BMW Expands Its 1300 Family with the All-New 2025 R 1300 R

2025 BMW R 1300 R - latest 1,300cc boxer-twin, all-new chassis, suspension, and design

As is the tradition in BMW, the company has introduced the newest member in the 1300 boxer family - the R 1300 R. I still find a bit weird-looking, but I will say that it looks roomier than before. BMW says that the new motorcycle is leaps ahead in sportiness than its predecessor while being a capable tourer.

This has always been the point, historically, of this particular R model in BMW’s lineup - striking a fine balance between a streetfighter and a tourer with the personality of a boxer twin.

The R 1300 R is built on the latest 1,300cc boxer-twin, liquid-cooled engine, which is surrounded by an all-new chassis. The new engine makes 145 HP at 7,750 RPM and 149 NM of torque at 6,500 RPM. These figures are 9 HP and 6 NM higher than the previous R 1250 R.

This engine is more compact, lighter, and is designed to carry the weight even lower in the bike’s chassis. This has always been the hallmark of BMW’s boxer twin - making the bikes feeling lighter while riding and lifting from the side stand. The 1,300cc engine has its gearbox located under the engine and the arrangement for the camshaft drive is also improved for better performance and weight management.

The chassis is also new; it’s made of sheet metal and is designed to be more compact around the engine for an even more centralised weight concentration of the motorcycle. The rear frame is now made of aluminium. The rider’s seat height has gone down to 785mm (compared to the 820mm on the R 1250 R).

Complementing the new chassis are the new 47mm front forks. The rear EVO Paralever shock absorber is now arranged with a stiffer connection to the chassis using a suspension system (link-type mechanism). The suspension has been tuned to deliver sportier riding dynamics than ever before.

Furthermore, the new wheels are 1.4 kg lighter than the ones on the R 1250 R and though the R 1300 R weighs the same at 239 kg, it should feel lighter to handle because of the lighter wheels (low unsprung weight). It’s all about how the weight is distributed throughout the motorcycle - two similar motorcycles that weigh the same can very well feel different to handle.

The BMW R 1300 R has a completely new styling and so far, it looks plusher compared to the R 1250 R. Initially, I was inclined to call it more bulky in comparison but after looking at BMW’s efforts in making it sportier with a tighter chassis and lighter components (wheels), I feel it should be more engaging and comfortable to ride.

This family of motorcycles, powered by the boxer-twin, has always been fantastic road bikes. The boxer engine is, by nature, extremely flexible and characterful. It can be gentle and aggressive in a matter of seconds and the best part is, it is happy to be both! And with BMW ShiftCam (BMW's version of variable valve timing system), the engine performance is even more linear with a stronger sensation of torque throughout the rev-range.

The R 1300 R provides a fantastically calmer, more flexible, plusher, and more characterful option against the super-focused streetfighter - the S 1000 R. It also highlights BMW’s capability of building two entirely different motorcycles that may fall under the same title of a Roadster.