If there’s one thing BMW Motorrad knows better than most, it’s how to evolve without forgetting where it came from. And nowhere is that clearer than in its boxer engine platform—a design that’s been powering Bavarian bikes for decades. From the classic air-cooled twins of old to the liquid-cooled marvels of today, the boxer engine has always been at the heart of BMW’s identity.
In the modern era, the boxer story took a big leap in the 2000s with the R 1200 series—bikes that were lighter, more powerful, and loaded with technology that made them some of the most capable touring machines on the planet. Then came the R 1250s, where BMW introduced its clever ShiftCam variable valve timing tech, giving the engine more flexibility, better efficiency, and smoother power delivery across the rev range.
Now in 2025, we’re officially in the age of the R 1300, and BMW isn’t holding back. Following the debut of the R 1300 GS and R 1300 R, the company is rounding out its boxer lineup with two revamped touring flagships: the R 1300 RT and R 1300 RS. While both names are familiar, the bikes they now represent are almost completely reengineered from the ground up.
But BMW once again threw in AI-enhanced imagery into its release, which still seems odd given the company is doing fine financially and can afford to pay real photographers money to shoot these dope bikes.
Let’s first start with the engine.
At 1,300cc, this is the most powerful production boxer twin BMW has ever built. Bore and stroke have been revised to 106.5 mm x 73 mm, helping produce a meaty 145 horsepower and 149 Nm (around 110 pound-feet) of torque, with a redline at 9,000 rpm. It’s an engine that still feels like a boxer, but now with even more punch.
The chassis is also new, featuring a steel sheet metal main frame paired with a lattice aluminum rear subframe. This combo improves stiffness and packaging—important for bikes like these where rider comfort, stability, and luggage integration are top priorities. The suspension setup is just as advanced, with a new upside-down front fork that allows adjustable spring rates and BMW’s trusted EVO Paralever rear for plush, responsive handling.
Even the wheels are new—17-inch cast aluminum units with hollow spokes, shaving off 1.4 kg of unsprung weight. Braking power is just as serious, and the onboard tech suite reads like a luxury car brochure: big TFT display, ride modes, LED lighting, cruise control, dynamic suspension, the works.
The R 1300 RT is the traditional tourer, offering electrified 27-liter cases (expandable to 33 with Vario options), USB-C ports, and full weather protection. The R 1300 RS goes sportier with a more aggressive rider triangle and—for the first time—an optional strapless tank bag.
Now here’s where things get a little cheeky.
Let’s talk about BMW’s other tradition: overdoing their press images. Yes, BMW is killing it right now. They’re selling bikes by the boatload—across Europe, the US, and just about every continent where people can ride. And we get it: they want to keep the hype high. But do they really need to keep using AI-enhanced, hyper-clean, borderline CGI-looking images to show off their bikes?
They did it with the R 12 G/S and now they’re doing it again with the RT and RS. Instead of showing us real-world photos of the bikes we might actually buy, they’re feeding us renderings so polished they look like they belong in Forza Horizon or Gran Turismo. And honestly, that’s kind of disappointing. We’re riders—we want to see real motorcycles, not digitally perfected showroom fantasies.
Now, don't get me wrong, BMW makes gorgeous bikes. Just take some good photos of them. It's more of an art form than any AI enhancement ever will be.
Anyway, back to the bikes.
The 2026 BMW R 1300 RT starts at $22,495 and comes in four flavors: Alpine White, Blackstorm Metallic, Racing Blue, and Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic under the Option 719 badge. The R 1300 RS starts at $16,995, but a fully loaded version will push that past $23,000. It’ll come in your choice of Racing Blue, Blackstorm, Lightwhite, or Brooklyn Grey (Option 719 Cuyamaca).
Now, full disclosure: these aren’t the kind of bikes I’d personally ride. I lean toward light, sporty machines; bikes that feel nimble and playful, not built like two-wheeled tour buses. But I totally understand the appeal. These are high-end, feature-rich touring machines with serious performance cred. And judging by how quickly they've been rolling out of dealerships over the years, BMW clearly knows its audience.
So yeah, boxer fans, your new era has arrived—just don’t squint too hard at the press photos.
Source: BMW Motorrad
