Upgrade, ya or nay?

[IrishGaucho]

rampant speculation based on rampant speculation based on what some chap said. The current 1300GS sounds great

Agreed to disagree, In my test drive I absolutely heard a lot of clankling noise coming from the engine at lower revs. It was pretty bad, almost like nocking noise and calling that out to the sales person, she said "that's the nature of the engine" aknowledging that it was noisy.

Maybe not all do it? Maybe not everyone notices it? But it's a fact that it is there in some bikes.

The rest, for sure call it speculation.... I'll call it hope.

 

[Spook1969]

Everyone has different opinions and wants something different from their bike and more importantly there is a huge variety of riding skills.
The best GS I’ve ever had (I’ve had 8) was the one you currently have. 2018 Rallye - full Remus system, Hilltop remap and Roadtec tyres. Did everything I ever needed and looked great.
Being honest I have never ridden the new 1300 after looking at it in the showroom. I could never have any love for that and less for the new GSA.

 

[IrishGaucho]

Everyone has different opinions and wants something different from their bike and more importantly there is a huge variety of riding skills.
The best GS I’ve ever had (I’ve had 8) was the one you currently have. 2018 Rallye - full Remus system, Hilltop remap and Roadtec tyres. Did everything I ever needed and looked great.
Being honest I have never ridden the new 1300 after looking at it in the showroom. I could never have any love for that and less for the new GSA.

Looks wise, the Rallye is unbeatable and honestly, it does everything that you'll ever need.

But, like I mentioned before, years and mileage are starting to rack up and with a few things I have going on, it's either upgrade now or probably keep it for another 5/6 years.

The 1300 is growing on me looks wise and there's no denying that it's a better bike overall, so yeah... I'll make the jump, but I'm looking at second hand with low miles and a bit of depretiation, same as I did in 2019 when I bought my 2018 with barely 4k miles on it and a deep discount. That's the plan.

 

[botus]

go with a 25 build bike..... ideally may onwards - the early ones were not so clever

 

[leadfarmer]

go with a 25 build bike..... ideally may onwards - the early ones were not so clever

There's a lot of it about

 

[wpm]

I swapped my 2021 1250gsa for a 2025 1300gsa ASA and initially I wasn't convinced but now I have ridden it almost 1,000 miles I absolutely love it.
The engine is defiantly noisier than the 1250 but the power is much better and I love the ASA.

 

[IrishGaucho]

Well... I've done a thing!

I just picked up a 2025 Throphy with less than 3k miles. I was very hesitant and bit scared about biting the bullet but now that I've spent some time with it and parked it in my garage, I have to say that I'm very much in love now.

This one in particular is 100% not as noisy as the ASA model I tested. It could do with a more aggressive exhaust, but overall delighted with hit.

Thank you all for the recommendations and sharing your experiences, it definitely helped me a lot to make a more informed decision with real opinions instead of paid influencers.

 

[roundincircles]

Well... I've done a thing!

I just picked up a 2025 Throphy with less than 3k miles. I was very hesitant and bit scared about biting the bullet but now that I've spent some time with it and parked it in my garage, I have to say that I'm very much in love now.

This one in particular is 100% not as noisy as the ASA model I tested. It could do with a more aggressive exhaust, but overall delighted with hit.

Thank you all for the recommendations and sharing your experiences, it definitely helped me a lot to make a more informed decision with real opinions instead of paid influencers.

Do you find yourself glancing back and taking a look at the bike as you leave your garage?

 

[Spook1969]

Do you find yourself glancing back and taking a look at the bike as you leave your garage?

With tears in your eyes

 

[IrishGaucho]

Do you find yourself glancing back and taking a look at the bike as you leave your garage?

Actually, I did... That solidified my purchase.

I will say that I was the first one to criticize the looks and particularly the headlight. It grew on me...

It's certainly a modern look, sleek design. Rather than the more sharp aggressive design of the 12s. Don't get me wrong, I still prefer the older design but I appreciate the new one too

 

[Smartbazza]

just back from doing 3000miles in the Pyrenees (Spain France and Andorra) on mine. Didn’t miss a bit and was great in the twisty bits. I travel light.

Health to enjoy your new bike.

HP Corse make some nice pipes btw.

