Should you upgrade? One-month BMW R1300 GS Adventure review

[@stephenp4563]

I like the point about it getting you out and about in autumn. I've always been someone who rides through almost any weather, but I'm feeling the cold more than I used to. Maybe this is a natural evolution - as you get older and richer, you buy something with all the fittings.

[@paulfoster3148]

Had my 1250 GSA in for its service a couple of weeks ago and saw the 1300 GSA in the flesh for the first time. While it could never be described as a beauty, it does look a lot better in the flesh than it does in pics or videos.

[@arturomassa2745]

Exactly! Happened to me last week at the BMW dealer.

[@atticushexcel9567]

Exactly what my dealer said.

[@Matsridesoffroad]

I love mine, had it for about 7 weeks now. On road and off road, performs great. Mine was the first in MI and I had no problem getting insurance. Great movie Tim 👍🏻

[@JohnJay1745]

Great video, Tim. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I like this bike's masculine lines. The previous model GS(A) was expensive, and this one is more expensive. BMW is a premium brand and we should expect its motorcycles to be expensive. This is a great motorcycle. I don't think anyone who buys one will be disappointed.

[@andychapman9687]

Really enjoy watching your reviews, a thumbs up and I've only just started watching

[@timrodierides]

Thank you! Plenty more where that came from too, grab a mince pie...

[@andychapman9687]

@ I’ll be sick if I have anymore 🤣

[@beans4491]

Great video Tim, really enjoyed! I have one of these and completely get it! Kind regards

[@mzuribikes2499]

To be fair about the looks. I have been slagging this model mercilessly and begrudgingly have had to eat my words when I saw it in the flesh. It is actually beautiful on the eye. All those Lego corners in a photo actually have subtle curves that give it form. The best way I can describe it is that looking at a hill on a Gopro and in real life are two completely different experiences. The price of the monster is actually that. a Monster. hopefully see you at the festival.

[@h2489-m2l]

The fact that someone like you can't insure the thing is amazing. This could kill biking in the UK. Ok I'll come to listen to you at adv festival.

[@timrodierides]

Thank you!

[@Ste1985zz]

I don’t get the ‘BMW have ruined everything’ comments regarding the looks. The 1250 was a bit ugly, the 1300 is also a bit ugly, all of the old ones were ugly.. but who cares. Who buys a GS (or an adventure/tourer for that matter) to marvel at the aesthetics?

[@jonasbaine3538]

As a ktm 1190 owner (150hp) I think the new r1300gs looks great compared to r1300gsa and r1250. For the first time I’ve slightly thought about owning a r1300gs now that is looks better, apparently has sportier sharper handling and has 150hp. But now the 1390 ktm adv has 173hp😎👍🏾

[@IanTed]

I do, after three GSs, the last a 1250 GSA I got tired of all the BS marketing about world adventuring on a 270kg bike ugly behemoth, bought a Multistrada and realised what I’d been missing. I bought a lovely light V2S and am just about to buy the V4 version, both as capable and a lot more fun than any GS…

[@jonasbaine3538]

@@IanTed indeed. Low mileage used mv4 rally prices are coming down to $20kUSD. All the KTM issues are kinda pushing me towards the mv4 rally.

[@jimthompson717]

I can wait for the mid cycle refresh. Or the r1350gsa.

[@todde.richardson]

I did! The 2016 African Twin when it came out, and it still looks, rides, and handles awesome!

[@m.p7227]

It has a WWII P-51 Mustang dog fighter plane look with the boxy front end. I love it!

[@shubhromu]

After paying 30K for a bike I need to pay extra for a "Comfort seat"? Does it come standard with the Uncomfortable seat?

[@MotoRideswJohn]

Yeah, bit of a faff, isn't it? "comfort" in the BMW world generally means "heated" as well. I've never personally felt any difference between the two.

[@sdavey10]

Cheers Tim, great to watch.

[@northernlefty5412]

I have a 24 M1000R and man do I wish I had the extra coin for one of these. Having both would cover almost any type of riding. Good review as well, thanks!

[@TheRaceEdition]

I ve been following your videos on the new GSA and had been looking forward to your final thoughts. A bit anticlimactic but I guess that speaks to the bike itself vs. its predecessor.. aside from the bold new look of course. I was really hoping you might compare it to the Multistrada Rally as it seems to be a legitimate contender in this space. Looking forward to your next videos. Thanks!

[@timrodierides]

For road riding I’d personally have the Multi v4 Rally, it’s just a more exciting experience and 90% as comfy as the GSA. And the same price, but you get a free Ducati badge on the tank!

