Before you buy - 2019 BMW R1250 RT full in-depth REVIEW

[@LongWayHome]

Is BMW's 1250RT still the best tourer out there?

[@joehaney7551]

I think there is no better touring bike than the RT !

[@rumporridge1]

Totally the best bike I’ve ever owned. Hands down.

[@markJones-yz6ke]

Or just buy a Kawasaki sx for half the price&more power!(and more comfortable!)

[@brianmacdonald3292]

I like all the features. No one has ever made a Sport touring bike as pretty as the R1150RT. I'll be too old when the 1150 becomes "retro" and what's old is new again. I'll stick with my '04 for now.

[@markJones-yz6ke]

@@digibyke5898 rt hurts my lower back being hunched over.sx got it just right!

[@lesnicholas2433]

Wish I could justify spending the money on a R1250RT,but I still love riding my R1100RT so much after 20yrs it's an amazing bike,5k summer tour it's never missed a beat,must remember never to test ride one though😆

[@jsprite123]

Must...not...test...new...R1250RT

[@ski3435]

That's the great thing about owning a BMW bike. So well made that you can still enjoy your bike 20 years later!

[@ler3968]

I still love my 2004 1150 RT, but I am not loving the current high base pricing (over $22k) on the newest R1250 models & associated maint costs. So I am going to keep the old bike longer. I have no problem with most lane splitting here in California. Nice & informative review.

[@SH-xq4dq]

No problem filtering in London with Panniers on , if the mirrors go through the gap it’s ok for panniers width , positive feel on back brake to assist filtering stability when required

[@roadglide]

Needs a TFT screen, and while you’re at it add back-lit handlebar switches for night riding.

[@davidwaddington9414]

Bike owners are having second thought's about TFT screens, they are not 100% reliable and faults are common, the jury is still out on them in, and in view of a £900 replacement bill if out of warranty.

[@SickBikeDude]

I have mixed feelings about TFT screens. They look cool but to be honest, I’m not sold on that fact that they’re even needed at all for normal road riding. Monochrome LCD is good enough for me, my bike has one and i don’t long for a full color TFT screen at all. Computer screens just really don’t have a long shelf life.

[@zoranv12]

It has TFT, 5,7'' (GS has 6,5'') - and old fashion, lovely two round analog gages. That looks just awsome IMO.

[@ski3435]

Well done. Not overly long, yet very informative.

[@janbrittenson210]

I test rode the 1200RT and found it easier to lane split than my GS. Obviously without side luggage on either. The reason is the widest part on the bike body is still the cylinder heads, and those are the same, but the RT has narrower handlebars. The GS *mirrors* tend to cross paths with car mirrors, and while they can be loosened to just swing aside if they tap something, it's still wider than the RT. I got up on a jampacked hwy 101 in San Francisco and split effortlessly with the RT. As a commute and travel vehicle the new RT looks fantastic, with a suitable top case.

[@fleuger99]

Great review! One thing I cannot believe BMW doesn't offer on this bike is LED headlight! I have a 2016 Yamaha FJR1300A and ALL lighting is LED, not a single bulb on the bike. Come on BMW!!!

[@Boxer1250RT]

Aux lights are LED now.

[@igigig27]

@@Boxer1250RT But main dip and high beam are dreadful , I would suggest dip beam on a unlit road is dangerous !

[@johnmadsen37]

Same here. yes, the aux lights on the wheel are led. I think there are some legacy technologies that the police prefer; like cheap replaceable lights. I have a 2018 fjr1300es and i absolutely love the LED headlights. I can blind so many people. But the wind protection, ride smoothness, and so much other stuff is sooooo nice on the rt. I had to decide 27k out the door or 17k out the door and I do regret getting the fjr. The fjr i think is a pretty good swap, kinda, for the much more cheap price. But it is really an upright sports bike with cases.

[@davidgreve1081]

Very good review! More than once I've been told this is the bike to get by riders of BMWs. I like this bike!

[@LookattheBiggerPic]

Really excellent review! Not sure anyone else could best this and I definitely wanted one after watching where I had little reaction to other reviews of the same bike - thanks so much for all you do!

[@free2chasehappy]

Amazing review for an amazing motorcycle. RT is a better choice than the GS if you don't go off-road, just a beast of a mile-eating machine.

