2026 BMW R 1300 RT Long-Term Review

We attended the international press launch for the all-new BMW R 1300 RT in August, so we were excited when BMW North America offered us the chance to take the bike for a longer ride after attending the North American press event, which was held alongside BMW Motorrad Days. Since we already provided an extensive written review of the BMW R 1300 RT in an earlier issue, we focused this Quick Spin on the travel features, such as the luggage, the BMW ConnectedRide navigation app, the adaptive cruise control, and what it’s like to travel with a passenger on overnight trips.

By Keith & Brittany Dowdle | Photos: Kevin Wing

There’s nothing like having a new model for an extended review in which you can really dive into what it’s like to own a particular machine. Press intros are helpful, but riding the new R 1300 RT home by myself, at my own pace, gave me a whole new perspective on the incredible technology BMW has built into this new machine. Plus, I was able to ride the bike with a passenger after I got home.

For starters, adaptive cruise control—something I didn’t think I needed before this review—has become my go-to tool for long stretches on the freeway. My current bike has cruise control, but the adaptive feature completely changed how I use it. Usually, I’m constantly canceling and resuming as I catch up to slow-moving traffic, you know, those drivers who park in the left lane going just slow enough to cause everyone behind them to get road rage. With the adaptive system, those people are much less annoying because it continuously adjusts to your surroundings. That, along with blind-spot monitoring, makes driving through long sections of highway easier and less stressful.

The BMW ConnectedRide app, which has been around for years and, I might add, is loathed by many, seems to work much better on the 2026 RT. The new 10.25-inch TFT dash blends perfectly with the ConnectedRide app and is a stunning display. Once connected to your phone’s Wi-Fi, it shows a moving map with turn-by-turn instructions across the entire screen. After connecting our Cardo PackTalk Bluetooth intercoms, navigation becomes less of a chore and more of an enjoyable, seamless experience. From music to navigation and intercom, once paired to the bike, both rider and passenger are immersed in the experience. While BMW decided to include speakers in the fairing on this motorcycle, I honestly don’t see why you would use them since the integration between the bike’s electronics and modern Bluetooth intercoms is so good.

BMW engineers dedicated significant time to ensure their all-new RT is filled with creature comforts for both rider and pillion. After all, this bike is designed for long-distance riding over multiple days, and being uncomfortable during such rides is simply unacceptable. To achieve this, features like the fairing, electronically adjustable windscreen, heated seat and grips, along with the unique but functional flip-up side fairings, all work together to nestle the rider and passenger in comfort.

I’ll let our pillion, Brittany Dowdle, who’s been the pillion on countless motos because of my line of work, share her perspective:

“Over the last 20-plus years, I’ve ridden pillion on a wide variety of motorcycles from different brands: from sportbikes and cruisers to ADV bikes and sport-touring models. I have the most seat time with ADV bikes, particularly the BMW R 1250 GS, which, to me, is the perfect blend of capability and comfort. Or so I thought. That was until Keith brought home the new BMW R 1300 RT.

“This motorcycle has set a new bar for me. In the past, the ‘luxury’ sport-touring bikes we’ve ridden have had plenty of power and a smooth ride, but the pillion experience has fallen short of what I’m looking for. Personally, I want to sit upright, to feel engaged and part of the riding experience. I don’t want to feel like Keith is riding a motorcycle and I’m being towed behind in a cushy recliner. I want it to matter whether I look through the turns, contributing to the rider input as we sweep through tight turns with perfect teamwork and harmony. I need to dig my heels into the footpegs as we accelerate out of the twisties. The R 1300 RT gives me all of that—but it pairs it with a level of comfort I’ve not experienced before. Am I talking about the heated, pillion-controlled backrest, seat and handgrips? Yes!

“Being able to stay comfortably warm without bundling up like a polar bear makes me want to ride longer. It reduces my fatigue and keeps me in the seat, so I’m game for longer rides and travel. But there’s more to it. The overall ergonomics of the RT combine to create a comfortable space for the pillion. This includes a contoured seat that’s separate from the rider’s seat, so I’m not sliding into him. It includes well-placed footpegs that don’t cause knee cramps. And while we’re talking about the footpegs, I’ll tell you how much I love them. They’re wide, deep and grippy—these footpegs are not an afterthought. And I think that gets to the heart of why this motorcycle is so fun to ride as a pillion. It feels like someone actually thought about how to make a riding experience that works for both rider and pillion. We get functional comfort paired with a ride that feels effortlessly fast, glued to the road, and remarkably smooth.

“So, as the family CFO, would I approve the purchase of a 2026 BMW R 1300 RT? Well, if we didn’t already have a garage full of motorcycles, this bike would have my enthusiastic vote of approval.”

VIDEO | Living With The 2026 BMW R 1300 RT – Long Term Review

2026 BMW R 1300 RT Specifications

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