I've got a 2014 SE model with the quick shifter, the first of the part water cooled ones. I absolutely love it. As a bike to ride all year round in the UK's climate (except when there is a hint of ice, I'm not that stupid!) it is just fantastic. Superb fairing, heated grips, heated seat, optional larger touring screen, it really does look after you. Some of my best rides have been around North Wales in the pissing down rain and the way the bike handles is just awesome. I've always used Michelin Road Pilot 4 GTs and the bike feels so planted even when it is sluicing down. I believe from reading reviews on touring tires on the market now that the Road Pilot 4 GTs have been bettered. I'm a bit of stick in the mud and was reluctant to change as I new what I was getting with the Pilot 4s and I had total confidence in them. Only just put new front and rear on, had the bike dealer serviced and was looking forward to getting some good rides in when Boris announced another lock down, doh! My only criticism of the bike from a riding point of view is that its weight and size can make it a little tricky to manoeuvre and peddle around on nadgery little off-camber country lanes if you happen to take a wrong turn. Done plenty of that! But that's only to be expected on such a big bike. No reverse unfortunately. The bike had a few warranty claims in the first three years of ownership that needed sorting out and I must say that BMW were very good at seeing to them. Mine is now well out of warranty so it's fingers crossed. As for the new model. I'd be a liar if I said I wouldn't have one. But my 'old' one is still doing all I want from a touring bike and I just could not justify the expense of changing. I didn't mean to write so much but I hope my comments have struck a chord with other owners and have been useful to anyone thinking of getting this brilliant bike. You may even be able to snap up a good deal on the outgoing model before the new one hits the showroom. Stay safe everyone.

My style of riding is to “intervene manually” all of the time when on my bike!

What is not mentioned is that when you load up a motorbike with all the electronic goodies, not only does price and complexity go way up but what about a few years down the road when the drivetrain is still perfectly capable of many more miles and some electronic accessory breaks down and the cost is super high to replace it ? Do you toss a perfectly good bike because it's actual value is not worth sinking a thousand dollars or much more into it ? Or after 7 years or whatever the gov't requires from a manufacturer, critical electronic parts are not available . Some of these electronic features are very alluring but for what they are asking for these new bikes, you would be wise to think long term before you lay your money down.

Cracking bike. Almost bought one but went for the k1600 for the engine and other goodies. Another good presentation mate. You are the best at these news style motorbike videos on KZfaq. Id love to see you doing videos on the mcn news or something similar every month even though tmf does it too. To get your take on breaking news .

Having adaptive cruise on a couple of my cars, being old school, ok old, I still don’t rely on this system! Having said that it, the system on cars works brilliantly & I’ve actually used it to come to a complete stop at traffic lights without me intervening. Scary? Hell yeah! But again, it does work! So no qualms with buying any bike with this feature.😎👍🏼 Thank God they’ve added the TFT.... FINALLY!🤤

All safety aids, at least for the average Joe like myself, are game changers. I’ve been riding bikes since 1987 (Bultaco 360) and I’d say that the absence of blind spot warning such as the one in Ducati or KTM, is a big miss for the big Beemer that wants to be synonymous with safety and riding experience.

It always amazes me how every new model is the best thing since popcorn... until the next model.

Rich retired travelers are buying this bike, so the cost doesn’t mean anything to them. If I would ever hit the lottery I’d buy one. It’s an awesome bike.

I truly dislike the shift toward angry designs. Give us some HAPPY looking bikes!

Amazing Motorcycle Folks. Dispense with the naysayers and sour grapes - I ordered mine today. Shall sell current bike and car to afford it! One Life 👍❤️☺️

Needs 2 things to make it perfect: Reverse gear and Blind Spot Monitoring. I'd trade the active cruise control for these 2.

Sold the wife and my kids for this bike and I’m still 26.000 short...

How the H. did we survive the 70' and 80's on Rice burners and air cooled bmer's - oh yes it was fun and cheap :)

i want a radar that tells me where is the speed trap.

I just hope to see some of this tech as well as the new TFT screen be on the K1600 line. The current dash on the K1600 line is dated and they have that amazing TFT screen, so, why not just put it on??

Not interested in adaptive cruise control on a motorcycle but luv it in my truck

I love BMW and have owned two. Let my last one go because there aren’t enough dealers and it was way too far to go for service. If I had a local dealer, I’d be riding one.

