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2021 BMW R 1250RT Overview
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT is a touring motorcycle built around 1254 cc of displacement. Under the tank sits a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm engine, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. 2021 BMW R 1250RT delivers 136 hp @ 7750 rpm of peak power and 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm of torque. From a practical standpoint, the 2021 R 1250RT tips the scales at 279 kg, carries a 25-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 805 mm to 825 mm and spans a 1485 mm wheelbase. Scroll down for the complete 2021 BMW R 1250RT spec sheet covering every technical detail from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2021 R 1250RT - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: 2021 BMW R 1250RT makes 136 hp @ 7750 rpm with 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm of torque - competitive figures for its class.
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⛽
Large fuel range: The 25-litre tank is generously sized, translating to extended range between stops - ideal for touring or longer commutes.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: As with any used R 1250RT, a thorough pre-purchase inspection covering consumables, service history and tyres is always recommended.
Owner Experiences & Common Issues
Low-speed confidence
At 279 kg, the R 1250RT is a substantial machine. New owners occasionally mention that slow-speed manoeuvring in car parks takes a little getting used to. Once moving, the weight disappears - but practising slow-speed exercises builds confidence quickly.
R 1250RT - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
When inspecting a used 2021 BMW R 1250RT, start with the basics: check the service book for oil change frequency, inspect the chain and sprockets for wear, and look for oil seepage around the engine casings and rocker covers. A cold start test is invaluable - a well-maintained R 1250RT should fire up cleanly and settle to a smooth idle within a few seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Regular oil changes are the single most important maintenance task on any R 1250RT. Stick to the manufacturer's interval - typically every 6,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. Always use the correct viscosity grade as specified in the owner's manual.
2021 BMW R 1250RT - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 BMW R 1250RT have?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT uses a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm engine with 1254 cc of displacement. It is liquid / air cooled.
How much does the 2021 BMW R 1250RT weigh?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT weighs 279 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2021 BMW R 1250RT make?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT produces 136 hp @ 7750 rpm of power and 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2021 BMW R 1250RT?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT has a 25-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 416-500 km between stops.
Is the 2021 BMW R 1250RT suitable for shorter riders?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT has a seat height of 805 mm to 825 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2021 BMW R 1250RT have?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT uses 2x 320mm floating discs, 4-piston radial brake calipers at the front and Single 276mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2021 BMW R 1250RT use?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT runs 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2021 BMW R 1250RT have?
The 2021 BMW R 1250RT is fitted with a 6-speed helical synchromesh gearbox transmission.
BMW R 1250RT Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1250RT was produced across 5 model years (2019-2023). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
| Wet Weight |
279 kg / 615 lbs |
279 kg / 615 lbs |
279 kg / 615 lbs |
279 kg / 615 lbs |
279.0 kg / 615.0 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm |
Balancer shaft, variable intake camshaft control. |
| Engine Type |
Twin, four-stroke |
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
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Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
| Top Speed |
- |
201.0 km/h / 124.9 mph |
- |
199.6 km/h / 124.0 mph |
199.6 km/h / 124.0 mph |
| Seat Height |
805 mm to 825 mm / 31.6 in to 32.4 in 760 mm to 850 mm / 29.9 in to 33.4 in - optional |
805 mm to 825 mm / 31.6 in to 32.4 in 760 mm to 850 mm / 29.9 in to 33.4 in - optional |
805 mm to 825 mm / 31.6 in to 32.4 in 830 mm to 850 mm / 32.6 in to 33.4 in - SE high seat 760 mm to 780 mm / 29.9 in to 30.7 in - low seat |
805 mm to 825 mm / 31.6 in to 32.4 in 830 mm to 850 mm / 32.6 in to 33.4 in - SE high seat 760 mm to 780 mm / 29.9 in to 30.7 in - low seat |
805 mm / 31.7 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal |
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal |
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal |
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal |
25.00 litres / 6.61 US gallons |
| Storage |
Saddle bags |
- |
- |
18.4 gallons storage |
18.4 gallons storage |
| Seat Heigth -Alternate (mm) |
740 mm |
850 mm |
- |
826 mm |
826 mm |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm
Power
136 hp / 100 kW @ 7750 rpm
Torque
143 Nm / 105.4 lb-ft @ 6250 rpm
Fuel Capacity
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal
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Full 2021 BMW R 1250RT Specifications
Year
2021
Make Model
BMW R 1250RT
Seat Height
805 mm to 825 mm / 31.6 in to 32.4 in 830 mm to 850 mm / 32.6 in to 33.4 in - SE high seat 760 mm to 780 mm / 29.9 in to 30.7 in - low seat
Wheelbase
1485 mm / 58.4 in
Length
2222 mm / 87.4 in
Width
985 mm / 38.7 in
Fuel Capacity
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal
Max Load
505 kg / 1113.3 lbs
Wet Weight
279 kg / 615 lbs
Displacement
1254 cc / 76.5 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm
Bore x Stroke
102.5 x 76 mm
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Cooling System
Liquid / Air cooled
Emissions
Closed-loop three-way catalytic converter, compliant with Euro 5 emission standard
Engine Management
Digital engine control: BMS-O with e-gas
Fuel Induction
Electronic intake pipe fuel injection, 52mm throttle valve
Fuel Type
Super petrol unleaded, octane number 95 (ROZ), adaptation through engine control (91 to 98 ROZ)
Starter
Electric
Battery Capacity
12 V / 11.8 Ah, maintenance-free
Clutch
Wet clutch with anti-hopping function, hydraulically activated
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
1st (2.438) 2nd 1.714 3rd. 1.296 4th 1.059 5th 0.943 6th 0.848
Primary Drive Ratios
1.650
Secondary Drive Ratio
1.061
Transmission / Drive
6-speed helical synchromesh gearbox
Frame Type
Two-section frame concept consisting of main frame with bolt-on rear frame, load-bearing engine
Suspension - Front
BMW Motorrad 37mm Telelever, central spring strut
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD spring strut, spring preload continuously and hydraulically adjustable via adjuster knob, adjustable rebound-stage damping via adjuster knob
Steering Angle
64.1°
Trail
116 mm / 4.5 in
Wheel Travel - Front
120 mm / 4.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
136 mm / 5.3 in
Brakes - Front
2x 320mm floating discs, 4-piston radial brake calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 276mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper
ABS
BMW Motorrad full integral ABS Pro (full integral braking, lean optimised)
Rims - Front
3.50 x 17
Rims - Rear
5.50 x 17
Tyres - Front
120/70 ZR17
Tyres - Rear
180/55 ZR17
Wheels
Die-cast aluminium
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