I have ridden the 1290…First 3 gears at WOT…Unrideable because until 6000 rpm…Nothing and then everything but not accelelation but wheely and then at 9500 its stops dead in its tracks because the rev limiter hits Hard…Also above 70 the bike feels like a log going down a river very slow steering…A GS or more so XR is much faster and easier to ride in comparison but the propaganda says otherwise “ready to race”…LOL
After a testride I think the 1250 is still better than the 1300GS
- Thread starter Boxerlust
- Start date
Paging the KTM “ready to race” muppet brigade…
Even Jeremy McWilliams said at the 1390 introduction to put the wheely control in Max if you want to put in a decent lap ! One full second faster zero - 200 km/h XR vs 1390 SD says all that the KTM is not much more than a wheely machine and nothing really for backroads either…headshakes and slow steering ! But this was really why the 1250 is still better in some ways than the 1300 GS 
Even Jeremy McWilliams said at the 1390 introduction to put the wheely control in Max if you want to put in a decent lap ! One full second faster zero - 200 km/h XR vs 1390 SD says all that the KTM is not much more than a wheely machine and nothing really for backroads either…headshakes and slow steering ! But this was really why the 1250 is still better in some ways than the 1300 GS 
Paging the people who've owned and ridden both the 1290SA and the 1250GS...Paging the KTM “ready to race” muppet brigade…
The 1290 will eat the 1250 for breakfast on the backroads, though tyre choice is key. But it's hard work[1] to make that happen and harder work than the GS at the same speeds as it's kinda skittish. The rev limiter is configurable so you can set it above the point you'd want to change up. The power comes in a bit over 5.5k but is entirely usable below if you're not trying to make progress. The quickshifter makes the rev range entirely usable but making progress does require making use of the gears. Yes, the 1290 will raise its front wheel when making progress, even in 4th if you've got it set up that way. But it can do that quite happily while still leaned over so the wheel lift doesn't get in the way (though don't try that in rally mode with the wheelie control turned off).
I'm still happier with the 1250GS as I ride for need not as a leisure activity; it goes plenty fast but it makes the distance work more relaxing[2], whether that's long haul motorway or filtering around traffic queues on rural B roads. It's much more forgiving, even when that includes having to deal with a muntac just after completing an overtake.
[1] As in you'd need some well trained muscle power for the direction changes - there's a reason racers work out and race bikes have light wheels
[2] Except when there's traffic issues and people start taking chances; then those stupid orange riding lights make for some scary junction approaches. Really must get those Weisers fitted.
I get easily over 200 miles to a tank on my 1300 with motorways and B roads. The engine is probably the best bit, i don't understand how you could want a twin adventure bike that revs to 9k all the time, sounds like hard work
Either the MPG has really really improved over the 1250 or you've been very restrained on the B roads...
I think Boxerbollocks needs to come to the IOM with his GS as that 136 MPH lap record is begging to be broken and I think he is just the man to do it
Now back to something I have said may many times ...
The BMW GS is probably the best bike in the world - certainly the best seller and for a reason it does everything quite well and somethings very well but when comparing it in speed to other bikes it is slow, when comparing its handling to some other bikes its not as good, some bikes are even more comfortable than a GS etc etc
If I was told I could only ever buy one more bike and that would have to be the only bike for the rest of my life it most likely would be a GS but that isnt the case and I buy the bike that does exactly what I want which is to have a laugh on not be a TT super hero
To make wild and frankly fuckwitted claims as Boxerpillock does - well....
I think we all know
Now back to something I have said may many times ...
The BMW GS is probably the best bike in the world - certainly the best seller and for a reason it does everything quite well and somethings very well but when comparing it in speed to other bikes it is slow, when comparing its handling to some other bikes its not as good, some bikes are even more comfortable than a GS etc etc
If I was told I could only ever buy one more bike and that would have to be the only bike for the rest of my life it most likely would be a GS but that isnt the case and I buy the bike that does exactly what I want which is to have a laugh on not be a TT super hero
To make wild and frankly fuckwitted claims as Boxerpillock does - well....
I think we all know
You are absolutely right on Ukraine as the west has decapitated itself at least their own economies...And Yes the KTM is faster in a straight line no question but we are talking twisty back roads here ! Here the GS is just as fast a a XR that will kill a KTM in a straight line...LOL
If you get 200 miles out of the tank of your 1300 good for you as we have different riding styles...LOL I said the GS needs more bottom end Torque to pull the taller gears and another 1000 rpm on top instead of dying off at 8000 rpm...To be able to pull the taller gears...LOL
Ride a GS in anger on twisty backroads , then a S1000XR , then a MS V4 and then a ready to race 1290 SD and you have the answer...LOL And yes in a straight line the GS is the slowest and yes on smooth paved tracks you dont need Telelever but what roads are lately...!?
Another interesting video ! 20 hp more at 8200 rpm going from 60-130 mph in 8.4 sec...2 seconds faster than stock ! Compared to a flashed S1000XR 6.5 sec and M1000XR 5 seconds flat...Not bad for a GS ! He is enthusiastic about the handling...If he is right as he says "tank" meaning the 1250GS-ADV if the 2 kilos lighter forged wheels make this big of a difference...Like I said first 3 gears are ballistic as the taller gears 4-5-6 still need more power as in 80 mm stroke for a full 1400 cc (hint,hint BMW) as 151 mph top-speed without bags are still nothing to write home about...Had my 1250 up to 146 on the TFT...Needs 1000 rpm more on top as it fall flat @ 8000 rpm...Also 4 liter bigger tank and not 2 liters less as I got 4.4 vs 5.2 gal into the tank of a 1300 vs 1250 GS...While at it PLEASE give it a real taillight instead of the crappy and ugly looking Harley blinkers and DE-Link the foot brake ! And $19K is a lie as they are more $30K OTD with all the options and the taxman paid...Otherwise spot on !
Tarmaclordy
Registered user
After 3 months of gs1300 ownership and associated diagnostic fails
I would love my 1250gs back and the £8000 difference with it
1300 not fully developed give it a year or 2 before purchase
Wish I had . Than there’s Bmw customer support useless don’t see why they exist
Might as well be automated reply please ask your dealer
And then your stranded in a game of ping pong
It probably needs 4 years until they iron the kinks out and you can buy a 1350 or better 1400 GS with the stuff I mentioned and your problems ironed out...Like it took 7 years until they go the R1200-LC figured out and let the R1250GS loose on the public...LOL I still LOVE that bike except the few mentioned flaws ( high speed wobble with bags , not enough hp on top , 4 liters too small tank) and hope the R1350/1400GS will be the bike worthy upgrading too...Hope dies last...LOL
I have ridden all the bikes you mention and have actually owned them all except the V4 multi but I did have a 1260 pikes peak and I can tell you with absolute certainty that the GS was not the quickest or the best handling on any road in fact of the bikes you mention it was the slowest and the worst handling when we talk about speed of steering turn in etc the BMW was sluggish - yes it may have ironed out the bumps a bit better but faster - not a chance
Having owned a V4S Streetfighter and ridden the V4S Multi, the GS is nowhere near as fast or capable on fast roads be that 1250 or 1300. It is however a better choice for a week long thrash about with some kit on board as the V4 likes a drink!
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Even on twisty back roads, it's not. Lol.
Tried to give the 1300GS with 2 kilos lighter than spokes forged wheels a try But bags are still not available and test bike had the rear shock out waiting to get replaced...One of these low rider ones for short legged people...So still V/max with bags test...So the jury is still not out if BMW at least solved the high speed with bags/top case wobble issue at least on the new 1300GS...?! Patience is a virtue...LOL
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