BMW R 1300 RT, R 1300 RS, And R 1300 R In The Works

It’s been almost a year since BMW debuted the 1,300 cc boxer engine with the new R 1300 GS. Now quite naturally, the brand will look forward to implementing this powertrain in other models too which are currently powered by the 1,250 cc boxer engine.

A German publication has gathered that these upcoming 1,300 cc models will include the current-gen BMW R 1250 RT, R 1250 RS, and the R 1250 R. All three will start hitting markets by the end of 2024, post which they will be known as the BMW R 13000 RT, R 1300 RS, and the R 1300 R, respectively. 

What’s What?

All three – R 1300 RT, R 1300 RS, and R 1300 R – will undergo changes to its chassis to accommodate the bigger (yet compact) engine. So for starters, all three bikes will most likely gain new frame designs, just like how the BMW R 1300 GS is now built around a new main frame made up of steel with a bolted-on subframe made up of aluminium. While the tried-and-tested telelever front wheel suspension was retained in the GS, the R 1300 RS and R might just do with a simpler upside-down fork set-up as is the case now. 

Design wise, the R 1300 RS and the R 1300 R might be altered for a sportier and sleek look. Additionally, to keep this new more powerful engine cooler, BMW might also equip a bigger water cooler with both bikes. 

On the other end of the spectrum, the BMW R 1300 RT, which is a proper touring motorcycle, might see a generous application of lightweight materials all around the body to keep its weight under check. Additionally, with a lavish fairing design whose main purpose is to keep the rider cocooned from the weather/ wind blast – BMW will have the space to equip its telelever suspension and two water cooler units inside the tourer. Its fuel tank size is also expected to remain the same at 25-litres, therefore, despite a bigger and more powerful engine, the BMW R 1300 RT might still be able to cover 600 km of distance on a single tank. 

What’s More?

Alongside the new 1,300 cc boxer engine, BMW also introduced a new automatic transmission with the R 1300 GS. Which is likely to be carried over to the R 1300 RT, along with the full gamut of features like radar, heated seats, adjustable windshields, etc. 

The BMW R 1300 RS and the BMW R 1300 R might read simpler on paper, in terms of features, when compared to the R 1300 RT. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll be ill-equipped. From all-LED lighting system to the newly introduced navigation system (debuted with R 1300 GS) will be some of the feature highlights in both the litre-class supersport and naked bike. The new BMW motorcycles are likely to make their global debut at the EICMA motorcyle show scheduled later this year in Italy.