Check out our sponsor, Quad Lock: rvz.la/3aE4Jpr Read Zack’s full review of the BMW R 1250 RT Police Special on Common Tread! rvz.la/3RzsIqw

Need the deleted scenes where Zack drives around harassing his friends by pulling them over.

As a part of a previous job, I talked to the pool vehicle mechanic who managed the bikes for a city. They switched from BMWs to Harleys and he said every single motocop complained to him about it. They hated the Harleys.

My dad has a 2016 1200 RT. He rides it like a snail so I never thought it was fast. Rode it myself and holy crap, dives right into corners, unlimited power whenever you want it. It's a great bike

What a machine! (Great for tight turns I understand...)

The RT is amongst all the touring bikes one off the ones with low weight and due to its Boxermotor, one with a very low center of gravity. The Telelever brings incredible stability and if you have to break in a curve it stays very stable. Incredible bike not only for the police,

"The question on everyone's mind. Do you know why I pulled you over?" Genius 😄

Thank you for doing this one! Couple thoughts, regular RT is 615 pounds and I made a few changes to solve almost all your issues. 2019 was little less whizz bang but still had the great 1250 motor. Added Michelins Anakee adventures (yes they have the right size), lower seat with lowered pegs makes it ideal for me to stand up on and took off the chin spoiler and got an SW Motech skid plate and Ileum crash bars. All simple things to do and am rewarded with a very capable machine for the Black Hills twisties that can still do all the dirt roads you want, just not a single track machine. Does better in the heavy wind and cold than a GS, and love the adjustable windshield to handle the heat vs cold. I just did an Iron Butt on it also. Thanks for reviewing this platform, it is just so damn capable!

I love the leaderboard. It brings back old school Top Gear vibes. While a graphic might not be quite as cool, it would be easier to read and could more easily give context on where the bike would fit on the all-time list. Thanks for the great content!

My friend has one, he said cars are more cautious around him

CTXP episode was fantastic! I'd have picked Cruela DeVille because of the Black & White and this bike's ability to be naughty or nice. Would like to see a daily ride episode on the HD counterpart to this bike. Thanks for a great Daily Ride!

Ain’t gonna lie…I was here for the wheelies! Surprised by the vibration thing. My old R90/6 was like butter all the way up, cruising 90 and above.

After all that police rodeo turning practice, your U turn was so much quicker and sharper that I thought you were crashing for a second until I remembered.... Well all the police rodeo practicing you did on this very bike! Super cool to see first hand that kind of improvement.

Those lights on each side should be designed with mirrors on the back; would be so useful (and otherwise is just a chunk of plastic blocking your view).

One thing stood out to me in this video… as a retired motor cop… your u-turn. In previous episodes you flat turned (pretty straight up) most of the bikes, and this episode , you bent (or leaned) the RTP into the u-turn… is this because of your comfort level with this bike since the rodeos, or were the other bikes not as capable of that sort of maneuver ? Just a response to RTP VS HD… I’ve owned metric bikes including sport bikes RT’s, and currently a Tiger… but for my experience, I preferred the HD around town mostly for the seat height!!! (And I’m 6 foot…). 😜

This is honestly my favorite thing to sit down an watch on a Saturday. Love Daily Rider!

This is my absolute favorite motorcyle show, and I just want to thank you Zack for a wonderfully informative and entertaining program. I hope it never goes away.

Was everyone going the speed limit around you? 🤣

Why I love Zach so much. As soon as he went to answer the donut question I said "maple bacon" & then the disney villain I immediately went to Ursula. Highlighting what ive come to expect, Zach & I have simular thought patterns. So I can trust his reviews

Great content! Riding a slightly older 1200RT currently and absolutely love it. Am DIY as much as possible and love how easy it is to do fluids, valve checks, and other routine maintenance. Granted, I am a little older now, but of all the bikes I have owned this is my favorite (Honda Interceptor 500, GSXR 750, Ducati 900 SS, BMW F650GS are the others.)

