By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure vs Tourer
BMW R 1300 GS (KA1) vs R 1300 RT (MY2026)
BMW R 1300 GS vs R 1300 RT: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
Exit a tight corner hard in Dynamic and the BMW R 1300 GS won't keep its front wheel down: it floats briefly, then holds its line. The BMW R 1300 RT keeps you and your pillion tucked in behind its fairing. The wind doesn't touch your shoulders.
So which one do you buy?
The R 1300 GS has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: R 1300 GS
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the R 1300 GS. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: R 1300 GS
On a winding road, the R 1300 GS comes out a touch ahead. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
The R 1300 RT has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Small edge: R 1300 RT
Over a full day's ride, the R 1300 RT noses ahead on comfort. It's down to better wind protection and more range per tank. A long test ride could easily flip that.
What makes each one tick
R 1300 GS
On a technical road the R 1300 GS runs out of chassis before its tires run out of grip. The bike dives as it steers into a bend and squats under hard acceleration. The damping can't catch it all. In Dynamic, the bike rips clear of local sport riders.
Nils rode the R 1300 GS in 2023, in Austria, Portugal, and the Bavarian Forest in 2024, and in Andalusia and the Canary Islands in 2026 (NastyNils Testride).
R 1300 RT
Hours into a long day, the R 1300 RT's heated seat still isn't wearing you or your passenger down. There's a broad spread of torque in the boxer. The twin just pulls.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The R 1300 RT has the lower seat: 32.2 in (818 mm) vs 33.5 in (850 mm).
- The R 1300 GS has the lower wet weight: 522 lb (237 kg) vs 615 lb (279 kg).
- The R 1300 RT has the larger fuel tank: 6.3 US gal (24 L) vs 5.0 US gal (19 L).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
A first bike should forgive mistakes, and these two don't do that well enough. Come back to them later.
Look at running costs and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
R 1300 GS
Strengths
- Loaded Weight Simply Vanishes
- Brutal, Immediate Low-End Pull
- Built To Take A Beating
- Punches Above Its Size Off-Road
- Tunable Fit For Any Rider
Trade-offs
- Throttle Too Sharp Two-Up
- Wet-Descent ABS Goes Numb
- Arrows On Screen, No Map
- Lumpy, Buzzy At Low Revs
- Option pricing climbs steeply
R 1300 RT
What owners say
Strengths
- Class-leading touring comfort with comprehensive weather protection
Known problems to check before you buy
R 1300 GS
- Adaptive ride height failure The adaptive ride height system malfunctions and triggers warning messages on the display. This can leave the suspension stuck in its lower setting and compromise high-speed stability.
- Recall 24V557000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY Recall 24V557000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 R 1300 GS motorcycles. The housing for the starter motor relay may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a damaged relay that can overheat.
- Recall 25V480000: COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION Recall 25V480000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 F 900 GS, F 800 GS, R 1300 GS Adventure, R 1300 GS, S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, and K 1600 GT vehicles equipped with the optional emergency call system. The emergency call system (eCall) may have been deactivated due to a software programming error.
R 1300 RT
- Recall: Cardan shaft insufficient hardening may cause loss of drive Recall 25V672000 A small number of 2026 R 1300 RTs manufactured between April 23 and May 7, 2025 were built with a cardan shaft where the universal joint yoke was not sufficiently hardened. This can lead to spline slippage and sudden loss of propulsion, increasing crash risk. BMW is recalling the affected units for a free shaft replacement (NHTSA 25V672).
What they share
- Displacement
- 1300 cc
- Engine
- Flat-twin (boxer)
- Cooling
- Air/liquid-cooled
- Power
- 145 hp (107 kW)
- Torque
- 110 lb-ft (149 Nm)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Fork
- Telelever
Where the spec sheets split
| R 1300 GS | R 1300 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.5 in (850 mm) | 32.2 in (818 mm) |
| Wet weight | 522 lb (237 kg) | 615 lb (279 kg) |
| R 1300 GS | R 1300 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 6.3 US gal (24 L) |
| R 1300 GS | R 1300 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 170/60-17 | 190/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| R 1300 GS | R 1300 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Suspension | Option | Standard |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Option | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| Automatic Shift (DCT / ASA / AMT) | Option (from 2025) | Option |
| Apple CarPlay | Not offered | Standard |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Option | Standard |
| Cornering Lights | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
