1300GS problems/issues

[zsguerreiro]

So I got mine in November, have around 3000km on it and it is a tremendous bike but it has its problems. Just wanted to check if any users have had these:
1-When riding and approaching a corner when I release the accelerator and gear down/brake I hear a little rattling, is it normal?
2-Side bags, one of the bags doesn't open with the central locking system, I contacted BMW and there is a temporary fix but I am waiting for it since November
3-Sometimes the bike doesn't start at first attempt but if I wait 5s it starts, there's a recall for the relais so I suspect that is that. Also have another recall to check the ventilator, anyone heard about this?
4-When I did the first service had to wait 2 weeks for the oil filter! I was fuming! Did it happen to you?
5-At speeds higher than 180km/h(obviously tried it in Germany) the bike feels very wobbly at the front, have any of you changed tires yet? if so, which ones?

That is all for now!

 

[GSian]

 

[Boxerlust]

If it wobbles (with bags I suppose) at speeds above 180 km/h I definitely do not have to buy the 1300 because my old 1250 can do the same....LOL AS for the other stuff that comes free with the bike as a privilege of beeing a beta-tester...Hope in a year or two the problems are ironed out , Akrapovic will have a sound system louder than the rattle from the valve train and a 24 liter Langstreckentank/longer range tank will be on the configurator ! Abetter looking head & taillight without the ugly radar boxes would be appreciated too as also a de-linked foot brake while the front brake can still activate the rear brake ! If someone from BMW should speak english and read here too !

 

[zsguerreiro]

If it wobbles (with bags I suppose) at speeds above 180 km/h I definitely do not have to buy the 1300 because my old 1250 can do the same....LOL AS for the other stuff that comes free with the bike as a privilege of beeing a beta-tester...Hope in a year or two the problems are ironed out , Akrapovic will have a sound system louder than the rattle from the valve train and a 24 liter Langstreckentank/longer range tank will be on the configurator ! Abetter looking head & taillight without the ugly radar boxes would be appreciated too as also a de-linked foot brake while the front brake can still activate the rear brake ! If someone from BMW should speak english and read here too !

Please Boxerlust, don't hold back, tell me how you really feel

 

[Boxerlust]

I actually like the bike in Triple-Black with sports-suspension...But first the kinks as mentioned have to be ironed out to make it worth trading in the 1250 which in some cases , sound , roll-on below 80 mph , bigger tank , de-linked foot brake and better looking lights might be still the better bike...HIstory repeats itself as back in 2012 when the 1200GS-LC came out I still bought a brand new 1200GS-Aircooled because it felt almost as slow...LOL but sounded much better and was proven while the LC had a sheetload of recalls...That all changed with the 1250 which was a worthy upgrade !

 

[stick]

Okay , well lets start with the speed , no issues at 140 mph , in the uk , watching like a hawk , back roads 90 to 100 ++ plus steady as a rock.
The starting thing , had this but found a hard , assertive press works every time.
Serviced as fast I could not buy a new jacket , plus coffee .
Took the side pannier rails off as did not like the panniers.
Not noticed the rattle as having to much fun to worry .. they all rattle you know ( do not listen to it cold as it sounds like a broken tractor with no oil ), but gets better once hot and thrashed

 

[zsguerreiro]

Okay , well lets start with the speed , no issues at 140 mph , in the uk , watching like a hawk , back roads 90 to 100 ++ plus steady as a rock.
The starting thing , had this but found a hard , assertive press works every time.
Serviced as fast I could not buy a new jacket , plus coffee .
Took the side pannier rails off as did not like the panniers.
Not noticed the rattle as having to much fun to worry .. they all rattle you know ( do not listen to it cold as it sounds like a broken tractor with no oil ), but gets better once hot and thrashed

With vario side panniers or not? (At high speed)

 

[zsguerreiro]

I actually like the bike in Triple-Black with sports-suspension...But first the kinks as mentioned have to be ironed out to make it worth trading in the 1250 which in some cases , sound , roll-on below 80 mph , bigger tank , de-linked foot brake and better looking lights might be still the better bike...HIstory repeats itself as back in 2012 when the 1200GS-LC came out I still bought a brand new 1200GS-Aircooled because it felt almost as slow...LOL but sounded much better and was proven while the LC had a sheetload of recalls...That all changed with the 1250 which was a worthy upgrade !

The issues I am listing here are definitely not a deal breaker and I can assure you that this new bike is a lot better than the 1250GS, lighter, nimbler and just as comfortable.
I feel there's a lot of people lusting for the people who bought it to point out issues so that they feel validated in their choice to not trade in.
The bike is incredible and there's more and more on the road. But to each their own.

 

[stick]

With vario side panniers or not? (At high speed)

Not with the panniers , but you carry panniers and a top box at higher speeds there is always a trade off.. You post did not make clear ..
The standard Next 2 are solid at higher speeds but are too neutral at flick flack riding and seem to slip a bit. I run Conti TA3 , perfect tyres which you can take liberties.

 

[zsguerreiro]

Not with the panniers , but you carry panniers and a top box at higher speeds there is always a trade off.. You post did not make clear ..
The standard Next 2 are solid at higher speeds but are too neutral at flick flack riding and seem to slip a bit. I run Conti TA3 , perfect tyres which you can take liberties.

