BMW R 1250 RT 2021 vs. BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

BMW R 1250 RT 2021

BMW R 1250 RT 2021

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

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Overview - BMW R 1250 RT 2021 vs BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

The BMW R 1250 RT 2021 and the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 are both touring motorcycles with similar technical specifications. They both have a Boxer engine with a bore of 102.5 mm and a stroke of 76 mm. The engine power and torque are also the same at 136 HP and 143 Nm, respectively. Both motorcycles have an electric starter and a prop shaft transmission. They both have 2 cylinders and a displacement of 1254 ccm.

In terms of suspension, the BMW R 1250 RT 2021 has a Telelever front suspension with a diameter of 37 mm and a travel of 120 mm. The front suspension is adjustable for preload. The rear suspension is a single swing arm with a monoshock and has a travel of 136 mm. It is also adjustable for preload and rebound. The chassis of both motorcycles is made of steel. The rake of the BMW R 1250 RT 2021 is 64.1 degrees and the trail is 116 mm.

The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 has a similar suspension setup with a Telelever front suspension with a diameter of 37 mm. However, the travel is increased to 210 mm, providing better off-road capability. The rear suspension also has a longer travel of 220 mm. The chassis of the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 has a slightly steeper rake of 65.1 degrees and a shorter trail of 95.4 mm.

BMW R 1250 RT 2021

BMW R 1250 RT 2021

Both motorcycles have double disk front brakes with a diameter of 320 mm for the BMW R 1250 RT 2021 and 305 mm for the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023. They both have advanced rider assistance systems such as ABS, anti-slipping control, riding modes, and traction control. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 also has additional features like hill start assist and electronically adjustable suspension.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the BMW R 1250 RT 2021 has a front tire width of 120 mm and a diameter of 17 inches. The rear tire width is 180 mm and the diameter is also 17 inches. The wheelbase is 1485 mm and the seat height is adjustable from 805 mm to 825 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is 279 kg and the fuel tank capacity is 25 liters.

On the other hand, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 has a front tire width of 120 mm and a diameter of 19 inches, providing better off-road capability. The rear tire width is 170 mm and the diameter is 17 inches. The wheelbase is slightly longer at 1504 mm and the seat height is higher at 890 mm, adjustable up to 910 mm. The kerb weight with ABS is slightly lower at 268 kg and the fuel tank capacity is larger at 30 liters.

In terms of equipment, both motorcycles have LED daytime running lights, LED headlights, and adjustable windscreens. The BMW R 1250 RT 2021 also has a sound system and a TFT display. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 has additional features like cornering lights, a heated seat, and a larger fuel tank.

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

In terms of strengths, the BMW R 1250 RT 2021 offers superb wind and weather protection, a great boxer engine with powerful performance, easy engine control, well-designed controls, great integrated panniers, and high stability even at high speeds. On the other hand, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 has a high-torque engine that accelerates strongly from low revs, a low center of gravity for accessible maneuverability, practical details for frequent riders, a gigantic range of 600 km with low consumption, good wind and weather protection, great ride comfort, powerful engine, great electronics, easy-to-read display, confident feeling in the saddle, practical riding aids, and great ergonomics for tall people.

In terms of weaknesses, the BMW R 1250 RT 2021 is slightly cumbersome to maneuver, the topcase lock can be stiff, and the gearshifts can be stiff at low revs. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 has a high weight, gearshifts at low revs can be clumsy, and it has a jagged appearance with little elegance. It is also high-priced with full equipment.

Overall, both the BMW R 1250 RT 2021 and the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 are impressive touring motorcycles with their own strengths and weaknesses. The BMW R 1250 RT 2021 excels in wind and weather protection, while the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 offers better off-road capability and practical features for frequent riders.

