BMW R12 (1935-1942) Specs, Performance & Photos

In early 1935, at German Automobile Exhibition in Berlin, BMW Motorrad presented the R12, a direct successor of the R11. The R12 model was based on the R7 concept and manufactured until 1942 with a total of 36,008 units produced.

The majority were purchased by the military and other government agencies, making it the biggest-selling BMW motorcycle at the time.

The R12 model and the R17 were launched together and were the first motorcycles in the world that featured hydraulically damped telescopic forks.

The bike featured a pressed steel frame and a telescopic front fork with oil damping on the front while the rear remained rigid with the wheel mounted directly to the frame, and under the seat were mounted two springs for suspension.

The bike was available in two versions, one with a SUM single-carburetor and one with an Amal dual-carburetor. The BMW R12 with one carburetor had a power output of 18 hp at 3,400 rpm, a top speed of 110 kph (68 mph), and the model with two carburetors had an output power of 20 hp at 4000 rpm and a top speed of 120 kph (74 mph).

For braking, the 1935 BMW R12 packed a 200 mm drum on the front wheel and a 200 mm drum on the rear wheel.