2026 BMW R 1300 RT Review: Quinn’s Take

Feed Poster · January 23, 2026, 10:01:32 AM

2026 BMW R 1300 RT Review: Quinn's Take

Not to toot my own horn, but as BMW's National Brand Ambassador for its authority division, I have so many years of enforcement, training, and competition experience exclusively with BMW's RT platforms that I could close my eyes and listen to the engine alone and tell you what generation you just fired up. And that includes BMW's new R 1300 RT, which I've been training and competing on since riding a pre-production version of it in June 2025 in Germany.

Okay, maybe now I am tooting my own horn.

So today, I'm going to take some of that training and experience and apply it to the new 2026 BMW R 1300 RT with the optional ASA (Automated Shift Assist) and give you my honest feedback.

First, I'd like to address the curiosities surrounding the new ASA option this bike has, because it's probably the biggest news out of Berlin and most of you likely haven't tried it yet. The ASA automates the clutch and shifting process by clicking through its conventional 6-speed transmission. Similar to Honda's Dual Clutch Transmission, you don't have a clutch lever, don't need to physically shift gears, can't stall the bike, and gain the challenge of wondering what to do with your left hand for the first 25 miles. Having spent a fair amount of time with both systems (see my test of Honda's new NT1100 DCT), I can say there is a considerable difference between the two of them. Let me explain.

BMW's ASA engages the driveline almost exactly like a conventional clutch does, meaning you still have the sensation that clutch plates are being used (slipping) to control power to the driveline as revs fluctuate. This is evident when you take off from a light, ride exceedingly slow in a parking lot, or execute tight maneuvers like U-turns; it's smooth and gradual, but most importantly familiar. That means I can generate some revs without immediate and direct forward momentum, enabling smooth control of the motorcycle in tight conditions without needing to ride the rear brake excessively to keep speeds down.

In contrast, the DCT system from Honda uses two clutches (one for even gears and another for odd gears), so the system lacks that clutch slipping capability and instead generates an immediate power pulse to the driveline when you crack the throttle. This makes slow control much more challenging, because any engine speed above idle generates immediate forward momentum, modulated only by heavy rear brake and heavy throttle, which quickly heats up the system. In short, BMW's ASA system is hands-down better when the speeds drop.

Diving a bit deeper, the ASA has two modes: Manual (M) and Drive (D). If you choose Manual (my favorite by a long shot), simply employ your left foot in the same way you currently do and click down into 1st gear. The automatic clutch will smoothly engage the driveline and away you will go. Want to shift? Just click up into 2nd and beyond. The shifts are quick, smooth, and effortless. And while this might not sound much more convenient than a traditional clutch system, try a few hours of city riding, topped off with a dollop of stop-and-go traffic. It's a game changer.

Where the ASA was not fantastic was when I used it in Drive mode and dealt with city riding. The transmission kept short shifting at slower speeds, which might not sound like a big deal, but when I took off from a dead stop and went directly into a turning movement, sometimes the motorcycle surprised me by suddenly cutting power and shifting gears. This caused it to increase lean angle when I least expected it, resulting in a momentary sense of freefalling. Essentially, the shift points were nowhere near where my natural inclination expected them, like suddenly shifting to 3rd while mid-corner at 15 mph. That said, it wasn't an issue while cruising at freeway speeds or in long sweeping canyons.

But in those situations, it revealed another irritation I had with ASA's Drive mode. No matter how much throttle I gave it, or how rapid I twisted the throttle while cruising down the road, often it wouldn't downshift to get me moving. Yes, simply dropping gears with my left foot was a quick fix, but if I'm going to have to do that, I might as well just keep it in Manual mode, which is what I ended up doing for most of this test.

So to land the plane on ASA, it's fantastic in Manual mode in all situations, the automated clutch is great for slow speed situations (something most automatic systems struggle with), but it's only tolerable in fully automatic Drive mode. Also, putting the ASA-equipped RT into neutral was tricky. Which clutchless system do I prefer? I like ASA better than DCT because while I could live just fine with it in Manual mode on the street, I do loads of slow skills riding and the DCT is not a good option for that. Otherwise, I think the DCT works better everywhere else if you're looking for a true automatic option.

Ergonomically, nothing about the new-gen RT really stood out or required special effort to get immediately comfortable compared to the R 1250 RT. Being 6-foot-2, I raised the seat into the tall position (33.0 inches; low position is 32.2), and the seat is also adjustable for angle. Some have complained that the RT's narrower windscreen reduces wind protection, but in its highest position it worked great for me and offered more ventilation than the 1250's screen when lowered. And although BMW has pushed the 1300 in a sportier direction, as evidenced by a wider 190mm rear tire, a narrower and smaller-capacity fuel tank (6.3 gallons vs. 6.6 gallons on the 1250), and more cornering clearance, nothing of these changes negatively impacted me when I droned down the road with the inspiring radar-based Active Cruise Control engaged. In other words, it's as cozy and relaxed as it ever was.

But as soon as I got sporty, the mood changed. The new 1,300cc boxer engine now packs more punch with 145 hp and 110 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful (and fun) RT ever made. Yes, it's smooth and luggable, and it cruises beautifully at 80 mph down the freeway, but when I set it to Dynamic Pro mode, it grabbed me by the shirt collar and wouldn't let go. That was unusual, because in my experience boxer engines are typically predictable and pedestrian, feeling like they are still in a bit of a fog when the alarm clock goes off. Not this motor. It pulled from the word "go" and kept pulling, stretching the revs much farther between shifts, making corner to corner blasts simple and freeway overtakes an afterthought.

