In This ArticleWhereas throwing my leg over the brand new 2026 BMW R 1300 RT, I recalled a dialog from a few years again. Shortly after spending a month with a BMW K1600GTL, I discovered myself in a BBQ spot in Tyler, Texas. Midway by means of my brisket, a man pulled in on a BMW R 1250 RT, a sport-tourer with a spunky boxer engine, however not the elegant inline-6 of the Okay-bike. He grabbed the desk subsequent to me, and I instantly requested him how he appreciated his RT.
“It’s such an incredible machine and goes about as exhausting as I ever need to and is fairly plush on my outdated bottom.” (Observe: He didn’t say “bottom,” however it is a household weblog.) I requested him what he considered the Okay 1600 and if he’d had an opportunity to experience it. “Oh man, that’s one candy engine, however , it’s simply too heavy of a machine for me. I like how I can simply toss the RT round.”
BMW had organized for a bunch of the motoring press to spend a couple of days using the brand new RT down from Greenville, South Carolina, to Birmingham, Alabama, culminating in BMW Motorrad Days Americas 2025, on the Barber Classic Competition held on the Barber Motorsports Park….with a complete lot of fabulous roads in between. Louisiana would possibly invoice itself as “Sportsman’s Paradise,” however the roads in North Georgia and Northern Alabama might simply lay declare to “Sports activities-Touring Paradise.” Would the brand new RT show a worthwhile inheritor to my Texas pal’s earlier bike?
The R 1300 RT represents a major evolution within the Motorrad’s touring motorbike lineup, and slots right into a product house that’s considerably ignored or deemphasized by its opponents; that of the Sports activities-Touring motorbike. Apparently, the Motorrad’s personal market analysis finds few pure opponents, because the bulk of consumers have gravitated increasingly more in direction of the ADV market, which in flip has spawned extra road-focused iterations of these beefy all-rounders. (Although the Japanese OEMs appear extra within the class than the Europeans.) For BMW’s competitors, at this time’s Honda VFRs and Ducati ST3s have a tendency to begin life extra upright and with knobbier tires.
The Most Highly effective Boxer Engine Ever
On the coronary heart of the R 1300 RT is a newly developed 1300cc liquid-cooled boxer engine, which it shares with the brand new R 1300 GS and GS Journey. The brand new motor delivers 145hp (versus 136hp for its predecessor) and 110 lb-ft of torque (versus 105 lb-ft), with extra torque and smoothness throughout the rev vary (and improved gasoline economic system) due to ShiftCam variable valve timing. It’s clean, quiet, linear, and powerfully dramatic in all the most effective methods. Each my wrist and bottom would assert that is the most effective BMW boxer engine but, and the general public appears to agree.
At our second-night resort, a man approached our group of bikes parked out entrance with a dreamy look in his eyes. “I rode a rented GS [one of the new 1300s] down the coast of Spain this summer time with a buddy,” he reminisced. “Man,” he mentioned, “unbelievable bike. If my spouse dies earlier than me, that’s the very first thing I’m gonna get myself!” He didn’t appear to be kidding.
The compact 6-speed gearbox and clutch, now situated withing the engine housing itself, has a lowered total size, concentrating mass towards the middle of gravity for higher maneuverability. The shortened transmission shaft additionally leads to notable weight financial savings, with the brand new engine’s powertrain weighing 14.3-lbs lower than the unit within the earlier motor.
A Chassis with Sporting Pretensions
The all-new metal and aluminum chassis provides improved rigidity and extra compact packaging than earlier than. Suspension upgrades embrace the brand new EVO Telelever entrance and EVO Paralever rear methods, which give enhanced steering precision and stability.