A while back you did an excellent interview with Itchy Boots AKA Noraly Schoenmaker, As such, I think you should do a "Daily Rider" on the bike she is currently riding from Bolivia to Alaska. A Honda CFR 300 Rally (or a non-rally, almost the same, gas tank size being the major differance).

I will never stop loving that typical boxer sound. Stil cruisin' happily on my '02 R1150RT, that has just passed 148K.

Does anyone else wonder how Jon and Ponch would feel about this new bike?

Sitting in the rain at Mid-Ohio vintage motorcycle days. Watching motorcycle videos

Disney villain? Being the whole bike is black & white, definitely Cruella DeVille. 🤣🐶

I love the mirrors. Once you adapt your habit for locating them to their location, you find they afford a very effective view, more so than most.

This is why I love Saturdays.

I loved the linked brakes on my 06 VFR for daily use, just worked really well. Now when it came time to bleed the dozen bleed screws in the exact right order...after the first time I bought a pile of speed bleeder valves to make that easier. It was a weird setup where the front caliper mount was on a slider that actuated a secondary brake cylinder that sent pressure to the rear brake more as the front brake started to grab the rotor. I would bet this thing is ABS actuated though, so maybe only 7-8 bleed screws :P

You are spot on that the lower gearing really impacts highway ride. I find I ride the “civilian” RT at 10mph faster in the comfort spot, vs the lower geared version. Basically, as fast I would reasonably go on interstate highways, basic RT is still quite comfy. Whereas, the lower geared version starts to get more busy than I like at speed below that.

The “Tippy Tap on the laptop, and send them home with something to think about” was the perfect accent!!! That’s the accent I’ll use on my next stop- your friendly Texas Moto Jock

Yea man, Zach got some new skills we can see from the police episode! Nice riding!

G'day Zack. Always enjoy your videos regardless of the bike being tested. Really appreciate the humour and wit that you put into these rides. I have ridden the 1250 RT and it is indeed a great bike. The amount of tech on this machine is what kind of throws me away from owning one. My 2017 fjr1300 pretty well does the same, and being a little old school I do prefer analogue dials as compared to a huge laptop for a dash. Each to their own of course. Again, thanks so much for these great videos.

Think about it, the mirrors and placement. I‘m the excited, happy owner of a new R 1250 RT. The more I ride the machine(with only 900 mi now) the more I appreciate the design / function of everything about the bike, mirrors included. A lot of quality design / engineering thought has gone into the creation concept. Like your channel!

There Gildwing police bikes in Texas too. I was a truck driver back in the day and I got the chance to talk to an officer in Baytown about his bike. So cool

The BMW RT is the Local cop bike in South Australia, I watch the police officers ride them at our local cycling events every year, it’s amazing on the skills these riders have. Coordinated turns side by side and amazing speed, all the time they talk on the radio and tell off people to get out of the way. You can pic these older models at the Auctions for around $6000 with 100.000 km on them ☺️ and scare the crap out of any speeding driver .. lol

GS is the Police bike of choice here in Norway aswell. Quite common alongside the RT :)

Where I live in Au the 90's Scooter Pig K Series BMW's were geared way down and ran on Methanol! 0 to 100 in a blink and popped blue flames on downshifts.

Once again great episode Zack

In the UK you see the 2003/04 model out in the road all the time. I just bought a 2023 version and I purchased a 3 year service package which covers all parts and the service. I think the bike is awesome, I’ve come from a Triumph Tiger and it’s a huge upgrade for me.

Michigan State Troopers here have opted for the BMW K1600 instead of the R1250, kind of an interesting choice if I'm being honest. They sure look to be a better suited bike considering MSP doesn't really do much of any work in cities and mostly just patrols the highways and freeways of the state. I had a pretty good moment coming home from a ride one time booking it down an on-ramp where a trooper on a brand spanking new K1600 was sitting in the median just about 300 yards off the merge of the on-ramp and had his radar right on me as I came on the highway (probably going at least 20mph over while merging) and he just gave me a thumbs down when I got on the highway. I kind of chuckled and also was sweating bullets thinking he was coming after me but he didn't bother so I guess he had bigger fish to fry that day.

