Come on, who's tested it today?

[Sneldog]

Rode a TE today. Unimpressed with it as a replacement for the 1250 but very impressed with it as a motorcycle. Gearbox, engine and handling are all excellent.

They’ve made a shaft drive Multistrada in my view.

For my kind of riding, commuting and touring, it’s not as good as my 1250. The ride is too firm and the wind protection not good enough. The latter can be easily fixed with an aftermarket screen but the harshness of the ride cannot. It’s way too hard and yes, I tried all modes and fiddled about with it. And I’m not some sort of softy, I also have an S1000RR so am fine with a stiff bike! I just can’t see the 1300 being as comfortable as the 1250 on a 7 hour day through Europe.

I’m going to ride it again before I make my mind up but at this stage, am not buying one.

I wanted to love it and wanted to order one today but no way. Slightly gutted of Sheffield.

 

[gateway77]

Rode a Triple Black with luggage today
- feels massively smaller / lighter. In some ways I missed the solid feeling of the low down weight - but handles well.
- gearbox good and quick-shifter sublime compared to previous versions.
- as already mentioned slightly mechanical / jet sound coming from engine but I'd certainly put the Akra on for a little more character
- road noise from tyres was not noticeable compared to last 1250GSA and previous 1200LC's
- standard seat height for me was ok (5'9") but I'd have the electronic lowering option for 2 up with luggage and a little more security.
- pull from the engine was great although I never found the 1250 lacking (especially with a full Akra system).
- didn't really push it as roads a little wet and greasy, but it felt very nimble and quick to me.
- luggage looked good quality and practical although really prefer the top openers of traditional GSA style, the integration seems to work well.
- menu system seemed better or easier to use than previous, navigation using the short-cut button was simple on the move; to adjust windscreen or get heating on. Both options I'd have.
- looks are very subjective. No one ever bought a GS because it was pretty - but I've had 5 and thought they were all fantastic. This seemed a little more neutral IMO (less ugly!) but I still would have one.
- verdict - Ordered and I'm sure it will be fabulous. Probably will prefer the extra weight and capabilities of the GSA when it comes out.

Cheers

 

[Boxerlust]

Stick I hear you…I get you not wanting to chase revs but I think with the shift-cam system it would have been easy for BMW to raise the rpm ceiling by lets say 1000 rpm giving the bike another 10-15 hp and still keeping the torquey character in the low and mid range bikes like the XR totally lack where you have to keep it beween 7000 and 11000 rpm for rapid transport while the GS is 4000 to 8000 rpm for progress…Hope you will like the new bike !

 

[Boxerlust]

Snelly55 I am surprised you having a S1000RR saying the new GS being too stiff…Did you ride the sports suspension as I thought the sports suspension on the 1250 GS being way too soft until I spend 4 grand for the ESA Tractive shocks with stiffer springs and faster reacting valves that took the wallow out…

 

[team duvet]

So now the dust is settling and seen and read most of the reports, You Tube , social media and on here! LOL. Think it's obvious that the new R1300GS is more of a "Sporty" version for the younger (and some older) generations. Wonder if the GSA version (1400?) is going to be more "Tonka toy" for the Touring selection of customers, including the Starbucks crew?

I could be wrong, but clever differentiation from BMW this time next year?

TD.

 

[gateway77]

Re - test ride / Electric Windshield
I forgot to mention that I thought this worked well, and for me would be preferable to a fixed position either up or down.
Personally I found it ideal at about 65/70% up on the day I rode - which I don't think is achievable with the manual screen.

 

[gateway77]

So now the dust is settling and seen and read most of the reports, You Tube , social media and on here! LOL. Think it's obvious that the new R1300GS is more of a "Sporty" version for the younger (and some older) generations. Wonder if the GSA version (1400?) is going to be more "Tonka toy" for the Touring selection of customers, including the Starbucks crew?

I could be wrong, but clever differentiation from BMW this time next year?

TD.

I expect you're bang on.
I never wanted the extra weight and bulk of the Adventure model when I was a bit younger, but now would probably prefer it.
Although since the 1250 and the power being increased I don't think it's a problem to hustle it along at a similar pace to the GS and long rides are definitely more comfortable with the extra mass.

 

[DING-DONG]

- luggage looked good quality and practical.
:

I had a look at the panniers today and actually think there quite heavy.

 

[leadfarmer]

I had a look at the panniers today and actually think there quite heavy.

I do prefer top loaders but the new Varios look pretty good and the bike will look better without scaffolding all over the back end when they’re not on so I’ve ordered a pair

 

[RT_slippers]

If your test was from Rotherham, I had the same GS yesterday. I agree with you - the ride seems certainly firmer than my current 1250GS. What I struggled with was the gear change, pretty clunky and nothing like as sweet as my current 1250. Quickshifter was better than manual changes. Maybe it needs the 600 mile service ( I left it with 540 on the clock). Sales guy said all the other demos were very happy with the bike. Maybe it’s me!
Another disappointed from
Sheffield I’m afraid.

Rode a TE today. Unimpressed with it as a replacement for the 1250 but very impressed with it as a motorcycle. Gearbox, engine and handling are all excellent.

They’ve made a shaft drive Multistrada in my view.

