Picking out the right bmw r1250rt accessories is really the best way to turn a great touring bike into your touring bike. Let's be honest, the RT is already a powerhouse straight out of the box. It's fast, comfortable, and handles way better than a bike that size has any right to. But after a few long days in the saddle, you start noticing the little things—the way the wind hits your shoulders, the slight reach to the bars, or the fact that you're terrified of scuffing those beautiful painted panniers.
That's where the "farkling" comes in. If you aren't familiar with the term, it's just rider-speak for adding functional jewelry to your motorcycle. Whether you're planning a cross-country trek or just want to make your Sunday morning breakfast run a bit more comfortable, there are a few key areas where a few well-chosen add-ons make a world of difference.
Fixing the Ergonomics for Long Days
Even though BMW spent millions of dollars figuring out the seating position for the average human, most of us aren't exactly "average." One of the first things people look at is the handlebar position. A set of handlebar risers can change the entire feel of the bike. They bring the bars up and back just an inch or two, which sounds like nothing, but it lets you sit more upright. It takes that nagging tension out of your shoulder blades, which is a lifesaver when you're six hours into a ride through the mountains.
Then there's the seat. The stock seat on the R1250RT is actually pretty decent compared to most bikes, but for true long-distance touring, many riders swap it out. You've got options like Sargent or Corbin, which offer different foam densities and shapes. If you don't want to spend five hundred bucks on a new saddle, a simple sheepskin cover or an AirHawk pad can do wonders for preventing that "wooden butt" feeling.
Better Foot Positioning
Don't forget about your legs. If you've got long legs, the stock peg position might feel a bit cramped. Footpeg lowering kits are a popular choice. They drop the pegs just enough to open up your knee angle, making it way easier to spend all day on the bike without needing to stretch every twenty miles. Just keep in mind that if you lower the pegs, you'll be scraping them a bit sooner in the corners if you like to lean the bike over.
Protecting Your Investment
Let's face it: the R1250RT isn't exactly a cheap piece of machinery. It's a premium touring bike, and it's heavy. One tiny slip on some gravel in a parking lot can result in a very expensive repair bill. That's why engine protection bars are usually the first thing most owners install.
The boxer engine heads stick out quite a bit, making them the first thing to hit the ground in a tip-over. A solid set of crash bars—from brands like Wunderlich or Touratech—acts like a roll cage for your cylinders. If you don't like the look of full bars, you can at least get some cylinder head covers. These are thick metal or plastic guards that bolt directly onto the engine heads. They won't protect the bodywork, but they'll keep your engine from getting a hole punched in it if the bike naps on its side.
Saving the Paint and the Screen
Another small but vital accessory is a TFT screen protector. That big, beautiful 10.25-inch screen on the newer RTs is expensive to replace and prone to scratches from dust or your gloves. A simple tempered glass protector is cheap insurance.
I'd also highly recommend some pannier lid protectors. Since the RT has those wide, color-matched saddlebags, it's incredibly easy to kick them with your boot as you're mounting or dismounting the bike. Some clear 3M film or even some black rubberized scuff pads can keep those bags looking brand new.
Luggage and Organization
The RT comes with plenty of storage, but it's how you use it that matters. If you've ever tried to carry those big, heavy hard cases into a hotel room at the end of the day, you know it's a pain. Inner liner bags are an absolute game-changer. You just leave the hard cases on the bike, grab the soft bags by the handles, and walk inside. They're specifically shaped to fit the curves of the RT's panniers, so you aren't wasting any space.
The Utility of a Tank Bag
For the stuff you need to grab quickly—like your wallet, sunglasses, or a clear visor—a tank bag is essential. BMW makes a proprietary one that clips onto the tank ring, which is super slick. It stays off the paint so it won't scratch anything, and it pops off in seconds when you need to fuel up. It's also a great spot to keep a power bank if you need to charge your phone on the go.
Improving the Airflow
The R1250RT is famous for its "bubble of silence" thanks to that massive electric windshield. However, depending on your height, you might still get some buffeting around your helmet. A lot of guys swear by a taller touring windscreen. Brands like Werks or VStream make screens that are shaped slightly differently than the OEM version, pushing the air higher and wider.
If you ride in hot weather, you might actually want less wind protection. In that case, you can look at winglet deflectors. Some aftermarket options allow you to redirect air toward your torso to help you stay cool when the temperature climbs into the 90s.
Tech and Lighting Upgrades
The lighting on the R1250RT is already quite good, especially if you have the adaptive headlight that "looks" into the corners. But for many of us, you can never have too much light. Auxiliary LED driving lights not only help you see further down the road at night, but they also make you much more visible to cars during the day. Mounting them low on the fork or on the engine bars creates a "triangle" of light that helps drivers judge your distance and speed more accurately.
Mounting Your Gadgets
While the integrated navigation on the newer RTs is pretty solid, many riders still prefer using their phone for Waze or Google Maps. A high-quality phone mount with vibration damping is a must-have. The boxer engine is smooth, but certain frequencies can still wreck the optical stabilization in a modern smartphone camera. A Quad Lock or Peak Design mount with a vibration dampener is the way to go here.
Final Thoughts on Customizing
At the end of the day, the best bmw r1250rt accessories are the ones that solve a specific problem for you. You don't need to buy everything at once. In fact, it's usually better to ride the bike stock for a few thousand miles first. You'll start to realize exactly what needs changing. Maybe you'll find the seat is fine, but your hands get cold—then you'll know to look for handguard extensions. Or maybe you'll realize you hate the kickstand because it sinks into the asphalt in your driveway—that's when you buy a side stand enlarger plate.
Personalizing your RT is part of the ownership experience. Every little tweak makes the bike more comfortable, more capable, and more uniquely yours. Whether it's for safety, comfort, or just because it looks cool, there's plenty of gear out there to make an already legendary touring bike even better. Just try to leave some money in the budget for gas—you're going to want to ride a lot more once you've got it set up just right.