The air ducts (winglets) from the K16 are the No 1 feature I'd like to see on my RT. Great observation, Zack! I have the same impression every time I borrow a 1600. The RT works better on cool days, but I'm standing quite a bit when it's peak Summer.

"The seven year old inside me" is the entire reason I ride motorcycles!

The first villain I thought of when you read that question was Ursula lol. Great minds think alike

As a long time BMW owner, it is sad that BMW has decided to stop providing manuals to owners so they can maintain and repair their own bikes. This is especially important given the sparsity of BMW dealers (my nearest dealer is 150 miles away). I am now looking for another brand for my LT successor, but it is hard as the BMW bikes are simply top of the heap performance and comfort-wise.

Why would you test the police special vs the standard R1250RT? Just to add more weight to the bike? The standard is 615 lbs vs the 700 lb version you tested. Also, compared to the R1250GSA, they weigh about the same and cost about the same when you add the bags, standard on the RT, to the GSA. If you take into account how many adventure bikes NEVER see dirt, you're just wrong to pick an ADV over the RT as a daily rider because it is more versatile. The question is not which is more versatile, but which bike would be better for a daily rider. In that case, the RT wins. While the mirrors may not be as big as you'd like, there is absolutely NO vibration in the mirrors to blur your vision. It more than makes up for the size issue.

Nice episode. Like Indonesia, South Africa also has GS police bikes. It makes sense for us since the GS’s are mostly used by Metros, which also includes some more rural areas with gravel roads. No, they don’t worry about the lions.

About a decade ago the Motor Cops in Tyler, Tx went from this bike to Road Kings and then were forced onto Victory Cop Bikes. Shortly after, Victory was killed and they went back to the Road King for good. Speaking to them on several occasions the consensus was that the Road King was THE favorite by far! Comfort and maneuverability were the Big things talked about by these guys and they should know spending an average of 12 hours per day on their Bikes.

Oh, and btw, I loved your CTXP episode, I took a class for that stuff lately and yes it kicks your ego right in the butt!

I thought it was the CTXP featured Police bike, really wanted to see how damaged that bike got after the episode.

The camera thing you mentioned isn’t for stopping cars. It maybe useful for pacing to lock your speed to show you were going that fast so you can take a photo with the citation machine (if they have handheld ecites). But the bikes would have radar installed that would have front and moving mode as well as stationary. That bike probably had that as it’s part of the programming in the display if the bike did have ACC. And the holder on the back would be for a PR24 baton, not a radio as the shop told you. The older versions of the bikes used to have them upfront, and it was a dual holder, one for the PR24 and one for a Streamlight flashlight. A lot of departments like the BMW and the Hondas because the put off less heat than a Harley and have fan cooling unlike a Harley. So when your sitting running radar and Lidar, your legs are not baking, even when the engine is off.

22:22 generally, Linked brakes aren’t required for ACC(Adaptive Cruise Control), my Ducati V4S doesn’t have linked brakes, has ACC. I assume the Bosch IMU sends independent inputs to front & back, but the actual braking for ACC only may just go to both

I recall in the 80's when the city of Toronto put out to tender for a new fleet of police bikes. BMW was the first motorcycle at the time to my recollection that had this new technology called "ABS". It instantly made the current Harleys appear to be horse and buggy, and soon you only saw cops on BMWs.

Imagine getting a ticket from Zack lol

Massive balls doing that 'off-road' patch and attempting to skid the back tire on the asphalt with a 700lbs bike

4k has always been the buzziest spot in OD on my boxers

Thanks for doing a review on the new RT-P. I own a 2015 and before that, a 2004. Been riding the RT-P model for better part of 13 years. And NO, I'm not a police officer. YOU have been the only person that I've heard mention about the gears being different. I've known all along especially since I've only rode a RT model only once, that the police models are geared tall. Also the mirrors, yes they are very inadequate. I'll go as far as saying they are outright DANGEROUS. come on BMW. You can do better.

