BMW R 1300 RS (2026+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Info

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the BMW R 1300 RS. The BMW R 1300 RS is based on BMW’s latest 1,300cc air/liquid-cooled boxer twin engine with ShiftCam technology, first introduced in the R 1300 GS (2024). The R 1300 RS shares its engine and core platform with several other BMW motorcycles, each tailored for different riding purposes.

Here are all the motorcycles that share the 1,300cc ShiftCam boxer twin engine:

• BMW R 1300 GS: Adventure
• BMW R 1300 GS Adventure: long-range touring/adventure variant
• BMW R 1300 R: Naked roadster
• BMW R 1300 RT: Touring
• BMW R 1300 RS: Sport-touring

The BMW R 1300 RS features a main steel frame with a bolt-on rear subframe, using the engine as a stressed member. Power output is a claimed 145 hp at 7,750 rpm and 110 lb-ft (149 Nm) at 6,500 rpm. The six-speed transmission is positioned under the engine for compact packaging and uses a shaft final drive. The front suspension is a 47mm inverted telescopic fork, while the rear uses BMW’s Evo Paralever system. Braking is managed by twin 310mm discs with four-piston calipers at the front and a single 285mm disc at the rear, all with standard ABS Pro.

Model variants include:

• Standard (Racing Blue)
• Triple Black
• Performance Package (uprated suspension and styling changes)
• Option 719 Cuyamaca (custom paint and accessories)

For global markets, regional and minor technical variations exist, such as seat options and equipment packages, but these do not affect the core maintenance schedule. The R 1300 RS replaces the previous R 1250 RS. Updates include a new frame, repositioned transmission, revised suspension, and upgraded electronics. Brakes are larger than the prior model, but pad part numbers remain unchanged, so maintenance intervals are unaffected.

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BMW R 1300 RS 2026 Service Intervals

The basic service interval for the BMW R 1300 RS is every 6,000 miles / 10,000 km or every 12 months, whichever comes first. At each interval, change the engine oil and filter, and review the schedule for any additional items due.

Valve clearance inspection is required every 12,000 miles / 20,000 km. This is considered a major service, as the 1,300 cc ShiftCam boxer twin has both intake and exhaust valve checks due to its variable valve timing system. Spark plugs and air filters are also inspected or replaced during this interval.

Basic Service Schedule

• First service: 300 – 750 miles / 500 – 1,200 km
• Standard Service: Every 6,000 miles / 10,000 km or 12 months
• Valve check: Every 12,000 miles / 20,000 km

General Notes on Serviceability for the BMW R 1300 RS

• The BMW R 1300 RS is powered by an air/liquid-cooled 1,300cc boxer twin engine with ShiftCam variable valve timing. The cylinder heads are positioned for easy valve clearance checks, but the design still requires care due to the compact packaging around the intake and exhaust components.
• The engine and transmission share the same main casing, with the gearbox mounted below the engine. This means less room to work under the bike, so a lift or stand is helpful for draining fluids and servicing the shaft drive.
• The R 1300 RS uses a shaft final drive with regular fluid changes required. Keep an eye on rear drive seals and listen for any unusual noise that may indicate wear or low oil.
• Both the engine and final drive use specific grades of BMW-recommended synthetic oil. Always use fresh crush washers and torque to spec, as leaks are common if old washers are reused.
• Routine brake and clutch fluid changes are needed due to the integrated ABS Pro system and hydraulic clutch. Use only DOT 4 fluid and check for contamination, especially after heavy use or storage.

Tip: Keep the radiator and oil cooler fins free of bugs and road debris to prevent overheating, especially on summer rides or long tours.

BMW R 1300 RS Maintenance Schedule Tables

Below is the maintenance schedule for the BMW R 1300 RS. The content here is the same as in the manual, though presented in a clearer, easier-to-read way.

The schedule is divided into three parts:

• First service (BMW Motorrad running-in check): Performed between 300 – 750 miles / 500 – 1,200 km.
• Standard service (BMW Motorrad Service): Performed every 6,000 miles / 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first.
• Long-term service intervals: Tasks that come up less frequently, such as valve clearance checks and other major items.

First Service

The first service is usually carried out by the dealer under warranty. It should be completed between 300 – 750 miles / 500 – 1,000 km.

