Is the BMW RT still the king sports tourer?
Or is there just no other choice when it comes to serious mile-munching?
BIG-CAPACITY ADVENTURE BIKES have become the latest go-to tourers and it’s easy to see why. They’re tall, spacious, long-legged and will happily grind out as many miles off-road as on, effectively giving you two bikes for the price of one. But what if you don’t want a machine that looks ready to take on the Dakar and fancy something more road-bike shaped instead? Welcome to the BMW R1250RT.
There are sportier tourers out there, in the sleeker shape of the Kawasaki Z1000SX, H2 SX and BMW’S own R1250RS but, in the luxury stakes, they’re premium economy as the RT sips bubbly in first class. There are more lavish, cruiser-type tourers too, like the BMW K1600GT, Indian Challenger, Harley-davidson Road Glide or of course, the Honda Goldwing. However, if you want to have some fun along the way, they’re simply too cumbersome.
Updated for 2021, the R1250RT can cover big miles and scuttle through corners like no other, but is it really that good? Let’s have a look at the new version to see.
CHASSIS
The RT continues to use a tubular-steel frame with its engine as a stressed member and a ‘Paralever’ — basically a huge single-sided swingarm with a shaft-drive running through it. Weighing 279kg fuelled and ready to go, it’s 30kg heavier than an R1250GS
ENGINE
BMW fitted the RT with its ride-by-wire 1254cc Shiftcam boxer engine (also used in the R1250GS, RS and R) in 2019.
It’s more powerful than the old 1170cc lump, has more torque and, thanks to variable valve timing, is awash with seamless grunt from 2000rpm
ELECTRONICS
Standard-issue rider aids include ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ modes, traction control, cornering ABS and linked brakes. The pricier LE version adds ‘Eco’ and ‘Dynamic’ riding modes, semi-active suspension damping, self-levelling rear shock and an up/down quickshifter
SUSPENSION
BMW still flouts convention with its ‘funny’ Telelever front end. It suits such a heavy bike, separating out the braking forces from the suspension for crisp, accurate steering. Only the RT and GS have it now — the rest of the line-up has conventional forks
WHEELS & TYRES
Unlike an adventure tourer, the RT has road-sized 17in wheels front and rear. They give the natural steering feel of a pure road bike and also the choice of the latest sports-touring tyres, like the superb Michelin Road 5 (double-ply GT version) on our test bike