Upgrade, ya or nay?

[IrishGaucho]

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

 

[DJ123]

Only you can answer if it would be an upgrade based on what you're looking for. Beyond the technical changes, the 'personality' of the Bike is what you'll bond with.

Why not go test ride one and see how it feels as a comparison, vs the 1250. No doubt there are plenty of options on the 2nd hand market,

 

[IrishGaucho]

Only you can answer if it would be an upgrade based on what you're looking for. Beyond the technical changes, the 'personality' of the Bike is what you'll bond with.

Why not go test ride one and see how it feels as a comparison, vs the 1250. No doubt there are plenty of options on the 2nd hand market,

Testing one out is definitely in the plans, but other than getting an overall feeling for it (which is crucial of course). I was looking at long term owners experiences, recommendations, etc..

Thanks!

 

[RichardD]

It had better be worth it!
I've owned a couple of R1250GS and put 25,000 miles on each of them. I had a 90 minute test ride on the R1300GS and the new bike arrives on Monday.

I'm sure I'll end up with a few niggles where the bike seems to have evolved in the wrong direction, but overall I'm sure the new bike is going to be a step up.

 

[zoltan]

Purchased the first 1200 GS LC in 2013, from may experience I would not get a new model until 2/3 years passed. I rejected twice due to faults, but the 1250 is a fine bike. I see no point upgrading unless I go for the ASA version, but it looks like they have problems with the system. So I am out. Going from 1200 to 1300 is a upgrade worth having.
Have as many test rides as you possibly can in good weather and in rain.

 

[IrishGaucho]

It had better be worth it!
I've owned a couple of R1250GS and put 25,000 miles on each of them. I had a 90 minute test ride on the R1300GS and the new bike arrives on Monday.

I'm sure I'll end up with a few niggles where the bike seems to have evolved in the wrong direction, but overall I'm sure the new bike is going to be a step up.

Ha! Good man, best of luck with your purchase. I'm excited for you.

Ya, one of the main things I hear is that she feels a bit more cramped. But then again, being a small rider myself that should be a pro. Although, I've never felt or wished my own GS was smaller.

Purchased the first 1200 GS LC in 2013, from may experience I would not get a new model until 2/3 years passed. I rejected twice due to faults, but the 1250 is a fine bike. I see no point upgrading unless I go for the ASA version, but it looks like they have problems with the system. So I am out. Going from 1200 to 1300 is a upgrade worth having.
Have as many test rides as you possibly can in good weather and in rain.

Ya, I agree. I thought that I would wait until a revision but I think financially now is the moment. Otherwise, I'll be sticking with my own girl for a few more years...

Which I wouldn't mind at all, she does everything I need but eventually she will start to get old.

 

[team duvet]

Hi RTV......hope this helps, 7 months of ownership (GSA) and 12,000 miles! No problems in that time.

TD

 

[IrishGaucho]

Hi RTV......hope this helps, 7 months of ownership (GSA) and 12,000 miles! No problems in that time.

TD

It does help!

So, happy enough? Would you buy it again?

 

[team duvet]

It does help!

So, happy enough? Would you buy it again?

Yes I would.

 

[leadfarmer]

I too went from the 1200 to the 1300, absolutely no regrets

The 1300 is definitely sportier, mine pops impromptu wheelies now and again and I don’t even know how to wheelie

To me it doesn’t feel any more cramped than the old bike, the seating position is nigh on identical

Wind protection is far better on the 1300 with the electric screen and it’s also happier cruising at 130kmh, the new engine is fantastic and the gearbox and quick shifter are better

The only negative points are the engine noise at tick over, it’s horrendous, and the rider’s seat is not particularly comfortable although the passenger seat strangely is all day comfy

It’s brilliant 2 up, especially with adaptive ride height, the variable spring rate is a game changer, oh and it does like to pop wheelies, did I mention that ?

Try one and buy one

 

[Smartbazza]

Hi , I went from a 1250 gsa (which I loved) to a 13. Is it an improvement re performance, economy , handling, etc 100%.

Based on my own experience, reliability is shocking. On my second one now and still getting issues. On a 23k bike I may be the exception but is it really a quality item…

I sold my 1250 to someone on here who got a fantastic bike. To be honest I wish I’d kept it but hey ho.

