Accessories for BMW R1100 RT

Accessories for the BMW R1100 RT

The BMW R1100 RT is a touring motorcycle suited to covering long distances on the road, whether that means a weekend away or a longer trip. That kind of riding puts luggage, comfort over several hours and what happens at each stop in the foreground. The right accessories depend on whether your RT spends most of its time travelling fully packed or also handles shorter, everyday journeys.

What riders usually fit to the BMW R1100 RT

• Protectors: worth considering on a touring bike that is regularly parked, loaded and manoeuvred at low speed. They help look after exposed areas during the small, awkward moments that can be part of a long journey.
• Panniers and cases: give you somewhere to carry clothing and other essentials for a few days away, rather than keeping everything in a rucksack. They are especially useful if you travel with a passenger and need to organise shared luggage.
• Stands and side stands: matter when you are stopping repeatedly on a trip or looking after the bike between rides. How the RT rests while parked is worth thinking about when luggage is part of your routine.
• Handlebar accessories: become more relevant as the hours in the saddle add up. The position of your hands can affect how relaxed you feel on a long stretch of road and how easily you manage slower urban sections.
• Covers and leg covers: can be useful when the bike is parked between tours or when you keep riding through colder weather. They suit a motorcycle used beyond occasional fair-weather trips.
• Mudguards: help reduce spray on wet roads. That is particularly welcome when a journey takes you through changing weather and you still have a substantial distance to cover.

Think about the journeys you actually make before deciding what to fit first. A fully loaded touring trip places different demands on the RT from a short ride with a few stops.