Best photos yet of the new R1300GSA

[Hann]

Took a peek at the Bahnstormer one today, and sat on it…feels as big as my Goldwing

Yeah i was there too and had an unnoficial viewing.
The official viewing is tomorrow so it was under wraps but someone persuaded a salesman to let them see it.

I think it looked better with the cover on.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Garmisch : this version gets some sort of hangers on the front side panels

Garmisch; so once you’ve added essential man bags , the ugliness is then completely hidden .
You then need the hugely expensive paniers and you are ready for the trip to Tescos.

 

[tspivey]

Had a good look at one today at Vertu Shipley, seeing it in the flesh I quite like it, though not for me, I’ve never felt the need for an adventure model. It looks chunky and metal, rather than skinny and plastic.
The original photos made me laugh in disbelief but the reality is much better.

 

[Morety]

Lucky owner collects new gsa.........

 

[Hann]

Lucky owner collects new gsa.........

 

[theop]

Saw the green one in the flesh they had at Cotswold motorrad yday. Sat on it briefly too.

Few things to note in my opinion:

- it is less fugly than the pics I have seen here thus far. Or my first OMG impression. In the right colour etc, it may well work for most. Pics certainly do not do it justice. Cosmetically, what bothered me the most was the new pannier mounting frame - see pic below. This is undoubtedly uglier than a set of silver or black tubular pipes we had for 20 years before. Why change if it ain’t broke? I don’t get it. Otherwise, radar blank bits are ok, as are the lego side planks in darkened alu (very premium feel at touch point as well)
- as per the 1300 plain, the material quality and assembly appear to be in a different, better planet to all earlier models since the 2004 1200. No bare metal lathed surfaces with paint cuts, instead it is the sturdy, forever-looking tefal surface all over below with fewer nooks and crannies for crap to lodge in
-seating position back to the imperious tall one we know. It is very similar/identical to all previous ones we know and certainly not feeling like a semi naked supermoto style the plain GS is basically. However, the standard adjustable screen remains too small for anyone over 6ft, even at its highest setting.
-those extra forged “offroad” wheels look like all the money… super trick.

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Don’t like the colour, I’d have one in the blink of an eye if I could afford it.

 

[G&T]

Thanks for the pics. I hear more say better in the flesh. I still doubt the looks, but at least it’s a different look to shake up the market.

 

[theop]

I know what you mean, but it wouldn`t bother me too much.
At least it is a nice, visually attractive Tig weld not the Mig weld spatter that bikes had years ago on their frames.
BMW`s thinking on letting it remain visable might be either laziness, thinking it isn`t an issue or maybe they think it adds a little to the bikes utilitarian character?

I`m coming around to the new GSA.
I know looks are important but are we all dismissing this bike on aesthetics alone?
What if it rides beautifully, has supreme comfort, a willing and sublime engine character and has all the attention to detail that enables day-today riding and touring an efficient, satisfying easy pleasure?
Is it still not going to sell because of it`s looks?
I try not to place too much emphasis on the visuals but i still fucking hate that headlight and a few other details look either clumsy or toy-ish, the oversized Fisher Price bag attatchment points on the toaster panels and the luggage racks for instance. Anyone know if they are plastic or cast alluminium? Placky, probably...

Also, if this new `Robo 2000` styling direction does not take off i think the 1300GSA is going to look like a very odd and a failed styling exercise in a few years...

Toast rack is very nicely done alu, as are the pannier carriers. Bike has excellent perceived material quality and assembly, as per my earlier witness report from yday.
Looks right proportionally as well (big). I think I ll get used to it. The big Q for me aside from the £25 big ones, and with a fully owned K1600 bagger in the garage for touring, do I want yet another GSA, or should I do a Ducati MS v4 rallye for a change? Same ££…
Or a dream garage of 5 old legends for 5k each (eg 1150gsa, blackbird(or k1300s), a shiny early 2000s 1800 valk, a light ktm offroady, and a bonnie… You can have a lot of great bikes altogether instead of one….

 

[Doc]

Quite like it.
I had the factory low GSA1250. Will there be one or is it the suspension that lowers when you come to a stop now ?

 

[KJB]

Actually saw one in my local dealer last week despite like many my initial thoughts it does look quite nice up close

 

[Edventure]

Quite like it.
I had the factory low GSA1250. Will there be one or is it the suspension that lowers when you come to a stop now ?

Apparently there is a permanently lowered suspension option as well as the adaptive height option

 

[Sneldog]

Could you see if those ridiculous silver toasters at the front were easy to remove?

 

[oldnfat]

Well, I have also now seen one in the flesh. I agree that the materials and finish do seem to be a notch or two up on previous models. The motor and shaft look and feel much tougher.

It does look a little better in the flesh but still challenged in my view (ok, fecking hideous). Even if the bike was OK what were they thinking about in with the pannier fixings.

On mentioning this to one of the Bahnstormer guys his comment was that most ride around with their panniers on all the time so won’t be seen!

None of this is a problem for me as I couldn’t afford one even if I did like it….

…..which I don’t!

 

[neenaw]

Saw it today, I like the look , a lot better in the flesh, triple black looked good. A few humms, a lot of wires that look VERY sketchy and flimsy. Rear collision wires into mirrors look ridiculously easy to pop, same as the hand guard wires etc......time will tell.

Engine paint looks very durable and overall looks a quality bit of kit in the main,

 

[Oldrat]

I wonder how a cast metal pannier rack will stand up to a simple drop, I doubt half as well as the S/steel rack.

Welds on the tank x2 ..erm!!

Yes the Triple Black looks less hideous, but still hideous nonetheless.

Anyone seen any pics of the luggage yet?

I asked Chat gpt and it generated a Delsey suitcase.

 

[Neil W]

Popped into my local dealer today to look at the 1300gsa and if anything it looks worse in the flesh, the wifes reaction was 'how the f#ck did BMW manage to make it look so bloody ugly'.

 

[trebor]

Popped into my local dealer today to look at the 1300gsa and if anything it looks worse in the flesh, the wifes reaction was 'how the f#ck did BMW manage to make it look so bloody ugly'.

Me too, though I think it looks much better in the flesh.

 

[theop]

I wonder how a cast metal pannier rack will stand up to a simple drop, I doubt half as well as the S/steel rack.

Welds on the tank x2 ..erm!!

Yes the Triple Black looks less hideous, but still hideous nonetheless.

Anyone seen any pics of the luggage yet?

I asked Chat gpt and it generated a Delsey suitcase.

View attachment 352532