[@gentleman279]

pegs height and position are much comfortable on gsa

[@MWS1960]

Nice. You mentioned LCD for lighting...is that an upgrade from previous years ? If so, do you know if that a simple change of a bulb on older RT’s ?

[@emak4558]

If you put protection bars on it, and you should, then you have a perfect spot for highway pegs. I don’t have the wrist pressure issue you note (I have the optional tubular bar and long arms). And I like the riding position overall (with high comfort seat). But yes,need to stretch the legs once in awhile, so highway pegs are perfect to rest a heel. I find this bike to be so much more refined than the GSA. If you get a GSA and only ride it on the road, you made a mistake - in my opinion, have spent some time on both of the 1250s.

[@rodanderson1922]

I own a 1999 K1200 LT, which, although not perfect, is a fantastic long distance motorcycle. It has two faults however, one being a lack of horsepower, 97 factory, and poor lighting at night. Recently however, the ABS Servo Pump has expired, which I have since discovered is a fairly common fault, and an expensive one to replace ($4000 here in New Zealand before fitting) with no garentee it will last? Thankfully the pump can be bypassed, which while the bike will have brakes, they will no longer be ABS? I don't know if it's still a problem in the newer BMW bikes, but it's certainly something worth thinking about if you are considering buying one? Despite this, It's still the most comfortable bike I have ever owned, and I'd buy a 1250RT or a K1600LT tomorrow if I had the dollars?

[@johnmadsen37]

that sucks bad. i suppose if everything else is good, its cheaper than buying a new bike. 4k is too much. ABS is a life saver literally.

[@fourftr]

Considering trading in Harley weighing over 900lbs. I’m looking for bagger that has tunes and windshield. What’s your thoughts on power between Road Glide Ultra versus this 1250 RT

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Wow ! great review and all the many of reviews I have watched the first one ever to feature the bike at night brilliant idea. Its going to be a long time before I can afford to trade my 08 GS in for one though, Thanks

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

Pricey but I like this bike alot. Would I prefer the Goldwing?

[@Reclaim68]

Good video. I've got a 2016 RT1200 which I really love. I'd like to change up to this latest bike but I'm gonna hold off and wait to see what changes they make next. Like you say all the other boxers have the TFT screen so if they had that on a future RT I'd certainly want to change.

[@edzaslow]

An excellent review! Most of these bike in dealers' showrooms will carry an MSRP of around $25,000 US.

[@keithb2461]

I rode that bike along with a K1600 B and I have to say that while it’s very good I’m not sure that I’m ready to give up my 2012 RT. The newer bikes have a few cool goodies on them, but I’m not sure that it’s worth the money to upgrade right now.

[@WildlifeMoto]

It looks like an angry owl swooping towards you. Awesome!

[@BubbaSatori]

Hair today, gone tomorrow. Thanks for the review. Looking forward to your take on the updated ‘21.

[@johnvaleriewelbers2995]

Maintenance costs way to high here in Canada 🇨🇦 1000.00 to adjust valves every 12,000 k be in there every 8 months 😯. Nice bike though.

[@staninjapan07]

Thanks. That accelerator joke made me howl. Until you said something about being unable to lane split, I was all for it. No matter how big a bike I go for, I expect to be able to get through traffic on it on at least 50-75% of roads. As I am not in the market for one of these, it does not really matter. I enjoyed your video a lot, though, thanks.

[@mikedignum1868]

Nice review..As an recent owner of a 2014 RT i was thinking of upgrading to the 1250 version, but i was hoping for more changes in the latest model. Its basically the same bike with a new engine. Dont get me wrong i love the RT but was not willing to pay out the extra just for the upgraded engine. So, i bought my first ever GS 1250 .

[@roadglide]

Mike Dignum Congrats. Sounds like a great decision. These Adventure bikes are just plain exciting.

[@Lecruque]

Get used to deafening turbulence and noise. If you do road and highway, the GS is a plain wrong choise. Believe me. I learned the heard way.

[@mayaschmidt7388]

I love the Idea of riding offorad but as a second bike?

[@jennydiazvigneault5548]

Every time BMW comes out with a newer model they say its so much more amazing than the last. Then they come out with another new one and it seems the old one was not really very good after all as the new one is so much better.

