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Touring Motorcycles

2021BMW R 1250 RT

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The 2021 BMW R 1250 RT is BMW's flagship boxer-engined tourer, with variable valve timing. Its 1254cc boxer twin makes 134.1 hp at 7,750 rpm and 143 Nm through a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive, for a top speed of about 201 km/h. An 830 mm seat, 279 kg wet weight, 25-litre tank and ABS suit long trips.

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 (1)

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?

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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 2021 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

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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.: MBMXC01.34K5-006
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	2021	2022	2023	2024
Capacity	1254 cc	1254 cc	1254 cc	1254 cc	1254 cc	1254 cc
Dry weight	226 kg	226 kg	226 kg	226 kg	226 kg	226 kg
Seat height	805 mm	830 mm	830 mm	805 mm	805 mm	805 mm
Fuel capacity	25 L	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

⚠ 1 recall 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.

These recalls cover some 2021 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 →