Is the 1300GS meeting sales expectations?

[Sneldog]

1250 still selling well I heard.

Also heard the 1300 headlight is totally unfit for purpose. Dealer agreed. Another guy came in and showed a picture of his 1300 with a small electric tea light candle stuck to it. He took it in for its first service and told the dealer it was essential as it doubled the lumen power!!

So shit light, harsh ride, uncomfortable seat, complex controls, switchgear not backlit, crap panniers, worse for pillion, less wind protection, smaller tank and way more expensive.

But hey, don’t worry, it’s a bit faster. As are dozens of other bikes.

Such a shame. I really wanted one. My pal was the same. Test rode it twice, bought a new 1250.

 

[Smartbazza]

Obviously you’ve ridden a 1300 and experienced this? Suspect not.

1250 was great. 1300 is great although seat sore on the hole.

It’s a great bike. Did you hear Wham have split up?

Barry

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Seem to be a lot of unsold 1300’s on the dealer floors available for immediate collection

 

[Neil W]

Seem to be a lot of unsold 1300’s on the dealer floors available for immediate collection

Took the 1250 in for service yesterday and the dealers showroom floor was literally packed with unsold brand new 1300's ( you could barely get through to the coffee machine). In 13 years of using said dealer I have never seen so many unsold and in stock new model bikes sitting around the showroom floor

 

[stick]

The deals on the 1250 GSA are good , presume to get rid of the old stock ready for the new 1400. Looked at one but after sitting on it it reminded me of how fat it it is , a bit OTT for me unless I was to go to a 3rd world area with fuel issues. Some say presence , me more for the larger gentleman . Snelly , the light I agree is not brilliant so fitted Denali , seat was okay , but now have the high seat so even better. Found no real difference between the 2 . Harsh ride ? not at all , its way better with more adjustments and now has lost the loose feel in Dynamic . Pillion fine . I cannot see the point of the back lit that some keep droning on about , same as its always been so no better no worse. Wind protection better standard than the 1250 gs as I had an MRA screen to improve it. Found no problems with fuel at this point , but we have lots of fuel stations so like to stop anyway especially with a fellow that has the MT10 80 miles to reserve !!!
The cost , GSA similar now with all the bits , but yes cheaper . The bike is faster , better , well designed and a move away from the normal , its call progress , a move for the better.
I get the savings on old tech , old design , that's great as we all have different feelings but some may explain better than just gripe.
Its a shame you did not feel it after a test ride ( I had 2 as was unsure at first , but mainly due to fog and rain on the first one second one made my mind up ), took me a few ride outs to understand it , now its superb . Yes other bikes are a bit faster , but not with the ability of the GS bloodline.
I had the choice of a new 100 Ultimate after the first one ate it self after 3000 miles , but the 1300 was the better choice.

 

[stick]

Took the 1250 in for service yesterday and the dealers showroom floor was literally packed with unsold brand new 1300's ( you could barely get through to the coffee machine). In 13 years of using said dealer I have never seen so many unsold and in stock new model bikes sitting around the showroom floor

Strange , at my local dealer its all 1250 GSA that take up the space as sold loads of the 1300 . Second hand as well 1250 gs so if some are looking .

 

[Oldrat]

1250 was great. 1300 is great although seat sore on the hole.

Barry

Try vaseline

 

[HGS]

431 R1300GS's registered in March, so good figures nationally but expected for the new reg as I would imagine quite a few wanted to wait for the 24 plate
Lowest figure on there is 126 for the Honda NT1100, so summise the R1250 registrations are lower than that for March

Stock locator

https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/p...;sortOptionKey=recently-added;model=0M21,ZR13

is showing 22 1300GS's and 18 TE's in dealers but how accurate that is is anyone's guess

Great deals on 1250TE GSA's about but not for me - 120 in stock on locator

See what Aprils figures reveal........

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

1250 still selling well I heard.

Also heard the 1300 headlight is totally unfit for purpose. Dealer agreed. Another guy came in and showed a picture of his 1300 with a small electric tea light candle stuck to it. He took it in for its first service and told the dealer it was essential as it doubled the lumen power!!

So shit light, harsh ride, uncomfortable seat, complex controls, switchgear not backlit, crap panniers, worse for pillion, less wind protection, smaller tank and way more expensive.

But hey, don’t worry, it’s a bit faster. As are dozens of other bikes.

Such a shame. I really wanted one. My pal was the same. Test rode it twice, bought a new 1250.

Complex Controls? Maybe on a test ride, but you quickly work it out there is a single button for heated grips to press once if you want it that way. What is complex about that?

Seat uncomfortable? Not for me.

Less wind protection, rubbish no extra screen extender needed for me.

Tank range is about 200 miles. Improved Fuel economy.

Headlight and backlit switches not a problem i dont ride at night. In terms of being noticed as a DRL it seems bright. Never been bothered for backlit switches what would i need other than indicators and heated grips on LH side, on button and starter button the RH side, headlights automatic.

Performance is a big step up.

Don't know where to start that is mostly so wide of the mark.

Sounds like you are trying to justify it to yourself

 

[leadfarmer]

The best advice I can give to those who don’t like the 1300GS is don’t fucking buy one

Personally I’m extremely happy with mine

 

[Sneldog]

Complex Controls? Maybe on a test ride, but you quickly work it out there is a single button for heated grips to press once if you want it that way. What is complex about that?

