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2023 BMW R 1250RT Overview
BMW R 1250RT is an enduro / off-road motorcycle, displacing 1254 cc. Power comes from a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. Bore and stroke come in at 102.5 x 76 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 143 Nm @ 6250 Revolutions of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 199.6 km/h. On the road, the 2023 R 1250RT tips the scales at 279 kg, carries a 25-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 805 mm and spans a 1485 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 80.2 kg heavier than the average enduro / off-road motorcycle in our database. The full 2023 BMW R 1250RT spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2023 R 1250RT - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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⛽
Large fuel range: A 25-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive) final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the R 1250RT - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the R 1250RT needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Valve clearance checks
With Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve gear, the R 1250RT needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers. - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The R 1250RT's suspension runs BMW Motorrad Telelever, central spring strut, standard diameter 37 mm at the front. The rear uses Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD spring strut, spring preload continuously and hydraulically adjustable. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 1250RT uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine, the R 1250RT's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
279 kg puts the R 1250RT toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
R 1250RT - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2023 BMW R 1250RT, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1250RT should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a R 1250RT's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). The sump holds 4 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the R 1250RT needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
Valve clearance service
Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used R 1250RT since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.
2023 BMW R 1250RT - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2023 BMW R 1250RT have?
The 2023 BMW R 1250RT uses a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine with 1254 cc of displacement.
What is the top speed of the 2023 BMW R 1250RT?
The 2023 BMW R 1250RT has a factory-quoted top speed of 199.6 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2023 BMW R 1250RT weigh?
The 2023 BMW R 1250RT weighs 279 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2023 BMW R 1250RT make?
The 2023 BMW R 1250RT produces 143 Nm @ 6250 Revolutions of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2023 BMW R 1250RT?
The 2023 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 2023 BMW R 1250RT suitable for shorter riders?
The 2023 BMW R 1250RT has a seat height of 805 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2023 BMW R 1250RT have?
The 2023 BMW R 1250RT uses Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers. at the front and Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers. at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2023 BMW R 1250RT use?
The front tyre size on the 2023 BMW R 1250RT is 120/70-ZR17.
How much oil does the 2023 BMW R 1250RT take?
The 2023 BMW R 1250RT takes 4 litres of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.
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 |
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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
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Power
Not published by manufacturer
Torque
143.0 Nm (14.6 kgf-m or 105.5 ft.lbs) @ 6250 Revolutions
Top Speed
199.6 km/h / 124.0 mph
Weight
279.0 kg / 615.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity
25.00 litres / 6.61 US gallons
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Full 2023 BMW R 1250RT Specifications
Comments
Traction control. 3 Ride Modes (ECO, Rain and Road). Hill Start Control. Windshield.
Colours
Triple Black, Racing Blue Metallic, Meteoric II Dust Metallic
Mars Red metallic/Dark Slate Metallic, Manhattan Metallic, Alpine White, Opt. 719 Stardust Metallic, Opt.719 Blue pPanet Metallic/Ivory
Warranty
3-years or 36,000 miles warranty
Storage
18.4 gallons storage
Seat Heigth -Alternate (mm)
826 mm
Seat Heigth -Alternate (in.)
32.5 inches
Seat Height
805 mm / 31.7 in.
Wheelbase
1485 mm / 58.5 in.
Height
1255 mm / 49.4 in.
Length
2222 mm / 87.5 in.
Width
991 mm / 39.0 in.
Oil Capacity (Quarts)
4.23 US quarts
Oil Capacity (l)
4.00 litres
Fuel Capacity
25.00 litres / 6.61 US gallons
Coolant Capacity
2.00 litres (0.53 US gallons)
Wet Weight
279.0 kg / 615.0 lbs
Fuel Control
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Displacement (ci)
76.52 cubic inches
Displacement (cc)
1254.0 cc
CO2
109.0 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Bore x Stroke (mm)
102.5 x 76.0 mm
Bore x Stroke (in,)
4.0 x 3.0 inches
Engine Detail
Balancer shaft, variable intake camshaft control.
Fuel System
Injection. Electronic port fuel injection, digital engine control: BMS-O with throttle by wire
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Emissions
Euro 5. Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter.
Engine Lubrication
Dry sump
Fuel Consumption
4.70 litres/100 km (21.3 km/l or 50.05 mpg)
Fuel Reserve
3.79 litres / 1.00 US gallons
Idle Speed
1050 +/- 100 RPM
Starter
Electric
Valve System
4
Clutch
Wet clutch with an anti-hopping function, hydraulic activation
Final Drive
Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive)
Gearbox
6-speed
Fork Tube Size (in.)
1.5 inches
Fork Tube Size (mm)
37 mm
Frame Type
Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine
Suspension - Front
BMW Motorrad Telelever, central spring strut, standard diameter 37 mm
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD spring strut, spring preload continuously and hydraulically adjustable
Rake
25.9°
Trail
117 mm / 4.6 in.
Wheel Travel - Front
120 mm / 4.7 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear
136 mm / 5.4 in.
Instrumentation
10.25-inch color TFT instrument cluster with connectivity and integrated map navigation
Lighting system
LED headlight
Brakes - Front
Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.
Brakes - Rear
Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.
Brake Fluid Type
DOT 4
Rims
Cast aluminium
Tyre Pressure - Front
36 PSI (2.5 Bar or 250 kPa)
Tyre Pressure - Rear
42 PSI (2.9 Bar or 290 kPa)
Tyres - Front
120/70-ZR17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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