What wheels...

[gsa matt]

Ok people. Need some advice. Im looking to order a new gsa October ish time in time for January 2026. I know exactly what I want but the wheels are my only head wreck on my 1250 I have gold spoked wheels. For my new 1300 gsa i really like the forged wheels over the spoked. Was wondering have any of you ordered or ridden with the wheels and offer some advice or anything.
Many thanks

 

[llotse]

I thought the GSA came with spoked wheels? I had forged on my RT, hit a pothole , big dent unrepairable and expensive. I had spoked on the GS, hit a pothole, big dent, unrepairable and expensive. I guess it just comes down to looks. Personally I prefer the spoked on the GS.

 

[tw99]

I'd always chose forged wheels if not off roading, as the spoked ones are an utter PITA to clean by comparison.

 

[gsa matt]

Yes spoked wheels come as standard with the gsa. But as an optional extra. €1000 option. I can get the forged ones. I agree with being unreasonable if damaged also. Absolutely personal preference. Thanks

 

[gsa matt]

That is also a huge plus. The easy cleaning of them. All my riding is road. Long distance touring. Thanks

 

[Bubb]

What do YOU think looks best?

Whatever that is, is what you should order. We are all different, so our choices are different, and that is fine.
If someone doesnt like your choice, sod them….. it’s your bike…so have it your way.

Personally I went for black spoked wheels on my r1300gs as I preferred the look…..but had black forged wheels on my 1250gs.

 

[kipperfish]

I have the forged wheels and am really happy with them. But it's just a looks (and ease of cleaning) thing really, so go with what you like the look of

 

[Gavla04GS]

You need to ask @SiRich as he has cast wheels and @Reggie353 has this fine example

I've swapped my spoked wheels for cast ones on my old (not a 1300) bike.

As @Bubb says its yours so do what you want.

 

[gateway77]

I have the cast wheels and got them primarily for the lighter weight. I did of course add a ton of other junk to my bike so any real weight saving was lost!

I 'feel' that the turn in is faster than on my previous GS/A bikes with the cast wheels, although I didn't have them on my 1250 so can't really compare .
(In the past I've had carbon wheels on KTM's and when I've been in the mood they were great - but quite often felt very fidgety / flighty.)

When I've had 1300 loan bikes with spoked wheels it feels both more weighty and sometimes more solid, so I think it can feel better or worse depending on the variables of the road and the ride.

Also I hate cleaning spokes but they do look nice.
GS/A 1300 is a great package with either wheels so I'd go for what you fancy as others have said.

 

[gsa matt]

Excellent thanks. I was hoping to hear from someone that has experienced them in real life and liked them. I do have my mind made up. And I know it's a lot of extra money to have them over the spoked wheels but I think I will prefer them. Thanks for the help and input

 

[gsa matt]

Thanks for the help. Easier cleaning sounds way better

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Mine are cast not forged, thats what it came with. Spoked wheels are a total pain in the arse to clean and navigate motorcycle security chains through, cast/forged much much easier to clean. The bike turns in very quickly and un gs like with cast, but the forged do look nicer imo. It is all down to personal preference, but i’d definitely be very tempted to go forged given the choice/budget.

 

[J biker]

I had black wired wheels on my last 3 GS, what a pain to keep clean and to get looking good, after a wash.

Gone with cast wheels on my 1300 GS, not GSA , and very pleased with my decision. They just wipe clean.
Road use only. So might depend on intended use…
imo the new cast wheels look better too.

 

[gateway77]

Mine are cast not forged, thats what it came with. Spoked wheels are a total pain in the arse to clean and navigate motorcycle security chains through, cast/forged much much easier to clean. The bike turns in very quickly and un gs like with cast, but the forged do look nicer imo. It is all down to personal preference, but i’d definitely be very tempted to go forged given the choice/budget.

Yes - you are correct the wheels I have are forged not cast. My mistake

 

[gsa matt]

All my riding is and will be 99 percent road. Forged wheels it will be then

 

[Mad Paddy]

I have a 1300gs with forged wheels on done 12000kms
As every one says forged/cast wheels way easier to keep clean
Plus the forged are a mat colour which I liked

 

[gsa matt]

I have a 1300gs with forged wheels on done 12000kms
As every one says forged/cast wheels way easier to keep clean
Plus the forged are a mat colour which I liked

Great stuff thanks..

 

[stick]

Best part with the forged wheels is the better turn in the bike has and feels nimble. Fast sections become easier and more accurate .

 

[Coyantino]

I've been just contacted by my dealer to change my order. I had ordered two weeks ago a TB with forged wheels. Apparently BMW doesn't produced them any longer and I had to choose between the three remaining options (cast wheels, spoked wheels with gold rim, spoked wheels with black rim, I chose that one). I'm disappointed as for me the forged wheels were one of the decisive selling points (I come from a 17" front wheel and the GS's forged wheels on the 19" front wheel at least compensated for the loss of agility in handling). I've been browsing through german forums and found that BMW had already had a recall for the forged rear wheel because of strange sounds and vibrations. I also read that the company producing the rims for BMW went bust but I have no idea about the veridity of those affirmations.

 

[littleade]

I've been just contacted by my dealer to change my order. I had ordered two weeks ago a TB with forged wheels. Apparently BMW doesn't produced them any longer and I had to choose between the three remaining options (cast wheels, spoked wheels with gold rim, spoked wheels with black rim, I chose that one). I'm disappointed as for me the forged wheels were one of the decisive selling points (I come from a 17" front wheel and the GS's forged wheels on the 19" front wheel at least compensated for the loss of agility in handling). I've been browsing through german forums and found that BMW had already had a recall for the forged rear wheel because of strange sounds and vibrations. I also read that the company producing the rims for BMW went bust but I have no idea about the veridity of those affirmations.

Do you ride off road? If not the standard cast alloys might be a better option, especiaaly as you wanted the forged ones. This is because they are lighter than the spoked wheels and the less unsprung weight you have the more agile the bike will be.

The other thing you might want to check out is have BMW found out why the spoked wheels were collapsing? There have been a few occurrences where the rear wheel broke up and the spokes collapsed at high speed. I've not seen anything lately so what ever the cause was might have been identified but I haven't seen anything ?