Note: Some of the below items, including those that need the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system or re-setting the service due date, require dealer-specific equipment. These are marked with a [D].

Standard Service

Do the following checks for the BMW R 1300 RS every 6,000 miles / 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Note: Some of the below items, including those that need the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system or re-setting the service due date, require dealer-specific equipment. These are marked with a [D].

Long-Term Service Intervals

The following tasks are required less frequently, at longer intervals. While they are not part of regular or annual service, they are essential for long-term performance and reliability. Refer to the maintenance schedule table below for the recommended intervals.

Notes:

• Replace Cardan shaft at 48,000 miles / 80,000 km (omitted from table below for conciseness).
• At the end of the schedule, continue in the pattern shown, every 6,000 miles / 10,000 km or year.
• When both time and distance intervals are listed, follow whichever comes first.

BMW R 1300 RS Tire Sizes and Pressures

The following are tire sizes and tire pressures for the BMW R 1300 RS.

About the BMW R 1300 RS

If you’re looking for the essence of a true sport-touring machine, the BMW R 1300 RS is tough to beat. BMW has taken everything it learned from the original R 100 RS, which first hit the road in the 70s, and turned it up to eleven with this latest boxer-powered legend. The new R 1300 RS isn’t just an update. It’s a full rethink from the engine to the ergonomics, making it both more dynamic in the twisties and more comfortable for those days when the road just doesn’t end.

At the heart of the R 1300 RS sits BMW’s most powerful production boxer engine ever: a 1,300 cc air/liquid-cooled twin pushing out a healthy 145 hp and 149 Nm of torque. Thanks to the ShiftCam system, you get loads of torque down low for touring, but there’s still a punch up top if you want to chase the redline. The engine now sits more compactly in the frame with the gearbox tucked underneath, shaving off kilos and pulling the mass closer to the ground. The result? You get a sharper, more agile ride without sacrificing the long-haul comfort that makes the RS name so iconic.

Design-wise, the R 1300 RS is leaner and meaner, with a full fairing that’s not just for looks. It was sculpted in the wind tunnel to cut drag and boost high-speed stability. The ergonomics have shifted. The bars are lower and the footrests further back, putting you more over the front end for extra feedback in the corners. But BMW hasn’t forgotten about comfort. Need to burn through a tank or two? Multiple seat heights, comfort bars, and an electrified luggage system make sure you arrive in one piece, with all your gear dry and charged.

Suspension is fully up to modern standards. A beefy 47 mm upside-down fork up front and EVO Paralever out back, with Dynamic ESA on all models, means you get electronically controlled damping that adapts to whatever the road throws at you. Go for the Performance variant and you’ll score an even more aggressive setup with extra ground clearance and sportier tires. Braking is top-shelf, too: twin 310 mm discs with four-piston calipers up front and BMW’s Integral ABS Pro to keep things in line, even leaned over.

The RS is packed with tech, but it doesn’t feel over-complicated. Standard kit includes a 6.5-inch TFT dash, full LED lighting, selectable ride modes, cruise control, and traction control. Option up and you can add adaptive cornering lights, radar-based Active Cruise Control, lane change warning, and even a fully automated clutch and shift assistant that does the work for you. Riders with a taste for gadgets will be right at home.

How does it stack up against its stablemates? The R 1300 GS is all about tackling the unbeaten path and chewing up gravel, while the R 1300 RS is a purebred road machine. It sits lower, carries its weight differently, and focuses on agility and pace on tarmac rather than outright versatility.

Maintenance is classic BMW: regular oil changes, valve checks, and shaft drive servicing at the intervals set out in the manual. Access is easier than ever thanks to the boxer layout and clever packaging, and BMW’s service network means you’re never far from help.

Verdict: The R 1300 RS is a real-world sport-touring bike with a split personality—just as happy hunting apexes as it is eating up the kilometers with a passenger and luggage. BMW’s latest RS hits that sweet spot between excitement and everyday practicality, carrying the torch for the boxer legacy with pride.

Reference — Screenshots from the Manual for the BMW R 1300 RS

Below is a selection of screenshots of the maintenance schedule for the BMW R 1300 RS 2026. You can download the complete manual from BMW’s website directly here.