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Motorcycle General Topics & Repair. Questions. / 2026 BMW R 12GS vs. 2025 Kawasaki KLR 650
« Last post by smallengineshop on June 25, 2025, 06:38:16 PM »This is BMW's new 2026 R 12GS motorcycle. It's part of their retro line, and it's described as an "enduro motorcycle," and "a tribute to the R 80 GS and the beginnings of BMW Motorrad's long and successful history." It's a dual sport motorcycle in the same category as a Kawasaki KLR 650, but is it as good?
Oh yes, it's better in almost every category as a Kawasaki KLR 650. The R 12GS has long travel suspension and dual sport tires for on and off road use. It's powered by a 1170cc opposed twin Boxer engine that produces 109HP and 85 pound feet of torque, which is sent through a single disc dry clutch, 6 speed manual transmission and shaft drive. Total wet weight is 504 pounds. This motorcycle will reach a top speed of 130 mph leaving a Kawasaki KLR 650 in the dust. However, with all that power, good looks and performance numbers that give it excellent marks in almost every category, it still falls short in a few areas where a Kawasaki KLR 650 shines.
1. Cost - The BMW R 12GS MSRP is from $17k to $20.5k depending on options, while a KLR 650 is $6899 to $8199. Higher cost doesn't stop their. The BMW R 12GS requires super unleaded fuel, while a KLR 650 can run on plain old unleaded. Plan on a paying more for BMW accessories compared to Kawasaki accessories for the KLR.
2. Wind Protection - The Kawasaki KLR 650 comes with better wind protection right out of the box for more comfortable freeway riding.
3. Dealership & Aftermarket Support - I don't know what the numbers are, but there are far more Kawasaki dealerships than there are BMW. The BMW R 12GS is brand new and there are no aftermarket accessories for this motorcycle that I know of. The KLR 650 has been manufactured since 1987, and everything imaginable is available for this bike. People ignore the importance of dealership and aftermarket support until they need something or something goes wrong. It's an important category to consider.
4. Rack - The Kawasaki KLR 650 comes with a huge rear rack, which you need for transporting things, and for attaching a top box to. The BMW R 12GS has no rear rack, and I don't think an OEM or aftermarket rack is available for it at the time of this post.
5. Fuel Range - The BMW R 12GS might be a lot faster than a KLR 650, but the KLR will eventually catch up and pass the BMW. The KLR 650 comes equipped with a 6.1 gallon gas tank and gets better gas mileage. The R 12GS has a 4.1 gallon gas tank.
6. More Accessories - The higher priced KLR 650 comes with more accessories than the BMW, which includes: engine guards, top case (on some models), fog lights and side cases or hard saddle bags.
So you see, spending 2 to almost 3x as much for a BMW doesn't give you everything. However, it does offer a lot, and I think it's one of the best looking BMW motorcycles I've seen in a while.
The BMW R 12GS is available in three color schemes:
This is a 3rd generation 2022 Kawasaki KLR 650
Oh yes, it's better in almost every category as a Kawasaki KLR 650. The R 12GS has long travel suspension and dual sport tires for on and off road use. It's powered by a 1170cc opposed twin Boxer engine that produces 109HP and 85 pound feet of torque, which is sent through a single disc dry clutch, 6 speed manual transmission and shaft drive. Total wet weight is 504 pounds. This motorcycle will reach a top speed of 130 mph leaving a Kawasaki KLR 650 in the dust. However, with all that power, good looks and performance numbers that give it excellent marks in almost every category, it still falls short in a few areas where a Kawasaki KLR 650 shines.
1. Cost - The BMW R 12GS MSRP is from $17k to $20.5k depending on options, while a KLR 650 is $6899 to $8199. Higher cost doesn't stop their. The BMW R 12GS requires super unleaded fuel, while a KLR 650 can run on plain old unleaded. Plan on a paying more for BMW accessories compared to Kawasaki accessories for the KLR.
2. Wind Protection - The Kawasaki KLR 650 comes with better wind protection right out of the box for more comfortable freeway riding.
3. Dealership & Aftermarket Support - I don't know what the numbers are, but there are far more Kawasaki dealerships than there are BMW. The BMW R 12GS is brand new and there are no aftermarket accessories for this motorcycle that I know of. The KLR 650 has been manufactured since 1987, and everything imaginable is available for this bike. People ignore the importance of dealership and aftermarket support until they need something or something goes wrong. It's an important category to consider.
4. Rack - The Kawasaki KLR 650 comes with a huge rear rack, which you need for transporting things, and for attaching a top box to. The BMW R 12GS has no rear rack, and I don't think an OEM or aftermarket rack is available for it at the time of this post.
5. Fuel Range - The BMW R 12GS might be a lot faster than a KLR 650, but the KLR will eventually catch up and pass the BMW. The KLR 650 comes equipped with a 6.1 gallon gas tank and gets better gas mileage. The R 12GS has a 4.1 gallon gas tank.
6. More Accessories - The higher priced KLR 650 comes with more accessories than the BMW, which includes: engine guards, top case (on some models), fog lights and side cases or hard saddle bags.
So you see, spending 2 to almost 3x as much for a BMW doesn't give you everything. However, it does offer a lot, and I think it's one of the best looking BMW motorcycles I've seen in a while.
The BMW R 12GS is available in three color schemes:
This is a 3rd generation 2022 Kawasaki KLR 650
