BMW R 1250 RT versus Kawasaki GTR 1400

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R 1250 RT

Tourer
Kawasaki

Kawasaki GTR 1400

Sporttourer

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2019 bis 2024~
Built von 2007 bis 2017
RRP 21.200 €
RRP
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Pros:
  • rich road holding
  • 1,000 km piece no problem
  • luxurious seating comfort for driver and front passenger
  • bearish engine with rich torque
Pros:
Cons:
  • Fully equipped not quite cheap
  • difficult > limited manoeuvring capability
Cons:

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.485 mm
Length :
2.222 mm Height : 5 mm
Seat :
805 mm
Weight :
279 (max: 505 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.520 mm
Length :
2.230 mm Height : 1.465 mm
Seat :
815 mm
Weight :
308 kg

Engine

Motor design: Four-stroke boxer engine 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.254 ccm
Hub: 76 mm
Hole: 103 mm
Cooling: Luft-/Flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kardan
Motor type unknown 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.352 ccm
Hub: 61 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 136 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 143 NM bei 6.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 25 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
526 km
Maximum speed: 260 km/h
Performance: 155 HP at 8.800 U/Min
Torque: 136 NM bei 6.200 U/Min
Tank contents: 22 Litre

Chassis

Frame type:
Two-part frame concept consisting of main frame and rear frame bolted to it, supporting engine (steel)
Front suspension:
BMW Motorrad Telelever, central strut, standpipe diameter 37 mm (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD shock absorber (travel 136 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Monocoque (aluminium)

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brake ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake ( 276 mm)
Front brake
Double disc Rear brake
Disk

Conclusion - what gets stuck

If a real travel tourer, then RT! But only if you stay on the street. The RT is completely unsuitable for gravel or terrain. But if you want to get from Hamburg to Munich as comfortably (and quickly?) as comfortably as possible, you will not only have fun on the BMW R 1250 RT, but will also arrive completely relaxed. Since the RT also has a gimbal drive instead of a chain, you don't have to do chain maintenance all the time.
 
The numerous technical features including the QuickShifter may not be necessary, but they all work brilliantly and are especially easy to use. The loudspeakers at the front may look a bit like old men's bikes, but we have to admit: we used them and enjoyed it. But maybe we just belong to the typical RT generation ...
 
The test machine was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Pinneberg - thank you very much.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: from 19.350€
  • Used (2 years old): from 15.000€
  • Availability: from 2021
  • Colours: White, Blue, Mineral White, Brown