BMW 1300 GS /GSA Automatic Shift assist Review: Harsh Truths and Honest | BMW 1300 ASA gearbox

[@BubbaSatori]

Arthritic wrists, ankles and knees make this great for me. The lowering feature is another plus. Looking forward to testing one. Thanks for your feedback.

[@lifeisarideuk]

try it

[@TwoGoTouring]

Test rode a 1300 asa yesterday and then ordered my new GSA 1300 Asa. With gear shift assist on 1250’s you need to ask yourself how many times you actually use the clutch 😳 ASA is kind of like 3 gear boxes in one. In drive + road mode is a relaxing effortless ride especially in traffic. Drive + dynamic there’s more automatic gear changing up and down just how I normally ride. Manual + dynamic… this is as good as a quickshifter gets on a boxer and I say that as I just sold and XR msport. Brilliant. Hill start release is seamless and slow riding is easier. I tour a lot, 35k miles in 3 years so ASA will make a difference. I rode 45 miles home after the test ride and used the clutch 8 times at traffic lights and junctions. Just saying 👍

[@lifeisarideuk]

Perfect

[@CROtourer]

I’m sick and tired of listening and reading about “bikes are meant to be fun”, “Real riders go only with the clutch” … you’re entitled to stay exactly where you are and get run over by the inevitable. Manual gearbox will be there for those whose manhood greatly depends on it. But only until the moment when their percentage lingers close to half of the motorcycles sold with the manual gearbox. As soon as the numbers of the machines sold with automatic gearbox get in favor of automatics, automatic gearbox will be the only option available.

[@MagSidious]

We all know that your peckker size is directly proportional to using a clutch. While I have never ridden a bike with no clutch, I will be doing just that the next time I buy a bike.

[@ArsMoriendiSynthPop]

No issues with the automatic gearbox itself-I just don't want to pay a premium for it right now. But if car trends are any indication of where bikes are headed, you’re probably 100% right.

[@petereaton1508]

thx to your video, itried the 1300asa today in heavy traffic its so easy. doing a deal to swap my 1300gs for the asa. its a no brainer. in manual the shift is way better than the quick shifter on the standard bike

[@lifeisarideuk]

@@petereaton1508 if your buying call me I can get you a deal !

[@Nomad-Drifter]

Remember shifting using the clutch and Rev matching on down shifts… I love manual shifting sometimes

[@GaryTodd]

Great video. I'm about to place an order of a Triple Black and had a chance to try the ASA. I only had 30 mins and think that wasn't enough time to get used to it. So will try to get it again for a longer test before I commit ..

[@skts2610]

I was sceptical but open minded having been on two wheels for 45 years… I have an H2SXSE that has done two European tours two up and love the thing, however, she’s gone into sunny day blast mode only now as I’ve purchased a VFR1200XDCT. I’ve got to say, what a brilliant system, especially for long distance touring, can’t get over how seamless the changes are whether you are in manual or auto mode… And your right, it changes how you ride, you’ve not gotta worry about clutch control or anything. Gotta be the way forward especially for touring bias bikes.

[@lifeisarideuk]

You’ve got to ride this bike. I’m the biggest skeptic. I promise you Bike is worth it.

[@BIGGGESTAL]

Have you never tried a quickshifter?

[@skts2610]

@@BIGGGESTAL Yep, I’ve got an H2!

[@PhilippensTube]

When you were at the path into the forest where you didn't want to continue, you made a remark that you could sort of spin your way out of it with a clutch. I think in normal riding modes, this is not possible. The anti-skid system kicks in. But in enduro (pro) mode, ABS for the rear wheel and I think the anti-skid system for the rear wheel are switched off, so you can make power turns. I think it's a matter of the right riding mode to let the system do that. Normally, you wouldn't want a spinning rear wheel...

[@Getting-On]

Excellent review, plenty of real world scenarios, ive a test ride booked for end of Sept on a 1300GS ASA.

[@lifeisarideuk]

nice on thanks

[@rogereverett9095]

Looks great, its just mct on a bike. Been using in our road cars for years. I couldnt imagine driving my amg with a manual box !!

[@mitch2519]

I had an Africa Twin DCT before I bought my R1300GS TB. I was skeptical of the DCT, especially for off-road. After a couple hours, I was hooked. BMW's approach is technically different, but functionally nearly identical. That said, I still prefer a clutch and shifter......I am old school and when off-road being able to work and feather the clutch is hard to beat. Side note......The R1300GS is so far superior to the AT in every way.

[@richardcerritelli9657]

If you like the African twins so much why did you get rid of it and by the BMW

[@johnalbone3372]

I love it and will definitely have it on my next GS Interestingly at the beginning of the video when you start the bike you mentioned the suspension rising mine doesn't rise untill about 30mph have you altered the settings so it rises straight away Also on mine at standstill running it feels like there is no damping if you bounce the back J

[@john7912h]

If it wasn’t put in auto it would go up , dynamic suspension settings will also prop up the real a little bit after starting

[@mbingham10]

Its got to be the way forward, after 50 years of biking for me, you will get the purist like with cars saying manual is better but like the car commenters they have probably never experienced auto or dct we need to move on and evolve it will be better than manual trust me

[@pgVeritas]

This is perfect for filtering on our jammed up motorways, or city streets. I'm definitely speccing ASA on my next bike, though boss won't let me buy one until 2026....boo!

