2026 BMW R 1300 R to be Revealed April 10
BMW is set to reveal the new R 1300 R on April 10, introducing the first purely road-focused model to its new Boxer platform following the R 1300 GS and R 1300 GS Adventure models.
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We previously reported that the R 1300 R had been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 2026 model, alongside a new R 1300 RS and R 1300 RT and the R 12 G/S that was announced last week. If BMW keeps at this pace, then we might be seeing the other two R 1300 models announced in the next month.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here’s what we can expect with the R 1300 R:
The R 1300 R will share the same 1,300cc air- and liquid-cooled Boxer that debuted on the R 1300 GS, though it remains to be seen if it will have the same state of tune. At the very least, we can expect BMW’s Automated Shift Assistant will be an available option.
The teaser image used as the thumbnail for the R 1300 R’s reveal shows a new headlight design with two slanted LED position lights, a popular look in recent naked bikes, while still being distinct from BMW’s recently-updated S 1000 R and M 1000 R.
The somewhat awkward “Born for Bends” phrasing on the YouTube thumbnail and the “Boxer Punch on Every Curve” suggests a focus on making the R 1300 R agile. We already know that the R 1300 powertrain is more compact front to rear than the previous R 1250 platform, with BMW moving the transmission below the engine. We suspect BMW has taken advantage of this tighter packaging to shorten the wheelbase. The new engine’s lighter weight will also be a benefit for the R 1300 R.
We’ll learn more in a week’s time when BMW officially reveals the 2026 R 1300 R.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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This shouldn't devolve into politics. Sure, BMWs prices have shot up and it's probably to ensure profit in the current economic climate, but it's not mandatory to purchase one either. Time will tell. I know they've had a hard time selling the R18's. My advice is buy used. 1-2 years old, low mileage. BMWs depreciate quickly and that's where the bargain is and will be. Let someone else take the hit.
That's what I do.
Buy used from the aging out. 😉