R1300RS Performance with panniers.

[Spartan]

Morning guys. I have a few questions.
Firstly, are there any active R1300RS forums? I do see a few GS forums such as this with RS sections which are veey quiet.

I bought a new 1300RS. Having wanted a 1250 since I rented one 2 years ago. I live in spain but the used prices are crazy. 1250 prices were too high for what is now pretty old tech etc. And new were out of my budget.

Bought an NT1100 ES. Good bike. But boring. I raced bikes in UK for many years with some success. The NT1100 in the hills or weekend was like riding a van. Although my daily commute is 100km. The RS urge never went away.

After much lurking and watching prices. I found the Unicorn (for me). A fully loaded Performance model with panniers all installed official BMW by the dealership. Wired. Lights etc.

It truly feels like the best road bike i have owned. Commutes are effortless. But in the Málaga hills at weekends it handles and performs well without leaving half its pegs on the road like the NT.

I'll search the forum for basic questions such as Chigee or Carpure etc. The standard screen isn't bad. But also keen to read feedback on aftermarket options.

 

[Robbieben]

They are a lovely bike. Have to say I really like the RS. Sport edition with panniers is the best of everything

 

[Gavla04GS]

ooo I do like that......
must not be tempted.....

 

[Katie]

So far, so fabulous

Powerbronze have made a range of different sized and shaped screens (stock was useless for me). Puig have a couple 'under development' and the Hornig website is adding new goodies most days.
SW-motech have a load of fitments (use the German site, has more stuff on it, including handguards). Oh, and their crash protection works well too

 

[wessie]

Firstly, are there any active R1300RS forums? I do see a few GS forums such as this with RS sections which are veey quiet.

sadly the owner of https://www.r1200rsforum.com/ has disappeared although the domain and platform subscription remain active.

He added the 1250 when it came out but he has not logged on for over 2 years. It would be nice if a 1300 section could be added but only this one person has the access to make such changes. This forum was quite active but as people like me move on from bikes that are in some cases 10 years old, the number of active users is dropping. A few have settled in here.

 

[littleade]

Welcome in, surprising to see the RS with the Motorrad colours, sports suspension and brakes with panniers fitted as everything I've seen and heard suggested that wasn't possible so how has the dealer fitted them?

Here's my old tech POS which I've had for 2 years now, complete with granddad screen, high tubular bars and a short arse seat

Enjoy your new bike

 

[ChazzyB]

But in the Málaga hills at weekends it handles and performs well without leaving half its pegs on the road like the NT.

Lovely.

The Performance pack gives you higher riding suspension than standard, which helps keep the pegs off the tarmac.

 

[Larry Langford]

I frequent the RS forum wessie mentioned. It is a small family, and 1300s are very welcome. I have the 22 RS so I can't help that much, but I do like the RS, having raced some myself. I have shorter arms and legs so the bar risers are a must and I got the touring plus Puig screen for touring on the great plains and rockies. I kept the foot pegs high as I like to hang off and this makes transferring your weight to the pegs easier. I do have the full luggage set up as well. The factory bags seem very light ... I think Katie has a similar thread with her 1300, that you can check out ...

 

[richtea]

I just purchased www.r1300rs.com because, well, somebody had to. It's not set up yet right now (10th Dec 2025).
If there's proper interest I'm happy to set it up as a R1300RS forum.

Do I have one? No.
Have I test-ridden one? Yes.
Do I want one with Sports config + panniers + tall screen? Yes.
Can I get one in the UK? No, it appears not. Grrr.

 

[Spartan]

Thank you for all the replies.

Yes I joined the R1300RS site but there is no activity. Hopefully it takes off.

 

[Spartan]

Welcome in, surprising to see the RS with the Motorrad colours, sports suspension and brakes with panniers fitted as everything I've seen and heard suggested that wasn't possible so how has the dealer fitted them?

Here's my old tech POS which I've had for 2 years now, complete with granddad screen, high tubular bars and a short arse seat

Enjoy your new bike
View attachment 465308

That is real nice.
I wanted a white 1250 with the red frame. But they are still holding €14k over here.

I really like the 1250. I rented one for a week 2 summers ago. And it was the perfect balance. It was a push for my to afford the new 1300. But to have the performance model, with the offical luggage then find the bike is loaded with all packs, lithium battery, etc etc. I made it work.

