BMW R1250RT 2020 & 2023 Comparison

Comparing my "23 BMW R1250RT to my "20 RT.

[RT-VIEW_FROM_A_PILLION]

The ACC has three different distance settings. These are based on braking distances for different speeds. The button next to the hazard warning lights. Each press will move to a different distance indicated by the number of bars. Three bars is the longest distance for motorway high speed work, whilst one bar is the shortest for traffic. The ACC will only engage above 20 mph.

It’s possible to turn ACC off, and only use the standard Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC). DCC will maintain a set speed no matter the gradient or wind conditions. However, it won’t intervene if you wander too close to the back of another vehicle. ACC is worth having if you’re going to munch miles, which most who buy the RT will do. In the UK, it’s about a £520 factory fitted option, so it’s affordable.

My experience with it on a 3 day a week 200 mile round trip in all weathers, is it’s a life saver. It will brake if someone jams their brakes on. It will also do this if some plonker squeezes in between you and the vehicle in front. A word of warning though. I’m not brave enough to let it do its own thing! Once you’re aware, I think you should hit the anchors. Having said that, someone the other day squeezed in in front of me around 40mph. They then jammed the brakes on really aggressively. The ACC scrubbed a lot of speed very quickly. Happy and safe riding!

[rrtpilot]

Thanks! You confirmed I made the right decision!

[ryhorchannel]

How is vibration from motor is it really not comfortable and painfully after long trip on motor?

[Hogdriver]

Nice comparison. I have a ‘22 GSA and am thinking about switching to the RT - love that bike. Probably doesn’t make much sense to have them both, though I could use the GSA for solo exploring/camping and the RT for 2 up, but she’s very comfortable on the Road Glide and I don’t think the RT would be as much. She won’t get on the GSA LOL.

[marc]

How is the headlight, is there much difference in illumiation ?

[daveyator]

In some circles, upgrading from a wet head R1200RT to a shift cam R1250RT might be considered a marginal improvement. Going from an "analog" R1250RT to a "TFT" one might be considered even less so considering the expense involved. Why did you feel the need to do so? I had a R1200RT that I changed to a R1250RS but I lost her in a crash this summer. I just picked up a new "23 RT and, while it's a definite improvement over my old RT, if I had it to do over (and not crash!) I might have been better off just keeping the old RT.

[ryhorvarvashevich]

Why RT instead GTL? RT has big vibration but GTL not, Thank you

[stewartandersonjoinery]

I have a 2024 model which is the same as your 23 model but all in triple black. There is a few things that annoy me, the docking station for your mobile which doesn’t fit my apple 14+ especially when you cant fit a charging cable and the self charging system i dont know if it worked, it was a total pain getting my mobile out and the fear of dropping it so i tried blue toothing it when it it was in my jacket pocket, but the phone was hot..so switched the blue tooth off. I cant understand why BMW didnt just build in a sat nav system into the screen, after all it is a tourer! Im away to possibly get a Garmin sat nav fitted above the TFT screen, also why did they make the controls so difficult to use to get the heated grips and seat? You shouldnt need to distract from looking where your riding... Apart from that, nice bike to run. I find it a tad heavy compared to my previous BMW tourers.

[MintChoggy]

I prefer the previous Gen just for the looks. Previous gen looks more fierce with the angel eyes. Would not comment on the tech and the new shift cam and all those new tech stuff, because I have never rode these before.

[MadMax]

I’m guessing the 2020 is sold by now? I’m interested if not?

[stewkeene]

What are you going to do with your 2020?

[STOPsignforRT]

Two questions. 1) Why 2 RT's? 2) Which one do you like better? Video - LIKE. 👍

[touchyto]

2012 version is the best rt ever made.