The Nostalgia game

Producing a retro motorcycle is a tricky business. Nostalgia must blend with innovativeness. The past must be celebrated while designing for the fast-changing needs of today's markets. And whatever balance of old and new the manufacturer comes up with, for every person who applauds its looks and style, another half-dozen will fold their arms and say, no, that's wrong

- Adam 'Chad' Child

C BMW R12 nineT

Enter the R12 nineT. The first serious update of the decade-old R nineT boxer twin, and perhaps the most satisfyingly blended retro yet to come from the German manufacturer.

There's a new, lighter chassis and thoroughly updated electronics, an improved sleeker look, and, via a comprehensive model configurator, generous scope for customisation, too. The price is £14,420 - a fraction more than the older bike - although most owners will undoubtedly bloat that figure by adding a few pricey accessories to their build.

Amidst all this change and demand for customisation is the small matter of an 1170cc air-cooled boxer engine, which, with BMW celebrating its centenary year, can be traced all the way back to 1923. On start up, there's still that timeless boxer rocking movement at idle as the venerable shaft-driven twin warms its cooling fins, followed by a trademark bark when the throttle is blipped. It makes you realise how refined and smooth modern, liquid-cooled BMW boxers have become and also appreciate the character and mechanical feel of the older design.

Peak power remains at the R nineT's 109hp/80kw but arrives 250rpm sooner, with peak torque now at 115Nm at 6,500rpm (84.8lbft), which is 1Nm less and 500rpm higher in the rev range. Changes to the four-valves per cylinder, DOHC unit are minimal, although a new airbox is positioned under the seat to eliminate the air intake duct that ran down the right-hand side of the R nineT's tank, and the standard exhaust is also redesigned.