BMW R 1300 GS Honest Review

[@hangpilot1200]

I traded my S1000XR for the 1300GS. 170hp screaming at 10k is just not the right ‘character’ for this style bike. Never liked the look of a boxer, but the low end grunt is undeniable. Telelever front is magic braking w/ 2-up. Keep the rubber side down!

[@Ron-c1v]

The 5 first sentences you spoke was enough for all gs owners to know that you have absolutely no clue 😂

[@RogersMotorcycleAdventures]

Good, balanced review. I'm actually going to be putting a deposit on one today - I'm mainly going to be staying on the road, I've spent a couple of hours on this bike, and really like it. Not quite as much as I love the Multistrada, but I can get a GS, with lower engine crash bars and panniers, for about the same price as I would pay for a leftover Pikes Peak (the version of Multi that I would get), and I'd still have to spec up the Multi with heated grips, seat, panniers, etc.

[@josephSF]

Very skilled riding, especially on a bike that you don’t think measures up on off-road capabilities. I just swapped my Africa Twins for the 1300 and am tackling Washington BDR next week. Heaven help me.

[@andyay9079]

In the past I've had two watercooled 1250's and both regularly stalled on hilly junctions including my driveway. In 40 years of owning dozens of bikes I'd never had this problem before, or since (my current bike is a Z1000SX). It's not a twin issue either as I've had 3 Varaderos, a transalp and an early Africa twin. I'm pleased they've resolved this issue now, but it's way out of my price league.

[@simons.2948]

I’m right with you mate, I had a gs1200, big sloppy wallowy thing, got rid of it after 3 months for s1000xr. I now have the 1300, much more like it slimmer, faster, lots of tech and fun to ride but still comfy. Although it sounds crap and quick shifter much improved but still not good. XR quick shifter better mind. 1300 vibes a bit but now ok. XR was always begging me to cane it and was always travelling a rate of knots. GS1300 quick enough when needed without making me feel like I want to make it howl all the time.

[@chanrun7331]

Saying 1300 GS quickshifter “is not bad” is a total ridiculous comment.. As a GS 1300 owner, I can say that it is buttery smooth and it has totally no difference from Tiger or Multistrada. Not bad.. Give me a break!

[@simons.2948]

Tell you what mate, come and ride mine then say it’s a ridiculous comment, when I changed down it lurches forward like throttle still open, misses gears sometimes so buttery smooth is certainly not the case. I spoke with another on here that says his is terrible. Seems they maybe inconsistent in quality. Before you start giving the old must be the rider bollox. I’ve been riding 52years, to London practically every working day since 1980 owned over 30 bikes SO give me a break!!

[@stocks7765]

I have thé bmw and thé v4 and I can tell you that the MS quickshifter is way beter than the 1300

[@carlosalonso9866]

Cannot speak for the 1300 but I sold my r1250gs because I couldn’t stand the gearbox. Using the QS (which I only did from the 3rd upwards) gears would jump out, scaring me more than once. It’s not BMW-bashing, mind you, as I know that their QSs on other models work just fine (S1000XR for example) but I read on a technique-forum that it’s a combination of the engine layout and the shaft drive that don’t go too well with the QS

[@Traveloneglobal]

That’s the fun in motorcycles. We all have our own opinions some like it some don’t some like the new features. your review is a great review but that’s your opinion on what you like which is still awesome.

[@awakeadventurer9198]

I rode the hell out of my 2015 R1200GSA on and off road. I ride rhe hell out of my current 2021 R1250GS. ZERO stalling problems in slow and near stopped moments.

[@MrSnap8430]

Great review as always is there any chance for a review of f 900 GS?

[@adv-moto]

I'm renting a BMW F 900 GS next week - review sometime in the summer (after Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2024).

[@miketosta]

Excelent review!

[@squid148]

The GS has been the best selling bike year after year. So you seem to be missing something.

[@adv-moto]

Firstly, it's not true because the best selling motorcycles are 100cc bikes in India. Splendor, for example. Secondly, Coca-Cola is the most popular soda. That's not because there's nothing tastier.

[@nunosantos8784]

​@@adv-motosorry my long reply in the message above. With this answer you just gave, definitely your goal is something else than reviewing this bike, and it's fair, it's your feel about the GS, and will always be people like you, detriment something in the market, wherever the reason is, independently of how good is a certain product. I do the same with Sony cameras, because I don't like the brand and the ergonomy of their products, so I tend to bash them.. but I don't review them, I don't have a KZbin channel, is just my personal opinion. So, the point is best selling bikes are the 100cc in India 😂. That's a great comparison. Omg

[@adv-moto]

@nunosantos8784 I like the BMW 1300 GS and the entire S1000 lineup. I just never idealize motorcycles. There are flaws in any competitor too. And about 100cc bikes, it's not about comparison, it's about precision in wording.