[@rumporridge1]

Yes waiting on my boss to blink….then poof, a GS ASA miraculously appears in the garage 😢lol.

[@pgVeritas]

@@rumporridge1 The salesman suggested I should have a new GSA with ASA as well as my RT. I posited that should that happen and I have 2 bikes and zero balls......

[@nigelsride]

Yes, very nice. Ohhhhhhh I want one 😂, great review, thank you 👌👌

[@lifeisarideuk]

Thanks for watching!

[@GSAirTherapy]

I need to try the ASA option when I test ride the 1300 GSA, which I won’t buy because of the design language (for now anyways). On my 1250 GSA, I like to feather the clutch, controlling much of slow speed maneuvering mostly with clutch actuation rather than throttle. Same for using engine break when coming to a stop, rolling down hill, etc. I genuinely wonder how this would work, if at all with ASA?

[@lifeisarideuk]

I think you need to ride the bike. I think you’ll realise the bike performs adequately. It’s just a changing in thinking you can flick it to manual mode and still go down the gears downhill using the engine breaking it really isn’t a problem

[@040608p]

I got the bike yesterday for a test ride. My enthusiasm is limited. At higher acceleration, the gear really pops in after reducing the throttle. The passenger hits the driver with his helmet. This works better manually.

[@lifeisarideuk]

Thanks for sharing

[@rollmoto5255]

I also made test ride with 1300GS Adventure automatic. For me manual shifting was very smooth, just super….but automated shifting was very clunky, I didnt like it at all. It is good system, but why they removed clutch leveler and full manual shifting oportunity, with that it would be perfect combination, all in one :) I would like to know how this automate behaves for example in Alp mountain roads. But if I choose bike with manual shifter, what I proabably do, then I gonna miss smoothness of manual mode of this automated option :)

[@robertorochamartinsrocha7041]

Yes i have a collection of motorcycles... hope now that people will raise there hands when i go on a scooter 125 ... 🤣🤣🤣🤣... it's anyway a two wheels ... love this bmw (but with clutch 😊)

[@lifeisarideuk]

Cool

[@Mac_okee]

Why did you ride in Enduro mode and why didn’t you change the riding mode?

[@lifeisarideuk]

Good point can’t do everything on the review too much to think about Road mode just makes the bike goes soft and lowers the power and increases is the tractionn

[@lifeisarideuk]

It wasn’t many in the pre-selection and I couldn’t bother to reprogram it

[@DavidRodriguesOfficial_]

On Drive mode you can switch down or up the gears. And is amazing feeling. When you want a little more gas you just push one down and here you have. D Mode plus switching gears is the best.

[@lifeisarideuk]

Yes

[@lifeisarideuk]

That is one of the best bits if you decide it’s made a mistake bang it down to and you’re off

[@lifeisarideuk]

Yes

[@stephendahlstrom1369]

Nice on a good road. Wonder how it would go in sand, mud or river crossings

[@lifeisarideuk]

get a new boss

[@redhedhair]

Best review of the ASA ! My next bike will be the GSA ASA 😀

[@lifeisarideuk]

Thank you very much as most appreciated. I’ll try and do honest but at least honest this time was good.

[@lifeisarideuk]

Thank you very much as most appreciated. I’ll try and do honest but at least honest this time was good.

[@NULUSIOS]

You can set the bike to neutral while it is stopped, with ASA. RTFM.

[@lifeisarideuk]

can you so can you in th uk

[@bobg7374]

I am very interested and would like to buy one but won’t cos of that stupid headlight which is gross

[@lifeisarideuk]

It grows on you and when you need light OMG it works well see link

[@1petergroves]

You can't see it sat on it

[@Smudge64]

looks like they have done a great job, Im going to stick with my clutch after all the money I have spent on my 1300 already. perhaps we can compare in Morocco

[@lifeisarideuk]

If you can keep up, just think of all of that extra energy I would’ve saved by not pulling the clutch in 20 thousand times

[@Smudge64]

@@lifeisarideuk I only use it for pulling away and if making progress, dont need it

[@DanLiddiard-y4n]

Great review, looks interesting!

[@lifeisarideuk]

It was!

[@Nomad-Drifter]

Next you’ll get a BMW chauffeur who’ll ride the bike for you while you go pillion sipping on Bubbly and enjoying the scenery.

[@carolinarider5237]

Great review. Now take off road and up some hills

[@briancaron3398]

asa would be good for me i think , i always use the quickshifter so i only use the clutch at an standstill anyway

[@lifeisarideuk]

Best thing bmw have ever done 👍

[@johnwiffen6655]

The mark two will be ok.

