The boxer powered RT sports tour has been around for yonks and this latest
BMW R1250 RT follows the same basic concept. But with a bunch of new wiz-bang technology,
this deluxe tourer is far from old news, let's take a closer a look.
Revered for it's mix of sports performance and touring practicality, the BMW R RT has been a
mainstay for the Munich firm since the mid-90s, and while the focus has never really changed,
it has been regularly updated to stay relevant in the fast-moving motorcycle industry.
The last major update came in 2019 when BMW increased the size of its famous boxer
engine and added more power, more torque and ShiftCam technology. Fast forward to 2021 and
the mechanical makeup of the R1250 RT is more or less the same, but the updated version offers more
practicality and comfort than ever before. The list of features and creature comforts
of the new RT is endless. You've got cruise control, you've got heated grips, a heated seat,
two lockable storage panniers, storage compartments up here, and of course, this
huge electronic windshield. Seriously, this bike has everything you need for long distance travel.
Multi-day trips are a breeze on the RT. The windshield gives you plenty of protection,
while the ride position lends itself to long stretches in the saddle. The pannier is also
lockable and very roomy making those overnighters very easy. Meanwhile, in the tech department,
one of the big new additions is this huge 10.25-inch colour-tft screen that integrates with
BMW's own connectivity app. This menu system will be familiar to BMW riders, but the bigger screen
makes it easier to read and navigate. In addition, the TFT can now display full colour maps, which
BMW says is a first for the industry. The other big news for 2021 is adaptive cruise control,
which uses revolutionary radar technology to maintain a safe riding distance to the
vehicle in front. While the technology has been used in cars for a number of years, the BMW
R1250 RT is one of the first motorcycles to benefit, further adding to the bikes capability.
There's a lot to love about the new RT, but I do have a few minor gripes. For starters,
there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which I think is a missed opportunity,
and the storage compartments are just a little bit too small, with a case on,
I struggle to fit my phone inside the one with the USB charger. All that said, the BMW R1250 RT is a
comprehensive package, and it is one of the most well-equipped bikes on the market. But
equipment only tells half the story. It's out on the road where the bike really earns it's stripes.
[pause]
The BMW R1250 RT's, classic 1254 CC boxer engine puts out figures of 136 horsepower
and 143 Newton metres and all that translates beautifully onto the road. If you've never ridden
a boxer powered bike before, do yourself a favour because this engine just has so much character
and the power is incredibly usable and practical. It's just a whole heap of fun.
The RT offers up plenty of usable torque, meaning that this big hauler can get up and move with the
best of them. That said, it does feel a touch more mellow than other boxer models and that could have
something to do with the weight. There's no hiding it, the R1250 RT is a heavy bike, and
you especially notice it at slower speeds. But when you're up and moving, the bike actually
handles very well for its size, and it shows a lot of that sportiness that the brochures, promise.
While the RT certainly has a streak of sporting DNA, its specialty is no doubt, long distance
touring. And there is something very appealing about hitting the open road on this high-tech
mothership. Long distance travel has never been so comfortable, you got heated grips,
heated seat to keep you warm in winter, the seating position is comfortable and
that TFT screen is just amazing to look at. And the maps function is brilliant,
it has all the info you need and you can be sure that you'll never get lost.
While the adventure touring segment has blossomed in recent years, there is still
something to be said for sports tourers such as the RT. It can still provide plenty of thrills,
but there are a few bikes on the market that will match it for touring comfort and practicality.
The BMW R1250 RT is the kind of bike that makes you wanna go on a long ride to nowhere
in particular, and while the concept behind the bike is nothing new, this latest high-tech update
ensures that it will be around for years to come. Thanks for watching. And if you enjoyed this,
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