First Ride | Review BMW R1300 GS Triple Black

[@timparish172]

I’ve had my Tramontana version for six months and 5000 miles and I absolutely love it. It is, as you said, a lot more agile than the 1250 and almost has a sports bike feel to the handling. The suspension is a big improvement and I find the bike more comfortable than my 1250 over a long distance. It’s a totally brilliant bike - the first GS (I’ve had 1150, 1200 and 1250’s) that actually feels really exciting to ride!

[@simotofoto]

Totally get why your loving it, cheers Tim

[@daveb6345]

Man the quality of the videos just keep getting better. Great review as usual!

[@simotofoto]

Much appreciated thanks Dave what a kind comment. Cheers mate ✌🏻

[@daveb6345]

@@simotofoto your welcome. Good honest content!

[@fanhub67]

Another great vid Si great to see you back :)

[@simotofoto]

Thank you stick around there's more to come!

[@ianhoskins7838]

I’m bonding well with my 1-month-old 1300 Triple Black. I have a Thruxton R in the garage too, but haven’t ridden it since the GS came home. Prior to the GS I had a Tiger 800 from new, for 6 years. I thought that if I could get a Tiger with the same low seat height, with more power/torque, better brakes, suspension and windscreen it would be my ideal bike. The GS nailed it. I did test the Tiger 1200 GTPro, 1290 Super Adventure and The Ducati but after a 1 hour ride on the GS Demo I felt I’d found the bike. It felt familiar and better, like a good pair of well fitted gloves. So I bought a bike straight off the dealers floor stock. Had a few good weekend overnight trips with the bike now and we’re really becoming friends. I’m still in awe of BMW building the bike I wanted for so long. Can’t see me parting with this for some years now.

[@simotofoto]

Awesome Ian thanks ever so much for sharing, you need to take the Thruxton out though thats a liberty not stretching its legs, tremendous bikes. Cheers Si

[@MrNeilRoberts]

I too have the triple black (about 5 weeks now) and also have the Thruxton R ! .. and after 1200 kms on the GS I took Thrusty out for a blast this weekend and geez then I realise how much easier a ride the GS is and how small the Thruxton feels. Both bikes (and their little sister Triumph Street Scrambler) are equally loved siblings but this GS is on another level 😊

[@duncangibson1562]

Hi Simon, good review mate, I’ve owned four gs,s over the last ten years, and was looking forward to the new model, however, when I saw it at the NEC,I hated the looks immediately, and as I was looking to change up, I contacted Ryan at Dundee, who sorted me out with an RS 1250, which I absolutely love, and wished I’d bought one previously tbh. Keep up the good work 👍

[@simotofoto]

Thanks Duncan, I need to get myself a leg over the RS, great looking bikes :)

[@motogb4322]

Great review, need to get down to John Clark and see these in the flesh.

[@simotofoto]

Cheers

[@SomewhereInside]

The preload adjustment for me on my Versys 650 makes a real difference in seat height . I can go from on tip toes at stiff preload setting to flat foot on soft setting . With a remote adjuster this is easy , but the BMW GS 1300 has it on the press of a button …amazing .

[@simotofoto]

Awesome info thanks man :)

[@benkelly2190]

I’ve had my S 1000 XR 2024 for 5 months now. Test rode the 1300 GS. I’ll be keepingmy XR 💯%

[@simotofoto]

The XR is a fantastic bike, so many great bikes lol we are all spoiled rotten, what colour did you go with?

[@benkelly2190]

@@simotofoto I couldn’t agree more! It’s quite difficult to choose. I love black, so you can guess! I’ve had a few GS,s. They’re great bikes. They just lack a bit of fizz🙂

[@simotofoto]

@@benkelly2190 cheers Ben, love a black bike, hope it provides you with many happy miles bro :)

[@benkelly2190]

@@simotofotoThanks for the chat! Goes a long way.👍🏻

[@shanemaguire2864]

Bloody good show Simon , keep it up 👍

[@simotofoto]

Thanks Shane :)

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Very nice review sir, thank you. PS you also have the best Scottish reviewer accent…ever.

[@simotofoto]

Wow, thanks! :)

[@robertcorbett4720]

Great real world review Si which plays right to my area of interest as I’m also a 1250GSA owner. I’ve owned most 1200/1250 Boxer powered BMW’s but as I’m now in my 70’s I’d been wondering about what comes next and when might I go for something lighter like maybe the Triumph 900 or similar. However I sat on the 1300GS last week and was pleasantly surprised at its smaller size and weight etc so I’m thinking it now comes into scope…….im pretty sure the 1300GSA is going to be a bridge to far weight and size wise going forward and look forward to your future review. On the tyre front, I completely agree with you re the Road 6 which I’ve recently had fitted to replace the ex factory Bridgestone A41’s. They are so much quieter and as usual very confidence inspiring

[@simotofoto]

Cheers Robert, did you manage to get the 1300 out for a test ride?

[@robertcorbett4720]

@@simotofoto not so far…..actually I’m trying to resist a test ride as I’m a sucker for a new bike and my 1250 GSA is only 12 months old!

[@stalbansbiker]

I Absolutely love my R1300GS Trophy

[@simotofoto]

Gorgeous bike

[@32teeth18]

Another cracking review Si, great to see you out on the new GS, it's a brilliant bike and defo on my radar for next bike. What John Clark site were you in?

