If you’ve ever wondered what the new BMW R 12 nineT would look like dressed as a vintage R90S, the new BMW R 12 S holds the answer. We take a look at the new modern classic boxer, plus a sweet Kawasaki GPZ900R from AC Sanctuary, a Honda CB750 café racer from France, and the 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S.
2025 BMW R 12 S Resplendent in ‘Daytona Orange,’ the Hans Muth-designed BMW R90S made waves when it burst onto the scene in 1973. Its retina-searing livery was a huge departure from the marque’s typically conservative designs, and its sporty layout proved to be as useful on the track as it was on the street. It’s little wonder then, that it remains one of BMW’s most iconic motorcycles.
BMW’s newest release, the R 12 S, celebrates that legacy. It’s based on the R 12 nineT, which broke cover last year as a major update of the R nineT with a slightly more classic aesthetic. The R 12 S cranks the modern boxer’s retro appeal up to eleven, with a period-correct livery and a handful of swanky parts.
BMW picked a stronger ‘Lava Orange’ instead of the original ‘Daytona Orange’ hue for the R 12 S, but it hits the mark nonetheless. The smoky silver bits and twin red pinstripes are faithfully carried over from the R90S, while a unique ‘S’ logo on the side covers pays homage to the distinct engine badging on the R90S.
Take a closer look and you’ll notice that the silver sections on the fuel tank and seat cowl reveal a brushed aluminum finish. The aluminum tank and tail are optional extras for the regular BMW R 12 nineT—but they’re standard issue on the R 12 S.
Other catalog parts fitted to the R 12 S include the fairing and bar-end mirrors, plus valve covers and laced aluminum wheels from BMW’s premium ‘Option 719’ range. BMW threw the kitchen sink at the R 12 S, adding a smorgasbord of billet aluminum goodies that include the levers, foot controls, fluid reservoir covers, and more.
Subtle details set it apart from a simple bolt-on job though. The fairing’s windscreen is tinted, the handlebars and fork tubes are done in black, and there’s some tasty contrast stitching on the seat.
Under the hood, the R 12 S gets almost every tech upgrade available for the R 12 nineT—like hill start control, a quick-shifter, heated grips, cruise control, an adaptive cornering headlight, and more. The only thing not included is an upgraded exhaust—but it’s hard to hate the twin reverse cone mufflers already fitted to the bike.
All this will cost you $21,590 in the USA, versus $16,295 for a base model R 12 nineT with zero extras. In Germany, it’s priced at €22,000 over the base model’s €17,410. By our calculations, that’s less than it’ll cost you to spec a standard issue R 12 nineT with everything on the BMW R 12 S—and that’s before you paint it orange. [BMW Motorrad]
Kawasaki GPZ900R by AC Sanctuary Is there anything left to say about AC Sanctuary? The Japanese powerhouse’s muscular restomods speak for themselves, wowing with their purpose-driven aesthetics and drool-inducing parts specs. This brawny Kawasaki GPZ900R is no different.
AC Sanctuary left no box unticked on this build. The goofy 16F/18R wheels were swapped for a pair of 17-inch Oz Racing hoops, wrapped in Metzeler Racetec RR tires. Öhlins suspension and Brembo braking components were installed at both ends, along with a Sculpture swingarm, billet yokes, and a proprietary steering stem.
Harder to spot are AC Sanctuary’s judicious frame mods and reinforcements, and the internal tweaks to the suspension to tailor the bike to its owner.
Going even deeper, AC Sanctuary’s in-house engine tuning operation, DiNx, bored the engine out to 958 cc. Highlights include machined cylinder heads, a bored and honed block, upgraded pistons, and a custom crankshaft. Yoshimura carbs and a full titanium exhaust system complete the set.
The Kawasaki GPZ900R’s bodywork is an inspired mix of restored, tweaked, and custom parts. The front fender and fairing are AC Sanctuary parts, while the tail section and side panels are trimmed factory items. Finally, the OEM fuel tank is matched to a Nitro Racing seat.
A Nitro Racing windshield adorns the fairing, with a custom dash bearing an array of Stack clocks tucked behind it. Period-correct graphics are matched to a tasteful black, silver, white, and gold livery. We wouldn’t change a thing. [Source]
Honda CB750 by Jerem Motorcycles The concept for a custom bike build can come from the smallest thought. In the case of this muscular Honda CB750 café racer, Jérémie Duchampt at Jerem Motorcycles wanted to build a bike with red forks. So he took a 1980-model CB750 and got cracking.
The donor bike was a true basketcase, so Jérémie had his work cut out for him. Since the bike was in boxes, this job was more about piecing a bike together than hacking it up.
A Ducati ST3 loaned the CB its forks, tri-spoke wheels, swingarm, and mono-shock. After considerable effort, Jérémie matched the parts to the CB’s chassis, before upgrading the setup with Brembo brake calipers, a Nissin front brake master cylinder, and Exact hoses.
Up top, you’ll find the Ducati’s upper yoke and clip-ons, matched to new grips and bar-end mirrors. A Daytona speedo sits front and center, hovering above the bike’s new LED headlight. Modern amenities include a keyless ignition and a USB charging port.
Jérémie retained the OEM CB750 fuel tank but modified the rear end of the bike with a café racer-style tail section. The rebuilt engine was coated in satin black with red highlights, and then treated to a four-into-one exhaust system that terminates in an IXRace muffler.
A gloss black paint scheme with ghosted Honda branding adorns the bodywork, with the red-anodized forks taking center stage. Other red accents include the seat stitching, rear shock spring, and brake calipers. Red and black is a tried-and-true combination, and Jérémie has used it to great effect here. [Source]
2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S In its purest form, a streetfighter is just a superbike that’s been liberated of its fairings and tweaked for street-riding shenanigans. By that standard, the 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S is the ultimate streetfighter.
What sets the new Ducati Streetfighter V4 apart from its predecessors is that, for the first time ever, Ducati has given it the exact same engine as its fully-faired counterpart, the Panigale V4. With an output of 214 hp, it makes 2 horses less than the Panigale—but that’s only because it uses a different intake. The 1,103 cc four-cylinder Desmosedici Stradale engine itself remains unchanged, giving the Streetfighter V4 S true superbike zest.
With a dry weight of 189 kilos [417 pounds], that’s a power-to-weight ratio of 1.13 hp/kg. Adding Ducati’s race-spec Akrapovič exhaust to the mix bumps the output to 226 hp, which is just silly.
The new Streetfighter V4 also gets a new chassis and double-sided swingarm; both are, once again, derived from the Panigale V4. Electronically-controlled Öhlins suspension and top-shelf Brembo Hypure brakes add to the magic, and the Streetfighter V4 S rolls on forged aluminum rims with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa tires.
Also borrowed from the Panigale V4 is the Streetfighter’s extensive electronics package. Cornering ABS, traction control, slide control, wheelie control, launch control, a quick-shifter, engine braking control, and ‘Ducati Vehicle Observer,’ which is an algorithm that uses 70 sensors to manage the myriad rider aids. There’s a 6.9” TFT display too, with the option to add a data logger and a multimedia system.
Built as a single seater (you can add a passenger seat after the fact if you like), the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S wears high and wide bars for aggressive street riding, with a deeply sculpted fuel tank for maximum control.
On paper, the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S looks bonkers. But visually, it leaves us confused. Although the aero package no doubt makes some difference to the bike’s performance, it feels like it’s been added for looks more than anything else. Combined with the slim split-LED headlight and clunky dash housing, it makes for a very muddled visage.
Still, we wouldn’t turn our noses up at a ride. [Ducati]
