2026 BMW R 1300 R
Base Price: $ 16,695 Price as Tested: $ 22,480( Performance & Excellence packages) Website: BMWMotorcycles. com Warranty: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, longitudinal opposed-Twin, DOHC w / 4 valves per cyl. & ShiftCam Displacement: 1,300cc Bore x Stroke: 106.5 x 73.0mm Horsepower: 145 @ 7,750 rpm( factory claim) Torque: 110 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm( factory claim) Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated slip / assist wet clutch Final Drive: Shaft Wheelbase: 59.5 in. Rake / Trail: 27.5 degrees / 5.0 in. Seat Height: 30.9 in.( standard) / 31.9 in.( as tested) Wet Weight: 527 lb( factory claim) Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal.
after another. The R 1300 R will go from a dead stop to 62 mph( 100 kph) in 3.4 seconds. Thanks to the ShiftCam wizardry, there’ s generous grunt everywhere.
Holding everything in place is a new sheet- metal steel main frame and an aluminum subframe. Unlike other R models, the R 1300 R uses a conventional telescopic fork rather than BMW’ s Telelever front suspension. It is, however, equipped with the new Evo Paralever rear suspension found on other R models.
As the only naked bike in the family, the R 1300 R has the most muscular silhouette. With no bodywork to hide behind, the boxer is a more prominent focal point. The compact, angular headlight is narrower than the fork tubes, and the layered radiator shrouds look like the bulky shoulders of a bodybuilder.
The bike feels compact and solid, and the seat is firm. To create a more engaged riding experience, the ergonomics have been reconfigured. The handlebar is mounted lower and more forward, the footpegs are farther back, and the seat is lower, putting the rider in a more aggressive sportbike stance. These changes are a step backward in terms of longrange comfort( if that’ s top of your priority list, then an RS or RT makes more sense), but a step forward in handling because they put more of the rider’ s weight over the front wheel. Handling is further improved by wheels that are 3 lb lighter, reducing unsprung weight.
BEYOND THE BASICS
In standard trim, the R 1300 R comes with three ride modes( Road, Rain, and Eco), engine drag torque control, plus cornering ABS and traction control. But a bone- stock R 1300 R is as rare as a hen’ s tooth. Nearly all bikes sold in the U. S. will have options packages already installed.
Starting with a base price of $ 16,695, the R 1300 R that I tested was equipped with two option packages. The Performance package($ 1,445) includes sport suspension( taller for more cornering clearance), sport tires( more grip), DTC- Shift( which links Dynamic Traction Control with the quickshifter), and styling upgrades( which look fast). It gets the Light White colorway with red and white accents, design option wheels and silencer, dark chrome headers, Sport passenger seat, engine spoiler, barend mirrors, and a few other goodies. The Performance package is automatically paired with the Excellence package($ 3,445), which adds a quickshifter, Dynamic Suspension Adjustment, Ride Modes Pro( adds Dynamic and Dynamic Pro modes), higher- spec Sport brakes, Headlight Pro, Riding Assistant radar features, heated grips and seat, tire- pressure monitoring, and luggage system prep( should you want to add side cases with a USB- C charging port and central locks, they’ ll set you back $ 2,264.50). All in, the as- tested price of our R 1300 R is $ 22,480.
Enumerating the details about these option packages is necessary
What little bodywork the R 1300 R has hides the radiators. The revamped boxer engine makes 9 more hp and 5 lb-ft more torque than the outgoing R 1250 R.
14 / JUNE 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM