Well I’ve just had a test ride on the new GS1300adventure in 917 spec. The nice gents at BMW in Wolverhampton were happy for me to be the first rider on this brand spanky new bike. Now like most I went “WTF” when I saw the first pics but like many I have to say it does look much better in the flesh. The tank looks ridiculously wide but it’s no wider than a 1200 or 1250. It’s because it’s a single tank and not a collection of plastic bits that makes it look so wide. It’s much smaller than the outgoing 1250 and you sit on it rather than in it. I’m 6’2” so I’d have the seat set on its highest position and would probably want bar risers to get the ergonomics feeling right.
So what’s it like to ride? Well I’m torn between is it or isn’t it a true adventure bike. It’s fucking fast, like oh shit silly fast. I’m pretty sure I’d give more than a few sports bikes a run for their money and I’d be happy donning leathers and doing a track day on one. But is it what you want or need to go touring all over Europe luggaged up to the eyeballs. It handles fast twisty roads with ease and feels pretty good on back roads and farm tracks but a very light throttle and grabby clutch make things abit more focusing. It’s very very good on street tyres but I wonder what it would be like on trail tyres like TKC’s
Things I did think nice and very well thought out. The mounting points on the tank and side panels are very well done and the luggage system is very neat but you are really restricted to the bmw system. The phone holder/ cubby box on the top of the tank is very nice but needs abit of effort to close tight.
The engine guards have little wings which I thought were weird until I put my leg up on one. Perfect for those long trips when you need to stretch your legs out.
Things I didn’t like. Quick shifter. It makes sense because the clutch is abit grabby but you really need to think about it when getting a shift on. Just the slightest touch and it cuts the power. So your on the gas, as the revs climb you might just want to get your toe ready to snick the next gear and you touch the lever by mistake, oh wow it’s like someone just turned the engine off. It’s ok once you get used to it but it’s abit sensitive. The other thing is the close proximity warning in the mirrors. The warning triangles a fookin huge and make the mirror useless just when your attentions been drawn to look in the mirror and the anti collision auto braking is way to severe. While filtering through traffic I triggered it and it just slammed on the brakes. On a wet city road you’d be on the floor before you know it.
It’s definitely a game changer. It’s incredibly fast and handles like a sports bike. It makes the XR1000 pointless in the BMW range. The looks will grow on people much like the new defender did for land rover. It opens doors for those who thought the old GS1250adv was too big as it physically feels much smaller.
Would I pay £28000+ for one. No probably not. It’s good but is it twice as good as say a 2020 1250adv or 5 times better than a £1200. No not really.
These are just my thoughts. Others will find different pros and cons to the bike. But it is bloody fast……….
So what’s it like to ride? Well I’m torn between is it or isn’t it a true adventure bike. It’s fucking fast, like oh shit silly fast. I’m pretty sure I’d give more than a few sports bikes a run for their money and I’d be happy donning leathers and doing a track day on one. But is it what you want or need to go touring all over Europe luggaged up to the eyeballs. It handles fast twisty roads with ease and feels pretty good on back roads and farm tracks but a very light throttle and grabby clutch make things abit more focusing. It’s very very good on street tyres but I wonder what it would be like on trail tyres like TKC’s
Things I did think nice and very well thought out. The mounting points on the tank and side panels are very well done and the luggage system is very neat but you are really restricted to the bmw system. The phone holder/ cubby box on the top of the tank is very nice but needs abit of effort to close tight.
The engine guards have little wings which I thought were weird until I put my leg up on one. Perfect for those long trips when you need to stretch your legs out.
Things I didn’t like. Quick shifter. It makes sense because the clutch is abit grabby but you really need to think about it when getting a shift on. Just the slightest touch and it cuts the power. So your on the gas, as the revs climb you might just want to get your toe ready to snick the next gear and you touch the lever by mistake, oh wow it’s like someone just turned the engine off. It’s ok once you get used to it but it’s abit sensitive. The other thing is the close proximity warning in the mirrors. The warning triangles a fookin huge and make the mirror useless just when your attentions been drawn to look in the mirror and the anti collision auto braking is way to severe. While filtering through traffic I triggered it and it just slammed on the brakes. On a wet city road you’d be on the floor before you know it.
It’s definitely a game changer. It’s incredibly fast and handles like a sports bike. It makes the XR1000 pointless in the BMW range. The looks will grow on people much like the new defender did for land rover. It opens doors for those who thought the old GS1250adv was too big as it physically feels much smaller.
Would I pay £28000+ for one. No probably not. It’s good but is it twice as good as say a 2020 1250adv or 5 times better than a £1200. No not really.
These are just my thoughts. Others will find different pros and cons to the bike. But it is bloody fast……….
I’m waiting on his opinion before deciding. Not.
