The 2024 BMW R1250 RT Is A Sport Touring Monster

Hi everyone, my name is Greg Widmar. My vision is to inspire riders to wear full gear, take courses and practice in order to reduce crashes on the public roads...and to have more fun!
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[fullframepix]

As commander of a highway patrol unit in Europe, we are using this bike (1200 and 1250 models) on a daily basis for patrols, interceptions, escorts and so on. After a several weeks specific training to learn the particular equipment and the riding techniques, this bike fits like a glove for our duties! As you mention, the protection is incredible and the "maneuvrability" is ok as soon as you get in movement. The engine is not violent but still with sporty accents when needed. As a daily bike for example (commuting), this model is really great. Highly recommended ;)

[Flakey]

As a former R1250RT owner, I agree with everything you said. A couple of additional pros and cons for anyone considering the RT:

Pros:
1. In the winter, the RT is incredible. I rode it down to 35(f) degrees in comfort. The wind protection is no joke, and the heated seats and grips are thermonuclear.
2. The RT's gearing puts the engine in a smoother part of its rev range at an 85mph cruise than the GS, less vibration and a more pleasant noise.
3. The seat is much wider and comfier than the GS, I've needed Sargent aftermarket seats for all my GS's, but the stock seat on the RT was incredible for me.
4. The way the wind and rain are managed on the RT makes it extremely easy to keep looking clean and fresh! The GS tends to fling more dirt onto places that are more visible.
5. This is true for all R-series BMWs, but having a driveshaft means no chain maintenance, which is a big plus for a bike that you'd want to ride in all weather and ride every day.

Cons:
1. The RT's steering is optimized for stability, and the bike really wants to stand itself upright. As a rider, you have to perform constant counter-steering force to maintain lean angle in constant raidus corners. The neutral steering of the GS is preferable for me personally.
2. The wind protection makes the RT much less comfortable in the summer. Over 80 degrees, I find it pretty unbearable, while wearing protective gear. The GS is easier to convert to a summer bike by simply removing some of the wind protection that is retained by just a few screws, and putting on a sport windscreen.
3. The RT feels heavier during breaking and acceleration than the GS.
4. The riding modes on the GS are more customizable. E.G. You can have "Dynamic Pro" mode set to have normal traction and wheelie control, but aggressive engine response and harder suspension. Can't make these micro tweaks on the R1250RT.
5. The higher ride height of the GS gives it slightly better lean-angle before scraping pegs or engine protection bars in corners. I'm not sure what the actual degree difference is, but I scraped pegs on the RT on most of my twisty mountain rides. Less so on the GS.
6. The RT's suspension feels too soft in Road mode for anything other than highway cruising. It's just right in Dynamic mode, but I wish there was an even more aggressive mode for the twisties. The new R1300GS's shocks have much more fine tuning available. and Dynamic Pro +2 is really nice for aggressive riding.

Overall, I found the GS to be a better all around package, but in a two-bike setup. A naked bike like the MT-10 for hot days and a full fared bike like the RT for cold/rainy days would be a great solution!

[carybarron]

Last month I stumbled upon a 2011 R1200RT that was like new. It has 32, 600 miles on it but it’s all highway miles that the original owner put on it traveling the entire country, especially the western states. He had to stop riding for health reasons. I bought it for $5000! It’s a great addition alongside my Versys 1000. Bike has premium features like heated grips, cruise, linked ABS brakes, electric windshield, and more. I feel like I stole it…lol. And easy to work on. Great road trip bike!

[johnnicklin]

I got back on a motorcycle 2 years ago, after 38 years off to raise 5 kids. Initially I bought a Honda ST 1300 because I knew what I wanted to do on a motorcycle. After a fuel hose ruptured and left me stranded I bought a 2022 RT and I can’t believe how great it is to ride. I’m 66 and I took a trip from Michigan to Missouri, 570 miles each way. I set the cruise at 80 and with gas stops made it in 8 hours. It was 36 degrees when I left and I did grab a heated jacket and gloves to keep it comfy. I also ride twisty roads nearly everyday for an hour or two, weather permitting. Amazing to ride anytime, anywhere.

[decocatani]

RT is the perfect bike. Yes, many people will disagree before a certain age and before riding a bunch of other bikes in different situations. Then the truth comes in: RT is the perfect bike.

[peterhallett]

It’s a great all rounder. I’ve owned one since 2022 and covered 18k miles, mostly touring, in that time. You can ride all day on the autobahn/ motorways in comfort but still have great fun in the twisties when you get chance. Great engine, superb handling, weather protection, comfort and luggage. Only big minus is the phone connectivity for navigation ( check out the forums). Many of us have fitted secondary navigation but we shouldn’t be having to do that on a £20k plus bike. Otherwise, if touring is your thing, it’s a fantastic bike.

