R1300GS / the good the bad & the ugly

[littleade]

The thing that puts me off is the cost (yes I'm tight) as @Morety said they've moved the goal posts on what is/insn't included as standard and to replace my 2020 TE Exclusive with an equivalent the price has gone up 25% in those 3 years from 16.5k to getting on for 21k and for a bike that's just more than I'm prepared to pay no matter how good it might be.

 

[Sneldog]

I’m surprised that more of you aren’t commenting on the difference in the ride comfort between the 1250 and the 1300. I found the 1300 to be so much firmer than its predecessor that it stopped me from placing the order.

It rides like a Multistrada and isn’t as good as one. I think it’s lost plenty of its charm. My 1250 is an armchair on long tours and and on my daily commute, speed bumps are rendered an irrelevance.

I took the 1300 on the same route and it was so much harder. Flying out of saddle at same speed over the same speed bumps. That said, once I got out into the Peak District, it was a much improved bike on some of my favourite roads. But the 1250 is plenty fast enough for a spirited ride and anyway, I’ve got an S1000RR if I want more pace.

Really interested in the thoughts of others on the firmness of the 1300 as I’m wondering if I missed a trick? I tried it in all modes of course and it was firm, firmer or firmest!

 

[GB.]

I think that’s a personal thing, I liked the rigidity and firmness of it, but the suspension is firmer thats for sure. I run my GS on soft all the time, but I don’t have standard units with much better control

 

[stick]

I’m surprised that more of you aren’t commenting on the difference in the ride comfort between the 1250 and the 1300. I found the 1300 to be so much firmer than its predecessor that it stopped me from placing the order.

It rides like a Multistrada and isn’t as good as one. I think it’s lost plenty of its charm. My 1250 is an armchair on long tours and and on my daily commute, speed bumps are rendered an irrelevance.

I took the 1300 on the same route and it was so much harder. Flying out of saddle at same speed over the same speed bumps. That said, once I got out into the Peak District, it was a much improved bike on some of my favourite roads. But the 1250 is plenty fast enough for a spirited ride and anyway, I’ve got an S1000RR if I want more pace.

Really interested in the thoughts of others on the firmness of the 1300 as I’m wondering if I missed a trick? I tried it in all modes of course and it was firm, firmer or firmest!

I found the 1300 in dynamic setting was fine , and did not notice the hardness you mentioned , in fact it felt plush and solid at the same time and soaked up most things.
The 1250 suspension was okay but I did have full Tractive on the last one before the 23 plate and was contemplating putting it on that one as its not as good as the original non auto levelling from the earlier models and certainly not as good as the V4 Multi , which was excellent.
Not sure about you comment on the V4 Multi as the I had 2 of them and thought the new suspension on the GS1300 was better .
Most of my Gs bike have either had Tractive or Wilburs fitted as always found the standard suspension okay but not that good , the new one seems perfect from the off with its new design.

 

[leadfarmer]

Really interested in the thoughts of others on the firmness of the 1300 as I’m wondering if I missed a trick? I tried it in all modes of course and it was firm, firmer or firmest!

I guess it’s always going to be subjective but here’s my experience

I rode to the shop on my 2016 GS which has the 3 position preload and the soft/normal/hard settings, not auto leveling, had wifey on the back
I ride 99% of the time in Road mode with Normal damping

Tried the 1300 2 up as that’s how it will be used mainly

In Road mode I actually found it quite soft, almost too soft, so I switched to Dynamic mode which is a bit harder and found it better
Obviously this was on a 1 hour test ride 2 up, I didn’t try it 1 up

The damping can also be fine tuned 2 steps harder or softer in each mode so I’m sure it can be adjusted to your taste with a bit of trial and error

 

[Morety]

Have you test ridden one yet , I ask, as before I decided to try one my initial thoughts were negative with certain things and I read a lot of articles etc. It was the test that made me realise that the new bike has more to offer than my current 1250 in many ways.
More power , modern looks , better suspension , lighter and very nimble , better rider aids etc. The bike really needs to be ridden to get an idea of the changes rather than a summary of others thoughts. I feel for me the the change was needed and overdue as the old bikes a bit stuck in its ways. My second test ride was booked for a couple of hours , it was dry , and road it on better roads and after 45 mins I was convinced I have done the correct thing and cant wait to get it this month.
The one thing I noticed most was the balance the chassis has and it just suits me.

