# BMW R 1200 RT and R 1250 RT Key Replacement

The R 1200 RT and R 1250 RT use BMW's EWS immobilizer, with either a transponder key in a keyed ignition or a Keyless Ride fob.

Source: https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200rt-r1250rt/

Business: The Motorcycle Locksmith, mobile motorcycle locksmith. Phone and text: (619) 775-1858 (San Diego side).

> The R 1200 RT and R 1250 RT use BMW's EWS immobilizer, with either a transponder key in a keyed ignition or a Keyless Ride fob. The RT runs a one-key system, so the same key normally works the ignition, cases, stowage compartment, fuel cap and seat. A lost key therefore locks you out of the luggage as well as the engine, and the replacement has to be programmed to the bike.

**BMW R 1200 RT and R 1250 RT key quick facts**

- BMW's R 1250 RT manual lists a one-key system covering the ignition and steering lock, case locks, stowage compartment lock, fuel filler cap and seat lock.
- Keyless Ride became an option on the R 1200 RT for the 2015 model year.
- With Keyless Ride the seat lock, stowage compartment, top case and cases are still locked and unlocked by hand unless central locking is fitted.
- RT bikes with central locking but no Keyless Ride come with a separate remote control for the central locking and alarm.
- If the central locking refuses to unlock, the manual describes opening the cases, top case and stowage compartments manually.

## BMW R 1200 RT and R 1250 RT key types by year

| Years | Models | Key type | Chip | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2005 to about 2013 | R 1200 RT (air and oil cooled) | transponder key (EWS), keyed ignition | yes | The manual says the EWS warning text appears in the multifunction display when the key is not accepted. |
| About 2014-2018 | R 1200 RT (liquid cooled) | transponder key, or Keyless Ride fob plus emergency key | yes | Keyless Ride optional from model year 2015. |
| 2019-present | R 1250 RT | transponder key, or Keyless Ride fob plus spare key | yes | Two vehicle keys on keyed bikes. One radio-operated key and one spare key with Keyless Ride. |

## One key for the whole bike

The RT is built around factory luggage, and BMW keys it accordingly. The R 1250 RT manual lists a one-key system: ignition switch and steering lock, case locks, stowage compartment lock, fuel filler cap and seat lock, plus the top case where one is fitted. That is convenient until the key is gone, because your tools, documents and sometimes the spare key are inside locked cases.

It also means a correctly cut key is useful on its own for getting into the luggage, even before it has been programmed to start the engine.

**Need a key for your R 1200 RT?** Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked. Call or text (619) 775-1858.

## Keyed ignition, Keyless Ride and central locking

Earlier R 1200 RT bikes all have a keyed ignition with the EWS ring antenna in the lock. From model year 2015 BMW offered Keyless Ride, and the manuals for the liquid cooled R 1200 RT and the R 1250 RT cover both versions. With Keyless Ride the ignition, fuel filler cap and alarm work from the radio-operated key within about 3 feet, and the ignition switches off after about a minute and a half if the key goes out of range.

Central locking is a separate option. On the R 1250 RT it locks the cases and the stowage compartment in the left side panel, the right compartment on bikes with the audio system, and the top case if fitted. On a Keyless Ride bike it is worked from the fob or a button on the bike. Without Keyless Ride, BMW supplies a separate remote control. The manual notes that the central locking stays unlocked if the fob simply goes out of range.

## Common RT key situations

- Fob shut inside a case or top case: the manual warns the bike cannot be started with the key out of range, so the spare key is what gets you back in.
- Central locking will not release: the manual has an emergency unlocking procedure that opens the luggage manually with the key.
- Key symbol or EWS warning on the dash: remove other keys from the ring and try the second key before assuming a fault.
- Bought used with one key: an RT with a single key and a full set of luggage is a good candidate for a second key while the first still works.

## No key at all

A dealer orders an RT key against the VIN after checking ownership, and the bike has to get to them. We work at the bike. Tell us the year, whether it has a key slot or a button, and whether it has central locking, and have photo ID and the registration or title ready. Check the antenna location for the spare key in your own manual, since it differs between BMW models.

## 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 RT and R 1250 RT key FAQ

### Does the R 1250 RT use the same key for the cases?

Yes, as delivered. BMW's manual lists the case locks, stowage compartment lock, fuel filler cap and seat lock under the same one-key system as the ignition.

### My RT has central locking but a normal key. Is there a fob?

There should be a separate remote control. BMW's manual says bikes without Keyless Ride are shipped with a remote for the central locking and alarm, and it can need synchronizing if it stops responding.

