.... is there nowhere safe from you.... yer big Puff! 
R1300RS Performance with panniers.
- Thread starter Spartan
- Start date
.... is there nowhere safe from you.... yer big Puff! 
6500km done now.
700km commuting then at the weekends I can't stay off it. Been out exploring some of the lesser used roads here. For riding theyre not great. Too tight and blind with dirt and changing road surfaces. But for opening the visor. Sitting up and just taking in the location. Absolutely incredible. The rattling 1300 kinda dampens the ambience though.
700km commuting then at the weekends I can't stay off it. Been out exploring some of the lesser used roads here. For riding theyre not great. Too tight and blind with dirt and changing road surfaces. But for opening the visor. Sitting up and just taking in the location. Absolutely incredible. The rattling 1300 kinda dampens the ambience though.
EGR
Registered user
New here. Pleased to find the specific r1300rs place and the above discussion. We will be rolling a triple black into shop for first service in a few days. Way back in my proper day-gig days I travelled and would hire r-bikes when available. I've ridden every generation for maybe 40 years. Had to opportunity to ride four or five laps on a new demo r80gs at Road Atlanta. For maybe 15 years we've hired an r----rs in March or April in Malaga, Madrid or Lisboa. We spent a month on a 1250 last March, El Bosque, Tabernas and near Còrdoba. This 1300 is easily the best r bike in our experience. And, just for context, We still ride the built for 145 kilos two-up s1000rr the Admiral gave me(us) for 69th birthday.
EGR
Registered user
Look what I spotted on an official BMW Motorrad video for the 'Performance' R1300RS...
super bertie
Registered user
Hi all I'm in the process of getting a r1300rs but can't get a straight answer from my dealer as to does a full face helmet in size large fit into the bigger pannier unfortunately they don't have any in to try and not prepared to take the risk its crucial for when we want to have days out together one in top box etc can't abide carrying the things around
Yes. Large full face fits in left pannier. Can also put gloves inside helmet ans fit a jacket and some other things in right side.
I went to MotoGP recently with a change of clothes and left all kit, helmet, jacket, trousers and short angle motorbike boots . All in the panniers then was free to move around all day. It was tight but possible.
I went to MotoGP recently with a change of clothes and left all kit, helmet, jacket, trousers and short angle motorbike boots . All in the panniers then was free to move around all day. It was tight but possible.
Spartan, I am located in Sydney, Australia. I am trying to organise the pannier mounting kit/loom for power/CL etc, the bike is a build date 1/6/25.. is that a similar build date to yours? Are you aware please of any reasons why I couldn't do what I'm planning on any 2025 Performance RS or is there a build date change that might trip me up? Thanking you
No reason. My bike also had a built date of June 2025. So as long as EU and OZ market builds are the same spec. There should be no issues.
When I bought the bike the dealer told me it wasnt straightforward. But maybe they mean its not as simple as pre installed bikes. I believe the extra hassle was changing coding to allow the central locking to work. As essentially they have to change the build spec of the chassis. Then have factory servers confirm and accept. Then the send the coding to the bike. Its not like the old days where they csn manually just change a measure block . The actual data card of the bike needs to change. I think this is what creates the issues.
For parts I believe it is a partial loom, plus the side connection points etc.
One thing yo add also. With the Performance model suspension there are no issues either. It has range to adapt and even with panniers loaded the bike compensates and in Dynamic with load it actually feels better sometimes. Maybe because the load forces it to really jack itself up and add alot more support.
I know for sure there was a dealer in UK who has a demo with panniers installed also. So for sure it is possible.
Itd mainly BMW red tape. Ad the V max etc and rated subframe loads need to change with panniers etc. You know how the world is. Someone somewhere will fully load the bike with a 18 stone passenger plus full panniers and do a V max run . The bike will have a speed wobble or crack a subframe or something and they will claim BMW.
When I bought the bike the dealer told me it wasnt straightforward. But maybe they mean its not as simple as pre installed bikes. I believe the extra hassle was changing coding to allow the central locking to work. As essentially they have to change the build spec of the chassis. Then have factory servers confirm and accept. Then the send the coding to the bike. Its not like the old days where they csn manually just change a measure block . The actual data card of the bike needs to change. I think this is what creates the issues.