A "Zack Courts Bail Fund" might be the most effective way to get me to use a sponsored link, that I've heard so far.

Fun ride, 2 up full load with topcase and side bags, full throttle wheelies in 2nd and 3rd gear......fun!

just wanted to say that bacon joke at the end cracked me up XD piglet-mobile looks like a great ride!!

That part in the beginning, "print out the ticket for the violator and send them home with something to think about " . First thing that came to my mind is they'd be hitting up the Brinks truck!

Ponch and John used to put their kickstand down whilst they were coming to a stop. They would drag it for quite a while, then hop off just as they stopped. Way color than backing it in.

Entertaining and informative, as usual 👍. Having spent a decent amount of time doing 2-parking spot u-turns on an FLHTP, I wonder how this RT-P does - very well, I am sure, and I’d love to try it. It looks like it has the advantage in maneuverability and it certainly does in weight. I should have test ridden an RT when I bought the GSA, but no buyer’s remorse on that. I would have put this above the PA as a daily rider for sure, unless the daily commute was always on dirt roads. Great review, and the CTXP was a great episode too 👍

"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "Yeah. Do you know why I ran the sign?" :)

The storage tubes at the left rear are for a flashlight and a baton while one is riding. Not for radio equipment.

6:35 “Juuuuust a bit outside” 😉

32:00 I agree, the RT’s biggest comp is BMW’s own GS or K1600. Nice smooth motor, but if you want to tour, & hop on that smooth 6 of the K1600, feels more powerful & better for touring

Bacon and donuts rolled into the same joke. Good job.

My BMW dealer has delivered and finished all the RT's for the state/district of NRW/Germany. At times, the BMW cars had to leave the showroom. Sometimes there were more than 50 RTs in there. . .

The tubes on the back are not for radio equipment, it is for holding batons and large celled flashlights

I was glad to see the Virginia State Police went to these. These have to be safer then the Harley's at Interstate pursuit speeds. Fun video.

I can't remember did your Dad's GS have a Stealth Mode button? Great videos Zack. They are always fun and informative:)

i think a great one to do a daily rider on is the fjr 1300. ive been looking at one myself for the next bike i want. as a daily and a tourer.

That menu/dash system and the shortcut buttons are (almost) just like a bmw car. In my x3 the short cuts is genius. 1) GPS set to go home 2 and 3 call my most important contacts , 4 trip computer and 5 Spotify app. If they get this on their more standard bikes I am getting one :)

Your addicted to the RT bike now. My 16 r1200rt was the best bike I've ever had. I wish I never sold it.

You always pick the most scenic routes for these reviews :D

I took a demo ride on a 1250RT and loved it, but I definitely agree on those stupid mirrors. They need to be higher and larger. Perhaps they work for shorter riders but not for my 6'4" self.

This bike should be nicknamed . You're Mistaken Bacon.

Those sunglasses are on point!

Going to do a daily rider on the 22’ KLR 650 soon?

I would rather have a 1080p 60 fps review than a 4k 24fps. Other than that great overview as always :)

Bonus Features include Officer Courts and Little Zach impersonations 😂

Quick note on Zack's comment around 20:48 about disliking Dynamic mode - you can set the suspension dampening for each ride mode, so if you like the cadillac-like squishy ride you get in road mode you can change Dynamic to be the same way! Maybe it's just because I'm a bit heavier than Zack but I thought Road mode was too under dampened especially when 2-up.

Now I want a maple bacon donut.

You finally said it kind of correctly! The police bike is GEARED lower to provide more torque to the rear tire. The torque at the crank that everyone gets giddy about is immaterial. The crank doesn't interface with the pavement. And that torque number at the crank is nothing more than a calculated approximation based on the very real power delivered by the rear tire to the dynamometer.