BMW launched the Telelever over 30 years in the past and has been refining it ever since, the Porsche 911 of motorbike suspensions, if you’ll. This newest iteration merges the benefits of prior variations—similar to brake pitch compensation and the separation of spring and steering features—whereas enhancing rigidity and steering precision. The design encompasses a handlebar decoupling system, centered on a versatile stainless-steel plate that transmits steering forces with out inflicting undesirable tilting. The higher fork bridge is mounted to each pivot and rotate to enormously improve stability, whereas a further curler bearing within the decrease fork bridge reduces friction for extra exact steering. The suspension contains digital damping and spring price adjustment, with a entrance journey of 5.9 inches, offering larger experience stability and management. As with all Telelever-equipped BMW’s, the RT’s steering is exact, secure and confidence-inspiring.
On the rear, the EVO Paralever is electronically adjustable for rebound and compression, in addition to spring price and preload. Rear journey is 6.2 inches.
Using our curvy, snaking route offered each method of tarmac and terrain to check out the brand new RT’s dealing with, from quick sweepers to mid-speed cambered curves to 15-mph switchbacks the place speed-limit indicators weren’t kidding. (We even had an precise snake make an look in the course of the new street as we went zooming by.)
The roads round Helen, Georgia, have the texture of an prolonged Tail of the Dragon, and from the vehicles and bikes enjoying on that stretch, the phrase is clearly out. From leather-clad riders on Ducatis using a critical tempo, to native squids in denims using Gixxers like they stole them, to even one Harley-riding hero who left a path of sparks as his luggage and pegs dragged the bottom, bikes aplenty loved the wonderful problem on supply. The RT felt proper at residence, it’s playful, sprightly nature by no means being overmatched by the terrain. And the bike’s distinctive seems to be perked up even probably the most motorcycle-jaded native.
One such colourful gent glided up on an e-bike whereas we have been stopped for lunch, sporting a fisherman’s cap and sucking on a Dum-Dum. “You from California? Welcome to the US!” Was he speaking to me, I puzzled, or the motorbike?
Seeing our row of bikes lined up in his North Georgia city, all with California distributor plates, he’d made the not unreasonable assumption that we have been maybe not from round these components. I thanked him for his welcome. “Good bikes!” he hollered over his shoulder as he gave a giant smile and peddled on down the sidewalk.
Most Suspension Adjustability and Rider Aids
The non-obligatory Dynamic Chassis Adjustment (DCA) provides three normal using modes—RAIN, ROAD, and ECO—in addition to non-obligatory DYNAMIC and DYNAMIC PRO modes, permitting riders to change between plush touring and extra spirited using on the fly. As with many trick semi-automatic suspensions, I rapidly landed on the DYNAMIC setting and simply left it alone. (Although I did spend a couple of nail-biting miles plodding alongside in ECO mode when gasoline turned an surprising subject.)
A brand new function taking nifty benefit of the suspension’s digital adjustability is a “Prop-Up Help” which makes it simpler to handle the car on the middle stand. When the middle stand is lowered, the bike’s suspension lifts itself as much as help placing the bike on the stand. Useful. You’ll probably need to use this function, because the facet stand itself is noticeably quick, leaning the bike over at an angle that makes it a problem to remount in sure conditions (making each day “leg day”). For shorter riders, that is could possibly be a selected annoyance.
ASA: Wherefore Artwork Thou Clutch Lever?
My bike (and certainly all of our take a look at bikes, reflecting the Motorrad’s need to get the phrase out) was outfitted with the Automated Shift Assistant (ASA), which automates clutch operation and kit adjustments. For those who’ve ever ridden a motorbike with automated up-and-down fast shifting, you’ll instantly get the thought, the notable distinction being that…there’s no clutch lever. There are two modes: Automated and Guide. In Auto, the bike handles all of the shifting. The rider simply twists the throttle and the bike strikes off, altering gears up and down as using model and situations warrant. In Guide, the rider shifts up and down as regular utilizing the foot lever, figuring out the rev vary at which the engine works, and permits extra granular management over engine breaking and shift factors. Of curiosity is that in both mode, it’s functionally inconceivable to stall the engine.