I'm still not so sure about adaptive cruise control. I had it in my Ford Mondeo and I had some hairy moments with it especially when cars changed lane just in front of me, it was to slow to react. Furthermore the harsh on- and of reaction was not really pleasant, and when approaching intersections it sometimes lost track. When BMW has designed a true adaptive cruise control for it's motorbikes then I would suspect that at least the flaws I described has been solved.

I just bought a new 2020 KTM 1290 SAS out the door for $16,500. I don't think paying an extra $10,000 for adaptive cruise control would be a good deal.

Phenomenal bike, incredible tehnology. I say that BMW is 3-4 steps ahead evry other bike manufacturer

Thanks Bob. Always enjoy your vids.

Nice ride although not sure how many owners want to ride motorways or yield control to the moto. Still prefer “angry owl” xenon headlights to “ironman” LEDs and not sure Rider Mode Pro technology is necessary as part of the joy of riding is direct throttle management. Only thing missing is integrated voice activated technology to unite and fully integrate the moto and rider! BMW Motorrad needs to change its slogan from “Make Life a Ride” to “Make Your Ride Complex!” Will stay with the 2018 cruise missile K1600GT and upgrade to the 2021 space shuttle GTL instead, for my next ride because of the additional power over the boxer while keeping my ride simple! Thanks for posting!

Simple/reliable is what made BMW famous in the first place. Motorcycles that could be serviced by the owner. bMWs have increasingly become complex. You have to marry the dealer when you buy a BMW now.. last time I was at the BMW dealer to buy filters for my k1200 lt,,shop labor rate was $110. @ hr.. there was a k1200 lt in the shop for a clutch replacement due to the slave cylinder leaking fluid on the clutch..i asked the mechanic doing the job the cost...$4500... and that was in 2009... my best friend has had 3 bmw cars..every scheduled maint visit to the dealer cost between $800. and $2000... I currently own a gl1800 gold wing and a Moto Guzzi Norge.. I recently did a 15,000 mi service to my Norge.. everything from clean/lube the steering head bearings, fork oil change the clutch and brake fluid, adjust the valves, clean and re-greased the rear suspension pivot/ linkage bearings, lubed driveshaft splines, change in the gas tank fuel filter,I even inspected the oil pump ..Simple I went out on that limb one time buying a BMW. Never again. My BMW K 1200 LT was the most flawed quirky motorcycle with that weird front end that I ever owned and I have owned dozens of motorcycles.. One sidenote. I struck a deer at 70 miles an hour on my BMW K 1200 LT. Both mirrors flew off and went straight to China. Those mirrors 12 years ago cost $492 each..Total damage was $5500, but the cost of each mirror alone was an eye opener..Those BMW mirrors were almost exactly the same as on my Honda Pacific coast. I checked to see how much the mirrors for my commuter bike, the honda Pacific coast cost at that time. $72 each..That pretty much sums up the reason I’ll never buy a BMW anything. The cost of the parts, and the scheduled maintenance costs that you cannot do the scheduled maintenance chores yourself..The ones you can do, Like change the clutch and brake fluid, you need special bmw tools to do those.. all of this ultra complexity makes bmw less and less desirable to me.. I don’t go for the gadgets. I’ve had two ventures, BMW, and now a gold wing, I never even turn the radio on, never..I just want a motorcycle, not a 767..I am very interested in when Suzuki reintroduces their all new Touring machine with air conditioning

Good review - thx! - I'm not a tech fan. As 'wonderful' as these tech advances may seem, they equally open the door for more to go wrong, & more complication. I'd prefer that these clever engineers concentrate more on the bike's dependability, longevity, handling, clean styling & such.

I had a 5 series that had this feature. It works well. The new bike looks very nice, but sitting on a motorway for hours sounds painful to me and to be avoided at all costs!

ACC will be a great addition for the long range rider. Took some getting used to in my car, but wouldn’t be without it now.

With respect to the grand touring bikes, there’s an emergent demographic - ahem - that is being drawn to the current “automatic” (DCT like) transmissions and reverse/forward crawl speed options. I hated DCT when it was introduced, but Honda’s 2020 examples are quite brilliant. The features I once mocked are, sadly, now much more appealing. People change, so does technology; getting the right fit between the two is no small challenge.

Merci Bob pour cette présentation J’ai la Rt 1250 actuelle et c’est vraiment une super moto , très protectrice. Pour faire de la route il me semble qu’elle est un must. Pour les plus petits trajets je prends ma Harley.

