Original owner, purchased July 2021. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) continues to drop off intermittently after numerous complaints to BMW service techs and BMW Customer Relations since new. Attempts to repair include dealer 'recalibration' and software updates none of which have solved the issue. When in use, ACC suddenly, without warning drops out leaving driver to actively recover previous speed (throttle). Not such a problem at lower speeds, however at highway speeds the dropout could be life-threatening. In my case, traveling the posted 85mph highway speed outside of Salt Lake City, the ACC dropped out. The sudden deceleration nearly threw me from the motorcycle as if I had suddenly braked at highway speed. The highway was congested with the vehicle behind me having to emergency brake to avoid a collision. Most recently, on August 27th, 2024, I brought the motorcycle to a BMW dealership in Anchorage, Alaska for annual service and to request warranty repair of the faulty ACC unit. I showed images of the failure notifications, gave history of previous repair requests and repair attempts by other dealers. The service manager assured me he would contact BMW tech support to resolve the issue. After a mandatory software update and 'recalibration' I rode the motorcycle home. The unit failed three times over the 400-mile trip. Ultimately, the service center failed to complete warranty service on the ongoing life-threatening ACC failure due to lack of technical expertise to address the issue and false narrative of contacting BMW tech for a solution.
The worst 2021 BMW R 1250 RT problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Driver assistance2
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Driver assistance2
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
Power train: manual transmission: internal: shaft: input
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
- Risk
- A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 23V011000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 R 1250 RT, R 1250 R, R 1250 RS, R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycles. The tire pressure labels may not remain affixed to the motorcycle frame. As a result, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."
- Risk
- If the label detaches from the motorcycle, proper tire pressure information may not be readily available. This could result in the rider improperly filling the tires which may affect motorcycle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began October 19, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V495000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT 23
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster.
- Multiple factors may
- Frame and mounting parts
- BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the...
- Multiple factors may
- Battery empty despite charger.
- The motorcycle will not start
- This bulletin describes important software updates for the new 10.25? TFT instrument display.
- R 1250 rt
What 2021 BMW R 1250 RT owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Page 67 of the BMW Motorad Owners Manual describes operation of the "self," cancelling , "Comfort turn indicators" as follows: After the turn signal is pushed to the right or left, the turn signal indictors automatically turn off under the following conditions: -Speed is under 18mph; after a distance of 165Ft is covered. -Speed is between 18 mph and 60 mph: after a speed dependent distance is covered or during acceleration. -Speed is above 60 mph: after turn signal indicator flashes five times. The turn signals don't turn off as described above. The auto cancelling signals only turn off after a distance of approximately 1500 feet regardless of speed. This can create a dangerous situation as oncoming traffic expects you to turn the motorcycle but you intend to go straight as the turn signal indicator remains on unless you remember each time the turn signal is activated to manually cancel it. I have been to MAX BMW Motorad dealer in Connecticut for 3 attempts to remedy the electronic issue to no avail. They stated all they can do is set the distance to cancel. (1500feet). The cancelling feature as a function of speed cannot be corrected. Hopefully no rider will be injured or die when the system doesn't work as specified in the owner's manual and the "auto," cancelling signals don't auto cancel causing confusion of a car operator to not understand the intent of the motorcyclist to go straight vice turning.
The distance control on the cruise control will just fail while in use. Going through Atlanta with cruise set at 65 MPH in traffic and it just fails (alert pop up too) and throttle goes to zero which on a motorcycle means immediate engine braking. Nearly get run over by car behind me. Has been to the dealer and they did a calibration and said it was fine only for it to return in about 200 miles. This is a new feature on these bikes and the dealer has no idea what to do at thie point. At a minimum BMW should look into this and get to the issue then notify all owners.
BMW is selling a motorcycle with no information to the user on how to maintain it. The manual doesn't even have basic maintenance procedures or torques. You can't even get a service CD from the dealer. If the bike can't maintained or you do something wrong it could fail on the road and possibly kill you. I thought there were laws that you didn't have to have the bike serviced by the dealer or if so it should be free. I have never bought a bike that didn't have some information available.
Compare the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT
Other model years
Questions about the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT
Is the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT, close to a typical R 1250 RT model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT?
Driver assistance and stability, with 2 complaints. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT have?
2 recalls, covering power train and equipment.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2021 BMW R 1250 RT?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history