I’ve had a 1300RS for 24 hours. My thoughts.

[Sneldog]

Interesting bike and the first I’ve ridden without a clutch. My thoughts on what is good and bad below.

The Bad:

Mirrors vibrate and the view is poor no matter what you do.
The auto is impressive but I’m not convinced that the engine braking is as effective as with a standard clutch.
It gets very hot.
Terrible turning circle.
Screen is useless.
My hands ache after an hour.
Slightly cramped riding position for me. I’m six foot.
Not particularly agile or fast to turn.

The Good:

It’s fast. And fast in an unhurried, good way. It just pulls efficiently and surges along very nicely.
Engine sounds great with a bit of a supercharger style whine.
It looks super in blue.
Enough room for a pillion.
Corners like a dream once set.
Accelerates well.
Lovely handling.
Comfortable seat.
Gearbox and auto shift etc is impressive.
Radar works well.

Generally I was pretty impressed and it’s a very nice bike. It doesn’t quite fit my needs so I wouldn’t buy one but don’t let that put you off. It’s well worth a test ride. An interesting machine.

 

[Gloop]

My hands ache after an hour.
Slightly cramped riding position for me. I’m six foot

I’m 6’2”, so I think it would be worse for me.

 

[MILLE_RIDER]

It takes more than 1 day to gel with a new bike and riding position.

 

[Posh Pete]

Interesting bike and the first I’ve ridden without a clutch. My thoughts on what is good and bad below.

The Bad:

Mirrors vibrate and the view is poor no matter what you do.
The auto is impressive but I’m not convinced that the engine braking is as effective as with a standard clutch.
It gets very hot.
Terrible turning circle.
Screen is useless.
My hands ache after an hour.
Slightly cramped riding position for me. I’m six foot.
Not particularly agile or fast to turn.

The Good:

It’s fast. And fast in an unhurried, good way. It just pulls efficiently and surges along very nicely.
Engine sounds great with a bit of a supercharger style whine.
It looks super in blue.
Enough room for a pillion.
Corners like a dream once set.
Accelerates well.
Lovely handling.
Comfortable seat.
Gearbox and auto shift etc is impressive.
Radar works well.

Generally I was pretty impressed and it’s a very nice bike. It doesn’t quite fit my needs so I wouldn’t buy one but don’t let that put you off. It’s well worth a test ride. An interesting machine.

I'd agree with all of that, albeit I only had an hour or so on it. I'm also a six footer and found the riding position really uncomfortable and had a cricked neck after 10 minutes, never mind the full hour! However, the handling and roadholding were superb and the power available addictive and maybe even dangerous in the wrong hands!

Why on earth can't BMW design a bike with adjustable handlebars and foot pegs? It aint rocket science, surely!

 

[keithzx]

It takes more than 1 day to gel with a new bike and riding position.

it took me three test rides .two paid deposits paid and two cancellations before i eventually parted with my perfectly good mint 1250 rs . like you say you do get a slight vibe in the mirrors under acceleration, once you close the throttle slightly it goes and the mirrors are ok , the mirrors were one of my concerns for the rear viewing area , they are not a problem for me now and the blind spot detection is a good option to have, after owning it for over a week and got my 600 miles on it my only grievance is the screen , it rides and corners great , although it is not lighter than the 1250 rs it certainly feels it and goes through the corners with ease , really happy i changed now .

 

[Mr Derek]

Option 719 mirrors should stop the vibration, at a cost. Bar risers and adjustable footpegs should sort the hand ache and cramped riding position. Grip Puppies might also help. MRA vario screen usually helps air flow, buffeting and noise.

Trading it in for a GS will help the turning circle and agility

 

[keithzx]

Option 719 mirrors should stop the vibration, at a cost. Bar risers and adjustable footpegs should sort the hand ache and cramped riding position. Grip Puppies might also help. MRA vario screen usually helps air flow, buffeting and noise.

Trading it in for a GS will help the turning circle and agility

mine is the option 719 you still get slight vibes under acceleration, find the riding position good plenty of saddle room i am 5ft 9 in, the screen issue is the hard one to sort , my 1250 rs was the same i ,have found in the past that larger screens don't always make the ride quieter, have had some of the larger screens on different bikes in the past actually made it worse, sometimes a smaller screen is an improvement , i am after a black screen but dont know what to get was wondering if anyone had tried the puig sports screen , maybe worse ????

