2025 BMW R1300 RT

Luxury heavy tourer released as final part of BMW’s 2025 R1300 range

At first glance, the new 2025 R1300 RT full-on tourer from BMW looks quite similar to the R1300 RS sport-touring bike released at the same time. That’s partly down to convergence found across the market over the years: sporty tourers have gained more equipment and capability, while full-on tourers have added much higher-performance kit.

So the RS sport-tourer has a big adjustable screen and capacious hard luggage fitments, while the RT now comes with the same sporty brake setup, more svelte bodywork and screen, plus quickshifter and optional semi-active performance suspension.

Take a closer look though, and the differences start to leap out. The main one is that the bigger, heavier RT (dry weight 265kg, 32kg more than the RS) has BMW’s Telever front end instead of the sportier USD front fork seen on the R and RS 1300 models. The Telelever is also used on the GS and GS Adventure models, and BMW reckons it’s a better choice on heavyweight machinery, with a conventional fork making more sense on lighter kit.

Away from the Telelever front end, you have a much more protective set of bodywork on the RT, as you’d expect, with more spacious seating accommodation for rider and pillion, massive power-adjustable windscreen and a much more relaxed touring riding position.

The hard panniers are fitted as standard instead of as an option, and you get an enormous 10.25” colour HD 1920×720 LCD display in the huge dashboard, which is also ready for the optional Audio and Audio Pro system and its powerful tweeter and woofer speakers. That setup has an HD audio output with Bluetooth and USB connections, as well as a full DAB+ and FM radio system. It can also operate via the speakers, or helmet headset.

Under the bodywork is the same motor as the rest of the R1300 range: the flat-twin Boxer lump, with four-valve DOHC heads, ShiftCam variable valve timing and lift, oversquare 106.5mmx73mm bore and stroke, and peak power of 145bhp with 149Nm of torque.

BMW gave this engine a total makeover compared with the previous 1250 unit, moving the six-speed gearbox under the crank, and designing in the firm’s optional new robotised automatic transmission ASA (Automated Shift Assistant).

The R1300 RT also has a new chassis, with the latest fabricated sheet-steel main frame design as seen on the other R1300 models. It’s optimised for the RT though, with the front end designed to mount that Telelever EVO monoshock suspension and the rear subframe using a specially-strengthened extruded aluminium design, to save weight while coping with high pillion and luggage loads over long distances.

The new RT also features electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA), giving semi-active adjustment of the damping, spring rate and preload at both front and back ends. Out back you get the latest EVO version of the Paralever shaft-drive single-sided swingarm suspension with a fully-adjustable monoshock.

BMW has also integrated a new Dynamic Chassic Adaptation (DCA) system that uses the electronic suspension components to give a choice two totally different chassis geometries.

One position is aimed at touring comfort, with more relaxed steering head angle and lowered rear, while the sporty setup extends the suspension for more ground clearance, firms up the damping, and also lifts the back of the bike up, putting more weight onto the front end and sharpening up the handling.

So at the push of a button, you can switch from motorway comfort to twisty back-road sports fun (within reason, of course…)

Standard brakes on the RT 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 during braking. There’s also a Sport brake option, with titanium-finished calipers and slightly stronger 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 chassis spec is rounded off by the standard modern BMW premium electronic rider aids setup, with cornering ABS and traction control, riding power modes, extensive 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 taller, lowered and heated seats for rider and pillion, taller screen, 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.

So – a high-tech, mega-comfy fast heavyweight tourer, aimed at those who want no compromises on their mega-mileage riding tools. It’s a smaller niche than it used to be, with adventure bikes eating the traditional touring bike’s lunch in recent years, but if this is the sort of thing you like, then the new R1300 RT looks like an excellent option, set between the R1300 RS and the ultra-touring K1600 LT models.

Pricing starts at £18,900 for the standard model, with the  R1300 RT LE at £21,325 and the ASA automatic LE at  £22,100. Bikes are available from June, more info at www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk.

