It’s been a year since the big Bavarian gave us our first look at the bike which would replace their super successful BMW R nineT. And from the first photos we saw, to the way the bike rides in the real world and the early sales figures, it’s clear that the new R12 nineT will be a smash hit. But deep down, with the company talking up the bike’s easy to customise design, we’ve been waiting for someone to go all out and build a killer custom creation. And so it makes perfect sense then that Mr BMW, one of the true kings of customs, Marcus Walz would not just be an early adapter, but be personally chosen by BMW Motorrad to get wild with their new child. And the WalzWerk Motorcycles team has delivered in a big way, with their limited production R12 Scrambler, an instant classic.
It is a genuine production line at WalzWerk, with two new customs leaving their Hockenheim-based facility every week. Of the just over a hundred bikes they build each year, around eighty are from their super successful SCHIZZO® range, based on the classic BMW R80 and R100 models. “But we also have a nice lineup of other, modern BMWs in our portfolio, like the R18 and the R9T. Around twelve bikes of each, we build per year as well. And since BMW discontinued the R9T, we are now adding the R12 to our portfolio,” Marcus tells us. “We started with a Scrambler, which was the wish of BMW Germany. It will be followed by a Bobber (soon to be completed), a Cafe Racer and a classic Superbike.”
Having received the new bike from BMW, it was time for Marcus and his team to get down to business, and they were instantly impressed with the machine living up to its promise. “The R12 is a perfect base for customising. The complete rear unit can be taken off by undoing only four bolts.” To get an idea of how they’d build their own custom subframe, one of their SCHIZZO® units was offered up to the bike, of course, it didn’t fit but it was clear the look was spot on. So an all-new subframe has been expertly pieced together, with an integrated pan. Next, a seat unit was shaped up, which was then beautifully covered in the red from the M Sport colour palette.
The tank wears the full suite of M Sport colours and really helps to give the bike that unmistakable classic BMW vibe. “The tank is the stock steel fuel tank of the R12 Basic, which we cut off to create some knee dents to have a more classic look. A Le Mans style fuel cap completes the vintage look.” To finalise the visuals, Marcus sat down and designed the fenders for both ends, which not only had to be functional but retain the uber-clean look his machines are known for. Wearing the same white as the tank, the slim line pair are attached to the bike using 3D printed mounts, which gives a look you just couldn’t achieve any other way.
“Since the Basic R12 is more a kind of Cruiser, we had to lift the bike for the Scrambler look,” Marcus explains. So, to solve the problem they sat down with suspension partners Touratech, to come up with the perfect solution. Given the style of the bike and wanting it to perform as well as it looks, the front forks have been extended an inch, fitted with progressive rate springs and rebuilt with the appropriate oil. At the rear, you get a purpose-built shock, which is fully adjustable in every way. Then to get the wheels right, “we used the optional R12 16“/19“ cross-spoke wheels, manufactured new stainless steel spokes and laced them together with a set of genuine GS1250 rims”
The dimensions are now a 19-inch front, with a 17-inch rear and both ends are wrapped up in the ever-popular Continental TKC80 tyres. Spinning that rubber is the excellent 1170cc Boxer twin, which despite its lack of water-cooling and having to meet Euro5+ regulations, still manages to pump out 109bhp and 115nm of torque. That’s still not enough for Marcus though, so his Scrambler gets a full exhaust which has been developed by the legends of speed at Italy’s SC Project. The system ups the power, looks the business and sounds great too, and the induction roar has been improved as well, thanks to a set of Walz branded air filters.
Of course, to add form and function, the bike is treated to a full range of WalzWerk parts, which includes the company’s fat bars, with bar-end weights and aluminium mirrors. The high-end BMW factory headlight now sits on a WalzWerk bracket, and the rest of the lighting is taken care of by WalzWerks’ full suite of LED lighting solutions, including taillight and indicators. To keep the rear end clean, a Rizoma side-mounted license plate holder is added to the mix, and because the guys think of everything, an extended kickstand has been fabricated to deal with the taller suspension. And if you love what you see then you can have one of these beautiful beasts for €29.950,00.
WalzWerk will build one R12 a month and you can check the production schedule on their website, so you are fully informed about the wait time. “The bike can be ordered from us as a turn-key-ready bike, with paint and seat to match customer specifications. But we are also offering all the parts we used to build this bike in our online shop soon.” In addition to those choices, you can have the wheels in gold or black, switch some finishes between powder-coated black, silver or even chrome, add parts from the Option 719 catalogue and even go for a complete one-off paint job; all of which can be done via the company’s online ordering system. We just love it, and so do BMW Motorrad who will tour the WalzWerk R12 Scrambler for the next year, and the public loves it too, as the first orders are already coming in.
[ WalzWerk ]