[@TheZanshen]

Il stick with my v4 1200x Honda cross tourer. Good review mate

[@Fernando90054]

Another fine video Tim, thank you. This bike was ever a controversy in itself, but in the end it’s a leading product on this Adventure bike Market . People talk a lot about this specific bike but almost the whole bike range of the brand offers, in general, excellent proposals. Not Cheap but generally well built and well engineered machines. And the big GS’s are no exception. This new generation is better and modernized compared with their predecessors , so people should let it be, or else, ride it and enjoy!

[@World-shopper]

I've said it before. I love the design of the 1300 GS Adventure: So different, so extreme. BMW: Please keep trying new design concepts! Great video.

[@PrestonMcCarthy-gf8nx]

Hi Tim ive had my 1300 gsa for a month and can honestly say it is a fantastic bike, i thought my triumph tiger 1200 gt pro was good but this is on a different level.

[@atticushexcel9567]

I can't wait to get one.

[@mageprometheus]

Thanks for the GSA videos. Lots to appreciate with this bike, I can even accept the tank. I'm always trying to reduce weight so it fails that test. I consider it to be a tourer and not an 'adventure'. It would be a bad choice for the roads I like when off wild camping. Sadly, I've had an irrational dislike for boxer engines since the 80s which clouds my judgement. Life is great when there's a lot of choice in bikes and expensive shock/fork upgrades 😀

[@laceyunderall68]

It’s big, heavy, ugly, expensive and most importantly it replaces the need to own several bikes. It’s the same highly successful formula that BMW has used for many years and will continue to do so. As a 4x GSA owner I don’t give an f about its looks. It’s not bad. There’s plenty of ugly bikes out there. The odd random opinionated internet tosser hating on it is irrelevant.😊

[@AdvExOz]

Well said

[@timrodierides]

They're out in force today though! I agree with you - as someone who can only own one bike, the GSA is mighty appealing...

[@trailrunnermike]

Mostly ugly.

[@frankspeakmore7104]

I salute you for refering to yourself as an "opinionated tosser".

[@GPR111]

​@@frankspeakmore7104 ha ha I dont think he realised did he ... 😂

[@glenrobbins3283]

Well, they had the bmw toaster tank many years ago. This could be the microwave style design. Love it!!

[@avv2231]

At first I didn't like the 1300 adventure but up close it looks great and definitely more contemporary. However, I love the 1250 adventure as well for its menacing presence and usable power and torque, comfort and superb on road manners. Either bike off road is great in the hands of experts who make it look easy in marketing videos but if you are really honest with yourself, you would get a much smaller bike to do serious off roading. I bought my 1250 GSA to because it is an awesome sport tourer. I blast around in the dirt on my G310GS.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

T-7 owner here but I still watched your video. 😉😁

[@WheelieGoodTV]

Cracking series of vids on this bike Tim. I certainly have grown to love the looks. It’s gonna be a huge hit for the Germans. 🏍️👌

[@gerryryan2302]

i like it and was very tempted . but the 8k upgrade price was too much to swallow on my 1300 GS …the engine noise thing is a strange one as i actually dont find it any different to my previous 1250 , i suppose im used to it now and ive always worn good ear plugs ..

[@Neiljitsu]

8k to upgrade🤯

[@AndrewPoole01]

So the new GS are great but for 99% of us we can save a lot of money (and depreciation loss) by actually mastering the bike we own. Buying a “better” bike doesn’t fundamentally make you a better rider. But, if shiny and new is your thing then fill your boots. There is no right or wrong here.

[@tonydare7614]

As you say brilliant in terms of comfort, stability and torque. I've owned the 1250, spend a couple of days on the GS1300 and they are great but ultimately too big, too heavy and crucially for me not as much fun as so many other bikes. If you have more than one bike and enough money, why not.

[@xcelmaster4779]

Looks like incredible bike but I don’t understand it. Who is it aimed at? The price is mind blowing. So many heated things, just get a car? Or better still two bikes for that price(off road + street OR touring + track). Best option is a £4k Suzuki VStrom and £20k to motocamp around Europe for a year.

[@Bazza47]

I had a 1250GS TE which was very similar in how it ate the bumps down crappy roads, the net result was the same in that you were going fast, but not having that much fun. Couple that with the silly 20k plus price tag and an eye watering cost to change has seen me swap to a 1250RS SE which I actually prefer as it's a more involved ride and as I don't tour 2 up anymore (the real strength of the GS) I've saved a fortune and being a short arse the RS is far easier to manage at low speeds too.

