1937 BMW R12

The 1937 BMW R12, offered at MAX BMW with VIN 25098, is a remarkable artifact of motorcycle history with a storied past, including time spent in West Africa before returning to its German homeland. This iconic machine, part of BMW Motorrad’s lineup from 1935 to 1942, was a cornerstone of pre-war engineering, with 36,008 units produced. Powered by a 745cc flat-twin, side-valve engine, it delivered 18 hp (single carburetor) or 20 hp (dual carburetor), achieving a top speed of 68–75 mph. Its four-speed manual gearbox, shaft drive, and pioneering hydraulically damped telescopic forks—among the first on a production motorcycle—made it a technological marvel of its time.

This particular R12’s journey through West Africa adds a unique chapter to its legacy. While specific details of its time there are scarce, it’s plausible it served in a military or governmental capacity, given that many R12s were conscripted by the Wehrmacht or used by other agencies during the era. The harsh climates of West Africa, from dusty savannas to humid coastal regions, would have tested the bike’s renowned durability, with its pressed-steel twin-loop frame and robust engineering. Its return to Germany suggests it was either repatriated post-service or acquired by a collector, eventually finding its way to MAX BMW.

This bike, listed at MAX BMW, likely retains its original grey or a restored finish, reflecting its utilitarian roots. This represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of history that has traversed continents from Munich’s assembly lines to West Africa’s rugged terrain and back to Germany.

This comes from an amazing collector whose collection spans BMWs history from 1923 to the 1980s.