I haven't, because I'm not tempted to, however they've changed it. Mine does everything I want out of a bike. The weight is a red herring, as the reality is that it might be better balanced but it's not lighter (see earlier posts). The looks may be more modern but they've screwed up the front end for my tastes and personally I find it pug ugly to look at from the front and too generic from the sides (I still can't help but compare it to the cross-tourer). My biggest concerns are VFM and reliability. In real terms, prices have risen to a point where justifying the move for many of us, the value isn't there. I'm happy that I have the last of the highly evolved 1200's and don't in any way feel at all disadvantaged, especially as I already have all the toys you'd pay extra for, including a centre stand. I also have full luggage, and extra battery mounted power connector for my tyre inflator or additional charger and the RS is lighter than the 1300GS, much lighter and lower to the ground when you compare equivalent specs. Comfort gets more important for all of us older codgers, and the new bike test reports have all mentioned it's firmer and not as comfortable as the 1200/1250 variants. The only real gripe for me are the lights on mine. Compared to the LED lights on my older GSA, the RS halogens are awful. Even my old DL650 has better lights. Also, the things that really niggle me are things like there's STILL no backlit buttons which there's no excuse for on a bike that expensive. I do think also that things like hand guards should be bog standard on any adventure bike, ditto some rear sock protection and front engine cover protection and a centre stand. No excuse whatsoever to keep throwing expensive bikes which are part finished as just about all people buying a 1300 will end up shelling out extra for a rear mudsling or hugger or both. These may be minor things but they all add up. Had it been £2K cheaper it wouldn't have mattered as much. I'm not arguing the case it's a bad bike, far from it. I'm arguing that from a personal p.o.v. that it offers me nothing more I need than I already have, and am not generally one for changing bikes every year or two. Those that can afford it and find it part of the hobby, fair enough.

 

[leadfarmer]

The weight is a red herring, as the reality is that it might be better balanced but it's not lighter (see earlier posts).

There has been a bit of cherry picking going on with weight figures in previous posts, here is the weight reference being quoted from Bike magazine, but with the rest of the paragraph, so still 20kg lighter than the equivalent 1250, and that’s without mentioning the GSA….…

 

[stick]

The weight movement is a good thing.
Look at it in a design and performance way , it carries the weight lower down , so it will handle better and more balanced.
Identical cars for example , one with a roof rack with 200kgs loaded and the other with the same weight in the foot wells , this would handle better and allow the chassis to deal with the road ahead not balancing and compensating for the hight weight.
The 1250 as good as it was is still a brilliant bike but this one is a great improvement on a well designed model.

 

[GSGRIFF]

I’ll say it but probably regret it but I don’t think they will make M1300gs.

 

[Morety]

The weight movement is a good thing.
Look at it in a design and performance way , it carries the weight lower down , so it will handle better and more balanced.
Identical cars for example , one with a roof rack with 200kgs loaded and the other with the same weight in the foot wells , this would handle better and allow the chassis to deal with the road ahead not balancing and compensating for the hight weight.
The 1250 as good as it was is still a brilliant bike but this one is a great improvement on a well designed model.

...as was the 1200 model. If I was told I could only have a 1200 new as my last bike, I'd be very happy with that.

 

[stick]

...as was the 1200 model. If I was told I could only have a 1200 new as my last bike, I'd be very happy with that.

Good stuff , glad thats your feeling , not mine as I like improvements and Im never scared to test the water whilst I still can before the chassis gives up on me.

 

[GB.]

Good stuff , glad thats your feeling , not mine as I like improvements and Im never scared to test the water whilst I still can before the chassis gives up on me.

My chassis has given up! Sticking with my 1200 until I see 100000miles on it, well over half way there. If I had the money I would wait until the F900gs came out then probably still buy the 1300 trophy.

 

[Morety]

Good stuff , glad thats your feeling , not mine as I like improvements and Im never scared to test the water whilst I still can before the chassis gives up on me.

Mine is giving up! Still, I try and ride as often as I can. I've just never had the mindset I'm missing out on the "next best thing" as there's always a next best thing. I learned long ago to enjoy and value what I have if it gives good service.