[@johncoster_photography]

GS's have always been ugly but always capable! This bike seems no different and just a time appropriate update. Having owned a few GS's over the years, I have recently (two years ago) swapped to an RT and will be considering the new GS against the RT, or the new R1300RT when it arrives! I personally feel that the RT does a better job at getting somewhere where there's tarmac than the GS, and it doesn't miss out on the fun values on the back roads or twisties either. My wife reports that it's more comfortable on the back too!! Great review, as always! Thanks

[@checker3694]

Pannier racks for the Ghost panniers you can't buy, maybe because they have falling off syndrome, that the standard gs suffered from, june 2025 updated ones comming i heard.The most important things on a gs after the seat is luggage panniers. I wonder do BMW UK warn bloggers not to discuss the luggage because they dont.I think the marbles rattling inside the valve covers is more muted on GSA than the standard GS. The Uncomming RT1300 will be more muted in the top end rattle, and have firmly attached panniers as well we hope.

[@dantownsend4246]

Dr 650 rules for less than one third the price

[@sy69_i_fly_airplanes]

Ford Focus better value than Ferrari? Yea, we get it. You win for the dumbest comment.

[@levichoward6795]

They start at 27k USD and go up to 32k here in the US.

[@quacktac]

I couldn't stand the looks of the 1300GS when I first saw it, but the Adventure does look quite good.

[@vitogiacalone8044]

just bought triple black with forged wheels fully loaded including ASA, moving from my 2018 1200GSA ....more to follow

[@hughmac7423]

I like the look of the GSA, but I'm not upgrading because I don't ride GS's, don't want to be labeled a GS rider :P I have a 2022 Pan America Special, and I'm very happy with it. and an old 1974 Yamaha DT400, and a 1988 Lowrider with a sidecar. If I was getting a new bike, I would go for the Royal Enfield 650 Bear.

[@anderslund3548]

Shaftdrive replacement under normal service interval is what we need to talk about. From a consumer perspective this is a bad trend for any brand and bike.

[@caspianprince]

Great bike but £24k? Absolutely not. I was a GSer for 15 years before the spiralling cost of ownership just saw me one day deciding it wasn't worth it any more.

[@fred3527]

I owned a new 1200GS and was happy with it. The new bikes, however, are so big, heavy, tech laden, and expensive that I would rather buy a car.

[@caspianprince]

@@fred3527 same here. For 25 grand I'd buy a £20k car and a £5k bike.

[@IanTed]

I trading my 1250 for a lovely light V2S Multi and I am moving up to the V4S, they’ve convinced me I wasted five years on ugly GSs, so much more fun to ride and they don’t rattle like a diesel, the 1300 GSA is a bloated over marketed monster…

[@MattCarlson-xk7ci]

What mpg are you getting?

[@wimh9737]

Great bike❤❤ good looking also❤❤

[@AgricUltra]

I wonder if I’m the only one that actually likes the way it looks..?

[@hgv1883]

Went to motorcycle live sat on one and loved it the pictures don't do it justice

[@northernlefty5412]

Honestly I've loved it since I first saw it online. It's an adventure bike. It looks the part. I'm not sure what all the hate has been about.

[@tonywhitby6881]

It has very much grown on me

[@tomblewomble3369]

I think the bike is gorgeous. It looks like a robot rhino.

[@danjo911]

As with all BMW’s the looks grow on you. I’d struggle with that engine noise tbh, the engine in the heart and soul of any bike. It does look a fantastic machine in all other regards. Is the gearbox as agricultural as the old one? I bought a used V4 Multi, can’t see what it won’t do that this would and it’s got a Ducati motor in it..

[@vriendelijkegroet]

9-10k GBP MORE? Well I have to pay €17k more because I bought the option 719 version, ASA and....the old cases dont fit! Its actually ridiculous these prices. But then...I wanted one.

[@bobritter7197]

I've grown to quite like the look of the 1300GS but I don't think I'll ever see past the brutalist design of the GSA. Can't knock it for technical proficiency, though. Incidentally, do you think BMW have ever let someone buy a standard, no optional extras, base model GS?

[@andrewlaitt9586]

I got a 24 1250GSA TE (Tick Everything) - fitted an electric windscreen and blindspot warning / mirror system - it’s got cruise control- but no radar (surely only relevant on a motorway?) As you say - saved myself £6 or £7k… Not only that - the insurance point you make is also really key here…If you do start nudging £25k .. to all practical purposes your uninsurable (in the UK) … I would say check your insurance situation before you buy!! BMW take note!

