BMW R1300GS – 6 months later – Was this a mistake?

6 months have passed since Alex got his R1300GS, and it's time for a review!

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:27 Initial impressions
2:48 My Favorite Aspects
8:29 Areas that Disappoint
13:37 A Light Front
14:42 Areas to improve
15:48 Was this a mistake?
17:56 R1300GS vs R1250GSA

Products in video
// MOTO LUGGAGE //

– MotoBags Racked Version

– MotoCase

Links:

#LoneRider #LoneRiderGear #ADVRider

[a]

Dude, you have a suitcase on the rear of the bike of course the front is going to be light

[simulacrae]

I agree with the weird button layout, but the things about hitting gravel, can't you just set what you want in the off road pro and dynamic pro modes and just switch between them with the mode selection button?

[rickdelmonte]

I had a 1250GS and now have 2, 700 miles on my 1300GS and I generally agree with your assessment. I tend to set my suspension through the rider modes, so it does not bother me as much. I have a 31” inseam, and I gain a great deal of confidence in parking lots and tight maneuvering situations from the auto lowering suspension. For me that was worth the change. As far as the front light, I don’t remember ever seeing it while riding, I’ll have to go take a look ;-)

[GSAirTherapy]

I’ve watched just about every decently meaningful video on the 1300GS. I’ve seen it in person. I sat on it. I was offered an extended demo ride. I passed.
I can’t warm up to the 1300GS. Not on the looks, not on the tech. I hope the 1300 GS Adventure reclaims some of the BMW GS DNA. If not, I’ll stick with the 1250.

[philiplaking]

I recently took the the new 1300gs and M1000xr out. First off the 1300gs is at least 25% better in every riding aspect. It's just the only a mother could love. The M1000XR was just mental lol.

[seauryakumar]

Is this guy auditioning for a Viking show?

[MotoMountsZA]

There may have been a few initial bugs, but the difference between BMW and KTM is that BMW takes action and remedies the problems, whereas KTM ignores them and makes it the owners problem. I'm speaking g from experience as a KTM 890 Adv R owner - rear shock failure, constant cold start issues and the feared cam shaft failure.

I absolutely love my 890, but just have zero confidence in it and when there are issues that KTM will step up and cover the issues, so far it's all been my problem to pay to fix.

[kaspersergej]

If you buy a new 1250 GSA now, you would have the best quality as all the manufacturing kinks are sorted out by now.

[alemikelj]

When they hire a new design team with common sense and get a better look for the GS, I'm going to try it... The disappointment I have about the GS1300 since its launch is such that it doesn't matter what they say about its performance or handling. I don't even plan to waste time trying it. And I don't have any hope for the Adventure version to improve anything either. The saying goes “don't repair it unless it's broken” and this brand destroyed the motorcycle that saved them from bankruptcy. At least they would have already integrated Apple Car Play/Android Auto but no...they are delirious.

[eddypraet]

Test rode it and immediately ordered one, pretty pleased with it now for about 3 months…

[grzegorzorszulka]

Watching various reviews of the BMW 1300, I get the impression that fewer and fewer people understand the meaning of the model designation "GS" over time. It stands for "Gelände und Strasse, " which means "Terrain and road." Although the 1200 and 1250 were very successful motorcycles, they increasingly deviated from the "G" or Gelände (Terrain).

I appreciate BMW's decision to put the 1250 on a diet, allowing the GS to return to its roots and be agile enough to tackle the terrain.
That was the moment when I said, Yes, this is the GS I would like to have!

[SfilmujMnie]

More electronics, bigger engine. 25 years forward bmw gs2400 with full server and AI rider. no, danke.

[rodriguezahr]

The headlight is the weakest point of this bike design wise. Parting from the original so recognizable headlight design was in my opinion a huge mistake.

[alobosk]

Me, having a 1250GSA, will wait for the 1300GSA to come out before I even look at the whole 1300GS concept. For me, it'd be a mistake to downgrade form any GSA to a GS. I love the size of it more than anything, and these 1300GS look so flimsy in comparison. TBH if my options 1300GS or Multistrada v4s, I'll go for the Multistrada; still a german bike, in a way, innit?

[hangpilot]

Just did an 8 hour day w/ 31/2 hours on the road w/ my wife. The electronic suspension makes this bike an excellent 2-up sport tourer. I barely notice her on the back. Automatic preload and suspension damping are excellent! Rode w/ a Goldwing, FJR1300 and a 1200GS. All excellent bikes, but the 1300GS seems to be the new king-of-the-hill in this segment. I did have problems twice w/ the adaptive cruise control in corners not seeing the black FJR in front of me and wanting to accelerate to the next bike. Not a perfect machine, but still having a blast!

[RandomGRK]

I was excited to ride it and I ended up hating it. It feels more like a sport touring bike. Happy to keep my 1200.

[oliverbecher]

I buy at the same dealer, great guys by the way, and also the same motorcycle. Just 2 weeks ago and i love it.

[chrisk]

i don´t like the look and i don´t like the new frame(now it looks like a cookie cutter bike)...for me the 1250 is the best!

[bsebesty]

Mhm ... thinking of switching from the 1250GSA, to be honest, the Multistrada V4S Rally is more tempting.

[robertlee]

Those panniers are awfully close to the ground in these turns.