Got a chance to see a new 2026 Triple Black at the local dealership last weekend.
   

Frankly, I'm underwhelmed. I've always hated the big graphic slathered over the fairing and the bike just looks plasticky. The sport bike seat looks way less than fun to my backside. Then there's the crummy windshield. I don't really care for the black forks, I'm a fan of the gold. The pannier racks are gone and a new mounting system appears. This is nice, but you can't use older panniers. The last thing is the lack of a clutch lever. Apparently the autoclutch works well, but the clutch lever is just part of the experience for me, YMMV.

I was unable to see one in any other color than triple black. My take is that I don't really care for the aesthetics of this presentation. I'll hang on to my '23 model.

I tend to agree with all your points although I am sure the windshield is an improvement over the current one (which was quite frankly, terrible for noise). I too hate the big decals. The one on my 2016 are big / bad enough. I too like the gold forks. Will try and see if my dealer has one when I get back to Houston.

(04-11-2026, 07:44 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: I tend to agree with all your points although I am sure the windshield is an improvement over the current one (which was quite frankly, terrible for noise). I too hate the big decals. The one on my 2016 are big / bad enough. I too like the gold forks. Will try and see if my dealer has one when I get back to Houston.

I'm sure the windshield is an improvement, but not enough. Of course, I'm the guy with the big V-stream, so you know how I like a decent screen. The very first thing I did when I got my bike home was get out the wife's hair dryer and get rid of the big sticker. Really cleaned up the presentation I think. 

Oh, for the record, the Astros suck.

(04-11-2026, 08:42 PM)saread Wrote: I'm sure the windshield is an improvement, but not enough. Of course, I'm the guy with the big V-stream, so you know how I like a decent screen. The very first thing I did when I got my bike home was get out the wife's hair dryer and get rid of the big sticker. Really cleaned up the presentation I think. 

Oh, for the record, the Astros suck.

I thought the picture looked like someone's backyard instead of a dealership ... the way you wrote the OP I took it that you saw but didn't buy ... Now it sounds like that is your new bike.

Not an Astros fan ... still a Toronto BlueJays fan when I watch baseball.

(04-11-2026, 08:42 PM)saread Wrote: Oh, for the record, the Astros suck.

Ouch, Astro was such a lovable pet!

I sat on one almost exactly like that at the Seattle BMW dealership a few weeks ago. First thing I noticed was no clutch lever. Not happening. I'll stay with my '22 RS, thank you very much.

Seeya
 ATB

So no R1300RS owners on the forum?

I saw one at the dealer a week or so ago when I was getting a safety inspection on my RT. I sat on it, and thought it felt comfortable, and looked better in person (triple black) than in the pictures I’ve seen. I’m so happy with my R1250RS however, that I wasn’t really tempted to take it for a spin.

The adaptive cruise, and blind spot warning would be nice features, but not enough for me to “pull the trigger”. It also dawned on me that the blind spot warning mirrors will most likely prevent use of any “extenders” to increase the efficacy of the mirrors, so they’re really a trade-off.

I was at the D ship the other day. Loved the look of the new red/white & blue RS but at >$30k my 2016 works just fine. (now that I changed the fork seals and oil)
   

Nice bike, but too many electronics that are not needed and to fail and cost even more. Also, valve clearance adjustments are more complicated. I will just keep my 16 model.

I totally agree. I'll keep my 2016 with all the extras I have installed.

At first look they dont look as comfortable as the older models. Yes I'm sure they
could be modded but at the price to purchase would there be any money left?

Check out my Demo Ride review of this bike on the YouTube channel, due to drop at 2:00 AM CST.

   

I don’t know if I could get used to the automatic clutch. Having driven BMW automobiles with their automatic dual-clutch setup, I understand that it can be more efficient, lower wear, and make for an easier operating experience, but if I had a choice, I would still opt for a true manual gearbox, car or bike.

Idk, something about having that control, being able to coast, rev bomb, etc…


I also agree with you on the plastic-y look and I’m not a fan of when big stickers replace paint details. Thanks for the detailed ride demo video though!

(05-02-2026, 02:05 PM)SoCalR1200RS Wrote: I don’t know if I could get used to the automatic clutch. Having driven BMW automobiles with their automatic dual-clutch setup, I understand that it can be more efficient, lower wear, and make for an easier operating experience, but if I had a choice, I would still opt for a true manual gearbox, car or bike.