Technical Specifications BMW R 1250 RT 2021 compared to BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

BMW R 1250 RT 2021
BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeBoxerEngine typeBoxer
BoreBore102.5 mmBore102.5 mm
StrokeStroke76 mmStroke76 mm
Engine powerEngine power136 HPEngine power136 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,750 rpmRpm at Max. Power7,750 rpm
TorqueTorque143 NmTorque143 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,250 rpmRpm at Torque6,250 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio12.5 Compression Ratio12.5
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
Throttle BoreThrottle Bore52 mmThrottle Bore52 mm
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeAntihoppingClutch TypeAntihopping
TransmissionTransmissionProp shaftTransmissionProp shaft
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquid-airCoolingliquid-air
Can be restricted for A2 licenceCan be restricted for A2 licenceYesCan be restricted for A2 licenceYes
DisplacementDisplacement1,254 ccmDisplacement1,254 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionTeleleverFront suspensionTelelever
DiameterDiameter37 mmDiameter37 mm
TravelTravel120 mmTravel210 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentPreload

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSingle swing armSuspensionSingle swing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
TravelTravel136 mmTravel220 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreload, ReboundAdjustmentPreload, Rebound
MaterialMaterialAluminiumMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameSteel
RakeRake64.1 degreeRake65.1 degree
TrailTrail116 mmTrail95.4 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter320 mmDiameter305 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
ActuationActuationHydraulicActuationHydraulic
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyradial

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter276 mmDiameter276 mm
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonDouble piston
Shock mountShock mountFloating caliperShock mountFloating caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Anti-slipping control, Riding modes, Combined Brake System, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Anti-slipping control, Hill start assist, Suspension electronically adjustable, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter19 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width170 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height60 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
LengthLength2,222 mmLength2,270 mm
WidthWidth985 mmWidth980 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,485 mmWheelbase1,504 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height805 mmSeat Height890 mm
Seat Height up toSeat Height up to825 mmSeat Height up to910 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)279 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)268 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity25 lFuel Tank Capacity30 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentLED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, Sound System, TFT display, Windscreen adjustableEquipmentCornering lights, LED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, Heated seat, TFT display, Windscreen adjustable

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW R 1250 RT 2021

BMW R 1250 RT 2021

The BMW R 1250 RT simply feels sovereign on the grand tour. We rode the 2020 model and are already thrilled with this version. The heavy motorbike is compact in the hand and wobbles through the bends with lightning speed. A great touring motorbike.

Superb wind and weather protection

Great boxer engine

Powerful power

Easy engine control

Well-designed controls

Great integrated panniers

High stability even at high speeds

Slightly cumbersome to manoeuvre

topcase lock presented itself as somewhat stiff

gearshifts somewhat stiff at low revs

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023

The big GS Adventure is and remains a great motorbike for any terrain - even for tight corners. The low centre of gravity of the boxer engine, the longitudinally mounted crankshaft, the upright seating position and the powerful but easily controllable torque from far below are simply a force. Although the Adventure version has a higher seat with more weight, which is a decisive hindrance when turning or manoeuvring, in terms of performance the engine also has so much punch in the big GS Adventure that you can let it rip. The BMW's braking system is stable and excellently controllable, and the equipment and electronics can be upgraded considerably - as long as you tick the boxes on the order list. Of course, this pushes up the price, but the many fans of the fat GS Adventure obviously don't mind.

High-torque engine that accelerates strongly from low revs

low centre of gravity ensures surprisingly accessible manoeuvrability

practical details for frequent riders on board

gigantic range of 600 km

amazingly low consumption

good wind and weather protection

great ride comfort

powerful engine

great electronics

easy-to-read display

confident feeling in the saddle

practical riding aids

great ergonomics for tall people.

High weight

gearshifts at low revs somewhat clumsy

jagged appearance with little elegance

high-priced with full equipment

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price BMW R 1250 RT vs BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

There are a few key differences between a BMW R 1250 RT 2021 and a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023. In terms of price, the actual average price of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 is about 5% higher. Compared to BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2023 there are less BMW R 1250 RT 2021 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 9 compared to 47. It takes less time to sell a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure with 64 days compared to 71 days for the BMW R 1250 RT. Since model year 2019 1000PS.de editors have written 18 reviews for the BMW R 1250 RT and 30 reviews for the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure since model year 2019. The first review for the BMW R 1250 RT was published on 9/17/2018 and now has more than 52,500 views. This compares to more than 43,300 views for the first review on BMW R 1250 GS Adventure published on 11/6/2018.

Price BMW R 1250 RT

Model year
Current average market prices

Price BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

Model year
Current average market prices

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