BMW R 1250 RT (K52) — OEM Fluid, Tire Pressure & Maintenance Specs
1,254cc Air/Liquid-Cooled Flat-Twin Boxer ShiftCam Continental Luxury Tourer · Source: BMW Motorrad R 1250 RT (K52 / 0L01) Official Rider’s Manual Specifications
According to the BMW Motorrad R 1250 RT (K52 / 0L01) Official Rider’s Manual Specifications, the 2019–2024 BMW R 1250 RT (K52) (chassis K52/0J61/0L01 (2021+ 10.25" TFT & ACC)) requires 3.7 L (3.91 US qt) of SAE 5W-40 (JASO MA2, API SL or higher (BMW Advantec Ultimate 5W-40)) engine oil for a drain-only change and 4 L (4.23 US qt) with filter service (11427721779 (Mahle OC 619 / HF160)). Standard solo cold tire pressure is 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI front (120/70ZR17 M/C (58W)) and 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI rear (180/55ZR17 M/C (73W)), paired with 2× NGK LMAR8AI-10 spark plug(s) and a BMW 12V 16Ah AGM (51913 / Exide) battery.
Drain only: 3.7 L (3.91 US qt)
R 290 kPa (2.90 bar)
Est. Range: ~525 km (326 mi)
1. Engine Lubrication, Filter & Clutch Specifications
| Clutch Architecture | Wet Multi-Plate Manual Clutch NEVER use JASO MB |
|---|---|
| Recommended Viscosity & Grade | SAE 5W-40 (Alt: SAE 15W-50) · JASO MA2 · API SL or higher (BMW Advantec Ultimate 5W-40) |
| Oil Volume (Drain / With Filter / Overhaul) |
• Drain only: 3.7 L (3.91 US qt) • With filter/strainer: 4 L (4.23 US qt) • Complete dry overhaul: 4.4 L (4.65 US qt) |
| OEM Oil Filter Code & Type | 11427721779 (Mahle OC 619 / HF160) |
| Correct Oil Level Check Method | Hold bike upright on level ground 3–5 min after warm shutdown; read crankcase sight glass |
| Oil Drain Bolt Torque | 42 N·m (31.0 lb-ft / 4.28 kgf·m) — Use fresh crush washer |
| Final Drive / Bevel Gear Oil | 180 ml (0.18 L) — Hypoid Axle Oil G3 SAE 75W-90 / 70W-80 (180 ml) |
2. Cold Tire Pressures, Wheels, Ignition & Drivetrain
| Front / Rear OEM Tire Sizes | Front: 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) · Rear: 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W) (Tubeless) |
|---|---|
| Cold Tire Pressure — Solo Riding |
Front: 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| Cold Tire Pressure — 2-Up / Loaded Touring |
Front: 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| OEM Spark Plug & Quantity | NGK LMAR8AI-10 × 2 (Gap: 0.8–1.0 mm) |
| OEM Battery Code & Rating | BMW 12V 16Ah AGM (51913 / Exide) (12V 16.0Ah Heavy-Duty AGM) |
| Final Drive Maintenance | EVO Paralever Shaft Drive — 180 ml Hypoid Axle Oil G3 every 20,000 km |
| Brake Fluid & Coolant | DOT 4 · BMW Motorrad Frostox HT-12 Antifreeze (~1.6 L) |
3. Ergonomics, Range & Scheduled Service Intervals
| Displacement · Max Power · Peak Torque | 1254 cc · 136 hp @ 7,750 rpm · 143 N·m (105.5 lb-ft) @ 6,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Seat Height & Wet Curb Weight | 805 mm (31.7 in) · 279 kg (615 lbs) |
| Fuel Tank & Est. Real-World Range | 25 L (6.6 US gal) · ~21 km/L → ~525 km (326 mi) |
| OEM Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
• First Break-In: 1,000 km • Engine Oil / Filter: 10,000 km / 10,000 km • Air Filter / Spark Plug: 20,000 km / 20,000 km • Valve Clearance Check: 20,000 km |
4. Generation Cutoffs & Real-World Wrenching Gotchas
Model-Year & Chassis Generation Notes
While 2019–2020 (0J61) and 2021–2024 (0L01 facelift with 10.25-inch TFT, full-LED nose, and radar ACC) differ dramatically in electronics and bodywork, all K52 R 1250 RT models share identical ShiftCam oil (4.0 L), filter (11427721779), and 180 ml shaft specs.
Oil & Clutch Mechanical Engineering Note
Enclosed behind full aerodynamic touring fairings, the K52 boxer relies heavily on precision liquid/oil cooling—use full-synthetic SAE 5W-40 JASO MA2 (max 4.0 L) and verify level in the right sight glass 5 minutes after a fully warmed ride.
Garage Wrenching Gotchas
- At 279 kg wet before luggage and passenger, ALWAYS mount reinforced heavy-tourer GT-spec carcass tires (e.g., Road 6 GT, Roadtec HWM, T32 GT)—standard single-ply sport-touring tires squirm and cup prematurely on an RT.
- Heavy electrical draw from power windscreen, heated seats, central locking, and audio makes keeping the 16Ah AGM battery on a BMW CAN-bus-compatible tender essential during winter storage.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the BMW R 1250 RT require GT-spec heavy-weight motorcycle tires?
Although sized 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17, the RT’s 279 kg curb weight plus luggage overloads standard carcasses—reinforced GT / HWM sidewalls are mandatory for high-speed stability.
Does the R 1250 RT take the exact same engine and shaft oil volumes as the R 1250 GS?
Yes—identical 1,254cc ShiftCam driveline: up to 4.0 L of SAE 5W-40 JASO MA2 with filter 11427721779, plus 180 ml of Hypoid Axle Oil G3 in the rear bevel drive.
What is the factory cold tire pressure for the BMW R 1250 RT?
Maintain 250 kPa (36 PSI) front and 290 kPa (42 PSI) rear cold; Telelever front geometry becomes noticeably heavy in slow turns if front pressure drops.