When it comes to retro-styled roadsters, often, if you’re not a votary of the scene, Triumph and its range of roadsters come to mind—and rightly so, the Hinckley company makes some lovely rides. But I offer for your consideration an alternative. One that offers all the style and class of the machines from other manufacturers of vintage-style offerings, but with a unique and beefy boxer twin, along with build quality and a list of subtle built-in tech that few, if any, can match in the class.

I give you the BMW R 12 nineT, a smart-looking rig even in its most basic form, but I think particularly handsome in the Option 719 that you see here. The 719 sports wire-spoked wheels brushed aluminium-style bodywork, and a sporty red frame and makes so much of an impression in the looks department, it’s worth the extra dough in my opinion.

In standard trim, the R12 comes with ABS Pro—cornering ABS in lay terms—traction control, Riding Modes, Keyless Ride, Chrome-Plated Headers, aluminium fuel tank, Dynamic Brake Light, LED Flashing Turn Indicator, Headlight and Taillight, Daytime Riding Lights, a 12V socket, and a USB port. The 719 adds spoked wheels, Headlight Pro, Tyre Pressure Control, ConnectedRide Control, Beemer’s Comfort Package, which includes Hill Start Control, Gear Shift Assist Pro, Heated Grips, Cruise Control, a bunch of billet bling, and a small and neat aluminum windshield. There are three ride modes on offer as well: Road, Rain, and Dynamic, so you get a fair whack of technology on this retro rocket.

The boxer engine is a peach for tearing around town and is right at home on the motorway and highways, even if the lack of any significant protection from the elements puts the wind up ya.

While there is a modest but still adequate 80kW (109hp) of power available, grunt is where it’s at for the R 12 nineT. There’s 115Nm at your disposal, and it’s right in its element around town and especially welcome when punching out of corners on your favourite stretch.

The six-speed gearbox is slick, as is the bi-directional quickshifter. BMW quickshifters can sometimes be a little on the agricultural side when it comes to shifting, but not so on the R 12 nineT—it’s a lovely unit.

The nineT’s suspension is fully adjustable at the front, while on the rear it’s loaded with rebound and preload adjustability. On paper, the suspension ticks the boxes, and if you’re cruising or ripping around town, the suspension is on point. Out on the open road, however, the suspension lacks a little finesse. The action at both ends is a little harsh at higher speeds on bumpy roads, and there’s a corresponding jolt channelled up through your wrists. It’s not savage, and a few clicks on the compression adjustment at the front did improve things, but if the nineT was my choice of ride, I’d get a suspension tech to wave their magic wand over it.

With a wet weight of 220kg and an accessible seat height of 795mm, it’s not an intimidating ride at all. And remember, that boxer engine configuration keeps the weight quite low—it’s a very manageable package, even for shorter riders.

Although I mentioned some shortcomings with the suspension, it’s also worth noting that I ride in a more spirited manner than most folk who’ll purchase a retro ride like this. If your riding style is more magic carpet ride than bed of nails, I doubt you’ll have an issue. And if that’s the case, you’ll find it hard to fault the R12 nineT. As a retro ride, it’s as good as, if not better than, anything else out there. I’ve been a fan of Triumph’s Bonneville T120 for quite some time, but after riding the R12, I reckon I’d put my money down on the Beemer.