[@SickBikeDude]

Actually, TE stands for Total Erection 😅

[@roncoleman8351]

If the Orange One imposes tariffs on the EU, we will be priced out of the market here in the US.

[@JonnySkilly]

I do feel like adventure bikes are getting too expensive, too techie and too big for proper adventure. Most people are better off with sports tourers given what they actually do … tarmac and light gravel riding (at most). However, like expensive car off road luxury vehicles these bikes have a lot of well off potential owners who look at them in the driveway and lust over them.

[@LordHolley]

That bike looks like an animal!

[@DontPanicDear]

Elaborate grinding 😂😂😂 Where does your big tripod go, when you go for a ride?

[@timrodierides]

@@DontPanicDear there’s a detachable sac

[@mart7798]

I watched this video to support your channel,i have little to no interest in bmw's most recent land yacht!😂

[@timrodierides]

Hahaha thank you! What’s more your jam?

[@mart7798]

​@@timrodieridesI'm not fussy really,I'm just not a bmw fan. I watch reviews mainly if I like the chap/chapess who is reviewing them.especially if they don't take theirselves too seriously,because bikers are a bunch of piss takers tbh!

[@ojoimages]

The GSAs really are a year round bike. I’ve just got back from a 2 hour mooch around the backroads of Oundle. Covered in mud and guts (literally) but who cares. The old KTM would have been collecting dust for 2 months by now. Tell us more about your war tours. Esp if they are just a 2-3 day affair.

[@timrodierides]

I can only get away for four day tours at the moment (I had two young kids), so I head to the Vosges/Germany where there’s a mix of Ww1 and Ww2 sites as well as great roads!

[@ojoimages]

I did a 3 day trip to Ypres and then the Nurburgring in Sept. The roads in Luxembourg and the Eiffel are superb. 500 miles in one day coming home in the rain not so much! Would love to do the Vosges over a long weekend.

[@barryjohn7765]

@@timrodierides you want to check out Militracks in Holland

[@garycampbell7891]

You HAD two kids?? What have you done with them..??? 🤔

[@ownyourworld]

What one can’t afford one, enjoyed the review though 👍🏻

[@Tallretrodude]

Still no reason to upgrade the funduro

[@Smile-3223]

What chin mount are you using?

[@timrodierides]

A one my mate 3D printed for me that’s specifically for my Shoei NXR! There seems to be a company online that does the same thing for £30…

[@Smile-3223]

​@@timrodierides thanks :)

[@blackiesmisadventures3413]

Wouldn’t have one given to be honest

[@AdrianHollington-vm9qz]

I have no mortgage and kids left home and I’m retired and in my 60’s…and no thank you. I ride a naked, in winter, no heated grips, lots of vibrations…and I love it. 17 inch wheels every time.

[@Marc-zf3xv]

WTF does the background of your age, kids and lifestyle have to do with you picking a completely different style bike at all?

[@WestCoastVisitor]

'upgrade'? Is it really though?

[@timrodierides]

Well that's the question innit

[@frankspeakmore7104]

I would be interested to see it compete in the Dakar Rallye. All that technology/weight/price should win hands down.

[@_Archambaud]

Not for me,too big too expensive and my local bmw dealer chargers £150 per hour labour,oh and it rattles

[@joris-zuphert]

Everyone calls it being sooooo big. The 1250adventure is the larger bike

[@paddyc3312]

Competent but so are a lot of other bikes. However crazy money, and recalls for starter relays and non-waterproof switchgear don't engender confidence when out of warranty, especially when BMW no longer sell service manuals. Who'd want one in five years? Especially when you'll have to fork out over a grand for a replacement shaft drive 😂 German engineering huh.

[@davidb5552]

Think it looks formidable, wondering if the tech provides courtesy acknowledgement to other bikers, or at least instead flashes "I'm a self righteous c*nt", which would be helpful! Saddened to hear your comments re insurance, as a rider of 2 bikes I'd be interested to hear any tips. Great vid as always Tim, thank you.

[@Barmarcbiker]

Why do you seriously need radar on a bike? This just adds unnecessary cost and frankly I don’t want it. Looks are not the most appealing if not looking like a matchbox with two wheels. Dangerous from the rear as no dedicated tail light and indicators that you just cannot see if your braking as your turning leg/right. The bike may perform well and is better than the one it’s replacing,but really take a long hard look and tell me which is more eye appealing and safer?

