Would a base model be a nice motorcycle, or should one really pony up for one heavily optioned?

Clifton

Clifton

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Curious what your thoughts might be? I like a lot of what the 1300 offers but don't really care for some of the added complexity nor the price it adds. I haven't seen a review of a base GS1300, or even one with the base, non active suspension. Actual prices of GS's in showrooms here are $26,000-$29,000 as they all include "premium package" plus double silencer and other options.

But if I were to order one the base price here is $20,190, I could see selecting comfort package for electric screen and centre stand which brings it to $20,765. I've experienced a few bent rims on BMW cast wheels so would likely add $500 for spoke or $1,000 for forged wheels. At a price of $22K- the bike interests me because that leaves money for quality aluminum panniers, aftermarket seat, and possibly a larger shield. So is a base GS a very good motorcycle as far as ride, handling, etc, or is it really only considered a very good motorcycle after one selects the added options including adaptive suspension? I ride solo, mostly on a mix of paved roads along some with gravel and dirt/gravel, but not off road. And 98% during the day. Standard seat height is fine.
 
Clifton said:
Curious what your thoughts might be? I like a lot of what the 1300 offers but don't really care for some of the added complexity nor the price it adds. I haven't seen a review of a base GS1300, or even one with the base, non active suspension. Actual prices of GS's in showrooms here are $26,000-$29,000 as they all include "premium package" plus double silencer and other options.

But if I were to order one the base price here is $20,190, I could see selecting comfort package for electric screen and centre stand which brings it to $20,765. I've experienced a few bent rims on BMW cast wheels so would likely add $500 for spoke or $1,000 for forged wheels. At a price of $22K- the bike interests me because that leaves money for quality aluminum panniers, aftermarket seat, and possibly a larger shield. So is a base GS a very good motorcycle as far as ride, handling, etc, or is it really only considered a very good motorcycle after one selects the added options including adaptive suspension? I ride solo, mostly on a mix of paved roads along some with gravel and dirt/gravel, but not off road. And 98% during the day. Standard seat height is fine.
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When I bought my GSA Rallye back in 2017 the only thing I ordered was a centre stand, heated grips and the spot lights (which I’ve seldom used and regret ordering). My bike has ABS and only the most basic traction control and analogue clocks.
And I’m still alive 😬
I personally think the new 1300 may have a lot of stuff you don’t actually need, but will definitely pay for!! I’d say there’re a lot better value bikes out there like the Guzzi, but you’ve already got one!! lol
Having said that, if you have your heart set on the new GS, I’d order in the most basic format there is. Better still, wait until later this year and buy the 2nd addition one that has some of the bugs worked out. Despite what the marketing guys tell, most R&D is done by the punter riding the damn things.
Slightly unrelated, but every morning when I start my car I go through the following ritual:
Auto stop/start: OFF
Lane control: OFF
Vehicle detection thing: OFF
And there’s a few more I still haven’t figured out to how shut off yet!!
 
The problem I find is that the extra bits that I do want are usually ‘packaged’ with bits I do not want.

E.g. I want Tyre Pressure Control but it is packaged with Keyless
 
I've not really looked at the GS for a few years, the last time I did, as Karl says, I couldn't get select items. I had to get a package and it felt like they'd spread items across two or three packages that I'd select...sod that. My first GS back in 2001 was specc'd with just heated grips. That was it (I seemed to have managed for the previous 20 yrs without 'extras') Worked out just fine.
 
The new dynamic ESA is a huge improvement on the last iteration, which was already excellent , the variable spring rate makes all the difference if you ride 2 up or loaded

The electric screen is nice to have and is the best screen I’ve ever had on any bike for protection and no buffeting

The rest is a question of what you want and how you use your bike, for example I didn’t spec any of the radar functions, I hate adaptive cc, but if I lived in the UK I’d probably love it
 
I've never bought a new motorcycle, I tend to let somebody else take the hit on depreciation then pick up a two year old bike that somebody has specced up to the nines on a finance deal then traded with low miles. They have run it in for me and had the warranty issues, I get a two year warranty/remainder of factory warranty in the deal and ride away as a cash customer owning it outright.

Why not give it a while for the 1300 to reach the used market and pick up something nice, unless you must have that "new bike" pride of ownership for a few weeks that quickly fades?

Here in the UK the whole "rent as you buy" scheme of PCP has seen a glut of used bikes on dealers forecourts to choose from and I see no sign of that changing, though I have no idea what the USA market does.
 
If it's a keeper, buy what you want. If it's going to be upgraded in a few years, buy what will sell. The market for basic GSs is tiny compared with fully farkled ones.
 
You all make good points, thank you. If I would happen to buy such an anomaly it would have to be ordered therefore a second year run (2025). TPC would be nice but I don't even want Keyless so nix that. Variable electric screen and centre stand are basically packaged together which is why I checked "comfort pkg". I dislike adaptive cruise. Adaptive suspension might be a consideration if a stand alone option but it's not. And I had problems with the first generation. I wish there was a linked brake delete option.

I'm on my way this morning to a BMW/Guzzi dealer to leave my Stelvio's to have an oil leak repaired so I'll look around while there. They're loaded down with inventory but I didn't see any base GS's on their website.
 
