BMW’s Sweet Retro-Styled Adventure Bike Gets Even More Compelling

Throwback spirit, modern tech and custom-level paint add up to one nearly irresistible off-road-ready package.

BMW Motorcycles

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 1 hour ago

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Updated 38 minutes ago

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Last spring, BMW reached more than 40 years back into its archives, tapping the iconic R 80 G/S as the inspiration for a gorgeous new retro-styled adventure moto.

As GP’s own Sean Tirman pointed out, the original bike shocked the off-road world by claiming BMW’s first Paris-Dakar rally win in 1981.

BMW GS motorcycle with gray and red body and knobby tires parked on muddy ground near a puddle. — The new Option 719 colorway looks just as good, if not even better, a bit dirty than it does clean.

Reborn as the dreamy R 12 G/S, the 2025 release offers a mix of old-school style and new-school performance.

It gets even more intriguing in 2026 thanks to a makeover that looks like it rolled not off the factory floor but out of a top-notch custom shop: Option 719 Hematite in Frozen Brooklyn Grey Metallic.

Winning combination

Replacing last year’s Sandstorm Rover Matte colorway, the (admittedly much pricier) new edition joins the Night Black Matte and Light White variants, jockeying for the top spot on the R 12 G/S podium.

The headlight cowl, fenders and tank take on a smoky grey, while the single-piece tubular spaceframe comes to life in racing red, matched by accents on the saddle and either side of the tank.

Person riding a gray and red BMW GS R1250 motorcycle splashing through shallow water with greenery in the background. — Thanks to modern off-road capability, the R 12 G/S can go anywhere you like and look great doing it.

Just about everything else is clad in black, but for the brake discs and much of the exhaust, which shines in silver.

The overall look is cleaner and cooler than the outgoing colorway, which was a bit too busy to fully connect.

The mix of classic and contemporary suits the bike itself, which beautifully blends 1980s vibes and 2020s performance.

Two BMW GS motorcycles with knobby tires parked on gravel near a stone wall with four people sitting behind them by the water. — The new edition and the Light White treatment dance along the spectrum from contemporary to classic.

For the latter, look no further than the engine, as the roaring 1,170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin makes a stirring 109 horsepower and 85 lb.-ft of torque.

As is the case with pretty much all BMW offerings, the product page includes a “start engine” button that offers vicarious exhilaration rarely experienced from an office desk chair sitting behind a laptop.

Three motorcyclists wearing helmets riding on a narrow cobblestone street between stone buildings. — The R 12 G/S is equally comfortable leading the pack on city streets, where it is sure to turn a few more heads.

The bike also boasts Keyless Ride (unheard of in the ’80s), full LED lighting and three riding modes (Rain, Road and Enduro), optimizing handling in a tidy range of conditions.

Beneath the surface, helping to keep that beast under control (and upright) are ABS, dynamic traction control and fully adjustable enduro suspension with progressive damping, of course.

White BMW GS adventure motorcycle with off-road tires parked near a waterfront at sunset. — Is a pitch-perfect paint job worth nearly two grand more than the base price? Put enough miles in, and it just might be.

Even more modern? That would be the comfort package, featuring clutchless shifting, hill start control and heated grips.

If you don’t wish for 1981 Paris-Dakar champ Hubert Auriol to turn over in his grave, however, I might think twice about that option.

Availability and pricing

The 2027 BMW R 12 G/S Option 719 Hematite in Frozen Brooklyn Grey Metallic is available now, starting at $19,120.

The bike is also available in two unchanged colorways: Night Black Matte starts at $17,095 and Light White starts at $17,440.

Gray BMW GS R12 motorcycle with red frame and black tires on a white background.

2027 BMW R 12 G/S Option 719 Hematite (Frozen Brooklyn Grey Metallic)

Starts at $19,120

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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