[@splodge57]

They've improved the gearbox on every model for the past 100 years.

[@jsprite123]

Then you'd probably don't wanna hear about the features of the 2040 models...LOL

[@sebastiangeorge7714]

It's like a stair every step gets you a bit higher.

[@jsprite123]

Looking forward to your review of the R1250R!

[@droptine5520]

I had a feeling couple years ago they were going to up the size of the 1200's. They''d been the same since 2005. I almost bought a 2014 K1600GT in July. But then started thinking about the 1250, and now I'm going upgrade from my 2005 RT to the 1250 in the next year or two.

[@BN1960]

Nice vid - new sub here. Just so you know, the USB socket in the glove box is power only. If you want to feed something in you need to use the round jack plug. It catches a lot of people out and is a bit stupid by BMW really.

[@LongWayHome]

Nice catch! Thanks for sharing.

[@LongWayHome]

Nice catch! Thanks for sharing.

[@LongWayHome]

Nice catch! Thanks for sharing.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Brightness of the dash cluster is adjustable; 6 different brightness levels.

[@comcastjohn]

I am so done with chain maintenance. So, it is out for me. I am going to purchase a 2019 or 2020 Yamaha FJR 1300es. Just waiting to see if they make any new additions to the 2020, such as, TPM, Navigation, TFT screen, hill assist, keyless system or a reverse gear. We will see.

[@LongWayHome]

....the RT is shaft-driven. :)

[@comcastjohn]

I stand corrected then. I saw a video where the guy said it was chain. And your hair looks great! 😎

[@maxflight777]

Ask the staff in a Motorrad dealer what bike they ride..... almost always it’s an RT ! Says a lot.....

[@bartk4383]

Great review, thank you. Shot in Romania?

[@LongWayHome]

Yes. Good spot!

[@SickBikeDude]

See in America this bike would shine. You can only filter in one state and from east to west its nothing but boring straight roads. This bike would make it fun.

[@Anonymous357333]

Excellent review and what a amazing motorcycle

[@johnmadsen37]

My regret is getting a fjr instead. but it was 27k out the door versus 17k out the door. a 2024 model will be mine.

[@brisprott2451]

Lovely bike but needs the BMW TFT

[@lacix22]

I wish someone would make an analysis of the true width of these bikes. Compare a narrower bike with rider on, where the knees stick out with an RT where the bike is obviously wider in appearance, but knees are covered. Narrow bike with rider on is almost the same width with an RT with rider on.

[@grantbradley5084]

I’m currently riding a 2019 BMW 1250rt. Previously having owned a 1979 R65, a 2003 1150R, a 2007 R1200R, a 2009 RT, a 2010 RT,and also a 2015 RT. Perhaps I’m a bit biased.

[@larryj8924]

Is it safe to say you must really like the RT's, do you find the 2019 much difference or improvement?

[@grantbradley5084]

Larry J , The transmission is much smoother than my 2015,which I heard BMW changed on the 2016. The bike sounds a bit more muscular while idling. I’ve only put 150 miles on the new machine so haven’t had the opportunity to really open it up. I questioned my sanity why I was trading up. How could they improve on an already fantastic machine? BMW made a great bike even better!

[@larryj8924]

@@grantbradley5084 Thanks for the reply. Test rode a 2016 model and liked it and now with new model am seriously considering a purchase. Riding my 04 Yamaha FJR now and like it, but the RT would be more comfortable. Have several other MC's in garage, but can never have too many ha ha!

[@grantbradley5084]

Larry J , Have a friend who rode a FJR for years, he loved the bike no problems at all. You could get a heck of a deal on a 2016, there are still some new 2018s in my neck of the woods that the deal is offering substantial discounts. You can’t lose with any decision you make ! There’s always room for a second,or third bike in the garage!

[@larryj8924]

@@grantbradley5084 Your right, always room for another bike, but I've taken that a little too far. Currently have 9 street bikes and a few off road bikes, but intend to test ride the new BMW RT 1250 soon. Enjoy your new ride!

[@sorinprofir8380]

Good review, thanks for doing away with that selfie monologue in your hoodie jacket!

[@dennisleonard2137]

Whose jacket are you wearing?

