If there’s one thing BMW Motorrad knows better than most, it’s how to evolve without forgetting where it came from. And nowhere is that clearer than in its boxer engine platform—a design that’s been powering Bavarian bikes for decades. From the classic air-cooled twins of old to the liquid-cooled marvels of today, the boxer engine has always been at the heart of BMW’s identity.
In the modern era, the boxer story took a big leap in the 2000s with the R 1200 series—bikes that were lighter, more powerful, and loaded with technology that made them some of the most capable touring machines on the planet. Then came the R 1250s, where BMW introduced its clever ShiftCam variable valve timing tech, giving the engine more flexibility, better efficiency, and smoother power delivery across the rev range.
Now in 2025, we’re officially in the age of the R 1300, and BMW isn’t holding back. Following the debut of the R 1300 GS and R 1300 R, the company is rounding out its boxer lineup with two revamped touring flagships: the R 1300 RT and R 1300 RS. While both names are familiar, the bikes they now represent are almost completely reengineered from the ground up.
