Why I Chose the BMW R1250GSA Over the R1300GS

[@stellaracrobat]

Appreciate your honesty- I bought my gsa last year and Sold my 2022 1250gsa after 30k on it in a short time - great bike but unnecessary bulk IMHO and it’s interesting to see comments about the 1300 not being a real gs character - oddly the 1300 is closer to the original GS which weighed around 460 - the gs has evolved and led over the years so can’t wait to get the r1300 - have to wait till feb for delivery in Oz -

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Appreciate your comment, thank you. You are right, checking out the GS through time does indeed show how it has developed. Ultimately, we are splitting hairs here. The new 1300 WILL be a great success as will the 1400 I'm sure and many happy miles will be driven. February isn't that far away 👍😎

[@newboscoddog01]

Agree with previous comment - the GSA1250 is more "rugged" looking, bigger and more character. The new 1300 looks more like a V-Strom and a few things I hate are 1) No Tail light !! (incorporated in rear indicators) which I actually think is dangerous and possibly illegal? 2) New standard luggage is cheap looking and side loading 3) "x"-shaped headlight is slightly ugly IMO.

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

I really appreciate your posting 👍 Yes, for me the 1250 GSA look is what I really liked and wanted more of. Yeah the V-Strom, I've heard that mentioned before, side profile particularly. The break light, agreed, I'm planning on getting that kit to make it be on all the time. I'm considering getting the whole indicators changed with that package from 'A Bike Thing' which includes the lighting up of the rear break light. Finally, yes, the headlight, again, I agree with you . . . the 1250 GSA headlight is just spot on, thought I could get used to the new one .. but as the weeks went by .. nah.

[@Rockout52]

I watched an Australian KZbin video on the 1300gs, there has been a lot of issues and recalls over there, the biggest issue was with the gearbox. I have had a 2019 1250GSA for a couple years now and I wouldn't bother upgrading to the 1300 not that I don't like it, it would just feel like a bit of a downgrade, seeing as I have mine fully specked and fully kitted out with every possible upgrade. There are a few things that took some getting used to and if I was honest they would be the same few things that would decide if I was to keep the GSA as a long term bike, firstly the rigid front end suspension feels really weird after riding sport bikes and muscle bikes since 1972, that's made a bit worse by the shear height of the bike, I'm 6ft tall and can only just tip toe, that brings on anxiety in stop go traffic and awkward junctions you feel like your going to drop it in traffic all the time, the weight wouldn't be so bad if you could easily flat foot, it's also and issue when manual handling the bike especially backwards, I cannot reverse my bike up onto my drive, nor can I reverse it out of my garage uphill onto the drive, so I've had to get a big heavy weight full length trolley to spin the bike around in the garage. The quick shifter I don't use so it doesn't bother me if it's smooth or not, I've never had a quick shifter ever since 1972, so I'm old school and don't find it a problem to just pull the clutch lever in. I love riding the bike it's all the bike you could ever want, it's only the ridiculous height and weight that would make me decide to go back to some sort of cruiser or retro muscle bike.

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Thank you for the great comment 👍 yeah, the 1300 is a brand new bike, I've equated it to v1.0 of any piece of software, you just KNOW that v1.1 is literally round the corner and v2.0 not far off beyond that. That engine whine made me pause when I first heard it - didn't sit right with me, it sounds like this new engine is going to get some tweaks in the next iteration. I understand when you say the 1300 feels like a 'downgrade', to me, the 1250GS is 'Peak GS' and the 1300 is like GS II. It is fun adding accessories to a bike, a bit of personalisation I suppose and I've already bought a few to put on (will make yet another GS accessories video 😁) I hear on the height thing, the issues you point out are exactly my thoughts too. There was no way I was going to tippy toe on the 1250 if I bought one, loaded up AND a pillion, nah. Took out a normal height one a couple of times and sat on a bunch of them at the bike shop and knew that a factory lowered one WITH a low seat AND suspension set to low is what I'm going to end up with to have my feet planted firmly. Planning your parking is more important with the GS than with my R1200c, its quite a bulk to move even up a slight incline, good idea on the trolly. I like the quick shifter, never had one before, so enjoying it. I still go into the garage almost every night and look at it 😍 not many nice days, weather wise, since I got it. Today looks nice, so might get out for a dawdle later. As I said in the video, having the 1200c and the GS gives me 2 types of ride - I am happy . Happy and safe journeys 😎

[@austinmatthews347]

U can use qs through all gears just modulate your throttle in the low gears and down shifting is good all the way down also u can down shift on the gas no issues

[@monnerbiker]

Great video matey, funnily enough I’m about to do a vid on the farkle’s I’ve been doing recently, keep going I’ve subbed to see how you get on 👍

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Yeah, my mind is full of ideas for next spring and summer and videos. I meant to sub to you before, done it now. The comradery is great for the soul. 😎

[@Farmaci86]

1250 GSA is the King!

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Love your comment 😎 straight to the point.