 

[GB.]

Mine is giving up! Still, I try and ride as often as I can. I've just never had the mindset I'm missing out on the "next best thing" as there's always a next best thing. I learned long ago to enjoy and value what I have if it gives good service.

Totally agree, but I’m to invested in mine to move on to something else, plus the thought of ragging a £20k 1300 across mud, rocks and sand gives my bank manager a heartache.

 

[stick]

Mine is giving up! Still, I try and ride as often as I can. I've just never had the mindset I'm missing out on the "next best thing" as there's always a next best thing. I learned long ago to enjoy and value what I have if it gives good service.

I think my mind was also helped tpo decide as my 3000 mile July 2023 R1250 decided to destroy its cam and valve guides and valves , so for me the risk of a new model is no more than the existing .
For the record tho I have had 1 r1200 replaced as too many early issues and a 16 plate that decided to spit its cam wheel off and implode oh and the 18 plate that dropped its diff guts all over Ducati Worcesters floor the day after I picked up the 1st V4 Multi.
Makes me feel like a test pilot , and you know what they say about those ... fearless

 

[GB.]

You have been unlucky mate, might be tempting fate but I think I have a good one, from east coast to west coast to compete in another rally the weekend. Everyone who has ridden mine has said “don’t sell that you’ve got a good one” be beside myself if it shat itself, no more warranty for me.

 

[stick]

You have been unlucky mate, might be tempting fate but I think I have a good one, from east coast to west coast to compete in another rally the weekend. Everyone who has ridden mine has said “don’t sell that you’ve got a good one” be beside myself if it shat itself, no more warranty for me.

Good stuff and Im sure it will , never use a GS off road as always had enduro bikes for the racing or the green lanes and Welsh Rallies . I know a chap who rides all the time on an old 2007 and hes mustard , well until the deep ruts lol.

 

[J biker]

Reliability is as much luck, as manufacturer related imo.
r1200gs 2014.
S1000r 2015.
R1200gs 2017.
R1250gs 2021.

All zero issues. Literally, zero. All have been thrashed. All got plenty of miles on them.
I did the Cannonbal event on my current GS. Defo thrashed! Never missed a beat.

On the other hand, one Multistrada 1200 and one KTM 1290 gt both had several issues.
Only ever complete breakdown was GSXr1000.

I would respectfully suggest just buy the one you like best.


edit.
the s1000r had a huge appetite for back tyres!

 

[Morety]

I sold my GSA at 17K miles and tbh the only issue I had on it was a sticky trip/info switch (common). It was pretty much faultless if you discount the engine case paint under the cylinder heads bubbling. Had plenty of minor issues on my older air heads but all were easily dealt with as part of regular maintenance, and they did need a lot of regular fettling. The RS is only my second WC so hoping it stays reliable as it's outside of warranty now.

 

[Boxerlust]

I have not ridden the 1300 GS yet but it sounds like BMW addressed One main issue the 11 year old 1200/1250 platform had while creating new ones…Ridden fast on the street the frame flexes at high speed (therefore the 112mph warning on the boxes) as also turning in fast where you can feel part of your energy was lost somewhere in the frame as it flexes….If the new bike is stiff as also the suspension that is good ! Maybe no need to spend 4 grand on Tractive shocks…But the tank destroys the whole thing because the short fuel range is a nuisance at least…Like I said before all the cheating on paper besides (tank,center stand,luggage rack,lithium battery) a 24 L tank would have been perfect ! The motor seems stronger but keeping the 76 mm stroke/1350cc and raising the power level by 1000 rpm especially with the shorter stroke now would have made it even better but BMW does it like apple and we get only small increments every few year$$$…The radar box in the front needs to go and a real taillight added And the exhaust needs to be Louder than the mechanical clatter of the valvetrain…And hopefully the new aluminum boxes wont be smaller like the varios are…Still lot of room for improvement I would say ! Wished they would have pulled out all the stops right from the getgo to create some real excitement but I remember when in 2012 the all new 1200-LC came out and I kept my camhead for a few more seasons until I bought one and was disappointed by the lame engine until the 1250 took care of that problem…LOL