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Touring Motorcycles

2003BMW R 1150 RT

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The 2003 BMW R 1150 RT is a heavyweight touring bike designed for long-distance riders seeking comfort and reliability. Its air-cooled boxer engine delivers smooth, predictable power ideal for highway cruising, while the spacious ergonomics and large fuel capacity make it perfect for extended multi-day adventures across continents.

Capacity: 1130.0 ccm
Engine: Boxer, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 279.0 kg
Seat height: 805 mm
Power: 95.0 HP (69.9 kW) @ 7250 RPM

⇄ Compare with another bike ＋ Add to garage All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (1)

What’s new for the 2003 BMW R 1150 RT

vs the 2002

Spec	2002	2003
Front brakes	Dual disc	Double disc
Rear brakes	Single disc	Double disc

Other years 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail15%

Cornering55%

City riding45%

Daily riding70%

Touring97%

Two-up90%

Track20%

Best for: Built primarily for long-distance, high-comfort touring rather than outright speed or sporty cornering.
Built for: A composed, unhurried, and refined mile-muncher that rewards smooth inputs and relaxed riding over aggressive throttle use.
Not ideal for: Not a good fit for riders seeking a light, flickable bike for tight city commuting or aggressive backroad carving.

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 805mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 2003 BMW R 1150 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 751-820 mm — Middle Ground →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1130.0 ccm
Power: 95.0 HP (69.9 kW) @ 7250 RPM
Torque: 100.3 Nm (10.2 kgf-m)
Engine type: Boxer, four-stroke
Power/weight ratio: 0.3405 HP/kg (dry)
Bore x stroke: 101.0 x 70.5 mm
Compression: 11.3:1
Cooling system: Oil & air
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 4

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Shaft
Clutch: Single-disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated

Performance

Top speed: 200.0 km/h (124.3 mph)

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1485 mm
Overall length: 2230 mm
Overall width: 898 mm
Overall height: 1380 mm
Seat height: 805 mm
Dry weight: 279.0 kg
Wet weight: 282.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 25.00 litres
Reserve fuel capacity: 4.00 litres

Chassis & suspension

Frame: Three-section composite frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine.
Front suspension: BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central strut
Rear suspension: Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; spring pre-load adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of hydraulic handwheel, rebound damping adjustable
Front wheel travel: 120 mm
Rear wheel travel: 135 mm
Rake (fork angle): 27.1°
Trail: 122 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Double disc
Front brakes diameter: 320 mm
Rear brakes: Double disc
Rear brakes diameter: 276 mm
Front tyre: 120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre: 170/60-ZR17

Other

Color options: Aqua, Silver, Blue, Red

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	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Capacity	1130 cc	1130 cc	1130 cc	1130 cc	1130 cc
Dry weight	279 kg	279 kg	279 kg	255 kg	255 kg
Seat height	780 mm	805 mm	805 mm	805 mm	805 mm
Fuel capacity	25 L	25 L	25 L	25.2 L	25.2 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 TRANSMISSIONNov 2002 · 02V319000

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH TRANSMISSION GEAR (SHIFT) WHEELS MAY NOT BE SECURELY SEATED ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 5TH TO 6TH GEAR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TWO GEARS MAY OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR WHEELS COULD CRACK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION CAPABILITY, OR, A LOCK OF TRANSMISSION COULD OCCUR. THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK WHICH, DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE RIDER'S REACTION, COULD AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLES AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

These recalls cover some 2003 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 →