BMW Just Dropped a Dreamy Retro Adventure Moto, and It Is Shockingly Affordable

Inspired by the brand’s original Dakar-winning motorcycle from the ’80s, this long-awaited modern reimagining hits all the right notes.

2026 BMW R 12 G/S motorcycle ridden through desert closeup

By Sean Tirman

Published March 28, 2025

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In 1981, Hubert Auriol brought home BMW’s first Paris-Dakar rally win — in the event’s second year — aboard an R 80 G/S. It was a stunning and unexpected victory, as the Bavarian bike was considered too big and heavy to take down other lighter enduros of the time.

Now, 44 years, six championships and 48 stage wins later, the spirit of that original Dakar-winning bike returns in the 2026 BMW R 12 G/S. And guess what? This enduro adventure bike is just as stunning and fun as ever.

2026 BMW R 12 G/S motorcycle ridden through desert — The spirit of the ’80s Dakar-winning BMW is fully intact but with a swath of modern updates.

Enjoy the ride

With its powerful 109-horsepower, 85 ft-lb torque, air/oil-cooled two-cylinder boxer engine, this beefy bike is ready for whatever you can throw at it. But it also has a swath of updates that make it more robust than ever before.

That includes a single-piece tubular spaceframe with a bolted rear frame, fully adjustable upside-down telescopic front forks and a Paralever rear swingarm with fully adjustable rear shocks. This is also the first-ever BMW off-road bike with the option for a beastly 18-inch rear wheel (part of the optional Enduro Package Pro).

With its powerful 109-horsepower, 85 ft-lb torque, air/oil-cooled two-cylinder boxer engine, this beefy bike is ready for whatever you can throw at it.

But it’s not just capable; it’s also rider-focused. For instance, it comes standard with a trio of riding modes — RAIN, ROAD, and ENDURO — so you can adapt the ride to your preferences and riding conditions.

While it has a comfy, ergonomic riding position, it also boasts serrated enduro footrests so you can confidently stand up when the terrain gets especially rough. And you’ll definitely want to take this bike across some rugged landscapes.

2026 BMW R 12 G/S motorcycle in desert next to rider — The R 12 G/S has fully adjustable telescoping front forks and rear shocks and is the first BMW with an optional 18-inch rear wheel.

(Kick)stand and deliver

Although the bike is an adventure-ready off-roader, it’s also been carefully equipped to handle regular roads as well as gravelly trails.

For instance, it can be fitted with a Shift Assistant Pro, which allows for clutch-free shifting — a boon for beginner riders and seasoned vets who want to take things a little easier on the roads and trails.

Other quality-of-life features include a Hill Start Control mode (obviously, for hill starts), electronic cruise control and even heated grips for those cold mornings and winter outings.

All of this starting at under $17,000 is pretty impressive.

Pair this with the bike’s stunning retro styling and you might want to turn it into your daily driver. Luckily, along with its impressive all-terrain capabilities, its swath of ease-of-use upgrades make it the perfect dual threat.

Perhaps best of all, it manages this with a shockingly low intro price. Granted, upgrading the packages and tacking on additional features will drive that cost up quickly, but it remains to be said that all of this starting at under $17,000 is pretty impressive.