[@squid148]

@@adv-moto Adventure Bike! What adventure do you go on with a 100 cc’s ? Needless to say your reviews are poor at best and I doubt that you have ridden the bikes or even seen them in person.

[@adv-moto]

@squid148 I'm talking about accuracy of phrasing, not comparing bikes. GS - not best selling motorcycle, just it. Best selling cars: 2023 - Tesla Model Y, 2022 - RAV4. Are they the best at anything else? The highest grossing movies of 2023 are Barbie and Super Mario Bros - will anyone remember them after 20 years? The argument with something being the best selling is very debatable, most BMW buyers haven't even tried taking a Ducati or Triumph for a free test.

[@CarlosMartinsPT]

Amazing trail! Where is that?

[@adv-moto]

Spain, Alicante, 38.443607, -0.541573. It's a popular place for cycling events.

[@vplph]

This way of looking at a GS, reminds me those journalists complaining that there are no cup-holders in a super light race ready 911gt rs... ;-) Nice pictures in your video nevertheless.

[@adv-moto]

This is a very expensive luxury touring motorcycle. Why not ask for comfort?

[@vplph]

@@adv-moto a GT rs is a very expensive car... Why not ask for massage seats?

[@adv-moto]

Because it's a sports car, not a touring car. :) In the Panamera, you'll ask for a massage seats.

[@vplph]

@@adv-moto g stands for Gelände 👍

[@aerisurvey4934]

You have to go beyond the manual and the maintenance plan to understand the true reliability of GS. Tell me if you know of any V4 Multistrada, Triumph Tiger or KTM 1290 with 400.000km, without any engine transmission issues? By the way, this one I know, never saw any new grease on the transmission shaft, only the normal oil each 10.000km. Tell me if you know any of the mentioned bikes with 200.000km in 2 years, like I saw one 1150GS, doing long-distance couriers, without any issue at all... and I can keep going searching stories about GS in my 35 years riding motorcycles, and the true reliability is what made the brand GS.

[@adv-moto]

Why don't we compare the reliability of the 1250 GS to the Africa Twin, Crosstourer and Super Tenere? The 1150 GS = 1250 GS? Nope. I've seen a lot of rusty cardans on LC generations - it's not a schedule issue, it's a design issue.

[@nunosantos8784]

​@@adv-moto I think you were talking about maxi trails. If you want to go that route, you can even compare with the honda cg125, probably one of the most reliable motorcycle of all time. Africa Twin, yes, a great motorcycle, i had one, the 750, and was not flawless, the fuel pump was a huge issue. The rusty cardans you are talking about, was a small percentage over all, mainly in GS that has benn used in heavy off road, crossing rivers, or the owners abusing of the high pressure water machines. But yes, was an issue, not the design of the cardan, but the rubber that protect the cardan, solved by creating that hole and putting a 10cents rubber on it. But maybe more important, let me known which brand, after the guarantee, assume the issues making a recal, to all the units of a specific model. I remember a friend with a Africa Twin, that he paid by his own money that pump, because Honda never assumed in his bike. Look what BMW made regarding the Cardan, not because all the bikes needed, but because of a matter of keeping the sense of got you covered. Bikes since 2012, each 60000km replacing the cardan forever. I never seen any other brand doing this. Crosstourer, yeap, great bike, with a reliable engine.. but those wheels are a mess. Where os the guarantee from Honda about it? Nope. The last time i heard about it, and a close one, he paid 700€ to mount a new rear wheel and calibrate. As I said, I can keep going, my age and years in this motorcycle world, gave me knownledge and experience to see many examples, and if I wrapped the stories, the GS is clearly one of a kind that the others want to pursue.

[@adv-moto]

For example, Ducati at the launch of Multistrada V4 to some owners changed not only the engine, but also gave the coupon to buy any Ducati wear and accessories for thousands dollars. And the warranty is longer in Europe for Ducati and Triumph than BMW. BMW recognized the issue with the shaftdrive only after 10 years. It was the same story with fork issue after 9 years, when dozens of owners were seriously injured. Timing is important. I had a 2012 Crosstourer a long time ago that I rode over 60,000 miles, much of it off-road. 0 problems. I was a member of a Crosstourer club with dozens of owners - none had wheel problems. Many have 100k+ mileage.

