BMW R 12 (2024+) Complete Maintenance Schedule
This is the complete maintenance schedule for the BMW R 12, released as a 2024 model year onward.
The BMW R 12 is a cruiser motorcycle, a mid-size model next to the ostentatious and huge BMW R 18.
It’s co-released with the BMW R 12 nineT, and both share the same 1170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine. But in the BMW R 12, the engine is slightly detuned, peaking at 70 kW / 95 hp at 6500 rpm.
Final drive is via a dry clutch plate and shaft.
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Service intervals for the BMW R 12
Like its sibling model the BMW R 12 nineT and the other BMW “Camhead” motorcycles, the BMW R 12 has relatively short 6,000 mile / 10,000 km or annual service intervals. At every service, you have to change the oil and filter and also check the valve clearances, plus do a series of other checks.
In recent years, BMW has been updating the service requirements of its boxer motorcycles, recommending more attention to the shaft final drive. In the BMW R 12 and R 12 nineT, BMW recommends replacing the drive shaft every 48,000 miles / 80,000 km, or as needed.
The valve clearance inspection in the BMW R 12 is only by distance, and it isn’t too hard. Once you’re changing the oil at that point, it’s easy to remove the valve covers as they’re poking out the sides of the motorcycle rather than under a bunch of fairings. It doesn’t add much cost to the service.
Every two services, change the air filter and the spark plugs.
Finally, make sure to regularly replace the brake fluid.
What you need to service the BMW R 12 — Consumables and Special Tools
For the BMW R 12, the manual recommends the following specific consumables.
| Part | BMW R 12 Spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Per the manual, you need a maximum of 3.95 L (1 US gal) L of SAE 15W-50, API SJ/JASO MA2. Additives (for instance, molybdenum-based substances) are prohibited, because they would attack the coatings on engine components, BMW Motorrad recommends BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Ultimate oil. |
| Oil filter | All BMW R bikes use a BMW/Mahle oil filter, part number 11 42 7 673 541. The best replacement is a Hiflofiltro HF164. |
| Spark plugs | NGK MAR8AI-10DS This is what the manual suggests. Make sure it’s gapped correctly to 0.8mm (get a gapping tool). |
| Drive oil | Called the “Rear axle differential oil” in the manual. BMW recommends “SAE 70W-80 / hypoid axle G3”, but many hypoid gear oils work, e.g. Mobil 1 75W-90. |
| Alternator belt | Super annoying when this breaks! The part number is 11 31 8 528 385. It’s easiest to pick this up from a dealer. |
This table will be updated as more parts diagrams are made available online.
BMW R 12 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the BMW R 12 as per the manual, but made clearer so that you can understand what needs to happen more easily.
Notes:
- Follow the earlier of the time or distance-based interval. For example, change the oil every 6000 miles or year, whichever comes earlier.
- The running check is omitted, as it’s usually performed by a dealer under warranty, but it’s basically a standard service and an oil change.
- At the end of the schedule, continue in the pattern shown, every 6,000 miles / 10,000 km or year.
| x 1000 km | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x 1000 mi | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | Every |
| BMW standard annual service — Perform See below | X | X | X | X | Year |
| Engine oil and oil filter — Change (BMW Motorrad ADVANTEC Ultimate oil, BMW/Mahle oil filter, part number 11 42 7 721 779) | X | X | X | X | Year |
| Rear bevel gear oil — Change | X | X | 2 years | ||
| Valve clearances — Check / adjust | X | X | X | X | |
| Transmission oil — Change (Mobil 1 75W-90) | X | After 1 year, then every 2 years | |||
| Spark plugs — Replace (NGK MAR8AI-10DS) | X | X | |||
| Air filter — Replace | X | X | |||
| Alternator belt — Replace (11 31 8 528 385) | X | 6 years | |||
| Telescopic fork oil — Change | X | ||||
| Universal (Drive) shaft — Inspect and lubricate | X | ||||
| Universal (Drive) shaft — Replace | 48000 miles / 80000 km | ||||
| Change brake fluid in entire system (BMW DOT 4) | After 1 year, then every 2 years |
BMW R 12 Standard Service
Below is the list of items to check for the standard annual service for the BMW R 12. Do these items according to the schedule above (with every oil change).
