BMW R1250RT touring (2021-) review

BMW’s boxer twin RT has been the definitive tourer ever since the original air-cooled R100RT was launched, as more upright, comfortable version of the R100RS, in 1978. Its blend of versatility, shaft-drive durability and well-equipped class made it both the benchmark to beat and the police bike of choice. Constant revisions and reinventions have kept it there ever since due to BMW’s mastery in supplying what a touring bike need. This latest version has unparalleled weather protection, comfort and lavish, sophisticated equipment, masses of luggage capacity and a reputation no-one else gets near. While the most recent revisions – the 2019 move to 1250cc, raising power from 124 to 136bhp, and the 2021 restyle, big TFT dash and more – have done more than enough to keep it ahead. As a tourer it wants for nothing… except perhaps a slightly more alluring image!

BMW are rightly considered the experts when it comes to tourers and its RT is its most successful and developed model so, perhaps unsurprisingly, there’s nothing we can criticize here. Although a large bike, on board the RT’s impressively slim, light and manageable. The seat’s plush, height adjustable and low and comfort options are available. Handlebars and pegs are adjustable, too (although there’s no need) and the riding position from the off is blissfully natural (for, two) and all-day comfortable, too. The immense fairing and electrically adjustable screen give all the weather protection you’ll ever need and the seats and bar grips are also heated (as options). What’s not to like?

The RT may look like a large, potentially unwieldy and undeniably pricey bike, but it also makes a great all-rounder – after all, thousands of happy police and motoring services riders can’t be wrong. It’s all-day comfortable, relaxing to ride, has bags of luggage capacity, plenty of optional extras including satnav, Bluetooth, music etc to make life more bearable and yet it has enough performance and nimble yet sure-footed handling to entertain. It’s also proven, durable and reliable, can rack up many thousands of miles and has an impressive dealer and support network. Yes, it can be a little bulky and cumbersome in traffic and it’s no off-roader (but then, how many BMW GSs ever go near the dirt?) but for a seven days a week, all year commuter/all-rounder, there are few better. If you can live with its image.

Before 2021’s updated front styling and new dash, the most significant RT advance in recent years was the engine upgrade from the 124bhp 1200cc unit to the ‘ShiftCam’ 136bhp 1250 in 2019, which not only significantly boosted power but raised peak torque by over 10%, too. You can really notice the difference, as well. Though outwardly a dowdy tourer, the RT is surprisingly pokey and entertaining, especially if you option the ‘Dynamic’ engine mode on top of the standard ‘Road’ and ‘Rain’. It’s also grunty, flexible and impressively smooth as well. Sure, it’s no 150bhp+ superbike, but more most there’s more than enough to keep you happy. Braking-wise it’s improved, too. A new ‘Combined Braking System’ links front and back and is smooth and powerful; there’s Brembo radial calipers and corning ABS, too, which is probably just as well considering how much weight there is when fully-loaded and two-up.

Ride can best be described as ‘plush, stable and luxurious’, which is exactly what you want on a touring bike, after all. Of course, when pushed hard it does start to wallow and weave and become slightly less assured, but most owners are never likely to ride so hard. Steering is precise, stability mostly excellent and, for a comfortable there’s really nothing to criticize. We would recommend, however, the optional extra of BMW’s brilliant ESA (‘Electronic Suspension Adjustment’ system) which allows you to firm up the suspension on the fly.

All BMW bikes are prestige, premium machines and the RT is no different – in fact it’s arguably the flagship model of BM’s boxer line-up – so running costs are never going to be that cheap. It’s a premium-priced, large capacity machine, after all. That said, BMW residual values are far better than most, the RT’s comparatively gentle, touring nature and fairly mild 136bhp output means its hunger for consumables such as tyres and brake pads is better than most 1000s, it has shaft drive so there’s no need to replace the chain and, being an exposed boxer twin means service costs aren’t that bad, either.

The RT changed to liquid-cooled form in 2013 and there were a few well-publicised problems with the shaft drive units of some early bikes. That said, although this 1250 is an evolution of that machine, no such difficulties have been reported. Elsewhere there’s also been the occasional issue with switchgear, but again only on the earlier bikes. Overall, although a new model, BMW’s reputation is better than most, any glitches have by now been ironed out and we have no real cause for concern.

BMW currently leads the way by offering not a two, but now a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty for all parts and labour on its machines, so you can’t get much more reassurance than that. BMW servicing prices aren’t exactly the cheapest but the RT is far simpler and easier to work on than, say, BMW’s six-cylinder K1600GT alternative and its service intervals are decently wide as well.

As with most BMWs, the RT is offered with a dazzling array of optional equipment ranging from heated grips and seats to Bluetooth phone connectivity, sat nav, Electronic Suspension Adjustment, extra luggage and much, much more – all of which is welcome, but costs extra. In standard trim the RT is slightly basic by comparison but the panniers, electric screen, adjustable seat are all welcome and the new, massive, 10.25in TFT screen is simply the best in the class, so we’ve absolutely no complains. Beyond that, ‘you pays your money, you takes your choice…’

In many ways, few biking choices are simpler. If you want the best motorcycle tourer available and don’t want the cumbersome bulk (and expense) of ‘full-dressers such as BMW’s own K1600GT or a Honda Gold Wing, then the RT is ‘the one’. End of. Its reputation is imperious, its abilities astonishing and its comfort and equipment as good if not better than any. In fact, the only chink in the RT’s armour is its slightly dowdy, ‘police bike’ image, which is why many buyers go for BMW’s far-cooler, adventure style R1250GS instead. The RT, though, with sharper handling, better weather-protection and bigger dash, is the better road bike, though…