[@parlance.electricco]

I just can't find the 1300 nice to look at.

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Hey, thanks for the post. I was hoping to be wowed, even when the sneak pics came out I was hoping that they where sooo off the mark that the actual final look would be different, it wasn't. For me, the 1300 isn't ugly in anyway, it just doesn't stick out from the rest of the herd anymore. As you might appreciate, I have an R1200c, so I like 'different' and hence the 1250 GSA ended up the bike I went for. . . I know I know. . there are a gazzllion 1250 GSAs out there 😆

[@Boxer1250RT]

I would take the GSA 1250 over the Japanese looking 1300 all day long. It is a proper, iconic GSA!

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Thank you for post 😀. Yes, it has blended into the line up with the other Adventure bikes, looks wise for sure. You usually spot the BMW at first glance but not the 1300GS. Maybe the 1400 will be different enough, we shall see. 😎

[@GPR111]

For all its clever gadgets and more power /less weight, the 1300 is cheap-looking and ridiculously ugly. Theres no way I would let my 1250 go for one. Had a demo and it broke down ! And slowly others are finding the new engine clatters quite badly and the "improved transmission" actually isnt all that. Its got some good real world improvements, but as an overall package, no thanks, I personally dont think it cuts it and cheap in money terms it is not .... It has actually accentuated just how good the 1250 is !

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Thank you for the great comment. I agree. You have put into words what my gut was telling me from the day of the leaked spy pics but was hoping I was wrong. The engine noise yes, I read that and thought how different can it be and when I heard it, in real life, it was quite noticeable. I put it down to 'character' but a lot of people have made the same comment. If I'm asked what would be the one thing I'd pick off the 1300 to put onto the 1250 it would be the blind spot thing. It may turn out that the 1250GS/GSA may very well be known as 'PEAK GS' and this new bloodline - The GS II, will have to fight its way to be the king of Adventure bikes, on its own merits.

[@GPR111]

I had the same experience when the spy shots appeared.... it looked very small and being over 6ft myself thats no good on a bike for long journeys particularly. I genuinely think the brand has been "cheapened" though in ways other than its hard cash price which is quite expensive now

[@22Royston]

How do they lower the bike - is it fork springs and shock?

[@austinmatthews347]

Also i think 1250 gsa is better than the 1300gs

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Yes, I'm very happy with my new bike 👌

[@roberthorwich6121]

I have just 'swapped' my order for a GS1300 to a new GSA1250. It comes in 2 weeks. The 1300 just looks too much like a girlie bike. The luggage is all but hopeless and the headlamp is...quite frankly....Ugly as Feck.

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Thanks for the post. I appreciate the battle in the head about which one to buy. My mind was saying 1300 due to all the techiness but my heart was saying the 1250GSA all day long. I fully spec-ed up the 1300 Tarmasalata one online with everything I wanted, sat and looked at it for days, but eventually, the shine wore off the 1300 and it just ended up confirming that the 1250 is indeed 'PEAK GS' and that this new bike, the 'GS II' if you like, is not a continuation of the line. I thought time might make me accept that headlight - NOPE! Congrats on the new bike, wishing you many many safe and happy miles on it 😎. I'm loving mine, no regrets whatsoever, just really looking forward to Spring Summer.👍

[@Thruxtonrider21]

Personally , I like the 1250 GS over the 1300 and has so much more character than the new 1300. It reminds me of what happened to Land Rover when ford took over. They have lost all their character and uniqueness for rounded, Soddy blahness. Congratulations mate!

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Thank you for the post 👍 Yes, exactly as what you said. I was hoping the 1300 was going to be soooo good that it was a no brainer, but was somewhat disappointed. The 1300 is a fantastic bike no doubt but as a new 'bloodline' GS, a GS II if you like and not a progression of the 1250, which to me now, is probably 'Peak GS'. Yeah, loving the bike, went out for a cold ride yesterday and loved it. just can't wait for Spring and Summer 😎

[@pituchahayabusa200]

New 1300= honda NC 750😂😃😄😅😁😀😁😂😃

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Thanks for the comment 😀 Yeah, my first impressions where the same, I've read similar comments of the R1300GS is just a looky-likey to a few other manufacturer's Adventure bike models. This fact was one of the reasons why I went with the 1250GSA, it is unique and unmistakable and just stands on its own. I'm hoping for some sort of return to this look in the 1400GS but I'm not holding my breath. Spring is just round the corner, happy riding days 😎

[@NorCalSaint]

I like the looks of the 1300GS way better than the 1250 personally but because I don't want to spend 20k+ on a bike I will stick with my Multistrada 1260 Enduro which I bought used with 6k miles, and I saved 10k off the new price.

[@AmbrosiasRideOuts]

Thank you for taking the time to post. I hear what you are saying on the price of these top Adventure bikes. I got a promotional £800 off the ticket price and half price panniers and still came in at roughly £7k below the new price for my 6 month old one. Love the sound of the Multistrada 😎👌