We've tested the 1300 GS and GA variants, now Pommie heads to the hills in Melbourne to test the 2025 BMW R 1300 R, R 1300 RS and R 1300 RT Boxer models... Photos: Dean Walters

This was going to be a good one. I always love testing new bikes and with the three new R 1300 R, RS & RT offerings from BMW it would also be the first time I’ve tested a bike with an automatic gearbox and the twisty mountain roads of Victoria would be the perfect venue…

The 2026 BMW R 1300 RT, R 1300 RS and R 1300 R lineup.

At the press conference we were given all the technical specs for the bikes and the differences between each of them, but to make it simple, the engines are all exactly the same. The new 1300 boxer engine is an evolution of the already tried and tested 1250 that has proven itself over the years to be smooth, reliable and powerful, but the new 1300 motor is a step-up again and now boasts 107kW (145hp, a 9hp increase) and 149Nm (6Nm increase), which is the perfect performance formula for the road. You are most likely familiar with the 1300 from Nick’s three R 1300 GS and GSA reviews…

2026 Racing Blue Metallic BMW R 1300 RT, the sports tourer of the boxer trio, a true high-speed mile muncher.

BMW R 1300 RT

After the presentation at BMW HQ we were led outside where the bikes were lined up, as tradition on a media launch it was first come first served with whatever gear you can find to throw on a bike and mark your territory. I chose the beautiful Racing Blue Metallic RT with full panniers. I figured if I was going to test the new automatic shift gearbox then this bike would be the ideal candidate. The RT has just about everything as standard and starts off a tad under $40k, which when you consider what you get it’s not too bad at all in my opinion.

Jumping onboard the first thing that strikes me is there is no clutch lever, which does initially feel a bit strange, however, a push on the start button and I’m greeted by a familiar BMW layout on the dash, although the RT has a nice large 10.25in TFT unit. If you have never navigated a BMW cockpit then it’s pretty easy to get the hang of and only a short learning curve will have you flicking through menus in no time thanks to their excellent scroll wheel system.

“The fact that the RT has a 24L fuel tank to help munch the miles away, I couldn’t think of a better bike to be on”…

On the left ‘bar there is a button that says A/M auto/manual so I select auto, press the gear lever into first/drive and off we go. I must say heading through city traffic, it only took a couple of traffic light stops to get the hang of it and I was pretty impressed by how easy it was to use, just feed in a bit of throttle and the big RT pulls away smoothly and changes gear effortlessly for city commuting.

The biggest surprise for me was how light and quick steering the big RT is. At 281kg wet, it’s a lot of bike, but those clever BMW engineers have worked some kind of magic and managed to get the RT steering almost like a sportsbike.

“Those clever BMW engineers have worked some kind of magic and managed to get the RT steering almost like a sportsbike”…

In Road mode the RT is by far the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden, the electronic suspension seems to glide over the bumps and undulations in the road, however, the Victorian roads are miles better than my local NSW roads so it would be interesting to see how it performs locally. One feature I did love was the electronic screen, it has a massive range of movement meaning you can easily control the wind buffeting and set it in the perfect position for you.

“One feature I did love was the electronic screen, it has a massive range of movement meaning you can easily control the wind buffeting and set it in the perfect position for you.”…

When we finally found the open roads and some nice bends, I left the RT in automatic, but selected Dynamic mode. This sharpened up the suspension, throttle response and gear changes. The auto gearbox is supposed to learn and adapt to the rider’s style and riding input. However, I found that although it worked perfectly in town and cruising freeway etc, when I was up it for the rent and really giving it the berries, braking hard into sharp corners and hard again on the gas driving out, the gearbox didn’t keep up to what I wanted from it so I found myself switching into manual shift mode and the bike was instantly transformed.

“I found myself switching into manual shift mode and the bike was instantly transformed.”

Manual just means you are basically riding the bike with a normal quick-shifter type operation, the difference is the gear change is slicker and less effort than any conventional quick-shifter I’ve ever used. In fact it was a general consensus of the journalists present that you would buy the auto version of these bikes, just to use it in manual with this incredible gear change action, it really is that good…

“The biggest surprise for me was how light and quick steering the big RT is. At 281kg wet, it’s a lot of bike, but those clever BMW engineers have worked some kind of magic”…

I’m not really a touring person, but with the sounds pumping out of the quality speakers on the RT and the impeccable ride quality plus the 10.25in crystal clear dash display and the fact that it has a 24L fuel tank to munch the miles away, I couldn’t think of a better bike to be on. The brakes are the same for each bike and are powerful and offer plenty of feel and bring the big girl to a stop if you get a bit carried away diving into a tight turn, and as you’d expect they work even better on the lighter R and RS models that have even less weight to stop.

2026 BMW R 1300 R, the base model comes in at under $24k. This is the performance nakedbike of the trio…

R 1300 R

After the lunch stop I jumped on the incredible R 1300 R. We had three versions of each bike model available and the package depends really on what you want from your riding and are priced accordingly. The base model is $24.695 ride away, but realistically you’re going to tick the options you would want and this would take you to around $27k I’d guess.

“The engine just has incredible torque everywhere and the fueling is super smooth, making driving off the turn and flicking up through the gears a pleasure”…

The performance model with the sportier suspension I jumped on is $28,240 and to my taste, it’s the best looking bike here, I mean even the black chrome exhaust looks and sounds amazing for a stock bike, which is no easy feat these days.

“The handling through the twisties is unbelievable, with the performance from the boxer twin complementing the chassis perfectly”…

Sitting aboard the R Performance, I can feel I’m on the most aggressive bike here and it also feels like I’m on something special. Selecting first in manual mode I head off up the road and within minutes I’m on some of the best roads I’ve ever ridden, the previous rider has been kind enough to leave the R in Dynamic Pro mode and boy does this bike sound and feel good in that mode.

