R1300 GS vs. R1250 GS comparison

[team duvet]

Think the Bike social is the best comparison so far, as said before it's not rocket science. Taking price out of it for 1 min, yes I know it's the biggest factor! The R1300GS is more "sporty" but I am sure (like me) people that prefer the presence of the GSA 1250 will be tempted by the new 13/14 GSA?

R1300GS for the "Fast lads"
R13/1400 GSA for the "I like presence & distance lads" (but I bet it's not slow)

Dealer did tell me the GSA will be more "Tonka toy"

TD
1250GSA 19 plate 53,000 miles

 

[G&T]

Was the GS or GSA ever supposed to be sporty?

 

[EKIMYRF]

Was the GS or GSA ever supposed to be sporty?

Absolutely not, but the GS concept has moved from its original premise (onroad offroad) to be a sport tourer for us old gits, hence the increasing sportieness

 

[Morety]

I'd like to see an RS model using the 1300 motor and frame. That would make more sense to me and be more appealing if they can get the styling to look less fugly than the GS. The RT boys, I'm sure will welcome a 1300 version as the extra oomph, especially two up is probably a good thing.

 

[shifty]

hmmm,, so the 1250 only made 120bhp,,,this time,,,,
they did practically the same sort of test/video 5yrs ago between the 1200gs and the then new 1250. on the same dyno at bsd, the 1200 made 119bhp and the 1250 was 127.8bhp........ so based on thier findings the 1250 this time round made 1bhp more than the 1200 they last tested ????
i know it can make a diffrence depending on the day and diffrent bikes not all being the same,,, but still ,,,,,

 

[Arsey]

And your wallet has breathed a huge sigh of relief too!

I have watched the comparisons, (no, I haven’t ridden a 1300), but each one appears to be struggling to find significant praise for the 1300 over the 1250 unless you count the weight-saving that not having a centre stand has to offer! If we are honest with ourselves, the benefits are tiny and only seen high up in the rev-range, even Bennett’s struggled to find significant advantage and tried to claim the 1250s 0-60 time was “not important and only quicker because the launch was better” and that after Bruce Dunn had “spent all day up and down the drag strip”. So not even Bruce Dunn could get the 1300 any quicker on the 0-60 time! Ah well, hang on to your 1250s if you want to beat the rush to your local coffee/breakfast bar!

And the 1250 was quicker in 6th from 40 to 70 which is quite valid if you don’t want to have to drop a gear to …..er……make progress on the 1300

 

[sven]

One thing that doesn’t get mentioned much is 2 up riding

I’ve just popped down to Sainte Enimie in the Gorge du Tarn and back with Wifey and I’m blown away with how good the suspension is with a pillion

The 1200 was always a bit bouncy at the back end loaded up even with the ESA preload

The 1300 feels as though the rear is set up to match the front whether 1 up or 2 up, I’m guessing it’s the variable spring rate witchcraft that’s making the difference, either way it’s astonishingly good

I’m also now convinced that the harder standard seats are more comfortable than the old bike

I asked Wifey if the grab rails felt too low as a few pillions have found (including Mrs TMF) but she said au contraire, they’re better if anything, she prefers the 1300 too

All I can say is what a bike

The pillion comfort is a huge factor for me when purchasing a bike, as is roll-on acceleration in higher gears. Having watched the Bike Social video it seems the 1300’s performance advantage is at the top end, although the midrange is pretty similar. I swapped back to a GS as my XR had poor midrange power and luggage screwed up the handling as the front end lost all feedback.

I did like the lighter weight though, so the 1300 may suit me if SWMBO likes the pillion seat. The grab handles could be an issue. She does say the GSA handles are mush more comfortable than those on the GS, but she’s only got small hands, so it may be because they’re thinner.

 

[leadfarmer]

Interestingly, around 43” Simon Hargreaves mentions the price

The fully loaded 1250 with option 719 bling is the same price as the fully loaded Tramuntana 1300 with option 719 bling

Both bikes can obviously be had cheaper depending on what you spec, but is the 1300 really more expensive than the 1250 ???

 

[leadfarmer]

The pillion comfort is a huge factor for me when purchasing a bike, as is roll-on acceleration in higher gears. Having watched the Bike Social video it seems the 1300’s performance advantage is at the top end, although the midrange is pretty similar. I swapped back to a GS as my XR had poor midrange power and luggage screwed up the handling as the front end lost all feedback.

