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Coming Soon: new BMW R 1300 R, R 1300 RT and R 1300 RS
BMW’s big boxer family grows with new tourer, roadster and sports tourer chips off the R 1300 GS block
Words by: Phil West
Published on 6 May 2025 | 0 min read
BMW has followed up last year’s all-new R 1300 GS with not one but THREE new models based on the same 1,300cc boxer-twin platform.
The new R 1300 R roadster, R 1300 RT tourer and R 1300 RS sports-tourer were unveiled in quick succession and replace equivalent R, RS and RT versions built on the previous R 1250 platform. All will go on sale in time for summer All three use essentially the same more compact, more powerful 1,300cc boxer twin as unveiled on the new R 1300 GS in late 2023. That means the additional horsepower and increase in peak torque to 149Nm, plus the significant addition of BMW’s Automated Shift Assistant system as an option - see here for our review of the system as fitted to the GS.
The new R 1300 R roadster, R 1300 RT tourer and R 1300 RS sports-tourer were unveiled in quick succession and replace equivalent R, RS and RT versions built on the previous R 1250 platform. All will go on sale in time for summer All three use essentially the same more compact, more powerful 1,300cc boxer twin as unveiled on the new R 1300 GS in late 2023. That means the additional horsepower and increase in peak torque to 149Nm, plus the significant addition of BMW’s Automated Shift Assistant system as an option - see here for our review of the system as fitted to the GS.
In standard trim, all three also come with three switchable electronic riding modes with more available as options, along with a quickshifter and more. But there is much more to BMW’s new 1300s than just new engines. All three, like the 1300 GS before them, have a new ‘shell’ type frame fashioned from sheet steel in place of the old tubular steel trellis, this combined with a new cast aluminium rear subframe.
Their cycle parts, while following the principles of their predecessors, are largely new, too. All share new 17-inch cast wheels with a hollow spoke design for an impressive 1.4kg weight saving over what went before. While all retain BMW’s familiar shaft drive and Paralever supension at the rear and the RT keeps its Telelever front end, the sportier R and RS use uprated inverted telescopic forks have now with 47mm stanchions.
Their cycle parts, while following the principles of their predecessors, are largely new, too. All share new 17-inch cast wheels with a hollow spoke design for an impressive 1.4kg weight saving over what went before. While all retain BMW’s familiar shaft drive and Paralever supension at the rear and the RT keeps its Telelever front end, the sportier R and RS use uprated inverted telescopic forks have now with 47mm stanchions.
What’s more, BMW’s previously optional Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) system is now standard, enabling on-the-fly adjustment to damping and preload at the touch of a button. At extra cost there’s also the option of BMW’s new Dynamic Chassis Adaption (DCA) system, which adjusts chassis geometry by adjusting the height of the rear suspension to switch between a more relaxed, stability focused setting or a sharper, more agile configuration as mood takes.
These are merely the foundations on which three very different looking bikes have been built, each with a distinctive look of its own with LED lighting all round helping each have its own visual signature. Both the R and sports-tourer RS are notably more aggressive and sporty-looking with a ‘nose-heavy’ emphasis. The traditionally class-leading RT tourer also gets a wholly revised look, with a lower headlight and more homogenous style with body panels now extending down the sides. Last but definitely not least the three new boxers also now come with enhanced levels of equipment, electronic accessories and improved luggage options.
These are merely the foundations on which three very different looking bikes have been built, each with a distinctive look of its own with LED lighting all round helping each have its own visual signature. Both the R and sports-tourer RS are notably more aggressive and sporty-looking with a ‘nose-heavy’ emphasis. The traditionally class-leading RT tourer also gets a wholly revised look, with a lower headlight and more homogenous style with body panels now extending down the sides. Last but definitely not least the three new boxers also now come with enhanced levels of equipment, electronic accessories and improved luggage options.
Of the three the RT stands out, and not just for its imposing size. While its big 10.25-inch TFT dash and standard Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) with braking function is retained. Like the 1300 GS before it, the big tourer now also has the option of BMW’s new radar-guided Riding Assistant, including Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision
Warning (FCW), Lane Change Warning (SWW) and Rear End Collision Warning (RECW). The RT also comes with colour-matched panniers as standard, with the option of larger, electrified ‘Vario’ cases, complete with heated pillion backrest, as well as an audio system. And while the R and RS retain BMW’s smaller, familiar 6.5-inch TFT dash, the sports-tourer RS also retains its electrically adjustable screen (with optional taller version), is also available with colour-matched, electrified panniers and, for the first time, has the option of a neat, strapless tankbag secured instead by a tank ring. As for prices, the R starts at £13,200, rising to £16,255 for the SE ASA version. The RS range meanwhile kicks off at £13,700 rising to £16,745 for the SE ASA while the new RT starts at £18,900, climbing to £22,100 for the SE ASA. The R and RS will be available from July with the RT going on sale first in June.
Warning (FCW), Lane Change Warning (SWW) and Rear End Collision Warning (RECW). The RT also comes with colour-matched panniers as standard, with the option of larger, electrified ‘Vario’ cases, complete with heated pillion backrest, as well as an audio system. And while the R and RS retain BMW’s smaller, familiar 6.5-inch TFT dash, the sports-tourer RS also retains its electrically adjustable screen (with optional taller version), is also available with colour-matched, electrified panniers and, for the first time, has the option of a neat, strapless tankbag secured instead by a tank ring. As for prices, the R starts at £13,200, rising to £16,255 for the SE ASA version. The RS range meanwhile kicks off at £13,700 rising to £16,745 for the SE ASA while the new RT starts at £18,900, climbing to £22,100 for the SE ASA. The R and RS will be available from July with the RT going on sale first in June.
