Five things you hate and five things you love about your R1300GS.

[Fiddlesticks]

I'll go first

LVE:

1. The versatility. The R1300GS is as at home touring as being thrown around the twisties. Happy to do a bit of hammering down the tracks or general commuting. Low down weight gives the bike great flickability. Telelever front end makes it feel very planted.
2. The Power. It's not got the torque of my Rocket 3, or the nimble speed of the Ninja 1000, but for an adventure bike it more than holds its own.
3. Looks. In Triple Black - a very handsome bike.
4. Screen & Interface. Big fan of the layout, menus and wheel. Also the Carpuride Sat Nav that integrates so well with the BMW cradle.
5. Luggage and Keyless. All very convenient.

HTE:

1. Ergonomics. Seat (too narrow and canted forward), bar height, screen, footpegs - all so royally wrong and in need of expensive aftermarket fixes.
2. Linked Brakes. Particularly the rear brake operating the front. Just no! Most people have the ability to use their hands and feet independently, let them ride the damn bike themselves!
3. Quick Shifter / Gearbox. Shocking. I mean, just ditch it all and start again. I'd rather they got rid of the QS altogether.
4. Engine Sound. Better than the previous incarnations. Not quite as nice as an old knackered Massey Ferguson tractor.
5. Parts Cost. A little apprehensive about the cost of a new headlight, screen or shaft. Have added headlight and radiator guards just in case. Warranty is a must.

Really don't care about:

- the lack of backlit switch gear. Everyone seems to moan about it but I never really look at my hands when riding.

(One more nice thing
The fold away centre stand tine.)

 

[Martin GSA UK]

1300GSA
Likes:
Looks
Effortless to ride
Load carrying
Quickshifter (but only after 2nd gear)
Build quality

Dislikes:
The weight
Stock seat too wide at top of legs and too canted forward
Muted engine sound, not as nice as 1250, miss the burping coming down the gears to a stop
The plastic lips around the BMW luggage, grabs inner bags
Less difference between Road and Dynamic suspension settings than the 1250s

 

[Fiddlesticks]

.. I also use the adjustable windscreen all the time, come to think of it . Might have to rethink this.

 

[KJB]

LIKES:
Smooth power delivery.
Very Nimble great cornering
Side panniers good with central locking but mark easily
Quick shifter much improved
Like the engine coating much easier to keep clean
Electric screen nice addition.

DISLIKES
If your 6’4” screen is crap (replaced)
Same with bars “Up and back risers” required
Seat as usual with stock item crap (can’t offord a replacement yet )
Side stand ! Say no more
My TE came without spots so visibility crap, fitted Lone Rider they see me now !
Rear light configuration positively dangerous, fitted Denali B6 helps but will get the other sorted when can afford it
Spoked wheels as with two previous models absolute bastards to keep clean and looking good why not have gloss finish option like none spoked.

Most things in Disliked can be sorted by spending another shed load on extras which is annoying on a £20K plus Bike

Bottom line still love it !!!

 

[Tyzer]

The engine noise and gearbox whine ,just terrible.
Gearbox, plus I've stopped using the QS especially with a pillion its piss poor.
Comfort, the seats are so uncomfortable especially the pillion seat (according to my wife)

Apart from that its a great bike.

 

[littleade]

1300GSA
Likes:
Looks
Effortless to ride
Load carrying
Quickshifter (but only after 2nd gear)
Build quality

Dislikes:
The weight
Stock seat too wide at top of legs and too canted forward
Muted engine sound, not as nice as 1250, miss the burping coming down the gears to a stop
The plastic lips around the BMW luggage, grabs inner bags
Less difference between Road and Dynamic suspension settings than the 1250s

Looks?

On the suspension settings, I thought you could adjust them plus/minus to suit your individual requirements?

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Comfort, the seats are so uncomfortable especially the pillion seat (according to my wife)

Have had exactly the same comment.
Ended up with a Wunderlich "Queen" seat, plus a specially fabricated bracket to move the top box back 6cm.

 

[Oldrat]

Imagine buying a brand new BMW car and then having to buy aftermarket seats just to be comfortable.

Ridiculous

 

[Wicker]

And having to pay to periodically inspect the shaft drive and then replace that after 48k miles. Big expense given BMW parts prices and service rates. Having to replace shaft drives seems a retrograde design. Mind you, those on PCP deals with limited miles won't bother its only those people who actually keep and ride their bikes who will feel the £ pain.

