BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hi all,

As an "advanced" qualified rider and an Observer with the IAM Roadsmart organisation for over 20 years I have desperately been avoiding BMW's because of the "old gits on Beemers" stereotype. Also, after riding V4 Honda Pan Europeans for 17 years and Triumph Trophys for another 9 I was very dubious about the vibration from the big boxer engines. It has been becoming increasingly difficult to avoid thinking about the RT's as since Triumph discontinued the Trophy in 2016 the RT is the only true "middleweight tourer" available.
Recently I ended up buying an R1250RT "by accident" after dropping in at a dealer while on a ride out on my Triumph. Buried in a warehouse of used bikes a saw a lovely '22 plate blue R1250RT in excellent condition with very low mileage.
I asked to take that particular bike for a test ride and initially my concerns were still there (I had ridden their R1250RT demonstrator some months earlier) but I decided to give it a fair crack of the whip.
During a couple of hours on the bike I learned to adapt to how the bike wanted to be ridden (high gear, low revs, use the torque for low vibration progress, embrace the feel when "cracking on"). By the time I returned to the dealer I had made my peace with the bike and resigned myself to the stereotype. The rest, as they say, is history!
I have made a few modifications already. Being 6'4" I actually felt the bike was a little cramped so I have fitted bar risers (helped by the fact that the bike has the GS style tubular bars) and a footpeg lowering kit. Now the bike feels like it fits me perfectly. I've also fitted a high/wide "touring" screen. Being a gadget freak I doubt that this will be the end of the mods!
My biggest (pleasant!) surprise with the bike is how easy it is to ride/manoeuvre at low speed. The Trophys are about 50KG heavier and carry that weight high meaning that slow speed riding is rather fraught. The RT being so much lighter and carrying that weight low makes slow control breeze!
After having the bike for a few months now we are getting to know each other and I am gradually "pushing the envelope".
Hopefully I'll be able to pick up some good tips and advice from the BMW veterans on this forum .

I think many people are surprised at how the 1250 carries its weight. On paper it's a mad motorcycle that should ride like a bag of spanners yet it all comes together into a remarkably accomplished whole.

Welcome to the old codgers club

Welcome to the forum.

Like you, my background includes being an IAM Observer and I also resisted going down the BMW boxer route. Eventually, I succumbed and first few months with an R100T had me thinking that I had bought a complete disaster. I stuck with it and eventually came to realise just how good a bike it was. Several BMWs later and the R1250RT is a world away from my old airhead and provides everything (and more) that I require from a motorcycle.

I gave up observing some time ago, so riding now is "just for me". I still take my old Panthers out from time to time, but the BMW is my normal "go to" machine.

I'm sure that you will enjoy your 1250 and if there are plenty of mods available for individualising your bike.

Old Foxy

Hi.
I made the move from a Sprint GT to a 1200RT 10 years ago now on my second RT a 1250 new in Jan 23. For observing they are great easy to ride, surprisingly easy to make swift progress and not too bad on fuel even if you use the top 3rd of the rev range. I have city lids on my panniers most of the time still giving me plenty of space for everything I like to carry from first aid and puncture repair kits to coaching materials etc. or when Im working my lap top etc

Looked at the new 1300RT a month or so ago the bike rides even better but the luggage was an issue for me they have less space inside the panniers in order for them to accommodate the expansion mechanism

exportman wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:26 pm Hi.
I made the move from a Sprint GT to a 1200RT 10 years ago now on my second RT a 1250 new in Jan 23. For observing they are great easy to ride, surprisingly easy to make swift progress and not too bad on fuel even if you use the top 3rd of the rev range. I have city lids on my panniers most of the time still giving me plenty of space for everything I like to carry from first aid and puncture repair kits to coaching materials etc. or when Im working my lap top etc

Looked at the new 1300RT a month or so ago the bike rides even better but the luggage was an issue for me they have less space inside the panniers in order for them to accommodate the expansion mechanism

When I did a test ride on the demo R1250RT and wasn't impressed the sales rep said I should wait until the new 1300 model came out. I did and think that it's pig ugly! It's not really a proper tourer, it looks more like a GS with a body kit! Well, I guess that's the fashion, but as someone who has always avoided following fashions it was easy to swerve. City pannier lids are an option, although I'm not sure how much they save you over the width of the mirrors or cylinder heads.
Actually, I have put a post up to see if anyone has the "authority" single seat conversion bits available as the "hump" with full size panniers is actually the ideal combination for me. A neighbour who races has said that the guy who does his bike panels can spray the hump up to match the bike no problem.