When talking about top-of-the-rang adventure motorcycles, the BMW GS is what anybody will point out to. It has a sheer presence, a lovely boxer twin engine, a unique suspension setup, all the gizmos a motorcycle can offer, and a ride that feels like a magic carpet. However, BMW thought there were ways of bettering the R 1250 GS and ended up with the new R 1300 GS.
The motorcycle has lost weight, looks leaner, and packs more power while BMW says almost 90 percent of the GS is new. Having ridden it in one of the most demanding environments in the world, we say yes, the GS feels new, but did the world need a new GS in the first place?
BMW R 1300 GS first ride review: What’s changed?
The new R 1300 GS is almost an all-new motorcycle. It is built around a steel chassis with an aluminium subframe, which has helped save around a kilogram of weight. The motorcycle also looks less intimidating compared to the 1250s and the 1200s, while also looking leaner. Overall, in terms of design, the GS has lost its signature asymmetrical headlight design that made it stand out and has opted for a new design.
BMW has also made internal tweaks that are not immediately visible, such as moving the gearbox from behind the engine to under it, which has not only saved weight but has also made the chassis shorter, which is compensated by a longer swing arm.
There have been tweaks to the suspension as well, and the front telelever system has seen updates too. BMW has done away with bearings on the fork legs and has introduced a new flex element for the handlebar, which BMW says gives better feedback to the rider. The handlebar itself is not mounted on the triple clamp anymore and is mounted above that with a bearing underneath to allow some fork movement.
All said, the telelever system had one major issue — the wheelbase would change when fully compressed and BMW says with the new tweaks, it has addressed that issue to a point but not eliminated it completely.
The next update is to the switchgear, which now gets a dedicated sandwich button that allows quick access to certain functions of the motorcycle like the electrically adjustable windscreen, heated grips, and others. BMW has also moved the main button to turn on the motorcycle from the centre to the right-hand side switch gear.
BMW R 1300 GS first ride review: Engine, gearbox and how it rides
All the changes mentioned above have combined to become a well-rounded package and the cherry on top is the new 1300cc engine, which makes 143bhp and 149Nm of torque with the help of a new 6-sped gearbox. The gearbox now uses straight-cut gears instead of helical ones, which has helped BMW save around 6kgs. The motorcycle also gets a new non-contact bi-directional quickshifter mechanism, making the shift more precise.
All the mechanical updates have resulted in a creamy engine that offers linear power delivery and the shift-cam system offers a strong surge post-5000 rpm, while the exhaust note is a pleasure to hear.
All the changes in the suspension setup have also made the 1300 GS nimble, as it’s eager to enter a corner. And when shown some off-road, the GS floats over them like a smaller 450cc dirtbike, hiding its weight well. The long list of electronic aids keeps the large motorcycle well poised, no matter the terrain.
BMW R 1300 GS first ride review: Should you buy one?
Well, this comes down to what you currently ride. If you are stepping up from a mid-size adventure motorcycle like the V-Strom 650, 800 DE, or the Honda Transalp 750, the new R 1300 GS makes a lot of sense. It is a good upgrade and will probably be the only motorcycle one will ever need. If stepping up from a sub-500cc adventure motorcycle, the GS can be too much of a motorcycle and will ruin your motorcycling passion forever. It is a motorcycle one grows into and not just bought off the shelf.
The other side is if you’re an existing GS owner and want to upgrade. If you ride any older 1200 models, the new 1300 is a worthy upgrade, owing to what it offers, however, if you’re looking to step up from the 1250 to the new 1300, it makes no sense at all, since the 1250 is equally capable in the right hands.