While this new motor will make you feel 30 years younger, you might appreciate the chassis even more, starting with the significantly improved Telelever EVO suspension system. Now, if you've never experienced front suspension like this, it's quite unique in design, function, and overall feel. The system that separates the function of aligning the front wheel from damping. What you will notice most readily while riding a Telelever-equipped BMW is the lack of front-end dive under heavy braking. And while this new system still has this attribute, it is far more robust and rigid when compared to previous versions. The result is far greater steering accuracy and wheel tracking over imperfect road conditions, with almost no deflection when the front wheel is challenged to snap out of line.

As an example, while droning down the freeway I hunt for imperfect lane cracks that run parallel to the road, letting them grab my front tire to generate uncomfortable steering feedback at the handlebar. On the R 1300 RT, I struggled to place my front wheel into the cracks, because the Telelever was so stable and direct that it just tracked right across them, transmitting nothing through the bars in the process. At some point I had to stand up and peer over the windscreen to see that I was in the cracks. I noticed a similar result when I was leaning over in a turn, and my front tire faced road debris and imperfections. The motorcycle just pushed right past and continued to track beautifully.

Staying on the topic of suspension, BMW now offers a new Dynamic Chassis Adaption feature, which automatically increases rear ride height travel by 1.2 inches when it reaches 12 mph (it goes back down when you go below 6 mph), which livens up the geometry by decreasing rake and trail, effectively steepening the head angle and making the steering quicker. What's amazing is that even though the spec sheet indicated the R 1300 RT gained a few pounds (approximately 5 lb dry weight), it feels probably 75 lb lighter than its predecessor when riding it. I'm sure it helped that the R 1300 RT's gearbox and clutch are now inside the engine housing, resulting in a more compact powertrain with better balance and overall mass centralization. Whatever the reason, this motorcycle felt like a middleweight under me. That is, until I whacked the throttle.

GEAR UP

Helmet: Schuberth C5 Carbon
Jacket: Richa Charleston Jacket
Airbag Vest: Alpinestars Tech-Air 7x
Gloves: Lee Parks Design Deer Tours
Pants: Richa Original 2 Jeans
Protection: Bohn Armored Riding Pant
Boots: Indie Ridge Crossfield

While BMW's Ride Modes Pro package is not new, it appears the engineers skipped bowling night in favor of upgrading the system for even greater individual customization than before. In short, Ride Modes Pro is an optional upgrade that allows fine tuning of normally fixed characteristics for things like engine mapping, ABS, traction control, and suspension. When I was cruising, I turned the bike into a Cadillac – mellow, soft, and easygoing from point to point. Then, when the road grew corners, I kicked up my throttle response, reduced my traction control and ABS, and significantly tightened up my suspension. It was like trading in my AARP card for a set of dog tags. Snappy direction changes, front wheel lofts from point to point, and more excitement than any sport tourer I've ever thrown a leg over. And when the road straightened out, so did I.

Unfortunately, it wasn't all champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Almost immediately I noticed was a measured reduction in outright stopping power compared to the R 1250 RT. Looking at the two models side-by-side, it does appear that the new 1300 has 10mm smaller diameter in its front rotors (310mm vs. 320mm) compared to the 1250, so maybe this is the difference. But I've ridden and competed on five different 1300 RTs to confirm it wasn't an isolated incident, and they were all weaker than my old 1250 RT-P (and the other three before it).

And while we're drinking from a half empty cup, the footpegs on the R 1300 RT need a rethink, because the rubber isolation sleeves rotate around the metal peg over time when you push on them with your legs. I've had this issue since the R 1150 RT-P, and as of right now, it appears I still do.

This new BMW R 1300 RT has quite a few new whistles and bells with it, so I'd like to apologize now if I didn't delve enough into things like the luggage measurements, the audio system, or how the new bodywork made me feel about myself. These things are not what motivate me to call in sick, open the garage, and head out on a journey with a devious grin on my face, so I don't want to burn the clock telling you about them. After all, I'm pretty sure the dealer has a brochure you can read.

I think it matters most that you appreciate the fact that this motorcycle can live happily in two places at one time. If you need a comfortable cruiser when you're feeling your age, it's literally a few clicks, spins, and taps to convert it into a mile-munching limousine, rain or shine. If it's competition season and you need a snarling beast to go to battle with, just turn everything up to 11 and light the fuse. It's in this dual universe that the R 1300 RT thrives. And in fact, its masterstroke is its ability to morph from one to the other midstream, when our caffeine-infused bull session slips into the dull twilight of Bengay and ibuprofen. At a base price of $22,645, you're actually getting two bikes in one.

2026 BMW R 1300 RT Specs

Base Price: $22,645
Price as Tested: $30,125 (Alpine White Package, ASA)
Website: BMWMotorcycles.com
Warranty: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled longitudinal opposed-Twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,300cc
Bore x Stroke: 106.5 x 73.0mm
Horsepower: 145 @ 7,750 rpm (factory claim)
Torque: 110 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (factory claim)
Transmission: 6-speed w/ Automated Shift Assistant (as tested)
Final Drive: Shaft
Wheelbase: 59.0 in.
Rake/Trail: 26 degrees/4.5 in.
Seat Height: 32.2/33.0 in.
Wet Weight: 620 lb (factory claim)
Fuel capacity: 6.3 gal.

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