[@nipitas]

Uh, the funny Englishmen again! :P

[@davidbirchall5124]

Ugly mug...!!!! You can add all the gadgets and toys , but it's a Massive ugly machine..!!! I'm sure all the other Adventure Bike manufacturers are happy...and it's about £10,000 more than most other Adventure Bikes....!!!! 1250 GS look ok, the 1300 in my opinion looks awful..!!! Glad I got a Triumph Tiger GT PRO it looks sweet as a Adventure Bike , and it's got , all the toys you need and it's super comfy..!!! Get A Triumph Tiger and save £9,000 😊

[@billycookson8804]

Aup Tim, enjoyed your review - unlike the bike its fuck ugly. but thanks Tim

[@tomtherevenant6877]

I love BMW boxers but I wouldn’t want to be seen on one of these and I wouldn’t have to listen to the nasty noise coming from it.

[@technohamster4783]

Yeah 24k i'll pass thanks😁

[@henryvaneyk3769]

It redefines the word "Fugly".

[@michaeledwardlenzi]

It is obviously not a bad bike yet I find it completely unappealing.

[@RogersMotorcycleAdventures]

I think the upgrade question is the wrong question (and I've talked about this in a couple of my videos). You definitely should not upgrade from your 1250GS/GSA just because there's a new GS/GSA out. If you're coming to a BMW from another brand, the 1300's are better than the 1250's, imo, full stop. So if you're buying a BMW from another brand, you should definitely be looking at the 1300. If you own a 1200/1250, and you don't keep bikes for more than 2-3 years, and are organically at a point where you want to upgrade, then yes, definitely jump on a 1300! But if you have a 1250, and are happy with it, there's absolutely no reason why you should take that depreciation hit, just because there's something new out.

[@BIGGIEsmalls13]

Sorry, Mr. Tim, I ain't watching anymore GS stuff. Sick to death of it all. Catch you on the next vid.

[@timrodierides]

Fair enough! This is my last video on it 😅

[@thejoker_167]

This very bike cost $4K in my country, ASIA

[@clemfandango9534]

It’s twice the price of a nice 1250GSA. Anyone upgrading has an excess of cash, cares nothing for the debt of being in a PCP , or lacks the imagination to know what they could do with a nice 1250 GSA and then over twelve thousand or even fifteen thousand pounds in cash. That’s enough money for a lot of debauchery.

[@anfhunt2009]

Hi Tim I know from your previous video your thinking of going all adventury. Any chance your gonna review the new Voge dsx 900. It's getting rave reviews and I'd love to hear your opinion. 湿った木材

[@BubbaSatori]

Take over the world on a German motorcycle. 😂

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

😀 No. Was this designed on an Etch A Sketch by a Chimp? £25,000 ? You are having a fukin lend yea? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Peoples in BMW are laughing so hard wee comes out every time some cashed up Ewan Mcgregor fan boy wanna be buys one.🙄

[@AldredsquashUk]

Ugly enough to make me consider giving up riding and driving a car full time! Saw it at Motorcycle Live and that thing is disgusting

[@timrodierides]

Probably don’t buy one then!

[@KDSchiester]

Here is a bit most people are missing. Besides the 1300 series being UGLY as sin and looking like a Japanese bike. THE exhaust is dramatically lower. Compare it to the 1250 Exhaust. Most importantly, the BRAKE LIGHT is gone….yes the big center RED thing that stops cars from hitting you when you’re slowing IS GONE….gone. In place of two little turn signal brake lights. And to be replaced by a stupid blind spot censor!!!! Bikes don’t have blind spots. The crash bars are exceptionally wide….Also who wants those ugly side tank bags that make the bike even more top heavy and wide. Not me, no way. GIVE ME THE 1250 ANY DAY!!! Everyone that worked on designing that bike should be fired.

[@grizzlystr3445]

Looks only a mother could love & a price they are taking the piss. BMW fanboys will love it, everyone else will shop elsewhere

[@rcknrog1]

You don’t want one don’t wanna afford one. Don’t get one. Lots of folks will be buying this bike. Piss and mow all you like.

[@carlhibbert5260]

I just dont like it at all its horrible looking and at £24000 I would rather have a Africa twin or even a goldwing

[@Leonard-kd7uj]

Hi who in there right minds want all this crap it's a motorbike buy a 10 k on a bike and the rest on really going places or maybe not there tones of GSs ot there with under 5k on the clock

[@timrodierides]

Judging by the sales figures of the last GS… loads of people

[@joebloggs1583]

Be interesting to see what happens when all the coffin dodgers with more money than sense snuff it hopefully time to wave good bye to this overweight overpriced unreliable monstrosity 😀👍

[@timrodierides]

Hahaha, or all the finance bros from the city

[@andrejpetkovic9929]

OMG what an ugly bike