For parts I believe it is a partial loom, plus the side connection points etc.
One thing yo add also. With the Performance model suspension there are no issues either. It has range to adapt and even with panniers loaded the bike compensates and in Dynamic with load it actually feels better sometimes. Maybe because the load forces it to really jack itself up and add alot more support.
I know for sure there was a dealer in UK who has a demo with panniers installed also. So for sure it is possible.
Itd mainly BMW red tape. Ad the V max etc and rated subframe loads need to change with panniers etc. You know how the world is. Someone somewhere will fully load the bike with a 18 stone passenger plus full panniers and do a V max run . The bike will have a speed wobble or crack a subframe or something and they will claim BMW.
Thanks mate that's very encouraging. I think if it get's really difficult you can also get the panniers with locks instead of central lock, that would potentially short cut some of the issues with the loom & coding. I am not planing going down that route especially with your feedback. I will post how I go and hopefully soon have something positive to contribute about owning & riding a Perform RS in Aust.
Excellent. Overall i don't think its too difficult. I'm unsure if the loom will bring power to the panniers alone. But for sure that is worth it. As on a long journey, I put my phone in there on charge and it stays full while I can play music and use maps on the N3 display. Also the lights in the cases are super bright at night. Small thing that make a difference.
To close this thread. Bike is sold.
If anyone is interested to buy it. It's gone to a bike seller in Málaga . If I find the listing I'll post it.
Bike just had 20k service and new Continental Sportcontact 5 fitted today and goes directly to the shop for sale.
Its been great. Loved the bike. But things are changing. 20k in 7 months is going to make it worth nothing in a few years. So jumped now.
Also. The capability of the bike is just overkill for what I need now. Have no spare time so I'm just going too hard on the commute and want something slower and more fun. I'm taking a bit of abuse for this but...... tested a Moto Guzzi Stelvio and loved it. Bike isn't perfect but it has something. Fun, comfortable but great to ride at a much slower speed. So went for the Duecento Tributo model. I have a thread in the Guzzi section and will keep that updated.
If anyone is interested to buy it. It's gone to a bike seller in Málaga . If I find the listing I'll post it.
Bike just had 20k service and new Continental Sportcontact 5 fitted today and goes directly to the shop for sale.
Its been great. Loved the bike. But things are changing. 20k in 7 months is going to make it worth nothing in a few years. So jumped now.
Also. The capability of the bike is just overkill for what I need now. Have no spare time so I'm just going too hard on the commute and want something slower and more fun. I'm taking a bit of abuse for this but...... tested a Moto Guzzi Stelvio and loved it. Bike isn't perfect but it has something. Fun, comfortable but great to ride at a much slower speed. So went for the Duecento Tributo model. I have a thread in the Guzzi section and will keep that updated.
Larry Langford
Registered user
Well you certainly put a few miles on that 1300. Bravo. I only have 7500 miles on my 1250. But that keeps it more interesting for resale, which prolly won't happen anyway as I paid too much for it. I have a GS in the garage and it gets a lot of the miles these days. I like the RS better, it really is a great performer, but i do tend to ride it rather spirited at times so I just get it out for special occasions it seems. Like having a 9/11 turbo in the garage, you don't drive it all the time. I'm more likely to survive on the 1250 GS as it is. I just put around bike, but still has the get up and go under the hood. Let us know what you end up with ... I can say that after riding the GS for a spell I do really enjoy the RS for an afternoon .....
Hi all! I just wanted to introduce myself. I live on the East Coast of Australia. I am lucky enough to have a R1250RS in a mate’s garage in the UK and have recently returned from a 2.5 month bike trip after visiting the mountains & Alps all over France, Spain, Italy Austria. Had a bloody terrific time and will be back in 2027.
Got home and immediately started scheming to put a 1300RS in the garage, I was after the Performance model, but also the panniers as I found them almost indispensable on our extended Euro trip. Big shout out to Spartan, he has been extremely encouraging & helpful with the whole "panniers on a Performance model" thing, managed to get it done and do something other than blue for the covers. I have also managed to get some other helpful goodies fitted to try and get it to deliver what I want fro the sort of extended riding we do here.