Dynamic package is all that is required. In fact, waiting on delivery of a bike with just that.
Apart from the price, I dont want any other complexity.
Would add, this will be my 4th GS. So I know what options I need/want.
 
I like the basic models
Seat
Screen
Engine
Wheels
Suspension
Heated Grips
Centre stand

Anything else is froth and one reason I chose my Tenere 700 as my last new bike
No Canbus
Cable throttle
Cable clutch
No modes
No tracton control
Simple bike, with just ABS that can be completely turned off
Suits me fine
 
J biker said:
Dynamic package is all that is required. In fact, waiting on delivery of a bike with just that.
Apart from the price, I dont want any other complexity.
Would add, this will be my 4th GS. So I know what options I need/want.
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Here active suspension is bundled in the $4,700 "Premium Package" which includes things I'd prefer not to have as well. We have no Dynamic Package.


JohnnyBoxer said:
I like the basic models
Seat
Screen
Engine
Wheels
Suspension
Heated Grips
Centre stand

Anything else is froth and one reason I chose my Tenere 700 as my last new bike
No Canbus
Cable throttle
Cable clutch
No modes
No tracton control
Simple bike, with just ABS that can be completely turned off
Suits me fine
Click to expand...

I do as well, Johnny. Well other than on this motorcycle I also like to have tubeless wheels and cruise, and prefer shaft.
Tenere is a very capable motorcycle and I liked mine for the reasons you listed.
 
Just back from my longish trip to the dealer. Normally the just under 2 hour trip there took almost 3 due to snow and ice. Most roads were cleared on the return this afternoon. They traced the oil leak on my Stelvio while I waited, it was a loose bolt connecting the transmission to engine, so that was good.

While waiting, I looked over and sat on R1300GS's for the first time really. I like how it feels, much lower COG than my Stelvio which is readily apparent just uprighting it off the stand. My hunch is I'd want to replace the seat which is no big deal. It no doubt offers more electronic "stuff" than the Stelvio as well as power, but other than possibly the active suspension, most of that I don't need. The Stelvio seems to be the sweet spot for me, between something like a T700/Transalp and 1300GS.

When chatting with Josh (the owner) he said they put the Premium Package on every GS they order because that's what everyone wants. But he can order a base model with just what I wish. His only experience with non active suspension was on a 1250 and on the brief ride he took on it he felt it worked fine. But he said it was on the highway he never took that bike on poor roads such as gravel.

So I haven't ruled out a 13GS, but tossing it back and forth in my head on the return today I'm not sure I'd appreciate most of the extra things that a R13GS might offer over my Stelvio. No doubt faster acceleration but the V100 has plenty for me, probably about like my old 2014 R1200GSA. Ergo's are similar. GS's active suspension on poor roads will undoubtedly be nicer but at quite an additional cost. I imagine trading my 2024 bike on even a base 2025 GS would cost about $10K.

While there I briefly looked over and sat on a 2024 R1250GSA and 1300GSA. The 1250 fairing and bars make it much wider toward the top than the new GSA. Like many have said the new one looks better in the flesh than it does in pictures.
 
karlp said:
The problem I find is that the extra bits that I do want are usually ‘packaged’ with bits I do not want.

E.g. I want Tyre Pressure Control but it is packaged with Keyless
Click to expand...

That's because it all the same module manufactured by LDL Technology (the company BMW chose to replace Schrader).
 
Clifton
They traced the oil leak on my Stelvio while I waited, it was a loose bolt connecting the transmission to engine, so that was good

what bolt , where ?
i'm curious .
 
Clifton said:
Here's what the service writer gave me.View attachment 375999View attachment 376000
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This is the 3rd Guzzi I’ve seen with bolts vibrating loose and leaking oil. I think it’s time owners either buy a bike lift or get down on hands & knees and periodically check bolts around the bike. It’s the most basic of home servicing and would seem very necessary.
Might’ve saved you a 6 hour round trip in the snow………..and $22k on a new scooter?! Lol
 
Fingers crossed it's corrected, I believe it is. Had I known it was something as simple as tightening a bolt I would have done so. I did have it on my lift but it was difficult to see back in there and there was some oil above that bolt and toward the centre that I could not see clearly. That oil must have been residual from turbulence. I'm just thankful it was so simple.

Not a total waste of my day though, besides it was a cold, snowy day and my alternative was to clear the driveway. While there he checked for updates and reset the maintenance minder. I got to roam around the showroom sitting on various bikes of which there are many. He said the used market in particular is slow and anticipates having to substantially discount them. On the up side sales generally start to really take off in February.
212 new motorcycles https://www.kissellmotorsports.com/default.asp?page=xNewInventory
140 used ones https://www.kissellmotorsports.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventory

Probably just as well I waited until today to clear the drive as more snow fell yesterday and continuing today as well.
 
karlp said:
The problem I find is that the extra bits that I do want are usually ‘packaged’ with bits I do not want.

E.g. I want Tyre Pressure Control but it is packaged with Keyless
Click to expand...
I had that scenario with my 900 so just added TPMS sensors for £70 which connect to my Chigee and all good.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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