Now right here I’ve to confess one thing: I needed to hate this technique. I’m a dedicated handbook transmission man, as evidenced by the three handbook transmission vehicles I personal (two of them newer). On a motorbike, I’ve at all times felt the interaction between the clutch lever and the throttle was one of many actual joys of the game, a skillset destined to grow to be anachronistic sooner or later but a part of the essence of motorcycling. However let the file present that in about 5 minutes utilizing ASA, I used to be a convert. It really works nice and fits the RT’s character completely. And whereas there are nonetheless low-speed conditions the place a handbook clutch lever can be preferable (or at the least reassuring in a mechanical teddy bear kind of method), if I have been to suggest and even purchase an RT, I’d go together with ASA. There, I mentioned it.
Electronics and Security Options
The RT is festooned with all method of expertise match for a contemporary touring bike and doesn’t diverge considerably from the Motorrad’s different top-shelf machines. The ten.25-inch TFT colour show is shiny and legible in all situations, and contains smartphone-mirrored navigation by way of the BMW Motorrad Linked App. The Using Assistant suite provides complete security options, similar to Lively Cruise Management (ACC), Frontal Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Change Warning—utilizing radar and automatic braking interventions to scale back the chance of accidents. Full LED lighting is normal, whereas the non-obligatory Headlight Professional adapts beam route and depth primarily based on using and cargo situations. Audio choices embrace an built-in system with HD radio, FM/AM bands, and an non-obligatory Audio Professional system for enhanced sound readability in any respect speeds. I can report that the stereo works, in that I turned it on, heard sound coming from the dual audio system, then turned it off in favor of the cacophony of motorbike sounds passing by (apologies to our audiophile readers for that pitiful overview.)
Controls are accessed by way of thumb buttons and a rotary dial, which will probably be acquainted to anybody who’s ridden a contemporary BMW motorbike. It’s not my favourite system, however I recognize the Motorrad’s consistency throughout platforms. One niggle: Wouldn’t it kill BMW to backlight the buttons for nighttime using?
As with different BMW touring bikes, the entrance and rear brakes are totally built-in. Pull the brake lever, you get each brakes. Push the rear brake pedal, you get each brakes. Pull the entrance lever and push the rear pedal…you get the thought. BMW defined this was because of the necessities of the ABS Professional system, together with its associate, Dynamic Brake Management, and numerous different digital nannies needing management authority, however in brief, you’ll get what you get by way of stopping. In line with the literature, there are evidently some situations the place the bike permits the rider to lock the rear wheel by way of the rear brake lever, however I didn’t uncover that specific habits in the true world. All that mentioned, braking is spectacular, linear, and sure-footed.
Fashionable Design and Touring Facilities
The design of the brand new R 1300 RT is distinctly trendy, with an angular edginess that manages to keep away from Stormtrooper parody. It’s a considerable bike, to make sure, but in addition manages the fragile stability of wanting massive however nonetheless tidy, not at all times simple when wrapping a physique round a giant boxer engine ( you, GS Journey). Consider it because the NFL linebacker of bikes.
A number of colour choices can be found: Alpine White, Triple Black, Impulse Racing Blue Metallic, and the fetching Possibility 719 Camargue Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic, alongside premium options like hand-painted pinstriping, solid handlebars, and variable wind deflectors. As befitting BMW Motorrad’s product vary, match and end is excellent all through.
A phrase on the windscreen: Spectacular. Electrically adjustable by way of a thumb change, the zone of stillness when totally prolonged is sort of unnerving, particularly when paired with the side-panel deflectors. It’s the calmest expertise I’ve ever had on a motorbike, even at speeds inside shouting distance of 100mph (for science, you perceive). “Serenity now!” certainly.
In fact, the touring a part of sport-touring implies carrying stuff over distances, and the usual baggage system consists of built-in 27-liter facet instances (expandable to 33 liters by way of the Variable Baggage System). The detachable high case swallows as much as 54 liters and, when outfitted with the non-obligatory Consolation Passenger Bundle, contains heated seats, a heated backrest, and heated grips (although the controls for grip warmth are considerably infuriatingly buried in a menu somewhat than managed with a devoted button). It’s plush.
