Off to collect my new BMW R1300GSA from Wollaston Motorrad, and first ride review.

[@MidlandsMotorbikers]

Awesome video, makes me more excited! Can’t wait to collect mine!!!

[@archjapanmotovlogs]

thanks for sharing, can't wait to get mine !!

[@stonecold2653]

Stunning

[@Gazooka]

A tank on two wheels, can’t wait to get one with asa 😊

[@rcknrog1]

Great Video. Thank you!

[@RaysRidesTWA]

And thank you too 👍

[@HalfManHalfPirate]

Very nice! I'm torn between this one and the Blue/White.

[@markshirley7639]

👏👏mine comes next week 👍🏼

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Great, you must be getting excited. Hope you enjoy the bike - good luck 👍

[@markshirley7639]

@ had it on order for 3 months ! Part exd my 1300 gs !

[@RaysRidesTWA]

@@markshirley7639 I have to admit I took a 1300GS for an extended test ride and decided to hold out for the GSA. I think you will be pleased and hope you enjoy it.

[@markshirley7639]

@ I'm sure it will be a cracker 👍

[@kurushunwalla]

Congratulations and all the best on the Beast. New sub. Look forward to your follow-up videos of your ownership. Cheers

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Thank you, yes will be posting more content as soon as poss 👍

[@kurushunwalla]

@@RaysRidesTWAlook forward to that. I like the huge proportions of the GSA 1300, the GS 1300 didn’t work for me. It seems to have lost the GS DNA. From a 2022 Multi V4s owner 😊 Ride safe.

[@BajkerRajder]

I love the new GSA. I was very, very negative when I first saw the GSA in pictures, but seeing it in person makes a completely different and much better impression.choose, i just dont no whick one would i bue if a would be able to, the Trophy or the Black. In any case, congratulations on the new bike!

[@Cartsp70]

Just like most people, negative comments but they’ve never even ridden the bike or could afford one

[@Cartsp70]

Great review 👍🏾Upgrade to the K1600 Gt 😂, absolutely amazing bike, best bike I’ve had but I still think the R1250R is probably my favourite BMW , can’t wait to get my new one 🎉!

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Yes, it's very different from pics when you actually view the bike. Go and have a look at all the colours and decide which one is for you. Good luck with any possible purchase.

[@gerryryan2302]

a bit jealous ..would of got the ASA personally ..

[@hensola]

me too :)

[@jaypopsti]

Additional GoPro or 360 to catch the FPV?

[@pmbnet]

Years back, I used my KLR650 as a work vehicle. I strapped all sorts of tools and equipment to it to get me through the day. This BMW in my mind, is built for just that, strapping all sorts of gear to it like a true adventurer. This is not a bike to go weekly to a coffee drive through.

[@paullee6663]

@pmbnet If I've paid my money, I can do whatever I want, I'm pretty sure I can go on a weekly coffee drive through if I want to...

[@donschultz3207]

what about panniers. good review

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Thanks, panniers to follow and will be the OEM BMW to fit the bike - in black to match 👍

[@DryTears01]

Lucky people. I wish i was a Smart person who can work in a high-paying job or do Business.

[@markshirley7639]

I'm not the brightest star in the sky but I'm a grafter ! Work hard play hard 👍

[@neilwells68]

Thank god you've gone for the triple black. It will look very good at night 😂

[@timhenry6403]

Congratulations Ray🎉👍🏼 May I asked if you tried the ASA and why you went with the clutch version? Safe riding 👍🏼

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Hi Tim, thanks for message. I didn't try the ASA system so can't comment on it, and for me personally I wanted to still retain a bike with a traditional clutch. At some point I will try an ASA model GS in one form or another for comparison, but for me I will always opt for a clutch so I can fully control the gears. If you are looking for a new GS or GSA then test ride both and go with what you like the feel of. Good luck and happy riding.

[@paullee6663]

If you want to ride in a 'very calm bubble' you should try a R100RT from circa 1979..... You could ride at ...ahem....motorway speeds without any wind noise or buffeting......back then you needed to 'pay attention', if you were travelling at motorway speeds as there was no ABS , Traction Control, or active cruise control, if you were closing on traffic too quickly you wound back the throttle.... Anyway enjoy your new bike...

[@MatthewCox-b3p]

I have a 2023 1250 GSA and actually really like the new 1300 GSA ASA version however the 10k cost to change takes a bit of digesting! I also done an insurance quote and it £1250 for the year with tracker & thatcham alarm so based on that i will be keeping my 1250 for the time being. Can I ask what you paid insurance?

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Hi Matthew. Tough decision for you there, especially with that balance to change. If I had a 2023 1250GSA then I wouldn't be upgrading at this point, however as I was wanting to come back to BMW from KTM, the 1300GSA was the obvious choice for me. Insurance is high due to being a new model but I am hoping this will drop next year. I didn't pay as much as your quoted figure but I suppose location and things like NCB, age, bike security all play a part in the figure insurance companies will charge you. Good luck in whatever you decide to do 👍

[@Alex-hr2df]

A new bike in the beginning of winter? Someone's hungry for a side of frostbite with their morning ride.