 

[Spartan]

So far, so fabulous

Powerbronze have made a range of different sized and shaped screens (stock was useless for me). Puig have a couple 'under development' and the Hornig website is adding new goodies most days.
SW-motech have a load of fitments (use the German site, has more stuff on it, including handguards). Oh, and their crash protection works well too

Thank you. I'll search for some of your posts when I have more time. I'd like the change the screen. But also want something that works rather than just choose the biggest one. I'll have a good look at options.

As I said. I'm keen to learn about which Nav unit to pick. But I'm sure there is alot of info from the GS owners as it is the same set up. I need to research it.

 

[Spartan]

Regarding the panniers. I'm involved in the motor trade so managed to obtain some information on why this is not possible. It seems BMW are being very rigid with risk. The Performance model has slightly different geometry, basically due to set up rathet than chassis change. But if say each panniers can take 10-15kg. If someone loaded both panniers and did a top speed run. With the geometry difference there is a small chance the bike could be unstable at V max speeds. So to avoid risk. They set a blanket rule to not allow panniers.

But I'm in spain. And they dont give a ....... The dealer said it wasnt straight forward. Needed rear loom changed etc and some work. Its not just a case of bolting them on. But they did it and its all as per you'd find on a Triple Black etc.

The bike is my car basically. I commute 100km per day. Plus weekend travels, fun. So i can cover 700-800km per week. Its great as it gets you really tuned in to the bike. I'm still feeling things out with the bike. But so far. Loving it. For what it is, it really is the best of everything if that is possible. Its hard to find something that can be capable in the hills, but also do long commutes, but also have low maintenance or issues, and good modern tech etc.

 

[littleade]

Regarding the panniers. I'm involved in the motor trade so managed to obtain some information on why this is not possible. It seems BMW are being very rigid with risk. The Performance model has slightly different geometry, basically due to set up rathet than chassis change. But if say each panniers can take 10-15kg. If someone loaded both panniers and did a top speed run. With the geometry difference there is a small chance the bike could be unstable at V max speeds. So to avoid risk. They set a blanket rule to not allow panniers.

But I'm in spain. And they dont give a ....... The dealer said it wasnt straight forward. Needed rear loom changed etc and some work. Its not just a case of bolting them on. But they did it and its all as per you'd find on a Triple Black etc.

The bike is my car basically. I commute 100km per day. Plus weekend travels, fun. So i can cover 700-800km per week. Its great as it gets you really tuned in to the bike. I'm still feeling things out with the bike. But so far. Loving it. For what it is, it really is the best of everything if that is possible. Its hard to find something that can be capable in the hills, but also do long commutes, but also have low maintenance or issues, and good modern tech etc.

Thanks for the update about the panniers, typical Germans!

 

[Katie]

Thank you. I'll search for some of your posts when I have more time. I'd like the change the screen. But also want something that works rather than just choose the biggest one. I'll have a good look at options.

As I said. I'm keen to learn about which Nav unit to pick. But I'm sure there is alot of info from the GS owners as it is the same set up. I need to research it.

If it helps, I'm keeping my TomTom unit. It fits on the OEM mount with an adapter although doesn't work with the wonder wheel. Now waiting for an above-display mount to come out, I hate looking down to see where I'm going!

 

[Spartan]

Bike arrived today. What a machine. Absolutely incredible.

Panniers are installed as per factory with CDL and illumination but i think the blue is too much. It doesnt match the colour on the fairing either. I'm going to have the colour panel wrapped in white and also have the front gloss nose section PPF protected as any stone chips there will show up.

Took it a 150km run to try it out. I'd bought it unseen. Never ridden one.
After some time playing in the hills it was clear how much BS is on YouTube. These guys reviewing bikes have no clue. Almost every review said its too firm, too sporty. But literally 10 seconds can adjust Road Mode to have softer damping if required. So much so I backed it off to-3 and it was actually too soft although beautifully composed. -2 I found better. Then increased Dynamic to +1. While leaving spring setting in Auto.

Wind blast. No real issue so far. Earplugs are a must. But no turbulence and moving screen makes a noticeable difference.