I actually had the Conti TA3 on my 1250GS and loved it on the twisties but had the same issue at high speeds, the Battlax performed better at high speeds. Was thinking about changing to the road 6gt when these run out

 

[stick]

I actually had the Conti TA3 on my 1250GS and loved it on the twisties but had the same issue at high speeds, the Battlax performed better at high speeds. Was thinking about changing to the road 6gt when these run out

Never had the isuse with the Conti , used the the Road 5 once , great tyre but only lasted 1200 miles on a Spanish tour and spoilt the 7 days with missed days riding due to wear issues.... so have avoided the Road 6 , even if they say an extra 10 % mileage , no good for me.
Tyres are a difficult subject as its like marmite . Ordered a pair of the new Roadtech 02 as hope better than the 01se .. lets see.

 

[Boxerlust]

Zsguerreiro...I had my 1250GS since 2019 and after almost 5 years I still like the bike a lot but would love to buy a new one...As all I wanted to make it "perfect" is XR like power on top , 4 lter or so bigger tank without going full tanker like a GSA and full speed stability all the way to Vmax With Bags ! The tank is smaller but if it still wobbles above 180/112 mph with bags/topcase then the additional 15hp/NM dont matter if you cant use them...Might as well keep the 1250.A testride will give the definite answer !As for tires love the MTN2 but the CTA3 lasted a little longer...Next I will try the PST3 when available in GS sizes late summer but except for mileage MTN2 are perfect for fun in the twisties and I thought that also about the CT3.If you dont ride hard the Contis are better because they last 10-15% longer and the front lasts almost forever...LOL

 

[zsguerreiro]

Zsguerreiro...I had my 1250GS since 2019 and after almost 5 years I still like the bike a lot but would love to buy a new one...As all I wanted to make it "perfect" is XR like power on top , 4 lter or so bigger tank without going full tanker like a GSA and full speed stability all the way to Vmax With Bags ! The tank is smaller but if it still wobbles above 180/112 mph with bags/topcase then the additional 15hp/NM dont matter if you cant use them...Might as well keep the 1250.A testride will give the definite answer !As for tires love the MTN2 but the CTA3 lasted a little longer...Next I will try the PST3 when available in GS sizes late summer but except for mileage MTN2 are perfect for fun in the twisties and I thought that also about the CT3.If you dont ride hard the Contis are better because they last 10-15% longer and the front lasts almost forever...LOL

I really liked the Road 6 I had on the R Nine T, the problem is that the front tire lasted less than 4000km...but I heard the GTs last longer so I might give it a chance..

 

[stever1]

If it wobbles (with bags I suppose) at speeds above 180 km/h I definitely do not have to buy the 1300 because my old 1250 can do the same....LOL AS for the other stuff that comes free with the bike as a privilege of beeing a beta-tester...Hope in a year or two the problems are ironed out , Akrapovic will have a sound system louder than the rattle from the valve train and a 24 liter Langstreckentank/longer range tank will be on the configurator ! Abetter looking head & taillight without the ugly radar boxes would be appreciated too as also a de-linked foot brake while the front brake can still activate the rear brake ! If someone from BMW should speak english and read here too !

So basically you have no idea about the question asked, and are just being your usual cnutish self.

 

[Shinyface408]

If someone from BMW should speak english and read here too !

Pot calling the kettle sooty arse I think......blast i'm supposed to ignore wankers...........

 

[Onahi]

Pot calling the kettle sooty arse I think......blast i'm supposed to ignore wankers...........

Serious question.
Why haven't you added him to the ignore list already ?

 

[Boxerlust]

Zsguerreiro...Does your bike wobble from 180 on without bags ? I would suspect a bad or not perfectly balanced wheel but if it wobbles above 180 with bags/topcase I definitely wont buy one even if they come out with a bigger tank...LOL Because that was my main gripe with the 1250...Around 200km/h with bags & top case no matter if Vario or Aluminum it wobbles that you better know what you are doing if you dont want to crash....As for your other problems the bags will be fixed and the relais replaced , parts like oil filter might be on back order in Portugal and the valvetrain is noisy as you can hear in the videos so I would not worry about it except for the wobble since the bike has a top speed of 225 Km/h where you hit 8000 rpm where it makes 140 rwhp going 240 downhill with the cops and wind in the back...LOL
As for tires everybody has a different style some people hard on gas and brakes getting terrible mileage and others smooth and fast getting twice the mileage...
Michelins I dont like period because they stick until they let go without a warning...As for the Conti RA3 or TA3 they are both very good the TA3 quicker steering and longer lasting than the RA3.The new RA4 I have not tried.The MTN2 are my current favorites as without trying I had scrape marks on my front corners of my BMW Aluminum bags and my bike is taller than a ADV running Tractive shocks...Comes with a 1000 mile penalty compared to a CTA3 , otherwise they feel the same to me.But the front of the CTA3 is amazing as it outlives the front by 100%...1 front - 2 rears ! Saves you 25% every 10-12K miles !

 

[Bubb]

 

[leadfarmer]

Yes Boxerlust, we know, you’ve already told us


Many times

 

[casbar]

If it wobbles (with bags I suppose) at speeds above 180 km/h I definitely do not have to buy the 1300 because my old 1250 can do the same....LOL AS for the other stuff that comes free with the bike as a privilege of beeing a beta-tester...Hope in a year or two the problems are ironed out , Akrapovic will have a sound system louder than the rattle from the valve train and a 24 liter Langstreckentank/longer range tank will be on the configurator ! Abetter looking head & taillight without the ugly radar boxes would be appreciated too as also a de-linked foot brake while the front brake can still activate the rear brake ! If someone from BMW should speak english and read here too !

Try not to be an idiot, you don't own the bike, please let owners comment.