2025 BMW R1300 RS

BMW reveals latest version of its RS Boxer sport tourer

The initials RS have a pretty special place in moto- and automotive culture, especially for the Germans. It usually stands for RennSport in German – which translates to Racing Sport in English. The Japanese and Italians have also used the sporty suffix at times – Ducati currently offers a Multistrada RS, and there’s been RS-prefixed Honda factory racebikes like the RS125 and RS250.

But it’s our Teutonic friends who use the term most – in products like the Audi RS2/3/4/5/6/7 series of super-high-performance road cars, or the Porsche GT3 RS supercar. And BMW of course, which has used the RS term on its bikes (but not really on its cars) since before WW2.

Originally the Bavarian firm used it on high-end competition versions of its R Boxer machinery with the original RennSport meaning. But since the 1970s it’s stood for ReiseSport – or sport-touring, roughly translated.

The initials have adorned top-end versions of both the four-cylinder K series bikes (the K100, K1100 and K1200), and faired Boxer models since the R100 RS in 1976, followed by the R1100 RS, R1200 RS and R1250 RS, all leading up to this bike – the 2025 BMW R1300 RS.

It’s a classic sport-tourer design, with a high-performance engine and chassis, married to a comfortable riding position, sporty full fairing, ample provision for hard luggage, and all the kit needed for long distances, two-up, with kit, yet still able to boogie in the bends once you arrive.

In some ways it’s a very unsurprising piece of news. The German firm launched the latest 1300 Boxer motor nearly two years ago now, in the massive-selling R1300 GS, followed last year by the R1300 GS Adventure. We saw the new R1300 R roadster last month, and April saw the drop of both this R1300 RS and the heavier touring variant, the R1300 RT.

As a result, we know much of the tech spec on the new RS. It comes with the same 1,300cc capacity flat-twin water-cooled powerplant, with four-valve DOHC heads that use ShiftCam variable valve timing and lift, 13.3:1 compression ratio, 106.5mm x 73mm bore and stroke, and peak power of 145bhp with 149Nm of torque.

The motor had a thorough redesign in 2023, with the six-speed gearbox moving under the crank, and also has the option of the firm’s new robotised automatic transmission ASA (Automated Shift Assistant).

The 1300 engine lives in a new chassis, with the latest design of frame, made with sheet steel sections and an aluminium rear subframe. The suspension setup is also uprated, with BMW eschewing any funny front ends – there’s no Telelever or the like here, with a standard upside-down fork looking after the job.

It’s a beefy part, with 47mm inner tubes, and with the optional electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA), you get dynamic adjustment of the damping, spring rate and preload. BMW’s also introduced a new setup on the 2025 R1300 range, with a spring-rate adjuster on the front fork, which is a first on a production bike.

The firm had a similar setup on rear shocks more than a decade ago with the ESA II system. That used a moveable polymer insert which extended into the main spring unit, to give a stiffer or lighter spring rate, actually altering the force rather than just adjusting the preload on the spring. It’s not quite clear how the new setup works on the fork – we’ll be finding out as soon as possible though.

Out back you get the latest EVO version of the Paralever shaft-drive single-sided swingarm suspension with a fully-adjustable monoshock. BMW’s also offering a Performance sports suspension package, which has longer travel and firmer damping, adding ground clearance and raising the seat height by 10mm.

Standard brakes on the RS use twin front 310mm discs with radial four-piston BMW-branded calipers, and BMW Integral ABS Pro, which links the front and rear brake circuits in a smart way.

There’s also a Sport brake option, with titanium-finished calipers and slightly stronger braking performance. New lightweight cast wheels save a claimed 1.4kg, and wear full superbike-sized tyres: 120/70 17 front and 190/55 17 rear.

The spec is rounded off by the usual 2025 BMW premium electronics setup, so as a base you have cornering ABS and traction control, riding power modes, LED lighting, quickshifter and cruise control.

There’s also optional active cruise control with radar assist, lane change warning and front/rear collision warning. Touring luxuries like heated seats for rider and pillion, hot grips, GPS navigation preparation with keyless locking, cornering headlights are all available, and the hard luggage system comes with power supplies for lighting, USB charging and electric central locking.

The old RS was a cracking bike for crossing countries, and indeed continents, in comfort and style, at a great pace. If you’re not a fan of the standard modern Universal Adventure Touring bike, but still want that easy, fast life, then the new R1300 RS looks like a great option.

Pricing starts at £13,700, with the R1300 RS SE costing £15,990 and the ASA-equipped SE from £16,745. Bikes are available from July, more info at www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk.

