The BMW R1300GS, it really is very good indeed.

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:
www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/sycamo...

[@Johnnywoo7]

Hi Martim. Very good real life review. I test rode on this week at (your dealership) first time on one. Coming off a 1250 GS (excellent bike) not being overly excited about the new 1300 I did not expect to like it, new looks and the head light 🤔 so I went into the ride ‘open minded’. After a two hour test ride over all manner of fenland roads and potholes I have to say I was very impressed 👍 The comfort is excellent, screen very good for my height and shape, gear box better than my current bike performance and handling improved and suits me. I wanted a bike slightly lighter and lower than mine and this fits the bill brilliantly. I tour three times a year so comfort is Important as well as luggage fitting options so hopefully SW Motech or Givi will sort that out. Thanks for you review Martin very informative and real world. Triple black ordered for July. 😁 . Good stuff.

[@rouleurcoaster]

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.

[@FenTour]

Thank you, I think you will be a very happy biker...

[@techpulseYT]

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 😁

[@FenTour]

Excellent, glad you enjoyed the video; the GS 1300 is going to be very successful I recon. 👍👍

[@sycamoremotorcyclestv]

Great video! Thank you for sharing, we're delighted you enjoyed the new BMW R1300 GS! 😁

[@FenTour]

Cheers… 🍺🏍

[@paulyflyer8154]

I much prefer the looks of your own GS to be honest. Beautiful.

[@FenTour]

Thank you Paul, that's good news as I can save my money and not order one (for now!)

[@Bartletters]

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.

[@FenTour]

Sounds like your bike was built to last and will...

[@ridicule35]

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.

[@12masterr]

I think exactly the same. They extracted the indiana jones factor and made a xr with a gs engine!

[@FenTour]

Indeed it does feel like a smaller machine and is that a bad thing? My reservation in terms of size is taking a passenger for example.

[@12masterr]

@FenTour it all depends! After all, there are hundreds of bikes you can choose if the gs is too big! The 1200 and 1250 were ergonomically perfect!. If you feel the gs was too big or heavy, it only means it was like that for you and you need a smaller bike! Weight reduction is always good, obviously, but to what point can you reduce weight without taking comfort and safety from the bike! Maybe if we were more realistic, we could choose a bike that fit us at the time you bought it!

[@LookingForward2Yesterday]

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 😊

[@FenTour]

Plenty of "resistant "1250 owners indeed, and there are plenty of GS haters too (always have been). Regardless this new GS will go on to be a big success just as before.

[@johnsamson-snell9558]

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.

[@Otto-AutoPilot]

Agreed. I like the looks but feel the strategic options pricing a little cynical - for example having to pay £1,610 on a Dynamic pack just to get a quick shifter on a bike at this cost stings.

[@FenTour]

All premium bikes end up the wrong side of £20k it seems these days. I have not had a go at the configurator, but at least things such as heated grips and cruise are included!!

[@timparish172]

I’ve ordered one and with it specc’d up to the same as my R1250GS it comes out £500 more expensive. I don’t think that’s bad for a new model.

[@paulward6016]

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...

[@FenTour]

Thank you very much for the kind comments. The sound up between the forks is not engine noise but road noise, a change of tyre is needed; the Anakee tyres I have on my old 1200 were terrible. The new GS looks to have that area filled in a little so may prove to be much better.

[@gillianbrodie6807]

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. 🤗

[@FenTour]

It is the tilt of the seat that one can change on the 1250, I will have to check out that leaver...

[@marcfalardeau6058]

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 🇨🇦😉🏍

[@FenTour]

Yes my screen is the GSA screen, and it made a big difference to me keeping the wind from catching the tope of my helmet. Thank you for watching.

[@salvaquest2123]

🤔 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!

[@FenTour]

I personally found it a significant improvement over the 1250, but of course does not make the 1250 bad at all.

[@scottstetson2879]

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.

[@FenTour]

An “overdrive” gear would indeed be good.

[@user-rm2bi8xq8t]

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.

[@FenTour]

Indeed.

[@jamesrufer3036]

Don’t forget a center stand and engine guards.

[@jimjoelliejack]

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?

[@killjoss14]

that is a good question, everyone who has en 1250 and drive the 1300 sounds like the 1250 is not so good anymore.

[@FenTour]

Indeed I would have kept in 6th with the 1250 too, however the thrust is so much more...

[@jimjoelliejack]

@@FenTour understood 👍

[@TheLoathsomeCowboy]

Any word on a larger tank adventure version?

[@FenTour]

I recon in about 9 months time!

[@jjnewman65]

How many ride modes as standard on this new GS please?

[@FenTour]

I think like my 1250 has rain, road, dynamic and a customisable dynamic. But not sure if this is similar.

[@miglioverde303]

❤

[@JoeS97756]

The spoke wheels are new and lighter, although agree they do look the same.

[@FenTour]

look the same, not a bad thing though....

[@Bazza47]

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......

[@FenTour]

You are wise not ton test ride one, however if you find the QS Ok then maybe it would not make such a big impression as it did for me. Having to purchase new panniers etc put's me off rather too.

[@Bazza47]

@@FenTour Agreed, that and the fact that non of the 1250 accessories I have will fit it either would make it a very expensive swap

[@nicholascrocker4329]

Anyone considering the purchase of a R1300GS check insurance availability and cost first. I had a shock 😮.

