New: BMW R 1300 RT

Photos: BMW Motorrad

From comfortable travel companions to dynamic country road motorcycles

The new BMW R 1300 RT: Greater spread from the comfortable tourer to the dynamic country road motorcycle. Dynamic design language with optimised wind and weather protection.

The new BMW R 1300 RT follows in the footsteps of its highly successful predecessor. In doing so, it continues to rely on proven BMW RT qualities such as suitability for travel and driving comfort – solo as well as in pairs and with plenty of luggage.

At the same time, however, the new R 1300 RT also achieves a further spread of the usage profile by making its dynamic systems more prominent. Sporty optional equipment such as the sports brakes, the enhanced Shift Assistant Pro and the newly developed DCA electronic suspension allow for an even more active and dynamic driving style. The range of optional equipment is also supplemented by the automated shift assistant ASA, which on the one hand can be driven in a sporty and dynamic manner in manual shift mode, but on the other hand also allows comfortable travel via automatic mode. All this, combined with a more dynamic and visually lighter design, promises to continue the success story of the BMW RT.

The wind and weather protection concept of the new R 1300 RT includes adjustable side panels that are homogeneously integrated into the design. They make it possible to supply the driver with sufficient fresh air at all times, even under challenging conditions – such as in city traffic or at high outside temperatures on country roads – and to offer highly effective wind and weather protection at low temperatures on cross-country and motorway journeys.

In addition to the basic variant in Alpine White 3 uni, the new BMW R 1300 RT is available in the Triple Black model variant in Blackstorm metallic, the emphatically dynamic Impulse model variant in Racing Blue metallic and the particularly elegant Option 719 Camargue model variant in Blue Ridge Mountain metallic.

Perfect ergonomics and equipment for comfortable and dynamic travel and touring at the same time.

The BMW Motorrad development team's ambition to further expand the range of applications for the new BMW R 1300 RT and to provide it with more dynamic qualities is not only fulfilled by the BMW touring icon in terms of design, engine and chassis. Rather, the highest importance was attached to ergonomics with regard to a more active driving posture.

Accordingly, the ergonomic triangle of handlebar-footrest seat on the new R 1300 RT is designed in such a way that the rider has a noticeably more oriented posture towards the front wheel. This results in improved feedback from the front end and thus even better controllability, especially in dynamic driving style. Nevertheless, the more active seating position still allows very comfortable touring and traveling, even for two. For individual fine-tuning of the seating position, the driver's seat is adjustable in height and inclination. The pillion seat comfort has also been significantly improved. The new panniers now offer more freedom for the lower legs of the pillion passenger without sacrificing the pannier volume. In addition, the seat for the pillion passenger has been extended. There is now more space available to change the seating position every now and then on longer tours.

Various seat variants for optimal seat height design and new luggage system with electrified cases and top case. Additional case system with variable volume for ideal adaptation to your needs.

As usual, the BMW Motorrad developers have paid particular attention to the best possible accessibility and a low seat height. For this reason, care was also taken during the development of the new R 1300 RT to achieve a minimum seat height of only 780 mm. In addition, the stride curve is significantly lower than in the previous model. In addition to the standard seat, other benches are available as individual optional equipment ex works.

For touring and holiday trips, the new BMW R 1300 RT is already equipped with panniers (27 litres each) as standard. Another highlight of the new R 1300 RT are the vario panniers, which are available for the first time as an optional extra for a BMW RT ex works. The variable luggage system offers a volume adjustment of 27 to 33 litres each, making it possible to adjust the vehicle width as required. Both cases are electrified and allow electric unlocking via central locking. Both cases also have interior lighting. A USB-C charging port is also integrated in the left case. Further storage space is offered by the two top cases with a capacity of 39 and 54 litres respectively. The large 54-litre top case is also electrified and includes a backrest heater for the pillion passenger as a highlight.

Genuine boxer engine with top values for power and torque as well as optimised running refinement and efficiency.

The boxer engine of the new BMW R 1300 RT has a displacement of exactly
1300^cm3 and the ratio between bore and stroke is 106.5 to 73 mm (predecessor: 102.5 to 76 mm). The increase in displacement results from an enlarged cylinder bore and a new crankshaft with reduced stroke. It produces 107 kW (145 hp) (predecessor: 100 kW (136 hp)) at 7,750 ^rpm, develops a maximum torque of 149 Nm at 6,500 ^rpm (predecessor: 143 Nm at
6,250 rpm^), making it by far the most powerful BMW boxer engine produced in series production to date. Its maximum speed is 9,000 ^rpm.