Seat uncomfortable? Not for me.

Less wind protection, rubbish no extra screen extender needed for me.

Tank range is about 200 miles. Improved Fuel economy.

Headlight and backlit switches not a problem i dont ride at night. In terms of being noticed as a DRL it seems bright. Never been bothered for backlit switches what would i need other than indicators and heated grips on LH side, on button and starter button the RH side, headlights automatic.

Performance is a big step up.

Don't know where to start that is mostly so wide of the mark.

Sounds like you are trying to justify it to yourself

Is that what it sounds like? Obviously it does to you…..

First, I appreciate you are wounded by my criticism of your new bike and for that, I am genuinely sorry.

Secondly, we are all different and want different things. I wanted to buy a 1300, rode it a couple of times, thought it was fast but wank and decided against getting one for the reasons above. Whether you think I am right or not is entirely irrelevant.

In terms of justifying it to myself, I am not trying to do that. Justifying my view based on my experience is in fact what I have already done to reach my decision and form my opinion. And the more I see the 1300, the less I like it. I was at the dealers the other day and a couple were in the showroom and I remember thinking to myself, what a shame that BMW have ended up with this ugly little thing as a the successor to the GS - I can’t see me ever buying one. I am hopeful that the Adventure model is more in line with the 1250 but who knows?

I did see a nice 1250 GSA at the Bike Specialist in Sheffield this morning though and was tempted to swap my standard 1250 for it. Probably not though as I can’t see any reason for having a GSA over a standard GS. Just adds bulk for no benefit. And having got rid of my S1000RR recently, I don’t want anything slower.

Each to their own though eh?

 

[Sneldog]

Obviously you’ve ridden a 1300 and experienced this? Suspect not.

1250 was great. 1300 is great although seat sore on the hole.

It’s a great bike. Did you hear Wham have split up?

Barry

See message above. Yes I have ridden it several times.

Shame about Wham but hopefully it will enable George to blossom with his solo career?

Love your ironic user name by the way..

 

[Sneldog]

The best advice I can give to those who don’t like the 1300GS is don’t fucking buy one

Personally I’m extremely happy with mine

Agreed. But I am entitled to have my opinion.

 

[leadfarmer]

Agreed. But I am entitled to have my opinion.

Absolutely

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Agreed. But I am entitled to have my opinion.

You are but dont try and make it out as a statement of fact. Eg If you cant work the controls thats your bad.

 

[Arsey]

You are but dont try and make it out as a statement of fact. Eg If you cant work the controls thats your bad.

Yet many leading bike journos have mentioned the lack of backlit switch gear as a glaring omission, given the more complex nature of the 1300 menus and the fact that other manufacturers can do it on bikes costing half as much.
It’s nothing to do with how bloody amazing you are a a rider but interesting that the blinkered defend the mothership at all costs.

 

[The Stimulator]

Yet many leading bike journos have mentioned the lack of backlit switch gear as a glaring omission, given the more complex nature of the 1300 menus and the fact that other manufacturers can do it on bikes costing half as much.
It’s nothing to do with how bloody amazing you are a a rider but interesting that the blinkered defend the mothership at all costs.

I must admit I don’t need them, but really don’t see why BMW don’t fit them, particularly as they changed/introduced so much else.

 

[Arsey]

I must admit I don’t need them, but really don’t see why BMW don’t fit them, particularly as they changed/introduced so much else.

People obviously get used to their own bike.
But what if you rent a 1300 or get given one as a loan bike and aren’t familiar with the controls and it’s dark ?
Just the slightest distraction whilst faffing around could lead to a loss of concentration and an off…
It’s a glaring omission especially for a bike costing £20k+.
No need to comment, Stick, we know you are the bestest rider in da UK, even with that BMW stick of rock shoved up your arse !
Is that why you is called ‘Stick’ ?

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Yet many leading bike journos have mentioned the lack of backlit switch gear as a glaring omission, given the more complex nature of the 1300 menus and the fact that other manufacturers can do it on bikes costing half as much.
It’s nothing to do with how bloody amazing you are a a rider but interesting that the blinkered defend the mothership at all costs.

In ‘more complex’ , and I will qualify this as ‘in my opinion’ they are not complex menus when you actually own the bike. For example a button can be pre programmed to always switch on heated grips. Backlit switches has been spoke about so there is obviously interest. Ive done a reasonable amount of motorway and the bike was spot on seat/wind protection/comfort.

I have found one negative area where it is not as expected having done a bit of commuting, the engine is whiney round town when the bike is cold, quite noisy and not in a good way. Everything else im personally very happy with it.

 

[Arsey]

In ‘more complex’ , and I will qualify this as ‘in my opinion’ they are not complex menus when you actually own the bike. For example a button can be pre programmed to always switch on heated grips. Backlit switches has been spoke about so there is obviously interest. Ive done a reasonable amount of motorway and the bike was spot on seat/wind protection/comfort.

I have found one negative area where it is not as expected having done a bit of commuting, the engine is whiney round town when the bike is cold, quite noisy and not in a good way. Everything else im personally very happy with it.

Agreed . But what if you don’t own the bike ?
I still think it’s rather disgusting that BMW still haven’t deemed it necessary to fit backlit switchgear . But I guess if the people that buy them buy the bikes regardless then there is little incentive to produce a decent product .