[@gwilymhowes6422]

Good review, but your line ‘still the best tourer’ puzzles me. Are you forgetting BMW has the K1600GT/GTL? The RT is a great bike, but the 1600 offers everything, plus a phenomenal 6 cylinder engine with a lot more go. Hard to see the point of the RT, except maybe price.

[@babayaga1767]

maybe, power to weight the rt is quicker and more nimble than the gt. i have a '10 RT and been wanting the GT but not sure it does more than my RT for my purposes

[@gwilymhowes6422]

baba yaga I own a K1600GT and have ridden the R1200RT over a good distance. I can tell you that the 1600 is way quicker. Neither bike is a sports bike. They are tourers. Both are OK in the twisties given what they are. I’m a big guy. Maybe that’s why I can’t spot any material handling difference between the two. But really, the 1200 is not more agile or quicker in the bends. Or in traffic. Feature wise they are similar, so with the 1600 you are just getting slightly more features in your bike with WAY more get up and go. As far as I can see the ONLY reason to get the RT is price.

[@jsprite123]

@@gwilymhowes6422If you are a big guy you can pretty much ride any bike. If you are not...even price takes second seat to comfort and confidence a lighter bike gives you.

[@gwilymhowes6422]

jsprite123 fair point. You could be right there.

[@zunaidkajee4540]

I bought a k1600 GTL option 719 a few months ago, and I have just done a deal to trade it in in the next few days for the 1250 RT. I also bought the most expensive model (719) fully kitted, which costed me a fortune here in South Africa. I am most disappointed, to say the least, considering the bike cost a 100k Rands more than the RT. biggest problem is the left pull of the bike, it's a PITA. Secondly there is a stop sell on all k16 at the moment, so that scares the shit of me, cause I took delivery 2 days before the stop sell notice. The audio system is useless, and my RT I am getting has no audio. The 100kg less weight and lower center of gravity on the RT is very welcoming. You mention the k is much quicker I disagree, maybe the GT is but surely not the GTL. The wind buffeting is also a problem on the k and so is the overheating issue ism warmer climates. Too many issues with that bike, and they had almost 9 years to sort out???

[@comcastjohn]

I just cannot stand the boxer engine, the sound and how it sticks out so far. If you drop her it will be scratched up and if in a crash they will be severely damaged. If they had a 1250cc version like the K1600 engine, I would be on her like whit on rice. But even though my motorcycle has been placed in second place to the RT, that says a lot to me. Since BMW is high quality. So first place loser is ok to me. I love my 2020 Yamaha FJR 1300 es. I hope that they are re-engineering the engine for the Euro 5 emission standard and will produce a 2022 version but with a few new things, like central locking of storage, a GPS and a digital screen to replace the old analog gauges. Very nice video and thank for sharing your review.

[@wildone2163]

if we're on heavy weight category maybe you can do Super Tenere review :)

[@kabish0603]

I own one, good bike but I've been seriously looking at trading it in for the R1200RT. They nuter it pretty bad though 1st-3rd, ecu flash is almost a most do.

[@G91YS]

Nice review! only 1k sub? wow you'll get more for sure!

[@stephanespoerli6582]

Two or three things I regret: 1: no LED headlights. 2: no DAB radio. 3: GPS can't be locked and must be removed if the bike is left in the street. Otherwise it's perfect. I drove 14'000 km on European roads in 2019, feeling is like riding a laser beam !

[@jorgeherrera1075]

Great review

[@DARisse-ji1yw]

Not seeing anything that makes me want to change my '85 R80RT. Too much electric fiddly stuff to go expensively wrong.

[@roadglide]

D.A. Risse If you build it right, like BMW and Honda is capable of, with quality sealed connections and use of quality components these long distance tourers shouldn’t be problematic. The new generation Gold Wing has more electrically operated peripherals proves that.

[@jigrodrigues]

Ride one. You'll see.

[@babayaga1767]

that's what warranties are for

[@DARisse-ji1yw]

@@babayaga1767 and when the warranty expires ? My '85 is simple enough for me to do all maintenence and repairs. And I bought it new .... as a young man.

[@kirknra863]

Nice... looks like I need to start a go fund me page and sell my 2000 R1100RT and get one of these.

[@timm1583]

if that happens can I have your 1100 for spare parts for my 1100RT

[@ronaldwhite5670]

Did you quote the fuel capacity? Very good review.

