At first when I saw the images of the new BMW R1300GS I thought hmmmmm. But the looks are growing on me and to be honest my 2021 R1250GS looks a bit dated beside the new bike. But looks are not everything of course so a test ride was needed to find out what it would be like, any good? Well I was completely taken aback, it is so much better than the 1250; far more torque making overtaking easy in 6th gear, a quickshifter that is smooth (yes really!) and the bike feels lighter and more planted at the front so more fun…. BMW has really come good with this beastie. Get yourself a test ride, you will be impressed.
A big thank you to Ian at Sycamore Motorrad for their loan of the R1300GS whilst my R1250GS was in for some TLC, if you live in East Anglia or the East Midlands give Ian there a call to arrange a ride. Link here:
https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/sycamore-peterborough/en/home.html
32 Comments
It’s going to take a little more time for the looks to grow on me. The biggest down side is the price. If one goes on the configurator one can easily quickly get up to £25,000 plus here in the UK.
Nice video. I do like your style of reviewing.
I bought a new 1250gs last year but had to sell due to the noise coming up through the fork tunnel. I am back on a trusty FJR1300 now but, I do miss the magic carpet ride and easy torque of the gs.
I, like you, ride more lazily these days and do like the look of the new 1300, headlight aside! I am booked in for a test ride before christmas and have already given a triple black a good look over and did notice a plastic baffle on the forks and hope this helps with the noise, and maybe sign up again…
Your 3 year old GS might be worth more than you think as prices of new ones have gone up significantly since I bought mine in March 2020. I'm jumping ship to a 1250RS SE which is a bagain in comparison to a new 1300GS. I had a look on the configurator and a 1300 with the same spec as my 1250 TE Exclusive is the wrong side of 20k and that was without the luggage as my vario stuff won't fit the new bike. IIRC the difference between the RS and GS of similar specs wasn't that much back in 2020, but post covid BMW seem to have pushed the price of a new GS up quite a bit compared to the R and RS. Strange, the QS on my GS is quite smooth (apart from 1st to 2nd) before you ask I'm not going to test ride one……
I much prefer the looks of your own GS to be honest. Beautiful.
For me it's feels to small compared to my r1250gs and the rear seat for a passenger hmm even the footrests seem cheap almost Chinese like engine yes feels nice and it feels easier to change direction but honestly my ultimate edition to me is better .
I still can't get over the looks of the front end it looks like a demented chicken , once you see it you can't get it out of your head.
Thanks for a great video😃👍.
I think I will be buying one next year so will go for a test ride nearer the time.
There is adjustment on the front seat but it's less obvious than the earlier bikes. There's a small lever towards the back of the seat, which you have to pull out.
The rear seat is adjustable forward and back. I don't know about height but I'm guessing not.
The shaft drive is a bit longer than the 1250. 🤗
Is that the 2024 Honda NC750X? Your bike looks so much better. Who cares if it's a little lighter and has few more horses. It's like Ladies version of the GS. So disappointing!
The R1300GS is an Awesome looking bike…you’re right the 1250 looks dated now and it’s time for a change. There’s a lot of resistance from current 1250 owners, but eventually the 1300 will be the only GS in town and people WILL buy them! Great review, nice style. Thanks 😊
You were doing 58 in top gear when you over took that lorry, why would you have to change down? My tiger 900 doing 40 in top will pull away like a train,was the 1250 that bad?
and 6th gear is an even higher ratio on the 1300!
The spoke wheels are new and lighter, although agree they do look the same.
I could never buy when I think 2 gears are missing. why should it rev 3500 rpm at 100kmh. do you need 2000cc to be able to have 2500 rpm in 100kmh? I would have liked to have 2000. 6 gears feels like 30 years old.
The trophy is the ‘off road’ version. Comes with the flat seat. I’ve ordered mine with the comfort seat which is very like the 1250 seat (but with heating). Can’t wait. Great review mate.