I ride a 2009 BMW r1200rt. Not my first bike but one that I learned how todo something’s on my own. Bought the repair manual. The only downfall I see with my bike is the seat height. I have to one leg it at a light or stopped. I wish BMW would lower the height by 1or 2 inches.

HA that was me as the first question lol. Appreciate the answer!

They have been placing the mirrors like that on RT-bikes for a long time. Personally I like them.

Too many electronic gadgets that will eventually fail. It's just me, but engine, chassis, paniers, fairings, TFT screen, cruise control, ABS, electric screen, and bluetooth is all that is necessary and cost effective and save 60 lbs. less weight.

You leaving Revzilla for the L.A.P.D.? Sherriff Zachford T. Justice giving those perps "somethin to think about" lol! $32,000 each, your tax dollars at work folks! Traffic is flowing slower than you'd like because everyone thinks you're cop! I think the BMW should go above the Dirt Glide. Yes, the HD is more capable off road but let us not forget if you want to put road tires on the Pan AM, for along tour, you have to take it to Harley to get it reprogrammed. IMO that's a big one for the con column

Great job as always Zack, I would love to see you get the KTM 890 adventure for a daily ride episode.

Yes, more BMW content!

My question was, Will it wheelie?

Zach just needs to go out with some spray cans and put some marker dots in the open lot as replacement parking spot markers. Just enough to line up off of and no one will probably notice they're there.

I would maybe go with a cruller, as far as the "what kind of donut would it be" question.

Surprisingly the Laos Royal Palace guards ride K1600GTL's police edition in spite of the blatant poverty across the country. I think I managed to snatch a photo of them after which the officer told me to back off and take my eyes away from the Palace gate.

Zack doing his best Jeremy Dewitte impression

Awesome review and looks like lots of fun. I have a 2019 RT and live in Central Texas. In the summer I ride with my shield all the way down and get enough airflow. It is perfect long distance bike once you replace the stock seat which is way too hard. You get used to the mirrors after a few months of riding the bike.

On most BMW's you can put the suspension in Road Mode and the throttle in Dynamic mode. Thats what I do.

I've got a few hundred miles on one of these bikes (the non police model) and have some "opinions." First, before I get into the negativity, this is a pretty agile bike in the corners and as fun in the twisties as you are going to get with 700lbs with accessories. As long as you are rolling and at speed, great bike, (albeit a little cramped?) There are two main complaints I have about the bike, the fitment of the rider and the steering geometry. I find the seat height entirely unsuitable for average size riders. You really want to be Zach's size or larger to ride this bike with the stock seat. I'm 5'10 and I've got a 30" inseam and once on the bike I am on my tippie toes at a stop. I'm not only at my tippie toes, but my legs are pretty splayed out. So what, sport bikes do that, people do that on dual sports, why is this a problem? Probably because the bike weighs 700lbs. It isn't enough that it weighs 700lbs, it is extremely top heavy once accessorized (and even before accessorized.) I suspect that is because of the massive fuel tank. I've not experienced this on the R1250R. So if you are of average build and you stop even slightly off kilter, you are going down. Stop on a slight angle, unless you are single legged bench pressing 400+ lbs you are going down. Gravel? Forget about it. So, the low seat is the answer right? Eh, maybe? It makes the bike significantly easier to handle and keep upright, but you lose significant amounts of comfort with it. Your legs will be very bent even with the peg lowering kit. The lower seat itself isn't very comfortable either, not a fan of the way it is padded. Second complaint, the steering. This thing just feels weird to steer at low speed. I'm sure you could get the hang of it, but in the few hundred miles I've ridden on it, I haven't been able to. It is extremely light at slow speeds. Like, lighter than a 250cc light. The steering stops are also very far into the travel. You very easily get to the point where you get sucked into steering harder and harder until it hits the stops. I'm sure this all makes me look like a complete noob, but IDC. Just not a fun bike around town and I think there are probably better options especially for how much it costs.

24:58 for the dirt road shortcut!