I am about to embark on a several day trip down to the Snowy Mountains and surrounds next week which should give me good feedback on how to set it up properly for the mixture of very different road surfaces we have here. Anyhoo, thanks all, especially Spartan.
Looks great. Nice touches. I especially like the black in the tank next to the seat.
Glad you got it all sorted.
Fagan did a track day on one and rated it. It was on the Mk3 Dunlops too so to Mk4 would have helped a bit more as for sure they are an improvement and really suit the bike.
Glad you got it all sorted.
Fagan did a track day on one and rated it. It was on the Mk3 Dunlops too so to Mk4 would have helped a bit more as for sure they are an improvement and really suit the bike.
Thank you for the feedback, there are a few things on her now that are working well. Those black pieces are from label.it, they are also on the swing arm, heel areas and high contact places where there might be a bit of wear.
I know you like the Mk4’s, did you by any chance get to experience how they behaved in wet weather? Also would be keen to hear your wet weather feedback on the Mk3’s if you had any wet weather in Sunny Spain?
If you were thinking about putting wet weather capable tyres on this big, heavy bike what would you choose? I would normally gravitate to Mich Road 6 GT’s… but I think they might knock off too much of the tyre performance? What else is there?
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Yes i found they were decent in the wet. The thing is. Really nobody can rate road tyres being ridden on the road in the wet as its all down to the asphalt. There are so many variables that affect grip that there are lots of tyres that are decent.
As you know, if you're smooth and progressive with inputs and can hold some heat in the tyre. Most things work. The 3 were good. I rode them all winter. But the 4 were just better overall.
The Mk4 really suit the bike. Michelins for me have always been a poor tyre overall. They work but have a window. Take them out that window and they fall off a cliff. Its been been the same with their race tyre and road tyres. Road 6 was one of a vaguest road tyres I tried. Only the Metzler Roadtec 01 was worse. But everyone buys them like everyone buys GS's. Theyre decent enough for 80%of riders are use. Saying that I currently have Anakee Adventure on the Stelvio and still getting 50deg lean on the logger and 6% rear wheel overspeed. So really every tyre is capable is you load it gently enough.
Before I sold the bike i took it for service and installed Continental Sportcontact 5. Then rode it 60km directly to the buyer with my 12 year old daughter on the back. From what i could gather they were good, felt a great and frint felt a bit slower and not as sharp as Dunlop but more positive. But i think they might be too soft. This is that tyre after that 60km journey.
The Dunlops took alot of abuse and didnt fall apart. The Continental i think will be lile Bridgestone. Fall apart . Great for the car park guys who want to talk about tyres. But bad for wallet and guys who want the tyre to perform
As you know, if you're smooth and progressive with inputs and can hold some heat in the tyre. Most things work. The 3 were good. I rode them all winter. But the 4 were just better overall.
The Mk4 really suit the bike. Michelins for me have always been a poor tyre overall. They work but have a window. Take them out that window and they fall off a cliff. Its been been the same with their race tyre and road tyres. Road 6 was one of a vaguest road tyres I tried. Only the Metzler Roadtec 01 was worse. But everyone buys them like everyone buys GS's. Theyre decent enough for 80%of riders are use. Saying that I currently have Anakee Adventure on the Stelvio and still getting 50deg lean on the logger and 6% rear wheel overspeed. So really every tyre is capable is you load it gently enough.
Before I sold the bike i took it for service and installed Continental Sportcontact 5. Then rode it 60km directly to the buyer with my 12 year old daughter on the back. From what i could gather they were good, felt a great and frint felt a bit slower and not as sharp as Dunlop but more positive. But i think they might be too soft. This is that tyre after that 60km journey.
The Dunlops took alot of abuse and didnt fall apart. The Continental i think will be lile Bridgestone. Fall apart . Great for the car park guys who want to talk about tyres. But bad for wallet and guys who want the tyre to perform
As usual you give such great real world feedback and insight, I can really appreciate & understand what you are saying. I’m going to go with the Mk4s when they are replaced