[@nunosantos8784]

@@adv-moto exchanging stamps is useless. Anyway. Not sure what you are talking about regarding the warranty. Ducati, in Europe offer a 24 months period with the option to extend for more 36 months, not sure if is free or you need to pay something. BMW has a 5 years free of charge warranty. Never heard about users being seriously injured due the malfunction on any BMW, If you can give that link, I appreciate it. I have also a friend with the crosstourer, and like you, he hates BMW, and always trying to find some example to use it as all tge BMW are loke that. Is a childhood behaviour, and I assume, having this nonsense chat with you, I'm also being a child. Till now, I had 12 bikes, 4 BMW and 4 Honda, 1 Ducati, 1 Suzuki, 1 Yamaha and 1 Husqvarna. The only brand that gave me zero problems in all the models I have, was the BMW. The Honda SLR650 was the biggest problem. After a trip to Marrocos, came with the frame broken, a few more km and the bike can split in 2, literally. The welds on the frame joining the rear arm with the monocock frame, broke. The warranty was no longer valid, and Honda never assumed the problem. This is example, yes, I could actually have a fatal crash due the poor quality of the frame. Those frames were made in Spain, and became known by the poor quality, aside of the great engine from the Dominator 650. With the Ducati 999, the fuel pump was creating some fuelling problems, causing irregular feed to the injection. I end up selling it with just 8000km to get rid of that motorcycle... And so on and so on.. only the BMW, the 1100, the 1200, all GS, the 1250R and now the 1300GS (quite new to get some feedback) never gave me problems, not 1 single time. Just gas and roll. But to be honest, I keep buying BMW not because the zero problems, but because I like them, I truly like the torque and behaviour of the boxer engine and also the quality of the components, something that I missed on so many bikes.

[@adv-moto]

@nunosantos8784 It's true, different markets have different conditions, I am talking about Spain, not only because I live here, but also because it is a neutral market without local adventure brands. Ducati in Europe has the "Ducati 4Ever" program, which gives a 4 year warranty to all adventure models. Triumph in Spain also has a 4 years warranty. BMW has different conditions in different countries, it's true, but in Spain BMW has a 3 years warranty (minimum by Spanish law). web.archive.org/web/20230607202721/bmwfatalflaw.com/ - BMW fixed this problem after about 8 years. Another problem with the cardan on boxers is obvious. Lots of brands produced shaftdrives, but when you query "broken drive shaft on motorcycle", "rusted shaftdrive on motorcycle" or something else, most cases will be about BMW. BMWs now have free lifetime cardan replacement every 60,000 km for 1200 LC & 1250 gen, because that problem can't fixed only with new valve. Of course, I choose Honda or Yamaha for world raid, but the 1300 GS in european conditions is much better than the Africa Twin. I'm not a fan of specific brands, and I don't know any ideal motorcycle. I think a good journalist/influencer should highlight the flaws.

[@SpringfieldFatts]

I was like "huh, ok" until I got to that price section. Jesus Christ...

[@simons.2948]

Can’t say I’m surprised my 1300 quick shifter still not great after 2000 miles

[@john7912h]

It’s ruff until you know how to shift then it’s buttery smooth. There is a way but it’s not quick brute force

[@simons.2948]

@@john7912h mines not buttery smooth anyway I try it

[@prof.2248]

1250 GS fanboys are crying a lot because they just bought a new 1250 with a life savings ;) everyone who know something about motorcycle notice better handling and engine of 1300GS.

[@bradleyalexander5821]

The 1300 is a fine bike. To trash the previous model to promote the new, is a weak premise. Try better.

[@robb8773]

I rode the 1300GS and I thought it sucked; my balls were getting crushed by the seating position and the shifter was more rough than the 1250GS. I have owned my 1250GS for 5 years and I think the 1300GS is a step back for sure.

[@nunosantos8784]

So, the 1300 is a step back because your balls got crushed 😂😂😂. That's a nice resume of the bike. Jesus.

[@podunkman2709]

Antimotorcycling. Big, heavy, expensive, high maintenance cost. The face of nowadays marketing.

[@dantedevil444]

Кто этот англоязычный мужчина?

[@intreal]

A paid narrator? From Fiverr or something. This one narrates pretty good though.

[@adv-moto]

Ben from Fiverr. :)

[@adv_rider]

Never heard so much nonsense in 30 minutes straight 😁 oh my god buy a freaking Ducati already!

[@adv-moto]

I've never heard such a well-reasoned argument.

[@NH61975]

Me too........

[@ACHRAFBACIR-u6y]

WOW

[@vidablue734]

first of all, the previous generation was not vibe! what the heck dude. I have a 1260 S multistrada that is twice as viby as thre previous 1250 GS. be for real bro!

[@adv-moto]

You can easily find people complaining about the 1250's vibrations except me. Why are you talking about the Multistrada 1260 when I'm talking about the V4, is it the same thing?

[@carlosalonso9866]

I had a 1250GS, I cannot compare it to other two-cylinder bikes as I haven’t ridden many for a long enough time as to have a lasting impression (except my old CB500). I don’t know if it’s more vibey or not in comparison but I found the engine very « noisy », there was a lot of mechanical noise, rattling, I don’t know how to describe, somehow busy. On the other hand it was a very good performing and frugal engine

[@Traveloneglobal]

The 1300 sucks on long trips the 1250 feels Better 6 foot 3 279 pounds

[@andrewsoldan6050]

are you nuts? the biggest BMW screw up from the ages... bye by bmw