Description
There is something particularly appealing about a motorcycle that manages to look expensive without looking ostentatious. The 2026 BMW R 12 nineT Option 719 achieves exactly that. It has the mechanical presence of BMW’s traditional boxer, the proportions of a classic roadster, and enough modern technology underneath the surface to make it a genuinely capable sporting motorcycle.
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And then there is that stunning color. Finished in Lava Orange Metallic, with the Option 719 Classic II wheels, Shadow billet components and solo-seat treatment, this R 12 nineT is difficult to mistake for anything else. Indeed, I have got more looks on this bike and more comments from passersby than any bike I’ve ridden in 2026, and I’ve ridden quite a few.
The orange is a deliberate nod to one of BMW Motorrad’s most important motorcycles—the 1970s R 90 S and its famous Daytona Orange paint. BMW’s own description of the color specifically identifies it as a reference to the Daytona Orange finish of the 1975 R 90 S.
That makes this particular R 12 nineT more than simply a nicely equipped Heritage BMW. It is a modern interpretation of an important piece of BMW history, while retaining enough contemporary performance to make it enjoyable on a properly twisty road. And that's where the R 12 nineT really starts to make sense.
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#BMW #R12