[@simotofoto]

Cheers I was at the Dundee site, if you are going in ask for Ryan, cheers Si

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

I’ve never had bmw adv I’ve had Ktm but looking at this one you’ve got here I love the look of that and as a chap said in the comments it does look like a multistrada interesting I might have to look at one some day

[@simotofoto]

Cheers Nicholas well worth a test ride of one mate if you get a chance :) cheers

[@gerryryan2302]

i own a green one …love it ..the new GSA is an absolute beast in the flesh , also try and ride a bike with the new ASA sublime ..also the suspension go into the menu and use the DSA settings ..5 settings that will change the ride from a feather bed to sport bike ..available in each riding mode ..you will be able to have Dynamic mode and soft suspension if you want..good review

[@simotofoto]

Awesome info Gerry thanks for sharing mate :)

[@j.bin_genex1927]

will wait for gsa asa after 1year for the problem solved. may later. good bike but still need refine

[@robb8773]

I rode the 1300GS twice and hated it. I thought the seat and the rider triangle was extremely uncomfortable. I'll keep my 1250GS!!

[@simotofoto]

Nice one Robb thanks for sharing bro, the egos are a little different, cheers, Si

[@hoojamaflicks]

excellent review. think you might like the asa even more.

[@simotofoto]

We shall see, cheers :)

[@jamescurrie1285]

Also please note the Drive Shaft renewal millage 🤷‍♂️🤔

[@RK01]

Waiting for the GSA, unlike the majority of people I think it looks great.

[@simotofoto]

Seen the GSA yesterday in the flesh and it looked mega, the proportions are are bang on and it feels great to sit on, cant wait to get it our to review :)

[@markshirley7639]

Have a white fully loaded 1300,: ordered an adventure and just canceled. They want 6k and my 4 month old gs1300 for the gsa. I gave my head a wobble and canceled.

[@simotofoto]

Gave my head a wobble lol love that haha

[@stewy62]

Hoping to see more of a variety of different marques on your channel now, to be honest I was too polite before to say I was just a little bored of all the Triumphs ! 🤪 I suspect a lot of 1200/1250GS owners would have liked the new 1300 engine slotted into the 1250 bike but I like the sleeker look of the new bike. Most people also initially reacted negatively to the looks of the new GSA but I like the fact that the GS and GSA look so different. I’ve no interest by the way in Adventure bikes but they have two wheels so I’ll watch !

[@simotofoto]

Hey Stewy, I just love it when I see a Stewy comment popping up :) thanks a lot mate yeah hopefully add some more BMW and other varied content to the channel now, the challenge is getting the time haha. Cheers, Si

[@Little_Britain74]

Its all about value £. Your pretty much pay double for a GSA 1300 compared to a low mileage GSA 1250.. is the new version twice as good?

[@simotofoto]

Good point, I think that is down to each and their own :)

[@guinnestic]

kinda reminds me of the Multistrada from the side,

[@simotofoto]

Yeah I can see where your coming from with this :) cheers Si

[@12masterr]

I have the same bike. But for some reason, I can not "love it." It does everything perfectly. But I dont look back when I park it. It is like it has no "wow" factor. And that goes for the looks, too!

[@simotofoto]

Sorry to hear that bro, nothing worse than not gelling with a bike, hope it grows on you mate.

[@SomewhereInside]

Hi Do you also do the BRU time podcast ? Your voice sounds the same , but where is the grey beard ? Can’t be two Scotsman on you tube surely😊

[@simotofoto]

Hahaha no I don't lol, 2 bearded Scotsman though thats progress on KZbin in my book lol cheers, Si

[@nicholascrocker4329]

I have done 54,000 miles on my R1250GS and therefore fear it is now worth very little. If I do replace it will be with a R1300GS but it would cost fortune to trade in plus none of my extras (from top box to crash bars) will fit therefore costing me even more. I’m in bit of a quandary.

[@simotofoto]

I have to be honest, I'm in a similar position, pffffft

[@stocks7765]

Just use your brain for 2 seconds And keep the 1250,had 120000 km on my previous one,couldnt feel any difference with my friends one with 15000 km

[@nicholascrocker4329]

I’m thinking that to slow down the mileage build up on the R1250GS I could get a low mileage Honda CB750 Hornet. Save the GS for winter and touring and have the Hornet for day trips. I would have to find far less money although in a few years time I will end up having two motorcycles with high mileage, both worth very little. I have test ridden the Hornet and loved it. It’s such a first world problem!

[@jamescurrie1285]

Disappointed that the new GSA has not had a weight reduction like the standard GS 🤬 In fact I think the new GSA is a tad heavier than the outgoing GSA There will be logic somewhere

[@sven7728]

The new GSA is not heavier because you have already many options on board, which you didn't have at the standard 1250 GSA. If you add that to the 1250, it would be even heavier

[@stocks7765]

What language is het speaking?

[@Little_Britain74]

Proper Scottish

[@garysmith70]

You own a BMW...how very dare you..Simon what you playing at😮😂

[@simotofoto]

Hahahaha have done for the last 8 years lol

[@paulmuench7830]

I’ll stay with you. But if you drop that Scottish approach and start talking like I do…I’ll drop you like a hot rock. (Also…better not ever criticize single cylinders). 🤣

[@simotofoto]

Hahaha cheers Paul, never would I criticise a single, Monkeys rule the world :)