[@LongWayHome]

Nope. 25 liters. Thanks!

[@bilmuhalper]

Thank you :) !

[@jorgeherrera1075]

Great video thanks

[@120074]

What are the maintenance costs of.the BMW

[@jsprite123]

Let's just say...expensive.

[@redbull4fly797]

When you think it can't be more, they always surprise you. 😂

[@NAZLILIFESTYLE]

Nice bike..my dream bike..dont forget button red bro..nice👍👌🏻😁

[@markellott5620]

Can't do lane splitting on an RT? Really? I'd better stop, then... ;)

[@kabish0603]

CHP does it all day! I've even seen monster Goldwings splitting, just all about knowing your bike well.

[@johnmadsen37]

yes, you can. it is as wide as the mirrors with the regular cases. you can get the police cases which are 2" less on each side, but still the mirrors are the widest. It is not wider than any other year. Ive split lanes every day for a couple hours each day in traffic on a 1200rtp. Since the mirrors are higher, and most vehicles tapper off past the door handles, it works out well. as long as you have an inch on each side and the road surface doesnt change to lead the front tire to the side, its no problem at all.

[@markellott5620]

@@johnmadsen37 Yes, I know. I've been riding RTs since the mid nineties and lane split regularly. It was the comment in the video that you can't that made my jaw drop. Of course you can.

[@JayBearjaysbigadventure]

I love your videos! I have a 2012 K1600GT, and in the past the difference in power was enough for me to not even consider an RT. My last bike was a K1300GT. With the new bike though, the performance difference is a lot less! And then there's the maintenance. I just did the spark plugs and radiator clean a few months ago, and just had to do the front wheel bearing and ball joints. The maintenance is just killing me. Maybe it's time to drop some cylinders, lose a few HP and just ride more! To see what I've been up to, and how NOT to repair your ball joints, please follow along! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKfNdKWcjNiJeac -jaysbigadventure

[@esmiley3]

I want one!

[@peterfrancis4769]

Nice review. Thank you for sharing. Say Hi to Dave, LOL

[@LongWayHome]

Dave was in his cage for this review :D

[@maggotsinthecrosshairs7632]

$1200 for a valve adjustment?? On a TWO CYLINDER ENGINE???? Oh, sure, I'll take two. Glad I sold mine before I got a room at the poor house.

[@comcastjohn]

I just can’t stand the way the engine looks. If those cylinder heads were not sticking out and looked like a regular engine, I would have gotten one in a heartbeat.

[@alexvangasse3447]

I ride my rt offroad i dont stop for gravel or mud

[@krystkicker]

KTM Colours on his jacket

[@LongWayHome]

HAHAHAHAHA! Ninja observation skills!

[@ChristosBassCovers]

Does not control the nav unit

[@igigig27]

Wheel etc does control the sat nav

[@adrianmathe3578]

Ma uitam linistit, si observ numere de Argeș, loganuri, blocurile ponosite. Zic, hopaa, in sfarsit un roman care face reviewuri in engleza. Bun, spor! About the rt, as allways with bmw, people should wait for minimum 6 mounths, so that recalls are done, and updates are done as well,as they have the tendency to have issues in the beginning. And to be honest, the older rt was 240kg, now allmost 280,the bike is getting to porky...to bad they lost focus on weight.. And no led and cornering light, still. Come on bmw, on that price tag, led should be standard..

[@LongWayHome]

:) Multam! I think this is just a small update to make sure all BMW's boxer engines are 1250s and that they don't manufacture new 1200s. I think the RT will get a much bigger overhaul if not this year, then definitely in 2020.

[@johnmadsen37]

it is not. You have to go and look at it. Video stuff is for fun and not serious at all. If it is in your price range...

[@1418jeff]

Great review 👍 hitting the subscribe button fa sho

[@tuckerjane2269]

Struggle with the dealerships

[@splodge57]

Nice bike shame about the looks. The Yamaha has better reliability and a more durable finish. The BMW maybe a better riders bike.

[@jambormbac345]

Nature is not a mother. Allah create nature.

[@bseidem5112]

Allah, a demon, created nothing, but is a headache for believers leading to Hell at death. Beware.

[@tomwagaman6440]

Allah is a pedophilia