Barry

 

[botus]

Do you find yourself glancing back and taking a look at the bike as you leave your garage?

with a sore foot from the recalcitrant gear change, and lucky the forks didn't snap off on the bumps as you dumped it

 

[GrinningGSer]

Hey , perhaps I’m a minority now, still riding my 1200GSA , but it STILL makes me smile. I’ve just completed a faultless , 3,000 mile Europe tour, and not once , have I wanted any more power. It is an effortless , uber smooth cruiser, for big miles, in all weathers.
Still not tempted to change it… and it has good memories.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Hey , perhaps I’m a minority now, still riding my 1200GSA , but it STILL makes me smile. I’ve just completed a faultless , 3,000 mile Europe tour, and not once , have I wanted any more power. It is an effortless , uber smooth cruiser, for big miles, in all weathers.
Still not tempted to change it… and it has good memories.

Well, seeing as you've put it out there, I found the 1200GSA a bit big (in a slow to turn way) and boring having owned previously, 1300GS is a far better bike (imo) and a LOT more exciting to ride. I'm on 11500 miles on mine, 2800 miles in a week this June and it was superb.

 

[IrishGaucho]

Hey , perhaps I’m a minority now, still riding my 1200GSA , but it STILL makes me smile. I’ve just completed a faultless , 3,000 mile Europe tour, and not once , have I wanted any more power. It is an effortless , uber smooth cruiser, for big miles, in all weathers.
Still not tempted to change it… and it has good memories.

That's 100% true and respectable, I can 100% go back to my old GS and be more than happy enough.... but there's no denying the 1300 is just better at everything, except looks. Which, like I said before... it definitely grew on me.

 

[GrinningGSer]

I accept that the 1250 is a better engine and today’s 1300 is better again ( but not on all ways). The 1200 still stands as an uber capable mile muncher. The horsepower arguments are just ‘willy waiving’, which I do understand.

 

[botus]

I accept that the 1250 is a better engine and today’s 1300 is better again ( but not on all ways). The 1200 still stands as an uber capable mile muncher. The horsepower arguments are just ‘willy waiving’, which I do understand.

the 1200 LC is so gutless at the bottom - I threw it away and kept the 57 plate real GS

it was only the shiftcam of the 1250 that started to feel like one worth having with some power where you want it - and the 1300 makes the 1250 seem like a moped

 

[jetjock]

Good day to you fellow GSers!

I've own my beloved 2018 1200 Rallye for a good 6+ years now and about 30k km of nothing of pure enjoyment. This is my second GS and while I've tried and had many different bikes, the GS is my place in my biking world.

I'm kind of, sort of tempted to bite the bullet and upgrade to the 1300. The 1250, while a great bike, never felt like a massive upgrade over my Rallye which already came with the TFT, Pro riding modes, etc... but this 1300 is definitely a big change.

I find that you can't really trust "influencer" review now these days, most with only have the bike for a few hours or a few days and most likely want to be in the motorrad good graces to get another review in the future. Opposite to that, I've seen quite a few horror stories, which are typical of new models and recalls (all brands and bikes have them), but they do put a big question mark.

What's the overall feeling from the real owners here?
- Is it worth the ugprade?
- Does it feel like an improvement?
- How does the new frame/geometry feels like?

I'd love to hear your experiences and recommendations.

Cheers,
Rami

I’ve just bought this

ASA too .

I was against ASA but went for the plunge .

I’ve only done 20 miles but the gearbox is a lot smoother than I thought it would be and I love the fact you can override the auto D mode and change gear whilst staying in D mode .

The bike handles very well and the engine is very good .

Maybe I’ll change my mind as I clock the miles up but I doubt it .

 

[IrishGaucho]

The 1200 is an amazing bike, no question.

The 1300 is just better overall and it's not just horsepower, it's way more refined, safer, more nimble, etc...

Like I said before, there's no need to upgrade, the same way there no "need" for a GS all together. A moped will take you around the world cheaper...

These are toys and why not get the newest and shiniest one if you can.

As per your comment, there's no need for that really.

 

[IrishGaucho]

I’ve just bought this
View attachment 434871
ASA too .

I was against ASA but went for the plunge .

I’ve only done 20 miles but the gearbox is a lot smoother than I thought it would be and I love the fact you can override the auto D mode and change gear whilst staying in D mode .

The bike handles very well and the engine is very good .

Maybe I’ll change my mind as I clock the miles up but I doubt it .

Lovely looking yoke, well wear lad!