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Keis heated clothing will keep me warm and won't be going out if its too cold 🥶

[@ChristopherBrownbill-g8f]

Enjoyed your video and would love a GSA but would be worried about going from a NC750X to a 1300, any thoughts?

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Thanks for your comments. I think the only difference to bear in mind would be the additional weight of the GSA, however I would say the GSA is good at keeping the weight down low due to the boxer engine. The weight just disappears the moment you start moving. My recommendation would be to go and test ride one at your local BMW dealer. If you are anywhere near to Northants, pop into Wollaston BMW and speak to Will, let him know you have watched my video and they will sort you out the best possible offer on a bike. There is no discount but they will help you as much as they can. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[@ChristopherBrownbill-g8f]

@RaysRidesTWA thanks for your time Ray, really kind of you. I'll certainly take into consideration what you have said. Cheers

[@muffinthepug2358]

What tyres are on that ?

[@RaysRidesTWA]

They are the Michelin Anakee Adventure. I rate them, some people say they are on the noisy side but I don't really notice any difference, is my opinion.

[@Boxer1250RT]

I am definitely not color blind, but why is that tank look so Purple? I though this was the triple black.

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Mentioned this in my Q&A comments video I posted last night 👍. I can see how it looks purple, more bronze when you see it in person, but a lovely finish on the tank.

[@hughmac7423]

I could understand buying a GSA in Australia or other large countries, but in England? Isn't it a bit of an overkill, like someone having a Land Rover in the city? I'm sure it would be a fantastic machine to experience. I do like the colour and look of yours, and have hit the sub and 👍 I have a 2022 Pan America Special (army green version), so me picking on your choice is like the pot calling the kettle black, and I use it as a sports tourer and commuter in Melbourne Australia.

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Well Australia would be the place I would like to be riding with all that sun and space to explore. England has its fair share of adventurous routes though, and the GSA is perfectly suited for this as well. I also purchased it for my European tours, so she will be used as intended 😉 Happy riding Down Under 👍

[@williamcoulter5462]

Just remember not to get it wet!! after several You Tube vids the bike seems to have a problem if you get it wet something to do with failing ECUs .

[@RaysRidesTWA]

I think that issue was sorted on the GS pretty quick, so hopefully no concerns there with the GSA.

[@captainbarnicle8548]

1 litre of petrol is 740 grams. Not 1 kg.

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Doh - my bad, sorry about that!

[@MtbPoland]

Just replace gear lever which is idoticly made of plastic....

[@matsrekdal3065]

Gear lever comes in metal as standard on the GSA.

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Did mention this in my comments video last night. It's definitely made of aluminium or steel. Think there is a small nylon bush to link it to the gear linkage, but lever is metal of some sort 👍

[@ians7929]

Take it back and see if they’ll do a refund

[@jimthompson717]

As a former hater of this bike's looks, it dawned on me that all bikes are ugly.

[@666dualsport]

its so ugly i wouldnt put it in my garage

[@Jungleland33]

If i could trust that it would be reliable, I'd consider it......but it won't be.

[@markwalding8205]

Im sure its a very capable bit of kit but boy that bike is ugly. Looks like its a tractor designers first go at a motorbike. Or Ssangyongs first motorbike.

[@RaysRidesTWA]

I did address the 'love or hate' looks in my latest video. All I would say is go and have a look at one (unless you have already) as it looks totally different when you see them in person. I can appreciate it maybe not to everyones taste, depends on what you want from a bike 👍

[@PNH63]

Have you seen it in the flesh, I thought ugly until I saw it and it’s a great looking bike!

[@jimthompson717]

I think its purposely designed as "form follows function". It's like the Lunar Lander is unattractive, but will be the expectation in a few years. BMW has done this again and again. I bought the ugliest car BMW ever created: the 2025 m440i. I love its look now. The previous generation 4 series looks old school. Same will happen with this GSA.

[@daveb1242]

That is the ugliest bike ever made. The 1250 is very cool.

[@beepee700]

You brought yourself a GSA 🤔 you brought yourself a KTM 🤔 ???

[@markshirley7639]

Stop being a prick , if you don't have anything nice to say just don't say anything!!

[@markshirley7639]

Stop being a 🔔🔚 if you can't say anything nice try keeping your mouth shut 🤫

[@RaysRidesTWA]

Yep, wanted a switch a few years back and try KTM. I just didn't bond with the bike and have now come back to BMW. Tried all the other manufacturers on test rides and nothing felt as nice as(to me) as the GSA 👍

[@markshirley7639]

@ had many ktms ! Keep switching between the two tbh but always end up back with bmw ! This is my er hum 17th gs 🙈 had 9 ktm adventures from the 1190 to 1290 . They are so exciting but just too much . A steady ride for me is almost impossible! The 1300 is without doubt the best bike I have ever owned ! And I've had many . Can't wait for the gsa 👍