 

[Smartbazza]

Like:

1. the way it handles.
2. the power.
3. the suspension (adjustable damping etc).
4. how adaptable it is - tour or sports type riding.
5. the adjustable screen - i adjust it a lot when on a longer trip. Typically up when touring and down a bit when in the twisties.

Dislike:

1. the relatively high cost.
2. having to buy an expensive seat due to how uncomfortable the standard 'comfort' seat is.
3. adaptive cruise (first world problem).
4. the engine noise (sounds shocking especially if not wearing ear plugs).
5. the poor reliability (i know lots have had zero issues however I have actually experienced loads of issues).

If the last point wasn't real I would say I thought this was the best allrounder out there and would definitely have another. (I might still but it's on its last warning).

Barry

 

[Fiddlesticks]

5. the poor reliability

Yes. A failed wheel bearing at 10k miles. Not ideal. To be fair, sorted quickly under warranty.

 

[Smartbazza]

Yes. A failed wheel bearing at 10k miles. Not ideal. To be fair, sorted quickly under warranty.

In fairness my dealer couldn't be more helpful in sorting my issues out but it reinforces the point that I wouldn't own one of these outside of warranty. Think I've done 21k miles now between the two that I have had.

I'll not list my issues as it'll fill a few pages!!

Barry

 

[Martylaa]

Reading this thread makes me want to re-consider a 1300 GS purchase...

 

[leadfarmer]

LIKES:

1) Engine power and torque, it’s silly fast if you let it, power delivery is great
2) Suspension, especially the variable spring rate which makes it handle as well 2 up as 1 up, it’s a game changer for me.
3) Sportier than before and more nimble. Feels lighter, ergonomics are as good going mental in the twisties as sitting on the motorway, auto height control makes life easier when not moving
4) Screen, it’s by far the best I’ve ever had on anything (standard GS, electric screen), great protection and no buffeting
5) Touring capabilities, carries a pillion and full luggage effortlessly, higher geared than previous models so much better for high speed cruising

DISLIKES:

1) Engine noise at tickover, it sounds absolutely awful
2) Rider’s seat, pretty uncomfortable, although I think it’s bedded in a bit, strangely the passenger seat is fine
3)
4)
5) Engine noise at tickover, again, it really does sound feckin’ orrible

 

[AccyStan1200]

After having 4 incarnations of various GS’s over the last 15 years I had a swap to an XR, lasted 15 months, good bike but just not for me. Back on a 1300gs, only gripe is the engine noise. More than happy with everything else.

 

[Bubb]

Maybe I’ve got a weird arse, but I don’t find the seat uncomfortable ( I’m 13 stone, 5’ 10….so not the usual tosser size…maybe that helps) and the wife doesn’t complain about the pillion seat either . I have fitted cool covers ( proper ones, not the temu shite) to both seats, so maybe that helps too.

I love the way it handles,
love the height auto adjust as it helps when pillion climbing on.
Love the looks ( triple black)
Love the screen, and it’s easy to adjust.
Love the power when you wind it on ( stays in dynamic mode usually as I like how it doesn’t affect the brakes as much)

Hate…. Cost to purchase
Hate……noise of engine when at idle
Hate… how bloody common they are….. they are everywhere!

Would I have another….. yes, in a heartbeat if this one ever gets nicked.

 

[Baked Bean]

Maybe I’ve got a weird arse, but I don’t find the seat uncomfortable ( I’m 13 stone, 5’ 10….so not the usual tosser size…maybe that helps) and the wife doesn’t complain about the pillion seat either . I have fitted cool covers ( proper ones, not the temu shite) to both seats, so maybe that helps too.

I love the way it handles,
love the height auto adjust as it helps when pillion climbing on.
Love the looks ( triple black)
Love the screen, and it’s easy to adjust.
Love the power when you wind it on ( stays in dynamic mode usually as I like how it doesn’t affect the brakes as much)

Hate…. Cost to purchase
Hate……noise of engine when at idle
Hate… how bloody common they are….. they are everywhere!

Would I have another….. yes, in a heartbeat if this one ever gets nicked.

Ditto

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Looking at the lists above it seems the bike is very 50/50

Equally split between positive and negative attributes

Some of the negative attributes are quite profound, like a gearbox and not easily fixable (like a seat change)

Not looking good for BMW sales, no wonder they’re adding another £1300 sweetener to attempt a boost in sales

 

[twizzle]

Seat….. settings … high at front … low at back……removes that forward push feeling all GSA,s do…

 

[Spook1969]

Looking at the lists above it seems the bike is very 50/50

That’s what happens when you ask for 5 things you like and 5 things you dislike