Barry

 

[Smartbazza]

I too went from the 1200 to the 1300, absolutely no regrets

The 1300 is definitely sportier, mine pops impromptu wheelies now and again and I don’t even know how to wheelie

To me it doesn’t feel any more cramped than the old bike, the seating position is nigh on identical

Wind protection is far better on the 1300 with the electric screen and it’s also happier cruising at 130kmh, the new engine is fantastic and the gearbox and quick shifter are better

The only negative points are the engine noise at tick over, it’s horrendous, and the rider’s seat is not particularly comfortable although the passenger seat strangely is all day comfy

It’s brilliant 2 up, especially with adaptive ride height, the variable spring rate is a game changer, oh and it does like to pop wheelies, did I mention that ?

Try one and buy one

You’re right. Without earplugs it sounds like a 1980s Renault and sounds shocking. Seat is as hard as a whores heart - I’ve just got a Wunderlich.

Barry

 

[Baked Bean]

Went from a 1250 which was brilliant to a 1300 which is even brillianter. 9.5k miles of trouble free riding. Love it.

 

[botus]

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.


Cheers,
Rami

I had a 1200LC gutless where you want it - some rip at the top where its just hard work and not much fun

ridden a couple of 1250s, shift cam makes it feel like the original air cooled Hex head, you move the throttle at low revs and something happens, it never did on a 1200LC

a 1300 makes the 1250 seem slow everywhere - if you watch the really not very good youtube clip in a recent post - aside from looks and small switchgear stuff where heated grips was where it should be - the 1250 does everything less well than the 1300 except look less hideous - the 1300 engine is a revelation with a far more rounded curve - with grunt everywhere and enough of it you don't need more - its a no brainer if you have the money

 

[IrishGaucho]

I too went from the 1200 to the 1300, absolutely no regrets

The 1300 is definitely sportier, mine pops impromptu wheelies now and again and I don’t even know how to wheelie

To me it doesn’t feel any more cramped than the old bike, the seating position is nigh on identical

Wind protection is far better on the 1300 with the electric screen and it’s also happier cruising at 130kmh, the new engine is fantastic and the gearbox and quick shifter are better

The only negative points are the engine noise at tick over, it’s horrendous, and the rider’s seat is not particularly comfortable although the passenger seat strangely is all day comfy

It’s brilliant 2 up, especially with adaptive ride height, the variable spring rate is a game changer, oh and it does like to pop wheelies, did I mention that ?

Try one and buy one

Brilliant! When you say noise at tick over... is it just start up? I've noticed on the missus F900XR that it also makes a bit of a rattle starting up and then quiets down after a few secs, when cold mostly (dealer said it was normal).

I've heard reviews about the seat alright, apparently they have less padding due to the focus on adjustability which is now at the seat instead of the frame like it used to be. A shame, but fixable.

Hi , I went from a 1250 gsa (which I loved) to a 13. Is it an improvement re performance, economy , handling, etc 100%.

Based on my own experience, reliability is shocking. On my second one now and still getting issues. On a 23k bike I may be the exception but is it really a quality item…

I sold my 1250 to someone on here who got a fantastic bike. To be honest I wish I’d kept it but hey ho.

Barry

Ah... so you're one of the ones affected, that's a crying shame and makes me panic a little bit for sure. Granted, it seems like BMW is owning the problems for the most parts but certainly not an experience you would want to with that level of investment.

You’re right. Without earplugs it sounds like a 1980s Renault and sounds shocking. Seat is as hard as a whores heart - I’ve just got a Wunderlich.

Barry

ha! Regardless of the year, sounding like a Renault is never good, can't really think of any exception (I'm joking Renault lovers!)

Do you have the standard pipe or the akra? On the 1200s you definitely need an exhaust to have a more attractive sound out of it.

Went from a 1250 which was brilliant to a 1300 which is even brillianter. 9.5k miles of trouble free riding. Love it.

Nice!

I had a 1200LC gutless where you want it - some rip at the top where its just hard work and not much fun

ridden a couple of 1250s, shift cam makes it feel like the original air cooled Hex head, you move the throttle at low revs and something happens, it never did on a 1200LC

a 1300 makes the 1250 seem slow everywhere - if you watch the really not very good youtube clip in a recent post - aside from looks and small switchgear stuff where heated grips was where it should be - the 1250 does everything less well than the 1300 except look less hideous - the 1300 engine is a revelation with a far more rounded curve - with grunt everywhere and enough of it you don't need more - its a no brainer if you have the money

I don't know lad, my 1200LC has plenty of poke. It does run out of steam at the top end, but torque is where is at for me. I'm no Valentino Rossi and there's really no high speed roads in Ireland so having torque for fast overtakes, etc is much more usable and always been able to keep up with any other bike in the twisties. But again, it's an ADV bike.