 

[Gee-]

A new bike should have that glove like feeling, they either fit or do not, no amount of trying out a bike that feels just wrong will work.

As for having to change a few things to make it feel better or right, that's just wrong.

For the price of any new bike and extreme costs these days, the manufacturers and sellers should be making the changes not the customer.

Ask yourself, would you continue to wear a pair of expensive new shoes one or even two sizes too small for your feet, trying to adapt them, hoping someday they will fit? (All because they are new, and look nice.)

 

[Smartbazza]

Morning,

A friend of mine has just got one with the factory higher bars and says they transform the comfort.

He also commented that using 'dynamic' mode provides much better shifting up and down when riding in a more spirited manner.

I'm considering one as a replacement for my 13GS.

Barry

 

[JJH]

There are many people who wear uncomfortable shoes. Fashion victims. As far as bikes go you either like it or don’t. I’m really happy with my 1250r. Couldn’t see myself on a 1300. Funny how bikes grow or shrink according to type. Take the adventure model of BMWs gs. It has grown into a huge caricature of its self. Sells well. Sports tours seem to go the opposite way. Fazer 1000 first model was a fine do it all rounder with tons of power. Next model? Far too focused and not a true replacement. The 1300 r and rs seem to suffer the same fate. JJH

 

[Sneldog]

I should’ve explained that my bike has been in for a service so BMW gave me this as a loan machine overnight. I have enjoyed it hugely but it is not for me.

 

[keithzx]

A new bike should have that glove like feeling, they either fit or do not, no amount of trying out a bike that feels just wrong will work.

As for having to change a few things to make it feel better or right, that's just wrong.

For the price of any new bike and extreme costs these days, the manufacturers and sellers should be making the changes not the customer.

Ask yourself, would you continue to wear a pair of expensive new shoes one or even two sizes too small for your feet, trying to adapt them, hoping someday they will fit? (All

There are many people who wear uncomfortable shoes. Fashion victims. As far as bikes go you either like it or don’t. I’m really happy with my 1250r. Couldn’t see myself on a 1300. Funny how bikes grow or shrink according to type. Take the adventure model of BMWs gs. It has grown into a huge caricature of its self. Sells well. Sports tours seem to go the opposite way. Fazer 1000 first model was a fine do it all rounder with tons of power. Next model? Far too focused and not a true replacement. The 1300 r and rs seem to suffer the same fate. JJH

i always liked the bike, but every bike is different till you get the feel for it, some people also don't like the gear change with the boxer engines , again it is getting used to the bike i had no complaints with my 1250 rs or my new bike . there is also the cost to change to change , i shopped about the uk , many deals to be done but to my surprise my local dealer matched and even bettered the deals i got an offer i could not refuse , like i said i am very happy . first sevice on tuesday coming up ,no more running in!!

 

[Larry Langford]

I should’ve explained that my bike has been in for a service so BMW gave me this as a loan machine overnight. I have enjoyed it hugely but it is not for me.

Well if anyone is out this way (denver) ...... a 26 R1300RS asa is for sale at the big shop, and it is used already, 20k US .... Personally, it seems that the luggage issue has made the 1300RS a no go. If I lived in Spain or Germany then I might want one. I like the 1250 with the tubular frame, seems to be more versatile, can take a pillion and full luggage with a top box and weighs about 550lbs .......

 

[zoltan]

Personally, it seems that the luggage issue has made the 1300RS a no go.

What way? Everyone and his dog is making panniers for the 1300RS including BMW.

 

[Larry Langford]

What way? Everyone and his dog is making panniers for the 1300RS including BMW.

So my take is they narrowed up the RT a little, and pushed the RS more into a sport design. I guess we will find out if the new rear triangle on the 1300RS can take all the weight of a pillion and huge topbox, and of course larger panniers, without cracking. Yes you can surely get bags for them, but seems to lack the full touring capability of the 1250RS. If I didn't have a 1250RS, I would get the R1300RT, mainly because I do want some touring capability and I need to take things with me, even on day rides. But I also like a sporty bike. I'll keep the 1250 for a spell .....
The only things I like about the 1300 are the gear whine, and the more ample top end .... The 1250 does seem to pull off the line or in roll ons better, from a very low RPM ..... citing the bennetts bike social test between the last 1250 and the new 1300 ....