BMW R 1200 R, R 1200 RS, R 1250 R and RS Key Replacement

Quick answerBMW's boxer roadsters and sport tourers have used the EWS immobilizer since the R 1200 R arrived, so every replacement key has to be matched to the bike. The air-cooled R 1200 R came with one master key and one spare. The liquid-cooled R 1200 R and RS and the R 1250 R and RS come with two ignition keys, or with optional Keyless Ride and a fob plus a backup key.

BMW R 1200 R, R 1200 RS, R 1250 R and RS key quick facts

BMW's 2007 US rider's manual for the R 1200 R lists one master key and one spare key, with the ignition and steering lock, tank filler cap lock and seat lock all on the same key.
The 2016 US manuals for the R 1200 R and R 1200 RS list two ignition keys, or with optional Keyless Ride one radio-operated key and one emergency key.
The 2020 R 1250 R and 2021 R 1250 RS US manuals list two ignition keys, or with Keyless Ride one radio-operated key and one spare key.
On Keyless Ride R 1250 R and RS bikes the ignition, fuel filler cap and anti-theft alarm work from the fob, while the seat lock, topcase and cases are operated by hand.
BMW's manuals for all four say cases and a topcase can be ordered with locks for the same key.

BMW R 1200 R, R 1200 RS, R 1250 R and RS key types by year

Years	Models	Key type	Chip	Notes
2007-2014	R 1200 R (air and oil cooled)	transponder key (EWS), keyed ignition	yes	One master key and one spare key in the 2007 US manual.
2015-2018	R 1200 R, R 1200 RS (liquid cooled, keyed)	transponder key (EWS)	yes	Two ignition keys. A single key fits the steering and ignition lock, the fuel filler cap and the seat lock.
2015-2018	R 1200 R, R 1200 RS (Keyless Ride option)	Keyless Ride radio fob plus emergency key	yes	One radio-operated key and one emergency key.
2019-present	R 1250 R, R 1250 RS	transponder key (EWS), or Keyless Ride fob plus spare key	yes	Both versions are covered in the US manuals. Later manuals call the backup key the spare key.

Three generations of roadster key

The first R 1200 R, sold from 2007, was a keyed EWS bike and a lean one for keys: BMW's US manual lists a single master key and a single spare. A used one may well be down to a single key. The liquid-cooled R 1200 R and the new R 1200 RS arrived for 2015 with two ignition keys as standard and Keyless Ride on the options list. The R 1250 R and RS carried that arrangement forward from 2019.

So the year alone does not tell you what you have from 2015 on. Look at the top of the fork: a slot for a key means the keyed version, a button means Keyless Ride. Newer models that followed the R 1250 may be equipped differently, so tell us the exact model and year when you call.

Need a key for your R 1200 R?

Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked.

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Seat, fuel cap and luggage

On the keyed bikes BMW says a single key fits the steering and ignition lock, the fuel filler cap and the seat lock. On Keyless Ride bikes the fuel filler cap is released by the system while the fob is in range, and the manuals describe an emergency release for it, but the seat lock still needs the key blade.

The RS is often sold with touring cases and a topcase, and the R with a tail bag or small cases. BMW's cases can be ordered with locks matched to the bike key. If yours arrived on a used bike with a second, unrelated key, we can look at bringing them onto one key when we are already cutting keys for the bike.

Keyless Ride habits that prevent a stranding

BMW's manuals for these bikes are frank about the weak point: if the fob is out of range, for example shut inside a case or topcase, the bike cannot be started. They recommend carrying the fob on your person and carrying the backup key as an alternative. A second fob or key on the same ring can also confuse the electronics, so keep spares apart.

If the fob is lost on a ride, the backup key starts the bike. If both are lost, the bike has no way to recognize its rider and needs a new key programmed to it.

Replacing a lost roadster key

BMW's position, repeated in each manual, is that keys are part of an integrated safety system and that the retailer must check your legitimacy before supplying one. A dealer can also disable a lost key, and asks for all remaining keys when doing so.

Our visit starts the same way, with photo ID and the registration or title. For a 2007 to 2014 R 1200 R that usually means cutting a key to the locks and handling the EWS at the bike. For 2015 and later, tell us whether it is keyed or Keyless Ride, because the parts and the work differ, and we will say up front whether your bike is one we can finish on site.

Where to find the key code

None of these manuals refers to a key code card. Keys are supplied against the bike's identity, so your VIN, registration or title and photo ID are what count.

What to have ready

Have this ready when you call or text

Year, make and model of the bike
Where the bike is parked
Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)

BMW R 1200 R, R 1200 RS, R 1250 R and RS key FAQ

Did the 2008 R 1200 R come with only two keys?

Yes. BMW's US manual for the early R 1200 R lists one master key and one spare key. If you have just one of them, get another made while it still works.

Is Keyless Ride standard on the R 1250 RS?

The 2021 US rider's manual treats it as optional equipment and covers both a keyed version with two ignition keys and a Keyless Ride version with one radio-operated key and one spare key. Check which one your bike has.

Why does my R 1200 RS fob not open the seat?

Because it is not meant to. On Keyless Ride bikes the fob handles the ignition, steering lock, fuel filler cap and alarm, and the seat lock is opened with the key blade.

Can a cut-only key start an R 1200 R?

No. All of these bikes have EWS, which only allows a start once the transponder in the key is recognized. A cut-only key is still useful for the seat and the fuel cap on keyed bikes.

The immobilizer system on this bike

BMW Motorcycle EWS Immobilizer: Keys and the EWS WarningEWS is BMW Motorrad's electronic immobilizer.
BMW Keyless Ride: Lost Fob, Flat Battery and Emergency KeyKeyless Ride replaces the ignition lock on many BMW motorcycles with a button and a radio-operated key that only has to be within about 3 feet of the bike.

More BMW models

Services for this bike

Motorcycle Key Fob and Keyless Ignition ProblemsMost keyless motorcycle problems come down to a weak fob battery, a fob the bike is not reading, a damaged fob or a lost one.
BMW Motorcycle Case and Top Case Keys: One-Key CodingBMW's rider's manuals say the cases and top case can be fitted with locks that open with the same key as the ignition, and on some tourers the panniers and top case already share the vehicle key from the factory.
Lost Your Only Motorcycle Key? What to Do NextIf you lost the only key to your motorcycle, a new one can almost always be made, but the route depends on whether your bike uses a plain metal key, a chipped transponder key, or a keyless fob.
Rekey Motorcycle Locks or Just Cut a New Key?Cutting a new key replaces the key you lost, while rekeying changes the locks so the old key no longer works.

Where we come to you

Sources

Page last updated November 14, 2026.