Anyone noticed that the BMW Press material is made with the K1600, which is not available anymore in 2021?

Make dct available on this bike

I think the adaptive control is good but as I found on my vw Tiguan car it can catch you out in certain situations. So I always cover my break on my car . For instance if there’s a line of moving traffic ahead it keeps the set distance. But if the first car ahead suddenly changes lane it doesn’t always pick up the next car ahead of you . I found it tries to excellerate in to the next car and I have to take over. I don’t know why it does that?

Honda please release a updated pan European to complete a dct shaft drive euro 5/6 would be great

that 719 model reminds me of the Moto Guzzi Italian pretty sweet

beautiful bike. now for the fully electric or hydrogen rt

The BMW R/1250/RT is a nice touring bike as it sits. The hill assist, and the cruise assist is quite interesting and would be a welcome feature on this bike. Its a Bike that you can put it in the wind and ride for hours without fatigue. What more would you want on a bike that offers so much in touring pleasure?

Hi moto bob , I think the naked version you mentioned would be the one i would go for because I prefer nakids and would be the one I think would be the one I could afford and as you said would make a good tourer

the wide screen is intresting. will this be on the next GS ? if so, no Motorrad Navigator VI needed.

How often is it the case you run into the back of a moving vehicle as opposed one that is stop which this does not work for ?

I have active Cruise Control in my Golf and its superb, not sure I want it on my bike though.

For me there has to be an element of cheapness and economy when considering a motorcycle. These bikes must be lovely to ride on a long run but at the same time huge and expensive. Dropping a bike like this would be write off. It's hard to get in and out of a garage like mine. I think money would be best spent on a nice car if you have this kind of budget. Then just have a simple bike for fun or hire one for the touring. Interesting tech all the same but very car like with vehicle following radar etc.

My idea of cruise control and riders modes is the right wrist.

I want to drive my own bike, not have it driven for me. I love my regular cruise that I have had since 2009. Just enough.

Honda should take note of this dash. Looks brilliant. I think the dash on the new (2018 on...) GW is sorely lacking in comparison.

Here in BR is impossible to have, but if I have the amount of money, living in EU, is one bike to have!

I’d love one of these 1250rts ( I’ve currently got a F800GT) but I can’t help feeling there is an element of ‘ massive scooter ‘ about the look of the front. All subjective tho I guess .

I like the TFT upgrade along with the removal of the 1980s antenna. It would look even better if they would have redesigned the flat rear end of the panniers. This bike from the rear looks like an Amazon box. 🤣

Does it still have shift assistance and hill hold?

Beautiful bike. Great additions, only bmw pushes the boundaries for bikes like Volvo in cars/trucks.

i'd like BMW to put the antenna back. there is a boring area at re-designed front fairing.

As an avid fan of RT's..... (I've owned 5 from Airheads, Oilheads, hex heads, to a 15 Water-cooled, etc) they are incredible machines but have fun working on them with all of the technology..I guess I'm an old fart but some of BMW's "improvements" over the years I find to actually be counter-intuitive...I guess they depend heavily on Yuppies without any mechanical chops to pay for $1400 American for an Inspection 2.......

Not enough dealerships. BMW need to have their car dealerships take these bikes in for service and arrange onwards transport to a service centre. There's no dealership anywhere near enough for me to consider this manufacturer. BobUK.

Does it burn oil ? I read somewhere the R nine T burns oil ?

I prefer "R" to be more simple and less plastic.

Whats the weight of the bike? Is it the same or more than the last?

Those huge Brembo brakes!!

Very beautiful motorbike. Top high standard and absolutely high quality brand..very impressive motorbike.

I have Adaptive Cruise Control on my car, I find, that I seldom use it. What I'm waiting for before I buy a new bike is a Reverse gear, like the Honda Goldwing has. If the Goldwing had a bigger gas tank, tour pack, and top-loading saddle bags I'd be looking at buying one.

I'd like this on my bike. I don't want to buy a Beemer but I like the idea of active cruise control.

So, animation says k1600 wont get the new screen but it will get the radar....in 2022 I guess. That helps as Im debating how hard I should slap myself for not getting one now.

