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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 an Air/Oil-Cooled Boxer engine running DOHC Radial valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 3.98 x 2.87 in. 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 53.8 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 BMW R 12 Cruiser compared with other bikes in the Custom / cruiser category
Measured against other bikes in the Custom / cruiser category in our database (up to 1316 models, one entry per model), the 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser comes out as follows.
- With 754 mm, the R 12 Cruiser has the 132nd tallest seat height of 1316 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category, 8% above the category average of 697 mm.
- Power-to-weight ratio of 309 W/kg is higher than that of 293 of the other 332 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category.
- Only 195 of the other 1004 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category have a lighter wet weight than the 227 kg of the R 12 Cruiser.
- Narrowing the field to the 247 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 754 mm is taller than that of 211 of the other 246.
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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Strong front braking: The disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
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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.
Valve clearance checks
Valve clearances on DOHC Radial-equipped engines like the R 12 Cruiser's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.
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 with its 1170 cc custom / cruiser should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. 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 the R 12 Cruiser's 1170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With a 12:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. 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.
Valve clearance service
There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if an R 12 Cruiser's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.
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 an Air/Oil-Cooled Boxer 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
Air/Oil-Cooled Boxer
Power
70.1 kW / 95 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
106 Nm / 81 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Fuel Capacity
14 Litres / 3.7 US gal
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Full 2024 BMW R 12 Cruiser Specifications
Year
2024
Make
BMW
Model
R 12 Cruiser
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
Stroke
73.0 mm
Engine Type
Air/Oil-Cooled Boxer
Fuel Control
DOHC Radial
Bore x Stroke (in,)
3.98 x 2.87 in
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-5
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 Diameter (mm)
310 mm
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.2 in
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
265 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
10.4 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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