Idk, something about having that control, being able to coast, rev bomb, etc…


I also agree with you on the plastic-y look and I’m not a fan of when big stickers replace paint details. Thanks for the detailed ride demo video though!

You are most welcome. Unfortunately, it was only a demo ride and not a real review ride. I really admire those in the UK and Europe where dealers actually have bikes set aside as demo bikes / loaner bikes, bikes which one could be loaned for an extended period, even if only a few hours. Here in the US we only are allowed test rides that are basically around the block, since they don't want to pile the miles on a bike before selling it as "new" ... and I understand that - I would not want to buy a new bike with say more than 20 miles on the odometer, with all of those being mine.   That was the case with my RS ... I had it for an accidental 2 hour test ride but ended up buying the bike so pretty much all the miles were mine.

This dealer only has the one RS se definitely not a bike they will allow for longer rides than a mile or two.

That said, this bike does have potential, and I think I liked it better than the R1250RS I test rode as well - that one I was able to ride on my own, and even bought gas for since it was running low. This 2026 bike has the adaptive cruise control of which I would be / am a big fan of. As it stands, I love CC and would not consider a bike without it for the kind of riding I do. Adaptive CC takes it to another level. The ASA is nice and easy to adapt to but for me it needs a little more refinement for smoothness. Notice I did not even [need to] ride the GS on that demo day as I am sure that would be a no brainer for me given that I also like the ADV format in addition to the sporty sport tourer type bike.

A few R1300RSs at Gateway

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(05-02-2026, 04:49 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(05-02-2026, 02:05 PM)SoCalR1200RS Wrote: I don’t know if I could get used to the automatic clutch. Having driven BMW automobiles with their automatic dual-clutch setup, I understand that it can be more efficient, lower wear, and make for an easier operating experience, but if I had a choice, I would still opt for a true manual gearbox, car or bike.

Idk, something about having that control, being able to coast, rev bomb, etc…


I also agree with you on the plastic-y look and I’m not a fan of when big stickers replace paint details. Thanks for the detailed ride demo video though!

This dealer only has the one RS se definitely not a bike they will allow for longer rides than a mile or two.

Gateway BMW (Ducati, Royal Enfield, Beta, Stark....) has a R1300RS DEMO (will attach photos of a couple of models with some detail). Saw it at the open house yesterday, but wearing shorts for the 60 mile round trip bicycle ride I used to get out there, took a pass on riding it. Just as well, as I'm not ready for a new bike....

Agree with all the above. As I'm a guy who hates putting stuff on a bike that has to be recomoved any time  the bike needs maintenance or repair, I ask one of the mechanics what he thought about the body trim trends on the 1300 line - "Layers upon layers upon layers." (I imagine Lee's entire garage floor covered with labelled body work as he accomplishes some routine maintenance on a couple of R1300s.... OK - probabaly not going to happen.)

Not clear I understand reasoning behind all the plastic on something that is supposed to function as a sport tourer - which sometimes means, getting to an easy fix on a remote road in New Mexico without two or three pieces of body work blowing away in the wind. 

Do like move on this particular model to metal pegs, a split radiator to avoid damage from junk off the front wheel (though I guess some folks will be replacing that horn). Yeah, it looks a lot more RS-like with that optional windscreen down. Can only imagine it looks more RS-like with luggage....

I noticed the center stand looks a lot more aerodynamic, a little beefier, and much less like a rust an corrosion magnet due constant sand blasting from the road.

And what's a BMW sport brake package...? "...distinct titanium-colored calipers that provide increased braking performance and better feel for spirited riding. " Right - titanium coloring makes thing more sporty - kinda like carbon-fiber colored panels. Will find out more if I trash my RS on the Dempster this summer, but otherwise, not that interested. (After comfortably riding the RR with a taller sport seat in Vegas with the CSBS last weekend, I guess I'm still waiting for the no-nonsense S1000RS....)

Another model - rubber pegs, luggage rack, etc.



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Healthy looking dealership. Kinda like a community get together with probably a thousand folks and hundreds of bikes making an appearance for some food and the ever-humbling experience of Chris "Teach" McNeil doing his version of street stunts/trials. (Yes Darrell - saw an RT in his work this year.) (Whenever I see him, the thought that always goes through my mind -"When I grow up.... )

So #Ray what was the pricing on these 1300 RS beauties?