As I mentioned. I raced for many years. For sure I'm not Márquez but I do enjoy riding alone and riding to feel the bike. What a bike. Within 100km. Peg touched down. Lean showing
51deg with no effort and just riding easy to feel with jeans on while trying to get used to the chassis. All while running it in and limiting revs. Such is the confidence rhe tyres and chassis gives. Feels natural almost instantly. Had to reduce TC to -4 and again the bike came alive. On 0 when trying to drive out on exit ans feel it out. It was a little flat because of TC coming in too much. -4 really wakes the bike up without having it move .

The engine. Amazing. Not super fast or enough to be intimidating, but great strong power with fantastic torque. The torque is addictive. What is very impressive is fuelling, throttle pick up is butter smooth from any rpm.
Gearbox is a bit mechanical at low revs but QS up and down works great. Brake feel is good but stopping power is better, can lift the rear in Pro mode with one finger. And they just get better with some heat. In Road mode the linked brake also is very good. Brings is quite a bit of front meaning you can use the rear and get powerful stopping done without having to move your finger from the throttle grip.

Only 150km done. But so far the feel, feedback and performance is the best i have ever encountered on a road bike.



Incredible bike. No doubt the best road bike I've ever ridden. Super impressed.

 

[Spartan]

One thing I like is the app. Showing the ride. You can clearly see how intrusive the TC and ABS are on standard settings. Once the bike is in the hills and you start playing it was way too intrusive

 

[zoltan]

I am on few RS pages on FB. Loads of information. No reason to change from my 1250RS. Only the ASA will swing my decision.

 

[Spartan]

I am on few RS pages on FB. Loads of information. No reason to change from my 1250RS. Only the ASA will swing my decision.

Ah, I dont have any social media so those are not an option.
That might explain why forms are quiet compared to what I was used to 10 years ago when I used them last.

Yes. I see your point with changing.
Its all perspective and option. I rented an R1250RS for a week last year. And although there are similarities for me I found the new bike is substantially different. Chassis feel, engine, slightly better tech. Maybe it also depends on models. The black 1250 maybe is closer to the new Triple Black or 719. For sure the performance feels different but in a good way.

What i mean by my post was. All the reviews state its too hard and too focused. But the bike is adjustable. It like getting in a car after someone else has been driving and saying the seating position is poor. Change it!
The pegs are adjustable. Suspension has a large range of adjustment. -3 is drastically different to +3.

These guys who get sent on launches. Do zero reading into how to operate the bike. Jump on. Don't know what the buttons do. Don't tweak anything. I mean. One guy will be 20 stone. The other 12 stone. This is why it is adjustable. Then they say. Its too focused. Too hard. Too whatever. And it leads to bad press. Because the bike is aimed at 40+ riders who still want performance but also comfort and ability to cover large distances but still have performance and fun in the hills.

Also they at most times are sub average riders. Poodle about in Road.
A test needs to be a test. Get in in town. Test rain mode. Take it to some fast roads. Test Dynamic then play with settings on Pro
For example. I felt the bike was flat at times. But it was due to TC. Reducing that made a substantial difference and the bike came alive. Without that change I'd probably review it as underwhelming at times.

 

[zoltan]

A test needs to be a test. Get in in town. Test rain mode. Take it to some fast roads. Test Dynamic then play with settings on Pro

I have the Sport version without ESA. I had 3 test rides (1300RS) on different models including ASA (would be my choice), with high bars and screen, without high bars standard screen. Frankly performance wise is not a huge difference unless you go from a 1200. Weight wise it feels lighter but is actually heavier by few kg than the 1250.
Mine is missing a host of electronics hence is lighter than a SE. At some point will fit some Qhlins next year.
At the moment my 1250 has been modified ergonomically to suit me. Tubular bars with raiser, Sport seat (840mm), HP adjustable pegs. 3 different screens depending on weather/touring. Small panniers from the K1300S. Unfortunately none of the bits would fit the 1300, no tubular option on the 1300RS either.
The 1300 lost the Touring ergo. Reminds me of the older 1200S. I guess with time Wunderlich will produce bits and pieces. I do like the looks, especially the blue, profile is slimer.
You can follow the 1300GS thread, same engine and pedigree.