The BMW R 12 G/S
With the new BMW R 12 G/S, BMW Motorrad is celebrating adventures on two wheels. The two-part film is set in Spain and takes us to Andalusia, San Sebastián and the neighbouring Pyrenees. It shows how much joie de vivre can be found on a motorcycle. The focus is placed on friendship, freedom and fun. It’s not about top performance; it’s about riding for the joy of it.
A new adventure begins
BMW Motorrad invites a group of biker friends to test out the new R 12 G/S – a tribute to the legendary Paris-Dakar bikes. The crew were raring to go and met up in Andalusia. Fun has no limits on dusty trails: gravel paths, water or sand – there’s no terrain they can’t tackle. After all of that action, what could be better than jumping into the sea to cool off and sitting by the campfire when evening comes? This day reflects exactly what the R 12 G/S is all about: a fun ride, authentic connections and shared experiences.
Then came the goosebumps: at dusk, the hum of an old boxer engine breaks the silence. Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW Motorrad, appears – in true BMW style on the original R 80 G/S Paris-Dakar bike that was victorious in 1984. Enthusiasm, respect and a touch of nostalgia are in the air while he reminisces about Dakar by the campfire. When one of the friends shows an old photo of his father with his motorcycle crew from that time, an idea pops into his head: they should recreate the picture at the same location, but 40 years later and with the new R 12 G/S. The perfect opportunity for the group of friends to come together again.
Breathing new life into old legends
Breathing new life into old legends
A few weeks later, the group comes together again in San Sebastián. Their goal: recreating the photo in the nearby Pyrenees. The early sunshine gives way to thick dark clouds, accompanied by thunder and rain. But the fun is picking up speed: they’re going from asphalt to gravel. Powered by adrenaline, through the rain and mud. We see smiling faces and mud-splattered clothes. The trip ends exactly where the old photo was taken. The new group gets into position with the old picture in their hands and the same spirit in their hearts. Click. A moment that brings the past and present together. Just like the new R 12 G/S.
A glimpse behind the scenes
The film was shot using nine cameras, including action cameras, drones, and a high-speed camera with a rate of 800 images per second. Instead of posed pictures, the focus is on capturing authentic moments – everything that happens when you simply get riding. The R 12 G/S is made for people who know what they want to do, but don’t want to make a big show about it. People who want to get out there, get covered in dirt, and simply have fun. The true friendship between the protagonists and their love of being on camera give the film its special energy.
The cleverly implemented slow-motion shots have an emotive effect – a visual reflection of the intensity of a single moment. When you’re shooting a film, unexpected events can be a gift. Even relentless torrential rain can transform into a moment in which full control becomes secondary. All that matters is the feeling of being on the road and enjoying the moment.
