Bringing back old loves: The motorcycle that launched Danny Kushmaro back to his childhood

The most annoying thing is when you realize someone is playing with your mind — when you fully understand what’s going on, what they’re trying to do to you, and still, you give in. After all, most BMW motorcycle buyers are fifty-something, mostly on the plus side — people whose childhood was somewhere in the ‘70s and ‘80s, when the Paris-Dakar Rally began.

And back then, in childhood, the closest you could get to that distant dream was to take a bus downtown, go to some silly gift shop that could print your girlfriend’s name on a mug, or buy yourself a poster of Hubert Auriol or Gaston Rahier tearing through the Sahara on a BMW R80G/S. Truth be told, you probably didn’t even allow yourself to dream that one day you could do something even remotely similar.

And here we are, almost 45 years after that rally began — and now, you can buy the motorcycle from the poster.

Well, sort of.

Because the new R12G/S is very different from the machine from nearly half a century ago. It's loaded with technology and upgrades, and you’re old enough to recognize the manipulation. You know they’re playing with your head — that this is a sophisticated corporation with the best advertising and PR minds selling you a fantasy, selling you your childhood. And yet, you enjoy every moment, finding it hard to wipe the smile off your face.

But all of that in a moment. The R12G/S was just one of four motorcycles BMW unveiled at the launch. The other three are based on the powerful new boxer engine from the R1300GS, and we got to try most of them. Here we go.

The new brutal-yet-polite naked bike replaces the model that came with the 1,250cc engine. It’s a very good-looking bike, especially from the side — aggressive in just the right way, with a black line running from the seat to the fuel tank, a short, sharp tail lifted high, and the option to cover the passenger seat with a plastic cowl for a sportier appearance.

The riding position has become slightly more sporty, with a flatter handlebar and footpegs moved a bit rearward, which makes the rider lean forward slightly and helps compensate for the lack of wind protection.

The design may be a matter of taste, but one thing is certain: It looks different. The side view is excellent, thanks in part to the powerfully styled exhaust with a hole in the center. But from the front, it still looks a bit odd — bulbous, with a wide engine on a small body, a kind of chunky and low-slung look. Technologically, it’s packed with all the goodies — some standard, others optional — from up-down quickshifters (we’ve seen better), to electric side cases and front and rear radar.

I rode it on Bavarian roads, dancing from side to side between mountains and cultivated fields, thinking about how our country mistreats its agriculture and farmers and turns more and more land into concrete real estate.

I was a little bothered by the overly short gear shift pedal, which is easy to miss with boots, but overall the bike was excellent. In hard leaning, it was pure joy. The oversized new boxer engine vibrates less and feels rounder, very muscular with loads of torque and fierce acceleration when overtaking. It gives you tons of confidence and is a huge pleasure in corners, even showing your lean angle. You find yourself wondering why the display stops at 49 degrees — would it kill them to round it up to 50?

A unique naked bike, aggressive in just the right amount, while retaining practicality — a machine that makes you really want to take it to the track sometime.

They don’t make bikes like this anymore. Really. With the departure of the Yamaha FJR1300, Honda ST1300, and Kawasaki 1400GTR, there are hardly any sport touring bikes of this kind left. The RT is one of the last.

Christophe Lischka, head of motorcycle development at BMW, says this model is especially popular among businesspeople in France. One of the goals was to allow someone living in the suburbs of Paris, for example, to arrive at the office in winter clean and well-dressed — in a suit and Dolce & Gabbana loafers.

Indeed, the wind protection here is exceptional. It’s clear a lot of work was done in the wind tunnel. There are deflectors near the feet, two side spoilers on the fairing that can be manually adjusted to redirect airflow away from the knees, and more.

Beyond that, it's full of technology. The lighting system adjusts the beam according to speed and road conditions. And — I believe for the first time on a production motorcycle — the suspension system sharpens the steering angle and raises the rear suspension height when switching from touring to sport mode. This makes the bike feel shorter and more agile, actually changing the wheelbase. Like a transformer.

Yes, there are some vibrations around 5,000 rpm at 170 km/h. But then you open it up a bit more, the speed touches 200, the windshield rises, completely shielding you from the wind, music plays from speakers near the handlebars, the gears shift automatically, adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance and adjusts the speed for you — and you just enjoy the scenery. And you ask yourself: Is this real, or is it AI?

What makes this distinguished gentleman particularly good is that it can also do sport. On twisty roads, you lean it over like there’s no tomorrow, no Iran, and forget that the two of you weigh more than a third of a ton. It’s practically a miracle — two motorcycles in one.

Ironically and cannibalistically, its biggest problem is its sibling, the adventure-style GS, with all its sex appeal. For every RT sold, three GS models are sold. And that’s despite the fact that the RT is a far better motorcycle for long-distance touring as a couple.

Because adventure bikes have become too heavy, too powerful. Over the years, the GS engine has grown from 800cc to 1,300cc. And good luck trying to lift a 250+ kilo beast on loose gravel on the climb up Abu Shabab.

This is the last boxer engine without water cooling — one where you can actually see the cylinders, the grooves made for airflow, an engine that looks like an engine.

The design is magnificent — maybe it’s the age, maybe it’s nostalgic emotion taking you back to childhood, to all that you’ve been through since. You can’t take your eyes off it. And when someone at a red light compliments the faithful restoration, you’ll reply, “Nope — this one’s brand new.”

A 21” off-road tire up front with a raised enduro-style fender, a small windscreen, and a round headlamp like in the old days — but with modern LED lighting.

We hit the road, and right away it feels like an enduro glove on your hand — natural and comfortable. Riding the twisty roads, with perfect asphalt and the scent of cut grass and silage from the green fields, Guns N’ Roses plays in your head:

And as the BMW dances through the curves, side to side, it really does feel like motorcycle heaven. A pure moment of joy — the kind that makes you say, this is what’s great about being a motorcyclist.

Now and then, a rabbit crosses the road. Then a squirrel. Then a Bambi. And you’re not sure who’s more startled — them or you. This old engine, adapted to meet modern emissions standards, still delivers tons of torque and that elusive thing called character — with a thrilling sound. Honestly, you don’t really feel like it has fewer horses than the newer boxer engines.

It’s a bike that feels fantastic on the road and in the twisties. The lead journalist in the group keeps speeds under 140 km/h, so as not to challenge the bike’s minimal wind protection too much.

In Germany, there are strict laws against riding in nature — like in forests. So what did BMW do? They bought the forest. The Enduro Park in central Germany spans a massive 260 dunams (around 64 acres), with 45 km of off-road trails of every kind and level of abuse. You can bring your own bike or rent one from a fleet of 130 motorcycles from across BMW’s lineup, choose a riding course, and even stay overnight.

This machine loves the dirt. It lets you crawl forward at low speed with loads of torque in technical sections, and it gives you great confidence — things that big adventure bikes (like the GS) seem to have forgotten.

Still — even when you know you’re being manipulated by the Bavarian marketing machine — it’s a bike that’s easy to fall in love with. One that honors the past, isn’t afraid to get dirty, a bit rugged, reminding you of simpler, humbler days. Truly, it brings back old loves.