Expensive bike with expensive running costs ,so apart from the looks will still be the same
🤔 having ridden it recently .. it was certainly ok .. but in my opinion as a current GS1250 owner .. not better than what I have .. certainly a different bike .. & being smaller & lighter isn’t always a bonus .. it seems to me it’s lost its identity somewhat.. & still No illuminated switchgear 🤷♂️… 🤔 regards your video position your camera 🎥 so it doesn’t continuously point at your visor!
Good review sir! My question: I see you have the larger GSA windscreen on your GS. In comparison, have you experienced a noticeable improvement on the wind protection? I am planning to change mine on my GS 1250. Thanks, Marc, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦😉🏍
The luggage accessories on the BMW webpage are pathetic at the moment. Even external companies are playing catchup in design and delivery.
How about that horrible engine noise ?
My 2012 1200GS sounds like a tractor, clunks like an old door lock, and moves side to side like a paint mixer, but that's what it was meant to be like. Of course, she's only worth £5000 if I'm lucky, and like a few others out there I guess, stumping up another £15000 just isn't going to be justifiable. No, I have not had a test ride, and I'm sure I'd love it, but the old girl will see me out.
Great video! Thank you for sharing, we're delighted you enjoyed the new BMW R1300 GS! 😁
New subscriber here from the team at Sycamore Motorrad! Love this video! I’m a real fan of the new 1300, I think it’s a lovely looking machine 😁
I have a 2020 GSA 1250 and agree that it should be geared much higher for a relaxed ride to keep the rpm’s down. I also have a 2015 Aprilia Caponord and it has a real six gear for a relaxed ride.
How many ride modes as standard on this new GS please?
❤
I am a BMW owner spanning two 1200rt, two k1600gt, one 1250 GSA. I have as well tested every other bmw at some point.
The 1300GS is a great bike for what it is: lighter, more power, more torque. However it is completely a different feeling bike to a 1100/1150/1200/1200lc/1250 GS/GSA.
– no more big bike feel. This feels like a 1000XR fitted with a flat twin boxer motor
– no riding pleasure at legal speeds. Engine has no character. Revs up like a triple or inline four cylinder. Like those bikes, you need it flying to feel any enjoyment
– literally no engine brake compared to previous generations of GS/GSA. I have my 2008 1200RT as a daily ride while my 1250GSA is my tour bike. Both have considerably more engine brake when you close the throttle. The way you ride it with or without engine braking changes the riding experience.
– I tested the 1300 GS Trophy model which is more offroad focussed. The ride comfort is non existent. Hard and uncomfortable.
I am 1,87m and 85kg.
I ride 22000km/year
I ride all seasons, all weather, all over Europe.
It’s a great bike for someone switching to a GS from another bike or brand.
For owners with several past GS/GSA generations, you should test this bike to make your mind up but this 1300GS is a total change from the past.
Personally, I think it looks awful. A real dogs dinner at the front. It sounds even more like a blacksmiths forge on overtime and has lost that big bike feel. Its no longer a grown up bike and has lost some of the ultimate relaxed nature and rider comfort of the 1200/1250 bikes. They were not lacking in performance either. The engine also seems to have lost a lot of its engine breaking. As a whole, it no longer has the charm or feel of a boxer for me and will divide opinion enough to lose a lot of potential customers. I won’t even consider changing my RS for one. I’d rather have a 1250 GSA which didn’t need “fixing”. Anyone claiming that a 1250 didn’t have “enough” torque is talking utter nonsense. I can see this becoming a real marmite bike for bmw.
By time you put a Center stand on and comfort seat it is only about 15 pounds lighter, Still it's a step in the right direction. Great bike.
Triple black TE arrives Friday! Bye bye 1250GSA
r1300gs or m1000xr?
Any word on a larger tank adventure version?
Anyone considering the purchase of a R1300GS check insurance availability and cost first. I had a shock 😮.