BMW R1300 GS First Ride with Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) | Honda Africa Twin DCT in Trouble?

Is the BMW ASA better as the Honda Africa Twin DCT? Join me on a ride with the BMW R1300GS in ASA Automated Shift Assistant Ride Review! Discover how the BMW R1300GS handles with its new Automated Shift Assistant (ASA) for smooth and effortless shifting. I'll break down everything from its power to its handling, making it easy to see why the BMW R1300GS is the perfect choice for adventure. Whether you're an experienced rider or just curious about this bike, my review of the BMW R1300GS with automated shifting has all the details you need. Let me know in the comments , do we need this or not?

The extra cost of the ASA system is 700€ BUT the dealer told me you have to take the Dynamic package that costs 1400€ 😅.
Turns out 95% of GS riders buy the dynamic package so....

Want to learn everything about YouTube?

Thank you for watching!

Rev up your engines and hold on tight because Life of Smokey is here to take your motorcycle obsession to the next level! From heart-pounding reviews to gear unboxings that'll make you drool, we've got your throttle-twisting needs covered. Join us for motovlogs that are more addictive than caffeine and discover the best accessories to make your bike the envy of the road. We'll rev through maintenance tips, explore epic tours, do motorcycle unboxing and even throw in some wheelie-poppin' antics for good measure. So if you're ready to ride into the sunset of motorcycle bliss, hit that subscribe button and let's hit the road together! 🏍💨

#motorcycle #motorcycles #review #motovlog

[Inhumase]

for me personally absolutely perfect. this is what I was waiting for to start riding a motorcycle after 32 years. ordered and waiting for it to arrive.

[UncleWally]

I hated my Africa Twin’s DCT until I learned how to use it, now I wouldn’t want an Africa Twin without it. It will be interesting to see further DCT - ASA comparisons, especially those that speak with more detail about the many technical advantages and disadvantages.

[mattspencer]

DCT is proven and works incredibly well. I will stick with AT and Japanese reliability.

[jimthompson]

It's the way of the future. Inevitable. I was a die hard manual shifter in all my cars, and switched to automatic when it made sense.

[jfarlandutube]

Looks interesting. I have an African twin with the DTC and I love the way that bike operates.

[MotoRideswJohn]

It's been somewhat of a surprise with KTM, BMW, Yamaha all announcing new automated shifting models this year. Having owned both DCT ATs and Gold Wings, I found the system to be perfectly reliable and usable, if not so much *perfect*. I think it's great to have this as an option for those riders who need or desire it.

[alextm]

I've been riding motorcycles for 15 years and I'm very comfortable with shifting manually, but as someone who also does very long rides/road trips, I'm mostly interested in how it can help reduce driver fatigue - I have a reservation for a 1300 GSA, hopefully will be delivered in November, I ordered it with the ASA for that reason. Hopefully I won't regret it!

[GSAirTherapy]

Good to see that BMW is offering options for riders who don’t want to bother with manual riding. This could bring new riders to the community who did not want the “complexity” of 4 limbs doing 4 different things.

[markim]

Just got a test drive at the same bike at louyet waterloo, and i can say: OMG what a beaty. The new ASA woks like a dream, i wasnt expecting such a good felling at an automatic bike, the power and the gear shiffinting was just on point. BMW did a great job at this new system

[robertscarisbrick]

Hi Smokey !! Sitting in my garage waiting for my new Africa Twin dct e/s to arrive !! Same colour as the one you’ve been riding 👍 Will be my first AT !! Since 2007 Iv had 4 bmw GSAs !! Single, and twin cam and then 2 watercooled bikes !! I have to say I enjoyed the earlier oil/air cooled bikes more . The very light controls and bmw fly by wire doesn’t do it for me anymore !! Thought I’d try a Honda and your recent reviews confirmed my feelings !! Think the dct adds another layer of enjoyment to the Honda were as it’ll just be another worry on the Beemer !! After a lot of Euro bikes I’m back riding Japanese !! For the money my 2020 T7 has been the best purchase every 👍 Love your reviews Smokey 💪👍😎

[mhvshn]

I really like how DCT works, need to try ASA just to compare

[Hondadctrider]

I have a disability on my left hand which prevents me from using a clutch. I ride a 2014 Honda NC 750X DCT and I absolutely love it. I would love a cruiser so I will probably be buying a Honda rebel 1100T DCT early next year. My ideal bike would be a Yamaha MT09/MT10 so I was excited to read that Yamaha are releasing a clutchless MT09 early next year.

[dhcguru]

I think the e-clutch is fantastic. Much more so than a DCT. I love shifting but had a foot injury that limits my ankle range of motion that makes shifting difficult. So, I could see that for people with foot or left hand motion issues, this is a game changer.
So people may frown on this technology but they aren’t considering how many more riders this will attract into riding and how this will allow older riders to keep riding.

[GCTO]

It will cause problems and break down on customer bikes. Mark my words on that. Just look at the 1300 GS's shitshow of a track record. 😂 In comparison DCT is perfection and never breaks. Clearly superior technology. Smokey, great job again. 🤙🏼

[petrkarv]

I predict that most bikes will be some form of automatic within 5-10 years. Just like what happened to cars. About time. Love DCT.

[LXDDLE]

For those who find this appealing (AT DCT buyers) this looks a treat. Not sure it's for me but it looks like BMW has done a very good job.

[SUPERFLUID]

I’m old so I will stick to the manual African Twin it is what I learned on and enjoy using the clutch

[mcij]

After watching video I am really positively surprised by working of this system. Still DCT is so well tested, and for someone who doesn't need BMW emblem on bike the choice is obvious. Honda put AT in premium bikes first but almost immediately it was an option on a budget machines which was like saying to whole market "Look we are so sure about our new technology that we can put it in commuter bikes". Great respect.
I doubt the problem with sales on new GS is due lack of automatic transmission, because previous GS didn't have such thing and was selling like crazy, especially if you think about the premium price tag. I am very curious about the reliability of this design, but we will need to wait few years to find out.

[todde.richardson]

That is awesome! Great review. I’m not a big BMW fan, but respect. I do have a AT DCT and love it! (Been riding consistently for 49 years.) It is 2024, not 1984. History shows that new and improved technology is always poo pooed at first, then “we embrace”. “That’s one small step for [BMW], one giant leap for [motorcyclist].”

[dmytrotyshchuk]

An interesting review of the ASA.
But what about the minimum speed maneuvers when we use the clutch slipping zone on the usual transmission ? This is the most interesting part! For the sake of complete disclosure of the topic, the continuation should be made.