By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Tourer
Yamaha Niken (MY2023-GT) vs BMW R 1250 RT (1T13LED)
Yamaha Niken vs BMW R 1250 RT: where they split, and which one to buy.
Roll on the Yamaha Niken's throttle and the triple builds in one clean line that's easy to meter. The BMW R 1250 RT's flat-twin piles on midrange shove the instant you twist. It's past slow traffic in a blink.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Niken if…
Daily commuting & city riding
No contest: Niken
When the bike has to work for a living, the Niken wins the commute clearly.
Buy the R 1250 RT if…
Traveling with luggage
Clear edge: R 1250 RT
Loaded for a long trip, the R 1250 RT pulls clearly ahead. Credit better wind protection and more comfort on long stints. It's the one you'll want with a week of gear on board.
The R 1250 RT has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: R 1250 RT
Through a string of corners, the R 1250 RT feels a little more eager. What tips it: a sportier chassis and stronger brakes. The gap is small, so ride both.
What makes each one tick
Niken
Two front wheels lean together under the Niken's bars, and they don't let go of broken or damp pavement as the lean angle grows. Turn-in comes through the bars with a motorcycle's agility. Leaned over, the chassis doesn't wander. The CP3 engine pulls in a smooth, torquey swell.
R 1250 RT
The R 1250 RT's broad fairing splits wind and rain before they reach the upright perch, and there's little left to wear you down. Bumps don't climb into either seat because the well-damped suspension soaks them up first. ShiftCam lets the boxer rev out freely up top. Two-up, the boxer still hauls.
Nils rode the R 1250 RT in Croatia/Dalmatia in 2025 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The R 1250 RT has the lower seat: 31.7 in (805 mm) vs 32.9 in (835 mm).
- The Niken has the lower wet weight: 595 lb (270 kg) vs 615 lb (279 kg).
- The R 1250 RT makes more peak power: 136 hp (100 kW) vs 115 hp (85 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
No verdict: Niken
The Niken isn't built for long days on the road, so it sits this one out.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
Neither one is where you should learn. Get a season on something gentler first.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Niken
What owners say
Strengths
- Incredible cornering stability and grip
- Smooth and refined inline-triple engine
R 1250 RT
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable, all-day ergonomics
- Exceptional weather protection and wind management
- Strong, flexible boxer engine
- Advanced technology and connectivity
- Agile handling despite size
Trade-offs
- Heavy at low speeds
- Premium price tag
Known problems to check before you buy
Niken
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
R 1250 RT
- Tire pressure label may detach (recall, NHTSA Recall 20V-495) Recall 20V495000 The tire pressure information label may not remain affixed to the motorcycle frame, potentially leading to incorrect tire inflation and affecting handling.
- Recall 24V165000: SUSPENSION:FRONT Recall 24V165000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 R 1250RT, K 1600GT, K 1600GTL, and K 1600B motorcycles. The front spring strut may contain an incorrectly manufactured proportional valve that can loosen, and result in strut failure and a loss of stability.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
Where the spec sheets split
| Niken | R 1250 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.9 in (835 mm) | 31.7 in (805 mm) |
| Wet weight | 595 lb (270 kg) | 615 lb (279 kg) |
| Niken | R 1250 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 890 cc | 1254 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Flat-twin (boxer) |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air/liquid-cooled |
| Power | 115 hp (85 kW) | 136 hp (100 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 7,750 rpm |
| Torque | 67 lb-ft (91 Nm) | 105 lb-ft (143 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,000 rpm | 6,250 rpm |
| Niken | R 1250 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 US gal (18 L) | 6.6 US gal (25 L) |
| Niken | R 1250 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Chain | Shaft |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telelever |
| Front brake | 298 mm | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-15 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 180/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Niken | R 1250 RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| Electrically Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Option |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