To answer your question about tech I would say yes it definitely helps just looks at MotoGP thouse bikes are riding computers and you dont see the riders complaining about it! I last year I was burying new (to me) motorcycle and I must say the final verdict went in fervor of my Moto Guzzi California Audace 1400 that has switchblade tracion control, 3 riding modes (rain tour sport) and cruise control! All the other bikes i was considering didn't have that so it was a big plus for the Guzzi. Plus if I want to burn rubber I can swich TC off and leave big black lines behind me! But with a big Vtwin heaving TC is a plus especially on a cold wet mornings or evenings where the grip is limited. Yoi don't feel ot but you sometimes see the TC light flashing on the dash. Extra safety is always a good thing. Same as the cruise control I always thought it is a gimmick until i did over 40 miles on a motorway with an average speed limit. My god what a blessing it was! Now R1250RT is probably epick but for my needs it is a bit to big and a bit to expensive. I would get the R1250RS and so should the 70% of all the tarmack only GS roders out there. But if you know that you gonna be doing two up touring all the time then RT is the best choice for you from the R1250 line-up

Great, in-depth review Rob. What I really want is a 43” TFT screen synced with Apple TV and Dynamic Autonomous Mode so I can watch The Bachelor instead of the road. I’d probably specify the optional Jason Recliner Rocker seat with heated doona so I can have a little nap whilst the bike navigates the twisties for me too. Do you know when this will be available?

Fabulos review, really helpful

Very very nice and long over due.

For me the issue with adaptive cruise is that if the system is so sensitive and reduces power very gradually, you sometimes don't even know you've slowed down. This happened a number of times with our new car and it did it as such a distance that you never felt it. Drove me bonkers. I would rather it slowed down deliberately so that the driver/rider notices the reduction in speed and adjusts. I would rather have dynamic cruise where it is able to maintain speed over varied terrain (up or down).

Not a fan of the adaptive cruise control. Do not like it in cars either. It’s called “pay attention when driving” folks. Antilock brakes, LED lighting, slipper clutches, cruise control, heated seats, ride by wire, tire pressure ready, are what is needed on bikes. This adaptive stuff is just super extra stuff that is not needed.

To me riding a bike, any kind of bike, is about controlling it, playing with the ability and skills I have (or not). If the bike takes over a lot of these abilities and skills where's the fun.....

WOW,....just got to convence my bank!

Most of this is optional. And even if your bike does have cruise, you don't have to use it.. I've never seen so much whining in a comment section. 😂😂

R1250RT, best new bike of 2021 and my next bike.

I wonder if you can get the 10” tft retro fitted to the current 1250gs getting rid of the nav system? Any thoughts?

Any gossip on a possible new BMW S1000 naked?. Might fancy a change from my 1290 SDR next year. Kawasaki gets good reviews but it's quite ugly, hated the Mt 10 and Ducati is just silly money ,plus I don't think I would buy another Ducati. My old Diavel was rather problematic.

I'll stick with my old R1200RT thanks. More electronics, more to go wrong. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. For a colour scheme on a new car, expect to pay £600. Why over £1000 for less than an 1/10th of the surface area of most cars. Another BMW (Bring More Wallets)

Curious when I will see the first cop on the new Version.

How can I buy one? I am in Nigeria

Weight reduction would have been much better!! And what about giving it a reverse gear just for those awkward manoeuvres that sometimes bikers get into.

Technology has finally run-a-muck adaptive cruise is not necessary

I sold my 2014 rt ,,very comfortable, loaded,radar det,,abs,traction control,cornering traction SCARED the sheet out of me while making a high speed pass thru a mild curve .The suspension &traction control,went crazy and made my rear end loose and now,not into high tech on ANY BIKE .I now ride a new roadking STANDARD 107 just abs. ,,needs nothing.i m looking at the new r18 ,,,I'm a BMW boxer engine guy ♡

There's no doubt- its a great bike, but for me, IMHO for myself only, its too big, too heavy, too expensive, astronomical service costs and needlessly electronically complicated. Yes to traction control, ABS, basic cruise control , for me there are other bikes that do the job at a far less price. and- I own a BMW!. , albeit not an RT.

Lots of nice toys , but best git rid-off before the warranty runs out or you will be breaking the bank when you HAVE TO take to the BMW dealer to fix any of them.

It looks comfortable, no doubt about that, but it's a lot of money to spend on a bike, and way too heavy for me to be happy with. I never thought I'd hear myself say this but if I wanted a touring bike I'd buy a superscooter like a Burgman. It's basically a 90mph armchair with no gears and loads of storage. Bikes are getting way too much tech. If I was doing loads of motorway miles, cruise control would be a plus, but you should be concentrating 100% on the road and I fear dynamic could make some concentrate less than they should. I'd never trust it either for that one time it might not 'see' the back end of a lorry. Even the best technology sometimes has brain farts!