Three driving modes ensure ideal adaptation to all road conditions as standard. Riding modes Pro with additional driving modes "Dynamic" and "Dynamic Pro" as well as driving mode pre-selection as optional equipment ex works. Engine Slip Control (MSR) as standard.

To adapt to the individual driver's wishes, the new R 1300 RT offers three riding modes as standard. With the two driving modes "Rain" and "Road", the driving characteristics can be adapted to most road conditions. With the "Eco" driving mode, it is also possible to use the innovative BMW ShiftCam technology primarily to achieve the maximum range with one tank of fuel. As an optional extra, the new R 1300 RT can be equipped with the Pro driving modes option, which includes the additional "Dynamic" and "Dynamic Pro" driving modes for a sporty driving style. With the driving mode preselection, the driver can place an individual selection of driving modes on the driving mode button. In this way, a preferred and easily manageable number of riding modes can be configured that can be selected while riding.

The engine slip torque control (MSR) is already on board as standard. It can be used to reliably avoid unstable riding conditions that can occur when coasting or downshifting due to excessive brake slip on the rear wheel (slipping or stamping). In these cases, MSR opens the throttle valves at lightning speed to such an extent that the drag torque is equalized and the motorcycle stabilizes.

Automated Shift Assist (ASA) with fully automated clutch actuation and manual or automated shifting for even more motorcycle experience as an optional extra.

With the Automated Shift Assist (ASA), BMW Motorrad offers an innovative technical solution to make motorcycling easier and more comfortable. In line with the motto "Simplify your Ride", the driving experience comes to the fore even more strongly through the automation of clutch actuation and transmission shifting, without having to forego the dynamics of the gear shift.

Completely newly developed chassis with sheet metal shell main frame made of steel and aluminium rear frame.

The entire chassis of the new BMW R 1300 RT has been redesigned. The centrepiece is the new sheet metal shell main frame made of steel, which, in addition to significantly optimising installation space for even more compact packaging, also has higher stiffness values than the predecessor model. In the course of the new design, the rear frame was also completely rethought. The previous tubular steel construction in the new R 1300 RT is now replaced by an aluminium trellis tube rear frame.

Together with the now much more compact drive unit, the new chassis design has achieved a significant mass concentration towards the overall centre of gravity, which is noticeable in noticeable handling advantages. At the same time, the new R 1300 RT behaves even more precisely and stably when braking, rides with noticeably less effort and pleases with an even more precise response of the suspension elements.

The best of both worlds: EVO Telelever front wheel guide with flex element and new EVO Paralever rear wheel guide for even more steering precision and driving stability. New wheels that are over 1.4 kg lighter.

In the new R 1300 RT, the front wheel guidance still obeys the Telelever principle introduced at BMW Motorrad more than 30 years ago – but in an innovative, newly designed form that combines the best of both worlds.

With the Evo Telelever in the new BMW R 1300 RT, BMW Motorrad combines the strengths of the two Telelever variants used to date. Firmly clamped to the stanchions – as was previously the case with the sporty design – the upper fork construction (analogous to the GS) includes a system for decoupling the handlebars, which prevents an annoying tilting movement and only transmits steering forces.

The rear wheel guidance of the new R 1300 RT has also been redesigned. The hallmark of the Evo-Paralever is a much stiffer connection via the bearing in the frame that is booked with the swingarm and a continuous swingarm thru axle.

In addition, the new R 1300 RT features new 17-inch cast aluminium wheels with hollow-cast spokes. In total, they weigh over 1.4 kg less than the previous specimens.

New Dynamic Chassis Adaptation (DCA) for two different riding positions that can be selected by the driver for maximum spread between ride comfort and dynamic handling, as well as with dynamic adjustment of damping, spring rate and load balancing as an optional extra.

The standard Dynamic ESA electronic suspension already offers a high degree of driving safety and driving pleasure on a wide variety of road surfaces with dynamic adjustment of the damping and load-dependent adjustment of the rear spring preload.

The Dynamic Chassis Adaptation (DCA) electronic suspension now goes one step further and, in addition to the familiar Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) options – such as dynamic adjustment of damping, spring rate and load balancing – offers two different riding positions that can be selected by the driver via the driving modes for maximum spread between ride comfort and dynamic handling. This further enhances the driving experience under all operating conditions.

The focus of the development of the DCA was the equal expression of the characters, dynamism and comfort. The new semi-active chassis offers two different driving positions. A riding position has a slack steering head angle and thus a chassis geometry designed for the greatest possible driving stability and smoothness. The second driving position has a firmer damping set-up, a higher spring rate and a lift of the vehicle. A stronger lift of the rear compared to the front end leads to a steeper steering head angle and reduced caster, which makes the motorcycle more willing to steer and more manageable. With DCA, these two different chassis geometries are made possible and combined with the driving modes.

