Upgrade, ya or nay?

[Deleted account 251212001]

Not once , ever, with 19 litres, have i had anxiety but i dont ride in groups anymore and have to follow anyone, and i have a brain that allows me to make solid judgements on the fly. Get to your destination town and be full or nearly full on juice youve got a half day (usually most of the day) the next day before needing to fill up again.

 

[J biker]

Gmaps. Nearest fuel. Job…done. Though regardless of tank size, I have a fuel gauge and engage brain mode…

I do wonder how I used to cope with the little VFR400 years ago, 80 miles or less to the warning light. GSXR750 90 miles.
.FZ1S, that I did Austria to NE UK in 23.5 hours inc ferry crossing…that did around 120 miles to warning light.
It shouldn't have worked! But it was fine, apart from the bloody seat.
As to people who will not fill up when the opportunity arrises, well, not everyone can be helped.

It is also possible to carry a small spare 1 litre bottle. You would still have over 30 kilos spares…to a GSA

Get a grip. Each to their own version and at some point we will all be running on fumes

Edit, now an electric car, that would give me anxiety…

 

[karlakGS]

I'm not sure if you're going to get more comfort out of the 1300. If anything it's more sporty and less touring... Seat is definitely a step backwards (even the comfort one) and hope you get bar risers on your demo bike, otherwise you might not like it, also the seat pivots at the back, make sure you test both positions as one would tilt the seat forward for even more sporty feel.

Suspension in road mode is definitely superior.

Comfort is very subjective, so definitely give it a try and see how you get on. It's different from previous bikes for sure.

Currently have an RS not a GS.

 

[IrishGaucho]

Currently have an RS not a GS.

Ah, nevermind the.... You'll absolutely love the 1300 so!

 

[botus]

if you ride 900+miles across bits of Europe you will often find it would have been useful to have 240 mile range - sure 2/3rd of the trip 180 mile range was just fine - but its the bits where roads go where they want and petrol stations have vanished that's the issue

 

[botus]

Gmaps. Nearest fuel. Job…done. Though regardless of tank size, I have a fuel gauge and engage brain mode…

I do wonder how I used to cope with the little VFR400 years ago, 80 miles or less to the warning light. GSXR750 90 miles.
.FZ1S, that I did Austria to NE UK in 23.5 hours inc ferry crossing…that did around 120 miles to warning light.
It shouldn't have worked! But it was fine, apart from the bloody seat.
As to people who will not fill up when the opportunity arrises, well, not everyone can be helped.

It is also possible to carry a small spare 1 litre bottle. You would still have over 30 kilos spares…to a GSA

Get a grip. Each to their own version and at some point we will all be running on fumes

Edit, now an electric car, that would give me anxiety…

funny that - cos the range of most electric cars is the same as a GS with its silly little tank

 

[Spook1969]

if you ride 900+miles across bits of Europe you will often find it would have been useful to have 240 mile range - sure 2/3rd of the trip 180 mile range was just fine - but its the bits where roads go where they want and petrol stations have vanished that's the issue

Never found that once in 20 years plus of Euro travel

 

[J biker]

funny that - cos the range of most electric cars is the same as a GS with its silly little tank

So the electric car manufacturers agree on range, but you can find petrol easily and it takes a minute to fill the silly little tank.
Then, when you set off, you are not riding a 269 kg (plus metal panniers, scaffolding, 4x spotlights etc..) petrol tanker.
So it still wins.

 

[RallyeGS]

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

Bar the very early GSs, I’ve owned them all. Initially I had GSs, I then migrated to the GSA when the 1150 was introduced and I’ve had GSAs ever since. The additional fuel capacity is nice, but not essential. I like the additional height, and weather protection. Whilst they are heavier than the GS, that doesn’t hinder the fun. I did around 300km of the French TET on my R1200GSA a couple of years ago and it was a hoot. I’ve just bought this with ASA and in my view, it’s the best BMW bike I have ever owned. Other opinions are available, but I care not one jot what others think about my choice of bike. To answer your questions though:

- Is it worth the upgrade?
Is this a money question, or about the bike in general? On both counts the answer is yes.
- Does it feel like an improvement?
In every way. Ergonomics, comfort, power delivery, equipment and even fuel consumption!
- How does the new frame/geometry feels like?
I’d say it’s the best handling BMW I’ve had. Turns in easily, has the turning circle of a push bike, feels planted around bends and straight line stability is excellent.

 

[stick]

Are the brakes still bad , as my 1300Gs , were awful. Front was weak and the rear problomatic.

 

[IrishGaucho]

Are the brakes still bad , as my 1300Gs , were awful. Front was weak and the rear problomatic.

Not an issue on my bike at least, the feel equal if not better than my 1200.

 

[RallyeGS]

Brakes are super. I have the sport brake option and they have no problem bringing the bike to a safe, predictable halt.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Brakes are super. I have the sport brake option and they have no problem bringing the bike to a safe, predictable halt.

Sport brake option ? Is that yet another ££necessary option ?
Nowt wrong with my brakes , that tempts me to upgrade .

 

[RallyeGS]

It’s only necessary if you think it’s necessary!

 

[J biker]

Brakes? None of mine had weak brakes, even the Hayes that people said needed replacing with Brembo were good.

 

[IrishGaucho]

It's one of those things... The sport brakes are lighter and they're supposed to be stronger and hold the abuse better..

I'd you're just a cruiser or chill rider, you'll most likely never notice the difference or at least you don't know the difference.

Cheers!

 

[botus]

Brakes? None of mine had weak brakes, even the Hayes that people said needed replacing with Brembo were good.

mine are pathetic even with sport brakes - might as well disconnect they do almost nothing

its a bit much u spend way more than 20k on bike and you have to go buy pads the next day

 

[leadfarmer]

 

[J biker]

Think I am around motorcycle number 27. Give or take 1. Everything from kh 125, to R1, Gsxr750, Ducati, KTM, 5th BMW, nothing in the last twenty years had poor brakes. Different, maybe, more weight to slow down, maybe, porr and a problem? Nope.
And, I am not and never have been plodding on, more ‘progressive’ tbh., I have done a few track days and do ride on a regular basis with quick experienced riders…on a GS.
The only thing that has been required is to adjust the lever span.
I have ridden with someone who claimed they needed to change the Hayes to Brembo, yet at the time mine were fine, with plenty of bite. Short of an individual problem with a bike, either due to worn pads or the system needing to be bled, I say ‘bull shit’.

 

[RallyeGS]

I didn't spec the 'sports brake', it was part of a package I think. I have never had an issue stopping on any of my GS bikes and probably wouldn't have paid for them otherwise. The callipers look nice though!