[@FenTour]

Insurances have gone crazy.

[@secrets1475]

so which one is better? this or v4s ?

[@FenTour]

The 1300GS so much better, unless you are looking for ultimate speed and high revs.

[@FBFanZone]

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!

[@FenTour]

The looks are I think catching, give it time... for now it's a bit Marmite.

[@nicks2908]

Triple black TE arrives Friday! Bye bye 1250GSA

[@FenTour]

Brilliant, hope you are enjoining the new beast?

[@magnusenamd]

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.

[@FenTour]

Does not feel revvy, sounds like you need a Harley!

[@magnusenamd]

@@FenTour It is possible to make engines that do not log at low revs and that without having a long stroke like HD, for example, has.

[@Jayda08]

Its seems smaller and that it sits lower or has much smaller profile.

[@FenTour]

feels smaller and lighter yes, but height about the same for me.

[@JoeS97756]

and 6th gear is an even higher ratio on the 1300!

[@FenTour]

It is indeed, I should have pointed that out in the vid!

[@damytzeus]

r1300gs or m1000xr?

[@FenTour]

Ah ha M1000XR. Shhhhh.

[@hawkslayers1]

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 .

[@FenTour]

The 1250 has a lot of room for a pillion, but I wonder if the new GS is as good space wise?

[@kencarrcarr3751]

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.

[@FenTour]

Where that radar is (or the cover for it anyway) looks a bit hmmmm. Otherwise I am getting to like it looks.

[@tonywhitby6881]

How many demented chickens have you come across 🤔

[@FenTour]

@@tonywhitby6881 haha

[@kencarrcarr3751]

Foghorn Leghorn lol!

[@jjnewman65]

Do the funky chicken

[@charlesbradley2943]

How about that horrible engine noise ?

[@FenTour]

Sounded quite quiet to me.

[@hadtobe4502]

The luggage accessories on the BMW webpage are pathetic at the moment. Even external companies are playing catchup in design and delivery.

[@FenTour]

I would guess that by the time the Adventure version arrives there will be more accessories than ever.

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

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.

[@FenTour]

The GS has always divided opinion, I am not going to swap my 1250 for one of these just now despite the ride and performance impressing me. I wonder what the GSA version will bring?

[@GPR111]

I think the adv version will be an abortion too.... they have to stick to the remarkably ugly front I would imagine as it would be very costly to run a separate design and the trellis frame likely done away with as well. I ride a 1250 adv and it is the best bike ever in a lot of years and a LOT of bikes. Its a pity but BMW appear to have completely changed what the GS is in order to catch a younger audience, ie small, taut, sportier......They will have done the research and it will be success almost certain, so I guess its just a v sign to people like myself who have been brand loyal for a long time

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

@@GPR111 absolutely. You get it. All they had to do was improve durability and reliability to produce the best all rounder. The 1250 didn’t need more power. It needed better durability, a shaft drive that was good for the life of the bike; engine casing paint that actually prevented corrosion and improved suspension and electrical reliability. Instead they chased the bhp game and changed the relaxed touring feel and character.

[@nialloconnor4772]

I think it looks much better, especially at the front. It looks much more streamlined and lean. I've never really liked the looks of the GS before but I could be persuaded to buy this one.

[@hansmonitio7462]

And one more KZbinr singing the BMW praise. A new model with the same flaws as the previous ones. I agree with @ GPR111. Those flaws need to be fixed, not the displacement or appearance. If you want all the new gadgets, you might want to buy one. If you don’t, stick to the previous models. They did not become useless overnight.

[@philipmillen4271]

Expensive bike with expensive running costs ,so apart from the looks will still be the same

[@FenTour]

Indeed these bikes are a premium, but so are the competitors.

[@IanTed]

My Triumphs and Hondas cost me more than my GSs and my present Multi, don’t believe all the negativity.

[@GPR111]

Ugly, cheap looking and too small, the "GS brand" seriously diluted in order to sell tauter smaller machines to 30 somethings and consolidate and increase sales. No matter how well it goes, all the trademark rugged look has been wiped away. In the spy shots before launch it looked like a really small bike and I remember noting the rider lookedtoo big for the bike in all the images that were floating on the net and shockingly thats what has actually been presented ! On my 5th (and last) GS. How to slaughter a great machine. Its awful. Told the dealer too who smugly thought I would immediately put a deposit down and suggested my comments are relayed up the chain as a lot of people mostly current 1250 owners, saying similar apparently.. ps your review focused a lot on the easy power and excess speed but in REAL life where is that honestly any use day to day on UK roads (?) The 1250 has far more wallop than can be used except rarely.Rhetorical question....

[@FenTour]

you really should try one, it is much better to ride; much better. (Just close your eyes to it's looks!)

[@GPR111]

I did already, my 1250 doesnt feel lacking and it looks brilliant, to me anyway

[@FenTour]

If it's any consolation I too am keeping my R1250GS and am not upgrading! @@GPR111

[@IanTed]

Cheap looking, it’s far better built than my 1250, almost as good as my Multi if not better.

[@GPR111]

​@@IanTed thanks but I still think its horrible 😉