Get Ready, BMW’s Most Powerful Twin-Cylinder Touring Bike Is Coming

If you love powerful and luxurious touring bikes, we have some good news. BMW is readying its most powerful boxer-powered touring bike, and it has just been certified in America for MY26. It will sit under the six-cylinder K 1600 lineup, serving as a pocket-friendly alternative to large and pricey American baggers like the Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Here’s what you need to know.

2026 BMW R 1300 RT Confirmed For America Via Environmental Protection Agency Filings

Leaked EPA filings reveal BMW’s plan to launch the R 1300 RT in America. The 1300 in its name confirms the touring bike will employ BMW’s new 1,300cc flat-twin engine from the R 1300 GS. The mill is good for 145 horsepower and 110 pound-feet–the highest figures for a boxer engine by the brand. Considering the R 1250 RT had the same output as the R 1250 GS, you can expect the R 1300 RT to be just as powerful as the new GS.

With that output, the R 1300 RT will enjoy a likable market position. It would be well ahead of not just American V-twins like Harley-Davidson and Indian baggers but also mightier than the Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX/Versys 1100 SX and Yamaha Tracer 9 GT. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ will have a small edge over the RT, though.

BMW 1,300cc Boxer Engine Specs

Aside from this, it’ll be interesting to see whether the RT features the new pressed steel chassis from the GS. The frame helps the GS shed a lot of weight, which could do wonders for a sport-touring bike like the RT. For reference, the R 1250 RT has a curb weight of 615 pounds. That’s almost 100 pounds more than the Ninja 1100SXE and the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+.

That weight is somewhat justified by the army of modern-day equipment, though. The R 1300 RT should outdo (or at least match) the outgoing 1250, and here’s what the latter gets:

• 10.25-inch instrument cluster
• BMW Motorrad full integral ABS Pro
• Dynamic Cruise Control
• Dynamic Traction Control
• Three ride modes
• Hill start assist
• Hard lockable saddlebags

BMW Is Also Planning An R 1300 R And R 1300 RS

In addition to the RT, the remaining R 1250 bikes–R 1250 R and R 1250 RS–will also switch to the 1300 platform. The R is a boxer-powered naked bike, whereas the R 1250 RS is BMW’s take on a usable everyday sports bike. Both bikes will ditch the 1,250cc boxer engine in favor of the new 1,300cc engine mentioned above. And like the RT, they’re certified as 2026 models for BMW’s American lineup.

When will we see them in dealerships, you ask? Well, we believe that could happen soon, as BMW has already revealed its new-for-2026 R 12 G/S. So other 2026 models should follow suit. Whenever they’re here, the new R 1300 trio should boast a sizable price hike over their current MSRPs. As a refresher, the R 1250 R and R 1250 RS sell for $15,345 and $15,995, while the R 1250 RT has a $19,995 base price.