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2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser Overview
For 2024, BMW offers the R 12 Cruiser as a custom / cruiser motorcycle with 1170 cc on tap. The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser is built around a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counter balancer shaft engine, a compression ratio of 12:1. Out on the road, the R 12 Cruiser delivers 70.1 kW @ 6500 rpm of peak power and 106 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. In everyday use, the 2024 R 12 Cruiser tips the scales at 227 kg, carries a 14-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 754 mm and spans a 1519 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 73.6 kg lighter than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser spec sheet below.
2024 R 12 Cruiser - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: Peak output on the R 12 Cruiser is 70.1 kW @ 6500 rpm and 106 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
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Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
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Accessible seat height: At just 754 mm, flat-footing at a stop is easy for most riders - a genuine confidence builder for less experienced owners.
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Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.
Considerations
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Age-related wear: No particular mechanical concern flags for the R 12 Cruiser - condition on any used example comes down to how well it's been looked after.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Air cooling on the R 12 Cruiser keeps the mechanical layout simple, but heat management in slow traffic needs more attention than on a liquid-cooled bike - plan routes and gear accordingly in warmer conditions.
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the R 12 Cruiser comes from Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management system: BMS-O with throttle-by-wire. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Brake disc and pad wear
2X 310mm disc brake, 4-piston Monobloc radial brake caliper up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.
Suspension condition on used examples
Suspension duties are handled by 46 mm upside-down telescopic forks up front and Cast aluminium single swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; central spring strut, spring preload fully adjustable by hook wrench, adjustable rebound-stage damping at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.
Final drive maintenance
Shaft final drive on the R 12 Cruiser removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.
Frame & chassis check
The Four-part frame concept with front frame and three-part rear frame, load-bearing engine-gearbox unit, rear-seat frame removeable for one-up riding chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.
Handling the weight at a standstill
The R 12 Cruiser's 227 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.
R 12 Cruiser - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R 12 Cruiser settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a R 12 Cruiser's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Fuel system care
Injector systems like the R 12 Cruiser's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser have?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser uses a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counter balancer shaft. engine with 1170 cc of displacement. It is air/oil cooled.
How much does the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser weigh?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser weighs 227 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser make?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser produces 70.1 kW @ 6500 rpm of power and 106 Nm @ 6000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser has a 14-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 233-280 km between stops.
Is the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser suitable for shorter riders?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser has a seat height of 754 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.
What brakes does the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser have?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser uses 2X 310mm disc brake, 4-piston Monobloc radial brake caliper at the front and Single 265 mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser use?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser runs 100/90 - R19 front and 150/80 - R16 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser have?
The 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser is fitted with a 6-speed, claw-shifted transmission with separate transmission housing transmission.
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counter balancer shaft.
Power
70.1 kW / 95 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
106 Nm / 81 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Top Speed
Not published by manufacturer
Fuel Capacity
14 Litres / 3.7 US gal
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Full 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser Specifications
Year
2024
Make Model
BMW R 12 Cruiser
Seat Height
754 mm / 29.7 in
Wheelbase
1519 mm / 59.8 in
Height
1110 mm / 43.7 in
Length
2200 mm / 86.6 in
Seat Height (Inner Leg Curve)
1760 mm / 69.3 in
Width
830 mm / 32.7 in
Fuel Capacity
14 Litres / 3.7 US gal
Wet Weight
227 kg / 500 lbs
Displacement
1170 cc / 71.4 cub in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central counter balancer shaft.
Bore x Stroke
101 x 73 mm
Compression Ratio
12:1
Cooling System
Air/oil cooled
Emissions
Controlled 3-way catalytic converter, exhaust emission standards EU-59
Fuel Induction
Electronic intake pipe injection / digital engine management system: BMS-O with throttle-by-wire
Fuel Type
Unleaded super (premium), octane number 95-98 (RON) (rated output at 98 RON)
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically operated
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
1st = 2.375, 2nd = 1.696, 3rd = 1.296, 4th = 1.065, 5th = 0.939, 6th = 0.848
Primary Drive Ratios
1.737
Transmission / Drive
6-speed, claw-shifted transmission with separate transmission housing
Frame Type
Four-part frame concept with front frame and three-part rear frame, load-bearing engine-gearbox unit, rear-seat frame removeable for one-up riding
Suspension - Front
46 mm upside-down telescopic forks
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminium single swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; central spring strut, spring preload fully adjustable by hook wrench, adjustable rebound-stage damping
Rake
29.3 °
Trail
132 mm / 5.2 in
Wheel Travel - Front
90 mm / 3.5 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
90 mm / 3.5 in
Brakes - Front
2X 310mm disc brake, 4-piston Monobloc radial brake caliper
Brakes - Rear
Single 265 mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper
ABS
BMW Motorrad ABS Pro
Rims - Front
2.75 x 19
Rims - Rear
4.00 x 16
Tyres - Front
100/90 - R19
Tyres - Rear
150/80 - R16
Wheels
Aluminium cast wheels
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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