2025 BMW R1300 RT Tech Highlights

• Lightweight, dynamic design.
• Optimised ergonomics and accessibility for dynamic riding and confident touring.
• Wind and weather protection concept with side trim integrated into the design.
• High windshield available as optional equipment ex works.
• Four model variants: Basic variant, Triple Black, Impulse and Option 719 Camargue.
• Twin-cylinder Boxer engine with 107 kW 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 Vario cases makes the bike ideal for comfortable touring and travelling.
• 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 tube lattice rear frame.
• EVO Telelever with flex element and EVO Paralever rear wheel guide for even greater steering precision and ride stability.
• Dynamic ESA electronic suspension as standard.
• New electronic suspension Dynamic Chassis Adaption (DCA) for two different riding positions for maximum spread between ride comfort and dynamic handling as well as with dynamic adjustment of damping, spring rate and load equalisation as optional equipment ex works.
• New wheels more than 1.4 kg lighter.
• High-performance brake system in conjunction with BMW Motorrad ABS Pro for safe braking, even when leaning into corners.
• New full LED headlamp as standard. Headlight Pro with adaptive headlight as optional equipment ex works.
• Adaptive Light Modes for Headlight Pro headlamp 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 ex works.
• Audio Pro as optional equipment ex works.
• Comfort Passenger Package as optional equipment ex works.
• Optional equipment and Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.

2025 BMW R1300 RT models

Basic version.

• Alpine white 3 uni colour.
• Rear silencer standard (brushed stainless steel).
• Manifold standard (polished stainless steel).
• Tubular handlebars.
• Fuel tank painted (Mineral Grey metallic matt).

Triple Black model variant.

• Blackstorm metallic colour.
• Exhaust system, dark chrome-plated.
• Sport windshield.
• Forged handlebars.
• Fuel tank painted.

Alternative package contents:

• Tubular handlebars.
• Chrome-plated exhaust system.
• Aluminium fuel tank (tinted clear coat).
• Windshield, high.

Impulse model variant.

• Racing blue metallic colour.
• Exhaust system, dark chrome-plated.
• Forged handlebars.
• Variable wind deflectors.
• Design option wheels.
• Natural brushed aluminium fuel tank.

Alternative package contents:

• Tubular handlebars.
• Chrome-plated exhaust system.
• Aluminium fuel tank (tinted clear coat).

Option 719 Camargue model variant.

• Blue Ridge Mountain metallic colour.
• Lines painted by hand (at the Berlin plant).
• Chrome-plated exhaust system.
• Forged handlebars.
• Variable wind deflectors.
• Option 719 Wheel Sport.
• Shadow milled parts package.
• Fuel tank painted.

Alternative package contents:

• Tubular handlebars.
• Exhaust system, dark chrome-plated.
• Aluminium fuel tank (tinted clear coat).

Optional equipment packages.

• Comfort Passenger Package: Topcase holder, large topcase, power socket, comfort rider’s seat, comfort passenger seat.
• Dynamic Package: DCA, Shift Assistant Pro or Automated Shift Assistant ASA, riding modes Pro, sport brake.
• Innovation Package: Headlight Pro, Adaptive Light Modes, Riding Assistant, Rear End Collision Warning.
• Comfort Package: Central locking, anti-theft alarm, centre stand with prop-up aid, variable luggage system.

Individual optional equipment items

• Aluminium fuel tank.
• Design option chrome-plated rear silencer.
• Design option rear silencer, dark chrome-plated.
• Chrome-plated manifold.
• Manifold, dark chrome-plated.
• Automated Shift Assistant.
• ECE/US audio system.
• Audio Pro.
• Design option wheels.
• Forged handlebars.
• Windshield, high.
• Windshield Sport.
• Variable wind deflector.
• Additional LED headlamp.
• Intelligent Emergency Call.
• Teleservices.
• Centre stand.
• Tubular handlebars.
• Comfort rider’s seat with seat heating.
• Comfort rider’s seat, low with seat heating.
• Comfort rider’s seat, high with seat heating.
• Comfort passenger’s seat with seat heating.
• Option 719 Milled Parts Package Shadow.
• Option 719 Wheel Sport.
• Cold country version.

Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.

• Case protector.
• Topcase large 54 l electrified.
• Topcase small 39 l.
• Case liner topcase large/small.
• Case liner cases left/right.
• Additional topcase brake light.
• Engine protection bar.
• Comfort windscreen.
• Adjustable rider footrests.