2025 BMW R1300 RS tech highlights:

• Sporty ergonomics and equipment for both dynamic cornering fun and comfortable touring and travel.
• Four model variants: Basic version, Triple Black, Performance and Option 719 Cuyamaca.
• Twin-cylinder boxer engine with 145hp@7,750rpm and 149 Nm at 6,500rpm.
• A range of seat variants ensures an optimum seat height, while a newly developed luggage system with electrified cases, topcase and a smart tank bag makes the bike ideal for comfortable touring and holiday trips.
• Three riding modes are included as standard, allowing the bike to adapt ideally to any road conditions.
• Riding Modes Pro with the additional modes “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro”, along with riding mode pre-selection as optional equipment ex works.
• Engine drag torque control (MSR) as standard.
• Automated shift assistant (ASA) with fully automated clutch operation and manual or automated shifting for an enhanced motorcycling experience as optional equipment.
• Completely newly developed chassis with sheet metal main frame made of steel and aluminium rear frame.
• New upside-down front fork and revised EVO Paralever rear suspension for even greater handling precision.
• New electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) as optional equipment ex works, with dynamic adjustment of the damping and spring rate, and also load compensation. The world’s first series production motorcycle telescopic fork with adjustable spring rate.
• New wheels more than 1.4 kg lighter.
• High-performance brake system in conjunction with BMW Motorrad ABS Pro for safe braking, even in banking position.
• Standard full LED headlight in sporty, slim design and state-of-the-art LED lighting throughout. Headlight Pro with adaptive turning light as optional equipment ex works.
• Riding Assistant with Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Rear End Collision Warning (RECW) and Lane Change Warning (SWW) for convenient and safe motorcycling as optional equipment.
• For the first time, navigation preparation now features electric locking for maximum operating comfort as optional equipment ex works.
• Extensive range of optional equipment and Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.

2025 BMW R1300 RS model variants

Standard model

• Racing Blue colour.
• Seat insert, unpainted.
• Passenger seat with embossed graphic.
• Upside-down fork, black.
• Stainless steel exhaust system.

Triple Black model

• Blackstorm metallic colour.
• Seat insert, painted.
• Passenger seat with embossed graphic.
• Engine spoiler.
• Design option rear silencer, dark chrome-plated.
• Manifold, dark chrome-plated.

Performance version.

• Lightwhite uni colour.
• Upside-down telescopic fork, gold.
• Red spring in the suspension strut.
• Dynamic Package.
• Seat insert, painted.
• DTC-Shift + Sport-Screen 2 & 3.
• Milled and short sport handlebars.
• Milled and adjustable footrests.
• Central fuel tank cover with colour applications.
• Windshield, tinted.
• Sport passenger seat with colour accent and embroidery.
• Sport seat, high.
• Sport seat (as optional equipment).
• Rider’s seat, low (as optional equipment).
• Sport suspension.
• Engine spoiler.
• Sport tyres.
• Design option wheels.
• Design option rear silencer (dark chrome-plated).
• Sport silencer (as optional equipment).
• Manifold, dark chrome-plated.
• Manifold, chrome-plated (as optional equipment).

Option 719 Cuyamaca

• Brooklyn Grey metallic colour.
• Upside-down telescopic fork, black.
• Seat insert, painted.
• Passenger seat with embossed graphic.
• Option 719 badge.
• Option 719 Milled Parts Package Shadow.
• Option 719 Wheel Sport.
• Design option rear silencer (dark chrome-plated).
• Sport silencer (as optional equipment).
• Manifold, dark chrome-plated.
• Manifold, chrome-plated (as optional equipment).

Special equipment packages.

• Comfort Package: Seat heating, heated grips, RDC.
• Dynamic Package: DSA, Shift Assistant Pro or

automated shift assistant ASA, Riding Modes Pro,

sport brake.

• Innovation Package: Headlight Pro, Riding Assistant,

Rear End Collision Warning.

• Touring Package: Preparation for navigation unit,

central locking system, centre stand with prop-up aid, luggage bridge or topcase holder, case holders.

Individual items of optional equipment.

• Design option rear silencer, dark chrome-plated.
• Touring windshield, high.
• Sport rear silencer.
• Navigation preparation.
• Chrome-plated manifold.
• Manifold, dark chrome-plated.
• M lightweight battery (lithium-ion battery, approx. 2kg lighter than the standard battery.
• Alarm system.
• Comfort handlebars.
• Design wheel with red strip of paint across the rim base and the inscription 1300.
• Intelligent Emergency Call.
• Teleservices.
• Rider’s seat, high (with seat heating).
• Rider’s seat, low (with seat heating).
• Comfort passenger’s seat(with seat heating).

R 1300 RS Performance only:

• Sport seat, high (with seat heating).

Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.

Design.

• Passenger seat cover.
• Rear axle cover (axle tube cover).
• Clutch lever, milled, adjustable.
• Ignition coil cover, milled.

Storage.

• Case 26l and 29l, electrified.
• Case liners.
• Topcase 39l, electrified.
• Tank bag.