxer twin; BMW claims the same 109 peak horsepower but it arrives 250 rpm sooner than before. Peak torque is 84.8 lb.-ft. (a reduction of 0.7 lb.-ft.) is delivered at 6,500 rpm. The underseat airbox now eliminates the aforementioned intake trumpet found on the right side of the previous nineT’s fuel tank. The exhaust system is also new, sans the low-speed decibel-killing exhaust valve of before. Now a silencer box with a catalytic converter sits below the transmission and negates the need for the valve, feeding twin outlet pipes hung on the left side.

The cockpit of the R 12 nineT is compact in some regards but spacious in others. Reach to the tubular handlebar is comfortable for my 5-foot-10 frame with a moderate bend at the elbow despite the wideness of that bar. The lower half of the body is a little more cramped between the 31.3-inch-high seat and the slightly rearset footpegs, but not to sportbike levels. Running through an entire 4.2-gallon tank without a break shouldn’t be a problem for most riders.Riding ImpressionFire up the R 12 nineT and you’re greeted with the timeless tug to the side from the boxer engine. Idle is lumpy and meaty, spot on for a retro roadster. Cracking the throttle produces just the right level of “BRRRT!” from the twin pipes. “Oh, yeah, this is how BMW boxers used to feel.” There’s a gruffness you don’t get in the modern, liquid-cooled Beemers.Knocking the R 12 nineT into gear comes with a less refined or “non-modern” clunk that also reminds you of the ol’ days. Clutch actuation is a tad abrupt with a narrow friction zone, but lever pull is light. Our test unit was equipped with the Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter that is included in the $1,524 Select package. You also get Hill Start Assist Pro, cruise control, heated grips, and ConnectedRide Control powered by BMW’s smartphone app that allows map, music, and phone features to be operated by the Multi-Controller on the handlebar and viewed on the TFT display. There are even available smart glasses that present relevant information much like a head-up display.

Three ride modes tailor parameters of BMW’s Dynamic Traction Control, throttle response, BMW’s Engine Drag Control, and lean-sensitive ABS Pro. Rain mode dials the sensitivity up for wet or slippery roads, calming the throttle a noticeable amount. Road mode offers plenty of power and acceleration when the throttle is cranked, but not so much that you’d say the R 12 nineT is quick. Dynamic adds a crispness that can be a little too much around town, but when riding corner to corner in the mountains, it’s the only way to fly.

Hustling to and from those corners reveals the sole retro characteristic that is a negative on the R 12 nineT: the transmission. Rowing through the gears is a clunky and chunky process that is exacerbated by the optional quickshifter. The quickshifter cuts the power abruptly, selecting a gear takes too much effort up and down, and the reintroduction of power is jerky. It’s better to just spend your day in the hills in third or fourth gear, relying on the wonderfully meaty torque and minimizing the toeing of the shift lever.Handling is stable, deliberate, and planted thanks to the new frame and suspension, but it’s in no way sluggish or slow. You know you’re applying effort to make the claimed 485-pound bruiser do what is asked, but not so much that it’s tiring or bothersome. It’s a steady partner that won’t worry or wear you out but remains extremely entertaining as you plot every curve’s entry, apex, and exit.

Dual 310mm rotors matched to Brembo four-piston Monoblock calipers provide powerful braking with strong but not sharp initial bite. As you get deep into the lever, communication with the front tire increases and instills confidence to push a little deeper into curves before blinking. The single rear 265mm rotor and two-piston caliper is along for the ride, but isn’t a standout performer. ABS intervention is well calibrated in both the wet and dry modes, and is never too quick to intervene. Even with the R 12 nineT’s not insubstantial weight, braking is highly effective.

Roll on the power in Dynamic, avoid shifting, and let the R 12 nineT tug at your shoulders as the revs build and the boxer buzz reverbates off the canyon walls. As much as it’s nothing really new or groundbreaking, despite the changes, the R 12 nineT still puts a smile on your face.And that’s what this bike is really all about. The R 12 nineT is a celebration of BMW’s heritage, and its not-fully-polished character makes the experience. You get all the feels of old in a modern machine that has comfortable ergos, remains compact, offers plenty of options for customization, and just lets you feel analog in a digital world. But the name still needs work.

2024 BMW R 12 nineT Specs