Test it on india trafic

The system no top end motorcycle manufacturer has ever offered is an auto-wallet replenisher. Supply one of those and I’ll have one.

The display needs to be better integrated into the dash.

Far too much electronically to go badly wrong, just look at the avalanche of recalls on electronic modules in European cars over the past 3 years, Ducati, has also been a ‘ problem child’ with several serious electronic recalls over the last couple of years. I like to be in TOTAL control of my bike as my inputs are based on decades of experience and I’m still here today!

Like the looks of it. Looking kinda thicc for a sport touring bike 😂

Don't care for the high tech bs. Maybe abs but forget the rest.

Love the bike but why oh why did they drop the red colour!

I would.

The R has the same engine yes, but just add crappy wheather and rethink. Same old, the best bike is the one that fit your purpose and your wallet.

Lovely bike but to pricy. Waiting for the review of the Triumph 900 GT Pro but it has to come with other colors just like that green one on the Rally Pro. Come on Triumph put that color also on the GT Pro and im home

In my opinion, BMW lost its way when the original RS was dropped, still one of the nicest bikes ever, these new ones look Japanese, Not German.the RS was a bike that from year to year you knew what you bought., I still look for them

If safety is so important, and it is, then why doesn’t BMW put backlit handlebar switches for night riding. And the R1250 GS/GSA needs a real and horn like their K1600 series bikes and handlebar switch lighting. But the colors and design they got that in spades. I like use of tech in concept just have to see how invasive it becomes with a test ride. Motorcycling must be organic and free. Safety is paramount.

There is NO WAY I want adaptive cruise control on my bike! I want to be in control of my bike's speed when I'm approaching a slower vehicle. I want to determine when to disengage my standard cruise control. I don't want the bike to put my brakes on for me! How dangerous is that? I have adaptive cruise control on my car. It inevitably activates my brakes too early no matter which mode is selected. Plus on a four lane highway, when going around a left hand bend in the road, if I am in the left lane overtaking a slower vehicle in the right lane, it sometimes thinks the slower vehicle is coming into my lane and will apply my bakes!

The high tech specifications are secondary. You’ve got to like the actual bike in the first instance. E.g. I had a Honda Civic Sports car with all that cruise technology, but it wasn’t enough to make me keep the car which i replaced with a car more suitable for my needs but lower technology. The same applies to motorcycles. Choose the bike that suits your needs first then get the highest spec you can afford. Having said that, if my aim was to use a bike for lots of two up long distance touring i would choose an RT, if i had the money that is (just because I’ve had an RT in the past and i know what great tourers they are). For local riding around English lanes and softer touring i would choose a lighter, cheaper, bike such as the new Tiger 900 GT Pro, or the Yamaha Tracer 900, which still have high spec technology.

All the help you can get on a bike has to be a good thing having said that you can't educate an idiot. That's a fact.

A bike that might brake suddenly when not expected !?! Ahh yeah, no thanks. My 5 series would see the odd ghost and brake suddenly without warning. It was a great system but on a bike !!! Newer systems are better, especially those that utilize cameras over radar, as from my experience so far they have less false alarms. Each to their own but for me that cruise is one step too far for a bike.

A BMW.... the initial cost, is just the first taste of having your wallet vacated.

I do like this new RT. Of course the updated cockpit is super nice. But waaaay too much tech for me. And I will pass on the RADAR. I'm sure it works well. I simply do not want it. I would go with something a bit more basic if I could, but the way these dealers bring their bikes in around here, you cannot find one with more basic accoutrements. And I can only imagine what this new RT will cost. They have been trying to push this thing up near 30 Grand, and I think they might get there with this bike. Then there is the maintenance. And BMW's are just too sketchy for me. Reliability is known to be crap. Doesn't matter, I can't afford one anyway. But I like it. Honestly, what I would really go for is the S1000 RR engine in the R1250 RS chassis. With a bigger fuel tank. I'm not a huge fan of the boxer engine and The XR just doesn't quite do it for me, either. Ah hell, I'll just keep my Trophy SE. She still rocks, looks like new and she's paid for. Cheers!

looks like suzuki's GW250

I'd like the extra money. Too many nice bikes out there for far less and far less to have serviced. For those reasons I will not purchase a BMW.