The looks, I would agree... specially the headlight which looks like an AliExpress downgrade while parked. I'm getting used to it, and with all the radar stuff, etc... I don't think they're going to change that anytime soon, specially because it would seem the 1300 are selling very well.

Really appreciate all the feedback here, it's very helpful and gives me a bit more confidence overall, other than the know issues here and there.

You lads are a bunch of legends!!!! Thank you

 

[botus]

the low down grunt of a 1250 is a revelation to 1200LC rider - the R1300 takes that and smooths it all out
check the graph the 1200 is so poor at low revs it couldn't hold a stable reading below 3100rpm - whereas the 1300 could make serious grunt from 1600rpm
and the far larger area on the torque curve of the 1300 (vs1250) between 3000 to 8000 can easily be felt as a much better, more flexible and livelier engine

re this

When you say noise at tick over... is it just start up?

the R1300 engine is just strange - it makes noises like no other piston engine ever has - why or how is unknown - but its plain weird, strange, and horrible - after 100 miles ragging to death for a day - I no long noticed it - its just what they do

 

[IrishGaucho]

the low down grunt of a 1250 is a revelation to 1200LC rider - the R1300 takes that and smooths it all out
check the graph the 1200 is so poor at low revs it couldn't hold a stable reading below 3100rpm - whereas the 1300 could make serious grunt from 1600rpm
and the far larger area on the torque curve of the 1300 (vs1250) between 3000 to 8000 can easily be felt as a much better, more flexible and livelier engine

re this



the R1300 engine is just strange - it makes noises like no other piston engine ever has - why or how is unknown - but its plain weird, strange, and horrible - after 100 miles ragging to death for a day - I no long noticed it - its just what they do

when you put it like that! I honestly never felt like I was short on power, so this must be unreal.

I'll see if I can jump on a 1300 next weekend, power and sound definitely have me intrigued now.

Cheers for that!

 

[Tyzer]

It is a very noisy ,whining mechanical engine compared to the 1250 but I've got used to it now unless I forget my earplugs.

 

[botus]

the dips on a 1250 power curve (I guess as it plays cam lobes) at 3500 rpm and again 5500 rpm, can be easily felt by a rider that uses all available grunt, and its quite unpleasant - and gets us back on track with the point in your first post, the idiots on you-tube and in magazines are all incompetent liars

every test you read on the 1250 stated you can't feel the cams swap over - you can and its horrible - but the 1300 sorts it all out with a new engine and another 5 years of dev - I guess in part where they phase the switch over between cyls to help smooth it

I'm still confused why many manu do it - Honda tweak things to smooth out the lumps and bumps, and yes on first ride and for halfwit journalists many don't notice - but over years of ownership, development like that leads to happy owners and a solid brand reputation - there's a post on tuning the 1300 and yes whilst emission and noise regs get to ruin all bikes - BM could have smoothed things out a smidge more on the engine management - but they only hunt down the wishes of the regulators and ignore the owners - and then waste the development money saved, on marketing and jollies for journalists - its why a mild remap would help it run like a honda

 

[IrishGaucho]

It is a very noisy ,whining mechanical engine compared to the 1250 but I've got used to it now unless I forget my earplugs.

Never ridden a 1250 but the 1200s are quite agricultural, the LC being a lot more refined in comparisson to the air cooled. I'd say that they "sound like a GS", if that's good or bad it's up to the ears of the listener I guess.

the dips on a 1250 power curve (I guess as it plays cam lobes) at 3500 rpm and again 5500 rpm, can be easily felt by a rider that uses all available grunt, and its quite unpleasant - and gets us on track with the point in your first post, the idiots on you-tube and in magazines are all incompetent liars

every test you read on the 1250 stated you can't feel the cams swap over - you can and its horrible - but the 1300 sorts it all out with a new engine and another 5 years of dev - I guess in part where they phase the switch over between cyls to help smooth it

Yaaa.... and unfortunately it's like most of them watch the same first review from one of the more "tradditional" reviewers like MCN and they all repeat the same speech. A lot of it is down to personal taste, a lot of it is about the hype, views and being on Motorrad's good graces. I'm pretty sure that if you don't say their latest model is the best thing since sliced bread, they wouldn't be too quick and giving you the next press bike.