One part that does er on the facet of sport somewhat than touring is the rider’s seat. After about 200 miles, my unmentionables obtained a tad numb, so the equipment catalog will probably be your pal if you happen to plan on commonly rolling up the miles within the RT. It’s actually not the plush Eames Lounge Chair saddle of BMW’s Okay 1600 GT. That mentioned, the RT’s saddle is grippy and formed to maneuver round on a bit, so the sporting alternative appears deliberate.
Technical Specs and Pricing
Main specs for the 2026 BMW R 1300 RT embrace a wheelbase of 59 inches (barely lower than that of the R 1300 GSA), seat top choices from 30.7 to 33.9 inches, and a complete moist weight of 619.5 lbs (barely heavier than a GSA’s 593 lbs; blame the built-in sidebags). Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes 3.6 seconds, with a high velocity of 124 mph. The gasoline tank capability is 6.3 gallons (in comparison with the GSA’s 7.9-gallon tank). The bike has a beginning MSRP of $22,495 plus vacation spot charges, although you’ll probably inflate that value greater than a bit after some high quality time with the choices record. You’ll be able to experience away on my totally loaded take a look at bike for simply shy of $32,000.
BMW Motorrad Days America: The Circus Involves City
Finally, our band of riders arrived at BMW Motorrad Days America, held at the side of the Barber Classic Competition. Motorrad Days brings collectively all-things BMW Motorrad, with actually each bike within the portfolio featured on static shows, many accessible for take a look at using by these affected person sufficient to attend in line. Strolling right into a Motorrad supplier, even the biggest, is one factor; however seeing the bikes lined up gleaming within the solar, surrounded by drooling onlookers, with educated product specialists chatting up the curious and smitten is one thing else fully.
You identify the bike, it was there, together with the excellent retro R12S with its electric-fade Lava Orange Metallic paint, and likewise the Idea RR Superbike, a preview of the S 1000 RR’s future, unveiled earlier this 12 months as a part of the celebrated Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como. All of it was coloured by the sounds of rockabilly from the stage and the demon squeal of stunt riders doing issues that, if I attempted them, would probably put my crash gear to good use. (It was additionally a deal with to meet up with the oldsters from the BMW Efficiency Using Middle, readily available to advertise their choices.)
The Barber Classic Competition itself is to bikes what the Pebble Seaside Automobile Week is for vehicles, with classic racing in lots of classes, occasions like Motorrad Days America and the Isle of Triumph, vendor shows aplenty, and probably the most fabulous motorbike swap meet I’ve ever seen. And bikes of all sizes, shapes, and kinds actually all over the place. All constructed across the absolute glory that’s the Barber Classic Motorsports Museum, the biggest assortment of bikes anyplace on this planet (with a smattering of vehicles as properly, particularly the Lotus marque). Motorcycling would appear to be alive and properly if the Barber Classic is any indication.
The RT was, if not invisible, then considerably misplaced within the crowd at The Classic, although admittedly a dozen unreleased-model bikes with producer plates all in a line will at all times draw curious glances, if not an precise crowd. The relative anonymity was punctured, nonetheless, by the handful of parade laps across the Barber racetrack itself, the place our RTs lead a various pack of others on an unique group experience, together with one leather-clad couple using a riotous racing sidecar rig powered by a classic BMW boxer motor. It spent the laps immediately behind me, darting out and in of my mirrors, its throaty exhaust echoing off the Alabaman hillocks. Superb.
The R 1300 RT: Virtually a Throwback
In an period of accelerating platform homogeneity, when ADV bikes need to be Tourers and Sport-Tourers need to be canyon carvers, manufacturers search for methods to mix their part mixes to pour out differentiated merchandise. So, it’s probably inevitable that some touring bikes grow to be extra sport-focused and a few ADV bikes turned extra road-focused. If Ducati’s Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak will be some of the competent pure street bikes available on the market, why can’t the R 1300 RT tackle an equally spirited sport character whereas nonetheless offering consolation to roll away the miles? BMW has clearly gone in that route with this new RT. It’s virtually old school; a correct sport-touring bike, with smiles aplenty.