[@johnharvey5338]

I was surprised to see you flying up and down the A32 below Bahnstormers as they have average speed cameras from the village just after the turning down to Loomies, hope you don’t get a ticket

[@lifeisarideuk]

so do I

[@johnharvey5338]

@@lifeisarideuk did you know they have average speed cameras along that stretch

[@gerryryan2302]

tried one on fri ..not too keen on the gear changing in D mode …gets you off guard changing up on roundabouts and corners

[@lifeisarideuk]

Agreed but m mode is fab

[@NoahGabriel-w9i]

Can you put it in neutral? After you are in drive, or do you have to turn it off and on again every time you want to rev it a bit?

[@lifeisarideuk]

Don’t leave it in park if you can help it if it goes flat could be a problem

[@GPR111]

Very clever and I tried it some years back on a demo africa twin where it also was a revelation..... but I cant see the fun in riding a bike where you just sit and twist the throttle (effectively). Good for long distances when tired on a long tour etc .... but day to day.... think I prefer the interaction of controlling things myself. Bikes are meant to be FUN ( thats often forgotten these days I think... 🤔 ) but I cant help feeling its being eroded

[@cpuuk]

Q. at 6minutes you pulled over in 2nd gear... did it automatically drop into 1st or did you do it?

[@lifeisarideuk]

No it did not it can pull away in 2nd I had to pull brake to kick it into 🥇

[@lifeisarideuk]

I did it

[@mikaellindroos1594]

Can you shift down by using the throttle, like in cars kick down.

[@lifeisarideuk]

no

[@ronin6788]

Why does the speed stop showing for a few seconds at certain times ?

[@PhilippensTube]

Illegal speeds probably. Masked out by the creator.

[@szoe139]

Saving energy needed by the display .

[@thecolombianmuslim1137]

Will there ever be a version with clutch but option to use it in automatic?

[@lifeisarideuk]

Don’t think so

[@SP-xd8gs]

It's 2024 why do we even have bikes w clutches anymore ??

[@tonyduffy9746]

I take it you can still get it into neutral if you need to do so ?

[@lifeisarideuk]

@@tonyduffy9746 yes easy

[@lifeisarideuk]

Honestly, honestly, I was so surprised about this Gear Box. It was unbelievable.

[@lifeisarideuk]

You don’t need to you just slammed the breaker and if you pop the stand down, it drops into park

[@lifeisarideuk]

I honestly mean this bike is a stroke of genius. I think we’ll all have them with our bifocal glasses.

[@barryjohn7765]

Can you shift down on a positive throttle?

[@lifeisarideuk]

Yes 👍

[@raycollington4310]

I made the mistake of buying a new 5 Series in 2018. The thing was a heap of junk and the support from BMW was dire. I’ll never give that organisation any more of my money, ever. I’ve had enough of the wet behind the ears automotive graduates and the damage they cause. I would have another ditch pump engined shaft drive bike tomorrow if they were lighter , simpler and made of better quality materials.

[@lifeisarideuk]

2018 mmm a blur

[@simonhantler8062]

I would hate it, can't drop the clutch

[@lifeisarideuk]

I agree

[@ACHRAFBACIR-u6y]

WOW

[@lifeisarideuk]

thanks

[@ACHRAFBACIR-u6y]

@@lifeisarideuk pardon

[@zailaniabdulrahman5714]

You're too happy to try e cruise control...

[@raycollington4310]

The dealers are going to make some money fixing this stuff or replacing the clutch. That urge to move stage is wearing the clutch. Let’s see what reputation it earns after it has been around a while and all the marketing BS and reviewer hype and possible bias has blown away. To me BMW have lost the plot on their design and quality .

[@lifeisarideuk]

sorry you feel that way have you ridden one yet?

[@milabaigar]

My thoughts too knowing bmw , too much technology and a wallet opener when it goes wrong or needs workshop services . I’ll stick with a bike with a clutch I can change 👍👍

[@raycollington4310]

@@milabaigar imagine the re-setting and calibration needed in any clutch or associated repair work. This would be dealerships only IMO especially now that manufacturers keep all technical information away from the public domain. The priority is certainly not owner support, that’s for sure.

[@austinmatthews347]

I would never get one of these

[@lifeisarideuk]

Imagine if you got arthritis in your left hand I think you might like it then I don't think you'll have a choice. You're going to arrive the next 20 years. I think you're gonna run into everything becoming automatic and non-connected foot lever not connected to cog s, it's connected to a micro.

[@austinmatthews347]

@@lifeisarideuk maybe

[@DonGoldstein-b7q]

Doesn’t belong on a motorcycle ! What’s next Full Self Riding ?!

[@lifeisarideuk]

try it

[@XAAAIK]

Expensive scooter 🤭

[@lifeisarideuk]

No not at all

[@lifeisarideuk]

See be your point but ride it and then tell me that

[@Getting-On]

Change is inevitable, and with BMW’s knowledge of Automatics and SMG from their M Cars id expect this to be A1

[@klausmeier2214]

Sorry, but you lost me after 3:40 min. 90 % bullshit bingo and no real information. I don't waste 36:50 min lifetime on this. Bye

[@lifeisarideuk]

You stayed long enough to type this it shell helps algorithm thanks 🙏

[@klausmeier2214]

@@lifeisarideuk That was my goal. You‘ll need all support, you can get. 😘