“The handling through the twisties is unbelievable, with the performance from the boxer twin complementing the chassis perfectly”…

The handling through the twisties is unbelievable, with the performance from the boxer twin complementing the chassis perfectly. The engine just has incredible torque everywhere and the fuelling is super smooth, making driving off the turn and flicking up through the gears a pleasure.

The R weighs in at 233kg, but with the same trickery as the RT somehow BMW have managed to make the bike feel like a supersports bike as I flick from one corner to the next up this mountain road.

I’ve recently tested the M 1000 R and the M 1000 XR, plus a whole load of other incredible BMW’s and as I ride these roads, I can’t help but think to myself that if I had to choose I’d take the R Performance over those bikes any day, it’s a big call, but that’s the way I feel. It just has a perfect engine for the road and the fun factor is undeniable…

The 2026 BMW R 1300 RS is the faired sports version of the boxer trio here…

R 1300 RS

My final bike over the two days was the R 1300 RS, which starts at $25,610 ride away and heads to $34k plus depending on options and colour. The RS shares most of the characteristics of the R, but is a bit more sports touring focused with its slightly more set-back touring style ‘bars than the R’s triple-clamp mounted ones, but it still has a sporty bias feel.

You also get a front screen and better pannier options than the R model. Because the RS shares its DNA with the R you get the same incredible boxer engine and sharp handling, although not quite as sharp as the more streetfighter focused R model.

“Because the RS shares its DNA with the R you get the same incredible boxer engine and sharp handling”…

The RS is better suited for those longer journeys where the extra comfort, more relaxed ride position and carrying capabilities will make riding a joy, with the ability to have fun in the twisties on the way.

“Not quite as sharp as the more streetfighter focused R model, the RS is better suited for those longer journeys”…

Like the R and the RT, having the ability to switch modes in an instant and convert the feel of the bike from a comfy tourer to a sharper handling corner carver, this is something we could have only dreamed of 10 years ago, but here we are with this amazing technology.

The options on these bikes are endless, but BMW said that the majority of customers just tick the box for everything, meaning you get the heated seat, the Dynamic Pro modes, front radar cruise control and ASA (auto gearbox) plus a tonne more options.

Conclusion

After two days riding these three latest BMW offerings, I’m pleased to say I had a ball. I won’t go into all the tech and options as there are too many, but you can see all that clearly listed below. What I can say is, after my first ride on an automatic shift bike it would 100 per cent have me ticking that option. I rode a manual/clutched version of the R for comparison on the test and I must say that gear changes on the auto version are far superior to the quick-shifter on the clutched version, which was a huge surprise.

The R Performance was my pick, which came as no surprise, this bike was a beast and I absolutely loved it, the boxer engine on all models is the star of the show. When it came time to head back on the commute to Melbourne, I grabbed the fob for the RT, the perfect tour bike to relax after two days of hard charging and absorb any bumps in the road, while I listened to the radio pumping those speakers, which was a new experience for me too. Loved every minute of it!

Read our full tech rundown on the R 1300 R here and the R 1300 RT and RS here…

 

 

2025 BMW R 1300 R, (RT & RS) Specifications 

bmw-motorrad.com.au

Price: Ride away from $24,695 ($43,020 RT, $25,610 RS)
Warranty: Five-years unlimited km
Colours: (see BMW website here)
Claimed Power: 107kW(145hp)@7,750rpm
Claimed Torque: 149Nm@6,500rpm
Claimed Fuel Consumption: 4.8L/100km (4.9L RT, 4.8L RS)
Fuel Range: + 350km (+450km RT, +350km RS)
Wet Weight: 227kg (265kg RT, 233kg RS)
Fuel capacity: 17L (24L RT)

Engine: Air/liquid-cooled four-stroke flat twin engine with double overhead and chain driven camshafts (BMW ShiftCam) and balance gear wheels, 1300cc, 13.3:1 compression, 106.5 x 73mm bore x stroke, Electronic fuel injection, wet sump, six-speed gearbox, wet anti-hopping clutch, hydraulic actuation.

Chassis: Two-part alloy frame, engine as stressed element
Rake: N/A mm (64.2º RT, 62º RS) Trail: N/A mm (121.5mm RT, 122.5mm RS)
Suspension: Inverted forks (f) with 140mm travel (EVO Telelever RT 149mm, , EVO-Paralever, cast aluminium single-sided swingarm, transversal connected swingarm bearings, central WAD spring strut, spring preload fully adjustable, central shock absorber with 130mm travel (158mm RT,  (r)
Brakes: Twin semi-floating 310mm brake rotors, four-piston radial brake calipers (f),
Single 285mm rotor, two-piston floating caliper (r).
Wheels & Tyres: Cast alloy 3.50 and 6.00in x 17in, 120/70 – 17 (f) 190/55 – 17 (r)

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1511mm (1500mm RT, 1517mm RS)
Seat height: 810mm (780mm RT, 815mm RS) all are variable.
Ground clearance: N/A
Overall width: 864mm (971mm RT, 846mm RS)
Overall Length: 2,126mm (2229mm RT, 2138mm RS)
Overall height: 1112mm (1387mm RT, 1349mm RS)

Instruments & Electronics: SOme optional – model specific (see BMW Website for details): 6.5-inch full-colour TFT screen, Riding Modes, LED Lighting, RDC, Keyless Ride, Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) with brake function, Dynamic Traction Control DTC, standard fitment engine drag torque control (MSR), dynamic brake assist (DBC) and ride-off assistant (HSC), Automatic Shift Assist (ASA model).

 

2026 BMW R 1300 R, RT and RS Gallery

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