Note: Some of the below items, including those that need the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system or re-setting the service due date, require dealer-specific equipment. These are marked with a [D].
| BMW R 12 Standard Service |
|---|
| [D] Perform vehicle test with BMW Motorrad diagnosis system |
| Visually inspect the clutch system (adjust free play and lubricate as necessary) |
| Check steering-head bearing |
| Visually inspect the brake lines, brake hoses and connections |
| Check front brake pads and brake discs for wear |
| Check front wheel brake fluid level |
| Check rear brake pads and brake disc for wear |
| Check rear wheel brake fluid level |
| Check tyre pressures and tread depth |
| Check side stand for ease of movement |
| Spoked rims (if fitted): Check tension of the spokes and tighten as needed |
| Drain the oil condensate hose |
| Check the lighting and signal system |
| Functional check for engine start suppression |
| Final inspection and road safety check |
| [D] Set the service due date and service countdown distance (using the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system) |
| Check battery charging state |
| [D] Confirm BMW service in the vehicle literature |
BMW R 12 Tire Sizes and Pressures
The following are tire sizes and tire pressures for the BMW R 12. The R 12 has a 19/16 front/rear tire combo, different from the 17/17 combo on the R 12 nineT.
The R 12 has cast wheels as stock, with Option 719 spoked rims. Both take tubeless tires.
| Wheel/Tire | Rim size | Size | Pressure (cold) Depending on load/passenger/luggage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 2.75 x 19 inch | 100/90-19 | 2.3-2.5 bar / 33-36 psi |
| Rear | 4.0 x 16 inch | 150/80-16 | 2.5-2.9 bar / 36-42 psi |
Maintenance torque values
Below are some common maintenance torque values for the BMW R 12.
| Item | Nm | lb-ft |
|---|---|---|
| Brake caliper on forks | 38 | 28 |
| Front wheel quick-release axle bolts (2 bolts) | 50 | 37 |
| Wheel speed sensor to fork | 8 | 6 |
| Front wheel cover on fork | 5 | 4 |
| Rear wheel on wheel carrier (5 bolts) | 60 | 44 |
| Gearshift lever | 8 | 6 |
| Handlebar mirrors (LH thread) | 22 | 16 |
| Seat screws to frame | 6 | 4 |
| Muffler attachment to frame | 19 | 14 |
| Muffler clamp on exhaust manifold | 28 | 21 |
About the BMW R 12
The BMW R 12 is a middleweight cruiser based on the “Camhead” dual overhead cam 1170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine.
BMW has been making motorcycles with the Camhead (or “Twin Cam”) 1170 cc engine since 2010. It used to be BMW’s premium engine, seen in the 2010-2013 BMW R 1200 GS for example, until BMW moved on to liquid cooling for its top-tier machines. Since 2014, BMW has used the Camhead engine in the modern retro naked R nineT line.
BMW has tweaked the concept of the R nineT to the BMW R 12 and R 12 nineT from 2024 onward. They use the same engine and have much the same style, but use a new chassis.
While it (mostly) shares a name with the BMW R 12 nineT, the BMW R 12 is quite different. The engine, while ostensibly the same, is tuned for lower peak power. This isn’t for more peak torque, either; the power is just cut off at 95 h. The power and torque curves otherwise overlap.
The lower power of the R 12 is probably so that an A2 version can be released (as peak power can’t exceed 95 on the unrestricted version of an A2 motorcycle), but it also suits the more relaxed riding positon of the BMW R 12.
The “cruiser-like” riding position of the BMW R 12 mean that geet are a little bit further forward, and the handlebars are a little further back — this is a cruiser, BMW style, much like the BMW R 18. Of course, the cylinder heads block a feet-forward position — again, much like on the R 18.
BMW has dabbled in cruisers in the past. But the last thing that was at all similar to the BMW R 12 was the BMW R 1200 C. That used the previous-generation Hexhead engine. It suffered the fate of being condemned as too heavy and underpowered. The R 12 is both lighter and more powerful than the R 12 (despite the R 12’s detuning) — so it promises to be a more tantalising option.
BMW didn’t just re-jig the existing BMW R nineT to make the R 12. Both the BMW R 12 and R 12 nineT have a different chassis. The airbox is under the seat, and the completely new frame is designed to be lower weight and cleaner in appearance. The rear shock is now angled, rather than upright on the R nineT models.
In terms of maintenance, not much changed since the R nineT. But note that BMW has started recommending paying active attention to the shaft final drive. You have to plan on replacing it — for the R 12, every 48000 miles or 80000 km. However, BMW does say that this is subject to the condition of the final drive.
The twin cam engine has fairly regular valve service intervals. The cam service isn’t difficult, but it is more involved than the screw-and-locknut adjusters of previous generation engines.
The final drive is still a Paralever rear, with a torque compensator to reduce torque jacking from the shaft drive.
Reference — Screenshots from the Manual for the BMW R 12
Below is a selection of screenshots of the maintenance schedule from which the above was adapted (there’s more information in the manual about what the numbers on the left mean) for the BMW R 12. The manual was released ahead of the motorcycle itself!
The above information comes from the owner’s manual for the 2024 model year of the BMW R 12 (it’s separate from that of the R 12 nineT). You can download the manual from BMW’s website directly here.