For my kind of riding, commuting and touring, it’s not as good as my 1250. The ride is too firm and the wind protection not good enough. The latter can be easily fixed with an aftermarket screen but the harshness of the ride cannot. It’s way too hard and yes, I tried all modes and fiddled about with it. And I’m not some sort of softy, I also have an S1000RR so am fine with a stiff bike! I just can’t see the 1300 being as comfortable as the 1250 on a 7 hour day through Europe.

I’m going to ride it again before I make my mind up but at this stage, am not buying one.

I wanted to love it and wanted to order one today but no way. Slightly gutted of Sheffield.

 

[stick]

Second test ride booked tomorrow, hope better than the first one as shitty wet , busy and shortened due to double booking . Getting the bars lifted as too low for me , nice day it looks so hopefully can give it more of a ride as now run in . Having one anyway but felt the first test was pointless. Bm should allow customers with bikes order a decent 3 + hours as a ride out as it used to be , even a whole day as 25k is lot to gamble on an hour fumble with a new bike.

 

[team duvet]

Second test ride booked tomorrow, hope better than the first one as shitty wet , busy and shortened due to double booking . Getting the bars lifted as too low for me , nice day it looks so hopefully can give it more of a ride as now run in . Having one anyway but felt the first test was pointless. Bm should allow customers with bikes order a decent 3 + hours as a ride out as it used to be , even a whole day as 25k is lot to gamble on an hour fumble with a new bike.

Same tomorrow Stick, mates got a test ride booked, weather looks good. Will be following him on my 23 year old ST1100 Pan with 80,000 miles on it LOL.........Enjoy your test, full report tomorrow please

 

[littleade]

If your test was from Rotherham, I had the same GS yesterday. I agree with you - the ride seems certainly firmer than my current 1250GS. What I struggled with was the gear change, pretty clunky and nothing like as sweet as my current 1250. Quickshifter was better than manual changes. Maybe it needs the 600 mile service ( I left it with 540 on the clock). Sales guy said all the other demos were very happy with the bike. Maybe it’s me!
Another disappointed from
Sheffield I’m afraid.

Does anyone remember the gen1 ESA suspension? I swapped my MY2016 GS TE in 2018 for another TE and TBH I regretted doing so. I much preferred the gen1 with the Rider/rider plus pillion and Plus luggage rather than the auto ride height we have now and the 3 options of Dynamic, Road and comfort. I never understood why BMW went to just 2 settings of Road and Dynamic as the comfort mode was perfect (for me) on the motorway.

 

[stick]

Does anyone remember the gen1 ESA suspension? I swapped my MY2016 GS TE in 2018 for another TE and TBH I regretted doing so. I much preferred the gen1 with the Rider/rider plus pillion and Plus luggage rather than the auto ride height we have now and the 3 options of Dynamic, Road and comfort. I never understood why BMW went to just 2 settings of Road and Dynamic as the comfort mode was perfect (for me) on the motorway.

Thats why I went tractive , but expect the new system to be better and hope to be the old way but as versitile.

 

[leadfarmer]

Does anyone remember the gen1 ESA suspension?

That’s what I have at the moment, I know a lot of folks complain about the auto height adjustment on the second generation

I like the 3 preload choices, they work well, but when you select 2 up + luggage the arse end jacks up so high it’s a nightmare getting on and off, and getting it off the side stand

Even with the uppy/downy option in the up position the 1300 is lower than the 1200/1250, I can easily flat foot both feet with wifey on the back
I’ve ordered the auto height adjustment even though it maybe wasn’t necessary, it will definitely be nice to have

Hopefully BMW will hav got it right with this new suspension, it should be brilliant

 

[GSADavidZH2]

I have a test booked on the 14th Nov. when I have the sticking exhaust valve sorted out on my 1250 GSA.

 

[littleade]

I like the 3 preload choices, they work well, but when you select 2 up + luggage the arse end jacks up so high it’s a nightmare getting on and off, and getting it off the side stand

Why don't you set the preload back to single rider while the engine's still running before you both get off and leave it there until you're both back onboard and ready to move off again? That's what I used to do

 

[leadfarmer]

Why don't you set the preload back to single rider while the engine's still running before you both get off and leave it there until you're both back onboard and ready to move off again? That's what I used to do

Depends how long I’m stopping for

When I got the bike the salesman suggested it was best to raise the suspension without weight on the bike to preserve the preload motor
I sometimes raise it with Wifey on the back but I keep my weight off whilst I do

 

[stick]

Why don't you set the preload back to single rider while the engine's still running before you both get off and leave it there until you're both back onboard and ready to move off again? That's what I used to do

Auto does seem the better option , no more ooooo quick change , damm forgot.

 

[Pukmeister]

I much preferred the gen1 with the Rider/rider plus pillion and Plus luggage rather than the auto ride height we have now and the 3 options of Dynamic, Road and comfort.

I never understood why BMW went to just 2 settings of Road and Dynamic as the comfort mode was perfect (for me) on the motorway.

I agree, I much preferred having my own choice on my old Hexhead GSA with ESA suspension compared to the setup on my 2019 R1250GSA. I left my preload at rider plus luggage and cracked on in whatever mode felt most suitable without a second thought, whereas my 1250 with its do-it-all suspension somehow never feels 'right' for my weight and riding style, despite remaining composed.