BMW R 12 G/S Accessories, Add-ons, Equipment.
In our company, the BMW R12 GS is not just a reliable travel partner, but also a platform for thorough accessory testing. Over time, we are gradually improving our company motorcycle and testing available accessories so that we can recommend the best and most functional solutions to you based on our own experience. Every element is carefully selected with regard to durability, practicality, and integration with the motorcycle.
🛡️ Protection and Safety
Original Crash Bars: Protect key parts of the motorcycle in the event of a fall. They have the greatest resistance of all available crash bars to force applied from the front. The disadvantage is the absence of a lower tube that would protect the valve cover from below. This is partially solved by the original valve cover protectors. This is a combination of stainless steel sheet metal and a rubber insert about a centimeter thick. The disadvantage of the entire combination is the higher price, and the resistance from below is also lower than in the case of Hepco Becker crash bars. These offer all-around protection for a significantly lower price. However, they will not be as resistant to a frontal impact.
BMW R12 G/S Cylinder Head Cover Set
SW-Motech Engine Guard: Robust protection for the underside of the engine, essential for off-road riding. SW Motech is one of the few manufacturers that supplies its own robust mounting bracket with the cover. These can withstand even a larger impact from below. The cover is on silent blocks, so it doesn't rattle like it would if it were rigidly connected to the engine. In the lower part, it connects to the catalytic converter/muffler, partially protecting it.
SW Motech Engine Guard BMW R 12 G/S Black
SW Motech Engine Guard BMW R 12 G/S Silver
SW-Motech Injector Covers: Smaller but important covers that protect the sensitive injectors from damage. For taller riders with long legs, there is a risk on the right side that the cover will press on the boot in the shin area.
SW Motech Injector Cover BMW R 12 G/S Silver
SW Motech Injector Cover BMW R 12 G/S Black
Tank and Side Plastic Protection Film: Ensures that the paint remains scratch and abrasion-free even with frequent use. Especially the side plastics under the seat get scratched after just a few hours of riding standing up. The tank cannot be protected against a major impact, but the film helps against abrasion from muddy trouser legs and a tank bag.
⚙️ Ergonomics and Comfort
Jointed Mirrors: We installed these mirrors for their ability to fold at the joint in all directions. So far, we haven't managed to break them off during a fall or from branches.
BMW Raised Cockpit: The original raised cockpit is primarily a design matter. Those few centimeters compared to the standard one do not make a huge difference in aerodynamics, but it covers the navigation quite well so that it doesn't stick out of the cockpit, and it does deflect some air away from the torso. It connects nicely to the navigation holder.
BMW R12 G/S Raised Rallye Sandrover Cockpit
BMW R12 G/S Raised Lightwhite Uni Cockpit
BMW R12 G/S Raised Rallye Black Matt Cockpit
Original BMW Navigation Bar: Provides a stable and secure attachment for navigation directly in the rider's line of sight. It is rigid, and even heavier navigation does not vibrate and remains clearly readable in all conditions. It has a standard diameter of 12 mm, so our navigation and phone holders fit on it. The photo shows the Garmin Zumo XT2 / Tread 2 navigation holder mounted, along with a lock. Phone holders can be mounted on the bar, among the most popular of which is the HOLDER 2.0
Bottle Holders: A practical accessory for quick access to liquids while riding. A novelty is the self-adjusting holder, which adapts to various bottle diameters, thanks to rubber inserts the bottle won't fall out easily. With a little practice, the bottle can be inserted and removed with one hand. It can be mounted on tubes of various diameters and positioned in the second direction as well.
🧳 Luggage Transport
Unit Garage Rear Luggage Rack: Provides a solid base for securing luggage, whether it's roll bags or smaller panniers. It also serves as pillion passenger grab handles. It is mounted on the same points as the original side bag holders, so if you want to use both, you will need modifications.
Unit Garage Luggage Rack and Grab Handles BMW R12 G/S
Mosko Moto Reckless 80 Luggage: This is one option for carrying 80 liters of luggage completely without racks. The low weight is also an advantage. The disadvantage is the higher price and the blocking of the pillion passenger seat. Unfortunately, we cannot supply Moskomoto, but given its unique features, it must be included in the list.
Bags on Racks: The original BMW bag holders do not spoil the look of the motorcycle. The disadvantage of the original bags is that they do not allow riding with a pillion passenger as they block the footpegs. The solution is to use SW Motech bag adapters. They are compatible, so they can be easily slid onto the BMW brackets, and the bags—in our case, Kriega OS 18—can be mounted as needed. We moved the bags further back so they don't interfere with the pillion passenger. On the exhaust side, the holder is supported by the exhaust, allowing for heavier contents to be loaded. It is advisable to protect the end cap with an exhaust cover.
If you do not have the original factory bag holders, probably the most practical option will be to use SW Motech side case racks, which allow for quick removal when not in use, and also allow the mounting of a tool box and, of course, bags, cases, etc.
Unit Garage BMW R12 G/S Lower Exhaust End Cap
On modern motorcycles, the headers include a catalytic converter combined with a muffler. The R1300GS and R12 series models therefore have a virtually empty end cap, just with a wadding muffler. Fortunately, on the R12 G/S model, it makes sense to replace the end cap with a different one – the difference in sound is very significant. With the original end cap, I was bothered by how bland and muffled the sound was. The explosions from both cylinders almost blend into a homogeneous sound. In addition, around 5000 rpm, it turns into an unpleasant drone. Unit Garage not only makes the sound louder (but not annoying), but also beautifully separates the sound of both cylinders. It is robust, fun, and sounds much better even at high revs.
Each of these accessories has undergone real-world testing on our motorcycle so that we can guarantee its quality and functionality. We hope that our experience will help you in choosing accessories for your bike.