The R12 recently for sale on eBay is one of BMW’s early offerings. It combines strength and innovation with elegance and style like few machines. This fully restored, numbers-matching example might be one of the best available.
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Design Icon
The BMW R12 is a famously rugged machine capable of performing admirably from the frozen territories of the eastern front to the parched dunes of the Sahara Desert. But it is possibly best remembered for its styling.
BMW chief engineer Alfred Böning created many of BMW’s most beloved designs, with the R12 widely considered among the highlights. The sleek, geometric art-deco style - opens in new window or tab. of the 1930s is evident throughout the bike—from the front fender to the engine, frame, and that rigid, shaft-driven rear end. Nothing is superfluous, and it all looks so appealing.
Innovation and durability blend beautifully in the forks and frame. This could be the first example of hydraulic forks on a motorcycle, which have not been surpassed in nearly a century.
The forks suspend the front end neatly and without any of the added rods, springs, and brackets of previous systems. Looking at the boxed section where the frame meets the headstock, you can see that the frame consists of left and right halves riveted together.
With the front end laden with leading technology, BMW went with the simplicity of a rigid setup with no suspension travel for the aft. That works better with the shaft drive to keep it aligned with the engine. The frame’s geometry shoots up directly from the rear hub to the headstock. Like the rest of the bike, it wears subtle and smart pinstriping.
Further Innovation
Not every innovation is visually arresting. During the Second World War, the majority of BMW R12s ended up in the hands of the Wehrmacht, which commandeered machines over 200 cc. They appreciated the ruggedness and dependability of the Munich workhorse—as well as its interchangeable wheels and brakes.
The legendary BMW boxer twin engine - opens in new window or tab. displaces 745 cc. A puny compression ratio of 5.2:1—which would have helped the bike run on almost any available gasoline. Modest side-valve technology meant 18 horsepower on a good day. The top speed was just beyond 60 miles per hour, which was quite lively for the day. And despite being a boxer twin with pistons sitting low in the frame, infantrymen reported that the R12 had no problems wading through up to 10 inches of water.
Post War
As beguiling a sight as the BMW R12 is, in the wake of the war, the R12s that survived continued providing dependable duty wherever in the world they’d been left.
There was a point when the BMW R12 was rightly considered mainstream in motorcycle history. But many of the 30,000 R12s produced have been lost. The R12 is a rare thing today.
This one has been the subject of a complete professional restoration. Crucially, all the relevant numbers (engine and frame) match. It is in Poland, but the vendor seems familiar with the shipping process. So, if you’re keen to invest in a true design icon and want to take something to show that few have seen before, this is your opportunity.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.