[NemanjaVucinic]

I use my 2019 RT as my only vehicle and it is truly amazing. Great commuter, tourer, sporty feeling bike if needed, awesome wind protection, comfort, maneuverability... The weight is meaningless, especially when you start your ride... I can't wait for a new season in Serbia, and also for a new 1300 to get released.

[SoDakTwisties]

The RT was my halo bike since around 2019 when I demoed the R1200RT. When the updated R1250RT came out in 2021, I got to demo that one. I didn't have a BMW Motorrad dealer locally at the time, which was a bit of a deal breaker. FFWD to March 2024, and I finally bought my new RT. I put about 5, 300 miles on it before I had to put it up for the winter in November. I'm absolutely amazed how nimble that thing is for it's size. BMW really knows how to engineer good handling bikes.

[herrdirektor]

I have one. (End of 2022). Doesn't get much sportier for a tourer. Be sure to always choose the hard suspension settings in Road, Eco and Rain mode. (Dynamic is default hard) Otherwise you will bounce around way more than you would like. Other than that, it has all the good stuff and more. Adaptive radar works surprisingly well and the navigation through the app too, as long as you ensure that all the permissions are on and other notifications from other apps are blocked as much as possible. Power is unlimited and for slow cruising through towns the shift cam is pretty much unbeatable.

[Dennzio]

I've seen all the videos on this and Big Rock are the best of the lot....along with Nothing To Prove

[josephknight]

I have an old one, and is still powerful as when it was released. very comfortable, and fun to ride.

[tunccan]

Undoubtfully the best freeway bike ever built

[harryeirvineiii]

I got to ride a 2023 R1250 RT for 1, 800 miles on a ten day organized tour, that left from Hederson, Nevada on April 1 2024, and went as far East as Cortez, CO, The bike had all the bells and whistles as was on Jitsu's test bike, and I was able to operate the bare minimum of those bells and whistles, but enough of them to have a great time, and to stay warm, even in temps down to 29 degrees. undoubtedly the RT was the best bike I have ever ridden, in my 300, 000 miles in the saddle. The windshield was too good, creating a slight negative pressure that ever so slightly pulled my head forward, leading to a neck ache after a couple of hours in the saddle, that was not revealed until I started lowering the windshield as we got closer to Henderson, and the pain went away. Does the RT have the touted engine power? Well I think my 40 year old Honda VF-1100S would give an RT a run for it's money.

[jeffreyscott]

The RT is possibly the best touring bike ever made.
I traded mine for the new R1300GSA and miss the RT already. Its the easiest bike I've ever owned to ride. Tips in so easily, so much wind protection, great fuel economy. An absolute awesome commuter/touring bike.
Out of the many BMW's I've owned this one was one that was on the top of the list.
All that said, It doesn't stir a lot of excitement.

[ruthless.biker]

I was blown away by the tech on my car, but the tech on these bikes is absolutely insane. I would've never dreamed of it. Thanks for the review!

[ubit]

As an FJR owner I can say that the weight definitely disappears, love my bike! The RT technology sounds great, but comes with a pretty steep price tag I would think - FJR has the bags, some tech and great handling and performance at a reasonable price tag - Sure its not the BMW, but I don't need the BMW for what I want - I can do the twisties, great on the highway, wonderful acceleration, plenty of storage space and really inexpensive to maintain. Just my two cents....

[davidalderman]

Got my first BMW a year ago Dec it’s a 05 1200RT with just over 17K really enjoy it now have over 20K .took it out on a 27deg day only my fingers got cold fixed that with new gloves . did a 12 day Italy tour on a 1250GS that was nice so I’m Looking at getting a GS as my second bike .as they say two is one one is none.

[RedBud]

A lot of people think motor cops don't do police chases because they can't ride but, that is not the case as your clip of their competition shows. It is most departments policy for motor officers to not chase for safety reasons. Plus, motor officers are there to collect revenue which is why you rarely ever get off with a warning from them.

[amasdaha]

So I have to say, I have one, a bit more comfortable with peg lowering, and then actually when you stand up it can do gravel roads. I’m 5’10 with 31 inch inseam, put on a lowered Sargent seat with sheepskin and she’s good for iron butts. Put on ADV tires and later knobbies and did the Deadhorse run with soft luggage. You can make this bike do anything. Don’t need the GS for the vast majority of gravel and dirt roads. Enjoy it!

[jimmcc]

That’s good advice. Buy a bike for what you intend to use it for. I was going to buy this bike for just going back and forth to work 30 miles each way with a little bit of it on the interstate. It might be just a little too much bike. But I need a lot of storage for when I go grocery shopping.