BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Greetings!
I recently bought a 2023 R1250RT. By now I clocked little over 1000 miles in city traffic. Could not be happier!!!
As the times spent together accumulates, some questions about design and functionality emerge and so far answered with the help of Internet searches. All, but one!

Question:
If you stand behind the bike and look at the mud guard over the rear wheel, you will notice that the whole rear end is off to the right. Why?

I searched the internet and the only answer I found: BMW designed it this way. I received the same answer from BMW Service Department in local dealership. I hope that some one could share some insight knowledge regarding such an unusual alignment by design.

Well spotted Sir !
Just had a quick look at my 2011 Twin Cam RT which appears to be the same. Must say I have never noticed this before. Now we need someone to explain the reason for this slightly odd arrangement. Over to you David.

The first thing i would check is front and rear wheel alignment.

Edit.
Just been and looked at my 2019 1250RT and going by eye it looks lined up ok.


Edit. photo added.

I just had a look though Autotrader and the 5 ads with photos i found with the bike on its main stand, all look to be off centre like GadgetGuy bike.

I must have a friday afternoon bike

That's the way they are designed. If you lay a straight line on the floor you will find the wheels are true.

I appreciate replies reconfirming my statement in the opening posting. I also understand that it appears to have something to do with design.
However, I would still like to find out:
Why is the whole rear end is off to the right?

Sadly I cannot answer your question but it was one of the first things I noticed on my 2019 1250. I try not to look now as I do have some ocd !. I tried realigning the mudguard a little but then it doesn’t look right with the panniers.
I really can’t think of any reason for this

This is strange, as my 1250RT looks fine from the rear end.
As you can see from the photo i added, it all lines up.
You can see the photo was taken square on.
I would not of known about this if it was not for this thread.

EasyRider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:37 am This is strange, as my 1250RT looks fine from the rear end.
As you can see from the photo i added, it all lines up.
You can see the photo was taken square on.
I would not of known about this if it was not for this thread.

Unless it’s my eyes yours doesn’t line up perfectly either although without your added line I wouldn’t notice.

This was brought up years ago on one of the forums and if I remember correctly it has to do with how the engine is mounted in the frame. If you look even the ends of the jugs are not equidistant from the centerline. No issue, as designed.

Take a look at 1200/1250 GS, RS ect they are all the same. I think the design is like that to keep the shaft in a straight line. Other makers with shaft drive design their shaft at an off set line. It all depends where the gearbox output is mounted

Thank you everyone for the input.
We are getting deeper in to the topic, which is: Why is the whole rear end is off to the right?

Perhaps the following lines of thought could direct us to the answer:

First Line of Thought.
1. Is there procedure in BMW Shop service manual regarding front to rear wheel alignment?
2. If there is, does it have anything to do with attaching the frame to the motor?

If the answer to both questions "Yes", that may explain the whole rear end is off to the right.

Second Line of Thought
1. Is there mentioning in BMW Shop service manual of any spacers between the rear wheel and the hub, allowing adjustment of the front to rear wheel alignment?

Since the "rear end is off to the right" appears in earlier models, referring to earlier models BMW Shop service manual may be applicable.

Very interesting. I thought mine somehow must've been incorrectly aligned. I have a USA 2024 model and the rear fender/splashguard is shifted slightly off to the right. Apparently, this may be a feature.