BMW R 1250 RT 2025 — Specifications

The R 1250 RT is nearing the end of a beautiful career. The 1300 is preparing to replace it, but it will be difficult to follow suit. Not in terms of performance (the new boxer engine is remarkably effective), but in terms of road manners, something this BMW has managed to elevate to an untouchable level. In the meantime, it is still offering itself to the market with its usual qualities and rigor.

Although it has outclassed all the competition, it cannot resist continuing with relentless technological evolution.

It is natural that it moves towards the 3rd decade of the century, loaded with riding aids and a formidable air of certainty. A sedan on two wheels, almost as well-equipped as a car.

An RT is a certain majesty. A figurehead of a certain tonnage, both wide and elegant. For this 8th generation, the gaze has sharpened. Thinner, more taut, and more technical eyes render the front of this BM more dynamic. Apart from this face, a refined front line to widen the field of vision and the front fender, just retouched, the rest of the 1250 is preserved. The recognizable silhouette and the balance between size, protection, and comfort dictated the preservation of the lines and the overall dimensions.

One of the main surprises is found under the electrically adjustable windshield. A black mirror-like screen reflects the digital technologies. In 2017, BMW presented its color TFT connectivity screen; an option for the R 1200 GS. Since then, it has spread rapidly and is now standard on the entire range. For the RT, the manufacturer is moving on to something more powerful. A huge panoramic screen, as wide as an iPad but less tall. With a 10.25-inch diagonal, it is 58% larger than the one mounted on the R, R, and GS models – and almost doubles the surface area compared to the old screen of the RT.

With such a surface area, it is now possible to accommodate a GPS and operate it simultaneously with the onboard information. Within a 1920 x 720 px high-definition space, a map can be presented on the right third or full screen, as desired. Provided that the smartphone app has been installed. 2022 rhymes with a slight software update. Favorite buttons are now freely assignable, and there is an improvement in the ease of use and the display of the TFT screen.

The mechanical heart of the 1250 RT is invariably a Boxer twin. It distributes 136 horsepower, a substantial 14.5 mkg of torque, and a power curve filled thanks to the shiftcam variable valve timing system. As an example, more than 11 mkg are available from 2,000 to 8,250 rpm. Introduced in 2009, this engine was already designed to easily pass Euro5. Its validation therefore does not entail any changes in the force values or in the regimes where their maximums are reached.

However, the electronic grafts wanted to add a layer. There is something new in the Riding Modes, with the 'ECO' favoring economical / ecological / ecobulique... Sorry, bucolic? Some have moved from the option box to standard equipment. This includes the traction control system DTC, replacing the anti-slip ASC.

The cruise control system is also part of the crew. Dynamic, it maintains the programmed speed (that is its role) even when going downhill. If the slope is too steep, it uses the brakes in addition to the engine braking. But it has an apprentice this year. Take another look at the refreshed front of the bike… The small plate in the nose of this new RT is an embedded radar. Our friends at Bosch have developed a new gadget: allowing the cruise control to become adaptive. The rider sets a distance level with the vehicle preceding the motorcycle and the latter adjusts the speed according to the approach. This solution, applied for several years in automobiles, is arriving with us. BMW had announced it in mid-2020. But let the excitement be moderated; the Active Cruise Control is an option.

Changes to the brakes, but not in the mechanical part. The 320 mm discs and the 4-piston radial calipers are identical to the old RT. Except that now, they are coached by the Full IntegralABSPro. Specifically, BMW has put everything it knows how to do electronically with brakes into the same package. The action with the hand or foot simultaneously acts on the front and rear calipers, with the safety of an ABS sensitive to the angle and an engine braking regulation.

Engine retained, brakes retained, frame retained, suspensions retained - BMW is not touching the fundamentals. The Telelever fork and the Paralever cardan swingarm have proven their worth for a long time. The Munich manufacturer can draw more comfort from it with the Next Generation Dynamic ESA - its semi-active suspensions that 'read' the road and automatically adapt to the load. For France, this refinement is standard, as is the emergency call and the new curve adaptive lighting integrated into the optical unit. The daytime signature adopts a new shape, fairly close to that of the RS; or the 900 XR; or the S 1000 RR - Briefly, the new BMW identity.

Speaking of options. They are essential and are even part of the Béhème DNA. We have seen that the adaptive cruise control is among the novelties. Still well stocked, the catalog allows you to take the Riding Modes Pro, to obtain the Dynamic and Dynamic Pro additional maps as well as the engine braking regulation MSR. Let's not miss (without necessarily taking them) the 2.0 audio system, the keyless start, the quickshifter, the heated seats or the new 'Comfort telephony with extended smartphone connection'. That is to say a ventilated glove box where you can accommodate your phone to recharge it either by induction, or by USB.

At the helm of the RT, one can say that it knows only one border: that where the road ends. Undaunted, even more equipped, it scoffs at the maxi-trails-GT that have become its main threat. Its qualities are sold at a high price. The R 1250 RT pulverizes the 20,000 euro mark. It must be said that the equipment has also made a nice leap.

M.B - Photos manufacturer