### What does EWS on my R 1200 RT display mean?

The immobilizer has not accepted the key. BMW's manual points to another key on the same ring as a common cause and tells you to keep spare keys apart.

### Can a lost RT key be cancelled?

Yes. BMW's manual says a dealer can bar a lost key so it no longer starts the engine, and that you need to bring all the other keys. A barred key can be reactivated later.

## The immobilizer system on this bike

- [BMW Motorcycle EWS Immobilizer: Keys and the EWS Warning](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/immobilizer-systems/bmw-ews-immobilizer/): EWS is BMW Motorrad's electronic immobilizer.
- [BMW Keyless Ride: Lost Fob, Flat Battery and Emergency Key](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/immobilizer-systems/bmw-keyless-ride/): Keyless 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

[airheads and K 75, K 100, K 1100](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/airheads-k75-k100-k1100/), [C 400 GT and C 650 GT scooters](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/c400gt-c650gt/), [C 400 X and C 600 Sport scooters](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/c400x-c600sport/), [CE 04, CE 02 and C evolution](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/ce04-ce02-c-evolution/), [F 650 CS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f650cs/), [F 650 GS single and G 650 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f650gs-single-g650gs/), [F 650 GS twin and F 700 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f650gs-twin-f700gs/), [F 750 GS, F 850 GS and F 800 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f750gs-f850gs-f800gs/), [F 800 S, F 800 ST, F 800 GT, F 800 R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f800s-f800st-f800gt-f800r/), [F 900 R, F 900 XR and F 900 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/f900r-f900xr-f900gs/), [G 310 R and G 310 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/g310r-g310gs/), [G 650 Xcountry, Xchallenge, Xmoto](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/g650x/), [HP2 Enduro, Megamoto and Sport](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/hp2/), [K 1200 LT and early K 1200 GT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1200lt/), [K 1200 RS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1200rs/), [K 1200 S, R, GT and K 1300 S, R, GT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1200s-k1200r-k1200gt-k1300/), [K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/k1600gt-k1600gtl-k1600b/), [M 1000 RR and M 1000 R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/m1000rr-m1000r/), [R 1100 and R 1150 oilhead boxers](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1100-r1150/), [R 12 nineT, R 12 and R 12 G/S](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r12-ninet-r12/), [R 1200 C and R 1200 CL cruisers](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200c-r1200cl/), [R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS and R 1300 GS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200gs-r1250gs-r1300gs/), [R 1200 R, R 1200 RS, R 1250 R and RS](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200r-r1200rs-r1250r-r1250rs/), [R 1200 S and R 1200 ST](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r1200s-r1200st/), [R 18](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r18/), [R nineT](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/r-ninet/), [S 1000 RR, S 1000 R and S 1000 XR](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/s1000rr-s1000r-s1000xr/), [All BMW keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/bmw/)

## Services for this bike

- [Lost Motorcycle Key, No Spare](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/lost-motorcycle-key/): No key at all? We make a working key at the bike.
- [Motorcycle Key Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-replacement/): New keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes.
- [Transponder and Immobilizer Key Programming](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-programming/): Chip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer.
- [Motorcycle Key Duplication and Spare Keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-duplication/): A spare now costs far less than a lost only-key later.
- [Motorcycle Ignition Repair and Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-ignition-repair/): Sticking, worn or damaged ignitions repaired or replaced.
- [Broken Motorcycle Key Extraction](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/broken-key-extraction/): Snapped key removed and a new one cut from the pieces.
- [Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag Locks](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-lock-repair/): Gas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks.

## Related guides

- [Motorcycle Key Fob and Keyless Ignition Problems](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/motorcycle-key-fob-and-keyless-problems/): Most keyless motorcycle problems come down to a weak fob battery, a fob the bike is not reading, a damaged fob or a lost one.
- [Lost Your Only Motorcycle Key? What to Do Next](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/lost-motorcycle-key-no-spare/): If 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.
- [When to Get a Spare Motorcycle Key, and Why Now](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/when-to-get-a-spare-motorcycle-key/): Get a spare motorcycle key as soon as you are down to one working key.
- [Roadside Assistance and Lost Motorcycle Keys: What It Covers](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/roadside-assistance-and-lost-motorcycle-keys/): Most motorcycle roadside plans will send help or tow the bike when a key is lost, but few pay for the key.

## Where we come to you

[San Diego County](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/), [San Diego](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/san-diego/), [Chula Vista](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/chula-vista/), [Oceanside](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/oceanside/), [Escondido](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/escondido/), [Carlsbad](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/carlsbad/), [El Cajon](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/el-cajon/), [All service areas](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/)