Has anyone regretted trading in their 1250 GSA for a 1300 GS?

Exiledinaus

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Hi all,

I know this has been covered in similar but not exact threads before.

I have a '23 GSA 1250 with just under 3000 miles on it. I have done a couple of trips on it, but also have smaller bikes - 701 and 350 - and a few older bikes - '87 RD03 Honda AT, '87 Transalp 600 for local trips, buzzing around etc...

Having not ridden the big GS over the winter, I went on a ride yesterday with some friends , one of whom had a 1300 GS. Now, I rode the 1300GS before i bought the '23 GSA two years ago... and thought I preferred the 1250 (more dirt bike feel etc) but yesterday I couldnt get over how much smaller the 1300 felt and how much more manageable.

It got me thinking about swapping... I cant justify having both as I have a load of other bikes and 2 x GS'es in the stable doesnt make sense.

My concern is will I regret it? I would hate to sell the GSA and then get buyers remorse on the 1300...
 
There is quite a huge leap in terms of lightness and “flick ability “ of the 1300 . That coupled with another huge leap with the 1300 s engine , feeling more like a sportsbike engine with power every where , makes it quite a different bike to the 1250 .

Would you go for the 1300 or 1300 ADV ?

The ADV looks are starting to grow on me .

Like all BMW bikes , their design changes take a while to be accepted but once they are , they seem to turn into a legendary status
 
Exiledinaus said:
Hi all,

I know this has been covered in similar but not exact threads before.

I have a '23 GSA 1250 with just under 3000 miles on it. I have done a couple of trips on it, but also have smaller bikes - 701 and 350 - and a few older bikes - '87 RD03 Honda AT, '87 Transalp 600 for local trips, buzzing around etc...

Having not ridden the big GS over the winter, I went on a ride yesterday with some friends , one of whom had a 1300 GS. Now, I rode the 1300GS before i bought the '23 GSA two years ago... and thought I preferred the 1250 (more dirt bike feel etc) but yesterday I couldnt get over how much smaller the 1300 felt and how much more manageable.

It got me thinking about swapping... I cant justify having both as I have a load of other bikes and 2 x GS'es in the stable doesnt make sense.

My concern is will I regret it? I would hate to sell the GSA and then get buyers remorse on the 1300...
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I’d keep the 1250 . Dealers can’t get enough of them which tells you something . And the 1300s seem very unreliable judging by some of the horror stories on here
 
Initially I missed my 1250 ADV after trading it for a 1300ADV . My 1250 had been all over Europe so I had really bonded with it , it had been everywhere with me . The lack of luggage initially was also a hassle but now that has improved, I feel the 1300 is a better bike . It corners really well and feels lighter though it’s not . Give it time and you will appreciate it . I love the looks . The recent MCN write up felt it was a great bike and the natural successor to the 1250 ADV
 
I traded my 1250GSA for a 1300GSA a year ago. So far I'm very happy with it.

I may be wrong here as I've not looked too deeply into it, but from what I've seen it would appear a large number of the 1300s that have had problems have been fitted with Lithium batteries.
 
Robbo1200ADV said:
Initially I missed my 1250 ADV after trading it for a 1300ADV . My 1250 had been all over Europe so I had really bonded with it , it had been everywhere with me . The lack of luggage initially was also a hassle but now that has improved, I feel the 1300 is a better bike . It corners really well and feels lighter though it’s not . Give it time and you will appreciate it . I love the looks . The recent MCN write up felt it was a great bike and the natural successor to the 1250 ADV
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I think they actually said that the 1300GSA was the natural successor to the 1250GS as they felt the 1300GS was too sporty and has lost much of what made a GS great.

Edited to add

Here you go

IMG_5699.jpegIMG_5700.jpeg

But of course the 1300GSA is the natural successor to the 1250GSA because that’s exactly what it is 😜
 
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trebor said:
I traded my 1250GSA for a 1300GSA a year ago. So far I'm very happy with it.

I may be wrong here as I've not looked too deeply into it, but from what I've seen it would appear a large number of the 1300s that have had problems have been fitted with Lithium batteries.
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So I hear . Mines got a lithium battery and did go flat after not using it for a week . I got a lot of error messages after that event . Once the battery was revived and recharged by myself ,the error messages went away .
 
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leadfarmer said:
Very happy with mine, came from a 1200GS to a 1300GS

The 1300 is better in many ways, no reliability issues on mine
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Mine has the lead acid battery - which is handy as my old bmw charger still works with it.

I’m not sure that it’s a quantum leap between the 1250 and 1300 if I’m honest. If you have a 1250 gsa then by all means change when you’re naturally ready to change but I wouldn’t change for the sake of it
 
The 1300GS is a cracking bike. It's engine spins up like a Ducati, has torque through the rev range, is possibly the best balanced GS to date with the CofG seemingly low.
Over many miles my 1300 has been reliable although it just had a replacement gear set. BMW support the warranty issues unlike some Japanese brands beginning with H.
 
jetjock said:
There is quite a huge leap in terms of lightness and “flick ability “ of the 1300 . That coupled with another huge leap with the 1300 s engine , feeling more like a sportsbike engine with power every where , makes it quite a different bike to the 1250 .

Would you go for the 1300 or 1300 ADV ?

The ADV looks are starting to grow on me .

Like all BMW bikes , their design changes take a while to be accepted but once they are , they seem to turn into a legendary status
Click to expand...

I would go for the GS. Part of the appeal is a physically smaller, more agile bike. I havent ridden a 1300 GSA but I assume the GS is more agile on road and offroad. I do ride offroad on it - well ACT type dirt roads so technically not offroad... but you get the picture.
 
Exiledinaus said:
I would go for the GS. Part of the appeal is a physically smaller, more agile bike. I havent ridden a 1300 GSA but I assume the GS is more agile on road and offroad. I do ride offroad on it - well ACT type dirt roads so technically not offroad... but you get the picture.
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Yeap it’ll be fine for that . Probably with the right tyres on , it’ll do a lot more than you think .
 
Robbo1200ADV said:
Initially I missed my 1250 ADV after trading it for a 1300ADV . My 1250 had been all over Europe so I had really bonded with it , it had been everywhere with me . The lack of luggage initially was also a hassle but now that has improved, I feel the 1300 is a better bike . It corners really well and feels lighter though it’s not . Give it time and you will appreciate it . I love the looks . The recent MCN write up felt it was a great bike and the natural successor to the 1250 ADV
Click to expand...

Exactly the same. I bought my 1300 GSA exactly a year ago in April. Really struggled with the idea of getting rid of my 1250 2022 model but the Missus said I’d be crazy to have 2. So traded it in and bought the ADV. Was concerned at some of the reliability concerns but I did 4 trips last year and a couple of long day rides. So far it’s just fine and I like it.

trebor said:
I traded my 1250GSA for a 1300GSA a year ago. So far I'm very happy with it.
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👍👍👍

Of course it’s your choice and by all means listen to the various opinions of those that have the experience of riding or owning both machines and go with what you feel comfortable with
I bought mine cash and part-ex so I own it. Dont go for the PCP process and have always been fortunate to buy them outright.
 
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