Powerful braking system in conjunction with Integral ABS Pro as standard. Sport brake as optional equipment ex works.

The new R 1300 RT is equipped as standard with a double disc brake with two radially mounted four-piston fixed callipers at the front and a single disc brake with a two-piston floating callipper at the rear, in conjunction with the BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro. As part of the optional equipment ex works, the new BMW R 1300 RT can be equipped with the sports brake. In addition to an even sportier look of the titanium-coloured brake calipers, it offers a slight increase in braking performance.

New full LED headlights and state-of-the-art LED lighting units all around. Headlight Pro with adaptive cornering light and pitch compensation as well as adaptive light modes with intelligent adjustment of the orientation and intensity of the dipped beam to various driving situations as optional equipment ex works.

For decades, BMW Motorrad has been considered a pioneer when it comes to motorcycle safety. Accordingly, the new R 1300 RT already offers state-of-the-art LED lighting units all around as standard. The new full-LED headlights illuminate the road with a bright, clear light and underline the prestige claim of the new R 1300 RT. The lighting unit consists of an LED module with several LEDs for the low beam and the high beam. A characteristic likeness is provided by the daytime running light or position light icon (depending on the market), which is arranged to the left and right of the headlight.

Headlight Pro goes one step further as an optional extra. In addition to the adaptive cornering lights, the headlights of the new R 1300 RT will also have pitch compensation – for example, when accelerating and decelerating as well as for driving position compensation in DCA. For this purpose, Headlight Pro has a servo motor that automatically actively adjusts the position of the light-dark boundary and thus keeps the vertical inclination within the optimal range during load changes or changes in the load condition.

With the optional "Adaptive Light Modes" (depending on the market), Headlight Pro can be increased even further, as they offer lighting technology that enables intelligent adjustment of the orientation and intensity of the low beam to different driving situations. The adaptive light modes offer optimum lighting conditions when driving at night with their speed-dependent illumination of the road. The illumination is provided in several stages: for low, medium and high speeds. The intelligent adaptation to speed and driving situation increases safety and supports the driver's gaze.

Riding Assistant with Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Change Warning (SWW) and Rear Collision Warning (RECW) for even more comfort and safety when riding a motorcycle as an optional extra.

The new R 1300 RT already comes with Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) with braking function as standard. The Riding Assistant offers many more functions as an optional extra. It consists of Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW) as well as Lane Change Warning (SWW) and the new Rear End Collision Warning (RECW).

10.25-inch TFT colour display with map navigation, a wide range of functions and a new connectivity hub for controlling accessories, as well as an actively ventilated smartphone charging compartment with USB-C charging port as standard.

The new R 1300 RT is equipped as standard with a 10.25-inch TFT colour display with integrated map navigation and a newly developed connectivity hub. With the greatest possible connectivity, excellent readability, clear menu navigation and a highly integrated operating concept, the new R 1300 RT thus maintains its leading position among production motorcycles.

The menus "My Vehicle", "Radio", "Navigation", "Media", "Phone" and "Settings" can be selected via displayed "tiles". A new feature is the "tile" for the Connectivity Hub for coupling today's accessories such as smart glasses, heated vests and luminous jackets, as well as future accessories. This makes it easier to use the accessories.

The new R 1300 RT has an actively ventilated smartphone charging compartment as standard, which is placed directly in the driver's grip area. Compared to its predecessor, it is even easier to open and significantly larger smartphones can be inserted. The smartphone battery is charged via a USB-C interface. In addition, the lid has a clip that can be used for the EC card or banknotes.

Audio system and Audio Pro as optional extras ex works for outstanding sound dimensions.

With its audio system, the new R 1300 RT offers an intense sound experience. It is characterized by its high level of integration into the on-board electrical system. Menu control and setting options as well as the unique display concept make the audio experience perfect even in interaction. In addition to the vehicle speakers, a connected communication system can also be used for playback.

Audio Pro offers an even more immersive sound experience. It is ordered in addition to the optional equipment of the audio system and has higher-quality speakers with separate control of the tweeter/midrange and woofer for particularly powerful and crystal-clear sound. Various sound profiles and dynamic volume adjustment guarantee optimal listening pleasure in every driving situation. Audio Pro is also a visual highlight. A silver perforated grille without fleece provides a view of the speakers with a golden dust protection dome.