+ Add a photo

Touring Motorcycles

2020BMW R 1250 RT

Rate this bike

48 fields on record

The 2020 BMW R 1250 RT is a premium sport touring motorcycle designed for riders seeking long-distance comfort combined with spirited performance. Known for its advanced technology, smooth boxer engine, and comprehensive electronic aids, it excels at covering vast distances while delivering engaging road dynamics. The adjustable seat height and comprehensive wind protection make it ideal for touring enthusiasts who demand both capability and comfort.

Capacity: 1254.0 ccm
Engine: Boxer, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 225.9 kg
Seat height: 830 mm
Power: 134.1 HP (97.9 kW) @ 7750 RPM

⇄ Compare with another bike ＋ Add to garage All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (6)

What’s new for the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT

vs the 2019

Spec	2019	2020
Power	136.0 HP (99.3 kW) @ 7750 RPM	134.1 HP (97.9 kW) @ 7750 RPM
Top speed	—	201.0 km/h (124.9 mph)
Seat height	805 mm (31.7 inches)	830 mm (32.7 inches)
Front suspension	BMW Motorrad Telelever	Upside-down telescopic fork, Ø 45 mm
Rear suspension	BMW Motorrad EVO Paralever	Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable
Front brakes	Double disc. ABS	Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.
Rear brakes	Single disc. ABS	Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.

Other years 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail5%

Cornering35%

City riding45%

Daily riding50%

Touring35%

Two-up45%

Track15%

Best for: This bike is built for bold, low-slung street cruising and boulevard presence rather than any kind of long-distance or performance riding.
Built for: It has a muscular, aggressive cruiser personality defined by big V-twin torque, a fat rear tire, and a stretched-out, drag-inspired stance.
Not ideal for: This is not the right choice for riders seeking nimble cornering, off-road capability, or a comfortable long-haul touring companion.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 830mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with balls of both feet on the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT, with a moderate knee angle of around 90 degrees and an upright riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 821-900 mm — Long Legs →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Range and running costs

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Units

Currency

Fuel per litre

Riding a year

Based on the maker's published fuel consumption and tank size. Real-world figures depend on how and where you ride, and the last litres of a tank are reserve. Prices shown greyed are examples - type your own.

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1254.0 ccm
Power: 134.1 HP (97.9 kW) @ 7750 RPM
CO2 Emissions: 127 CO2 g/km
EPA Certificate No.: LBMXC01.34K5-002
EPA Est. Fuel Consumption: 5.43 L/100km (43.3 US mpg)
EPA CO Emissions: 0.2 CO g/km
Torque: 143.0 Nm (14.6 kgf-m) @ 6250 RPM
Engine type: Boxer, four-stroke
Fuel consumption: 4.70 litres/100 km (21.3 km/l)
Power/weight ratio: 0.5936 HP/kg (dry)
Bore x stroke: 102.5 x 76.0 mm
Compression: 12.5:1
Cooling system: Liquid
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric
Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
Valves per cylinder: 4
Lubrication system: Dry sump

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Shaft
Clutch: Multiplate wet clutch, hydraulically operated

Performance

Top speed: 201.0 km/h (124.9 mph)

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1485 mm
Overall length: 2222 mm
Overall width: 985 mm
Overall height: 1405 mm
Seat height: 830 mm
Dry weight: 225.9 kg
Wet weight: 279.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 25.00 litres
Oil capacity: 4.00 litres

Chassis & suspension

Frame: Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine
Front suspension: Upside-down telescopic fork, Ø 45 mm
Rear suspension: Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable
Front wheel travel: 120 mm
Rear wheel travel: 136 mm
Rake (fork angle): 25.5°
Trail: 100 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.
Front brakes diameter: 320 mm
Rear brakes: Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.
ABS: Yes
Front tyre: 120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre: 180/55-ZR17

Other

Color options: Mars Red metallic/Dark Slate Metallic, Manhattan Metallic, Alpine White, Opt. 719 Stardust Metallic, Opt.719 Blue pPanet Metallic/Ivory
Fuel Tank Material: Plastic

Specs last verified against published sources: October 2026.

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	2019	2020	2022	2023	2024
Capacity	1254 cc	1254 cc	1254 cc	1254 cc	1254 cc
Dry weight	226 kg	226 kg	226 kg	226 kg	226 kg
Seat height	805 mm	830 mm	805 mm	805 mm	805 mm
Fuel capacity	25 L	25 L	25 L	25 L	25 L

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

Safety Recalls

⚠ 6 recalls may apply

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:SHAFT:INPUTJan 2023 · 23V011000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.

Risk: A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERAug 2020 · 20V476000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."

Risk: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINEMar 2020 · 20V165000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.

Risk: A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the pivot pin, free of charge. The motorcycles are not with owners at this time. The recall began April 28, 2020. Please contact BMW customer service number 1-800-525-7417.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUIDMar 2020 · 20V166000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."

Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUIDMar 2020 · 20E013000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these caps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."

Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTSMar 2020 · 20V146000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emergency braking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

These recalls cover some 2020 bikes of this model. Whether one applies to a specific bike, and whether the repair has already been done, depends on its VIN — check your VIN with NHTSA or ask a dealer.

Source: NHTSA. View all BMW recalls →

Rider Reviews

—

☆☆☆☆☆

Be the first to rate

MotorcycleDB

The 2020 BMW R 1250 RT is an impressive touring motorcycle that offers a smooth and powerful ride. With its 1254cc twin-cylinder engine, the R 1250 RT delivers ample power for long-distance rides while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency. The dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) ensures a comfortable and stable ride, even on rough or uneven roads. The intuitive riding modes and electronic aids make it easy to adjust the bike's settings to suit different riding conditions, providing a customizable and enjoyable experience for riders of all skill levels.

In addition to its performance capabilities, the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT also boasts a range of advanced features designed for rider comfort and convenience. The bike comes equipped with a large 10.25-inch TFT display that provides essential information at a glance, along with integrated navigation for easy route planning. The adjustable windshield, heated seats, and spacious storage compartments make long rides more comfortable and enjoyable. Overall, the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT is a top-of-the-line touring motorcycle that offers a premium riding experience for those looking to explore the open road in style and comfort.

Own one? Add it to My Garage and write an owner review with an Owner badge.