I did like the lighter weight though, so the 1300 may suit me if SWMBO likes the pillion seat. The grab handles could be an issue. She does say the GSA handles are mush more comfortable than those on the GS, but she’s only got small hands, so it may be because they’re thinner.

Same here, I always test bikes 2 up as it’s how I use them most, from what I’ve seen you’re pretty similar

All I can say is try one, it’s pretty subjective, your wife may have a totally different opinion than mine, we’re all different

I’m pretty sure you won’t find the low or mid range lacking in any way

 

[PIGGLET]

I think the 1300 is a crossover between the 1250 and the XR. Its ideal for someone who wants an XR and for whom the XR would probably be a better fit than a 1250 but also wants adventure bike looks and feel and doesn't really venture off tarmac. That was my impression based on a short ride and as such wouldn't persuade me away from a 1250 (which I dont have anyway)
My brother has had every GSA since the 1150 and said its not for him either as he uses his 1250 for some big trips on less than perfect roads and gravel track type stuff. He declared it too 'A road' biased and almost a different bike to the 1250.

It will be interesting to see what the 1200 scrambler turns out like as that may well be the bike aimed at the more adventurous ((proper) (he says tongue firmly in cheek)) adventure rider. The triumph 1200 scrambler is quite a usefull tool if you want a bike more akin to the original GS concept and I wonder if BM are jumping on that train of thought???

 

[Tyzer]

Good comparison review by Bike social and I have to agree with most of what they say.The word marginal is used a lot and that is how I would describe it,marginally better in most areas.I think if you're a riding God which I'm not and the type of rider that notices you're handling's affected because your front tyre's lost a 1lb of pressure then yes its probably is a big improvement.
I was just ready to change bikes,really wanted a Ducati but It wasn't for me ,don't like twins so the kTM isn't an option so sold my 1250 and went for the GS Trophy and so far I'm really happy with my choice.
Maybe because I haven't ridden my 1250 since Last October before I sold it but I feel right at home on the 1300.
I did have a woble and considered cancelling and getting a 1250 GSA but omg they're enormous !
The 1250 with the Akra did sound throatier
than this and the whining noise when you roll of the throttle is really annoying.
So if my 1250 had been 2 or 3 years old I definitely wouldn't have changed its just not that much better.

 

[Popell]

They keep banging on about the power outputs, how they differ from claimed and assuming the delta is all down to differing shaft drive designs.

I always thought that the dyno calculated the loss by back driving the transmission and engine, the overrun patterns seem to suggest this also. The resulting figure would approximate to the crank figure.

Thirsty buggars, both of them. They must have been thrashing them mercilessly.

 

[pbbanks]

And the 1250 was quicker in 6th from 40 to 70 which is quite valid if you don’t want to have to drop a gear to …..er……make progress on the 1300

1300 is probably slower than the 1250 in 5th & 6th gear roll on tests because it is higher geared than the 1250 in those 2 gears. Presume that's to give it better high speed cruising and fuel economy??.

 

[stick]

1300 is probably slower than the 1250 in 5th & 6th gear roll on tests because it is higher geared than the 1250 in those 2 gears. Presume that's to give it better high speed cruising and fuel economy??.

Roll on test are pointless, it’s the real riding that gives an honest point , as does ownership… just saying

 

[Arsey]

Roll on test are pointless, it’s the real riding that gives an honest point , as does ownership… just saying

They were riding the real thing . How can they be pointless when many people use roll on to overtake ? You’re just miffed that your Wankpanzer is slower in the real world than the bike you previously owned !

 

[littleade]

But the new one is far far fasterer at wearing out brake pads

 

[Schtum]

But the new one is far far fasterer at wearing out brake pads

Only if you're Mark Hooton. Actually my 2103 LC ate its first set of rear pads in no time flat. Replacing them with red Brembos fixed the problem.

 

[Tyzer]

It does make you wonder why BMW changed the engine/ gearbox at all for very little improvement all that development and cost !

 

[G&T]

It does make you wonder why BMW changed the engine/ gearbox at all for very little improvement all that development and cost !

Maybe it allows them to do more with future models.

 

[stick]

They were riding the real thing . How can they be pointless when many people use roll on to overtake ? You’re just miffed that your Wankpanzer is slower in the real world than the bike you previously owned !

Its not , I was out with the lads , two on the 1250 , both said the the 1300 was faster , and they could not keep with it when riding hard sorry but its the facts over 2000 miles and I do ride very hard as I did with the 1250 . The 1300 is a better bike and a lot more power and pull.
Sorry to burst your you tube bubble, ride one for a time , you will see.