The new BMW R1300GS Adventure breaks cover
Need time to reflect? Get an adventure bike
When BMWs R1250GS appeared a number of years ago it managed, yet again, to redefine the adventure motorcycle segment of the bike market. That aging demographic, the ones who used to ride Fireblades back in the day, continue to buy into the adventure market and, for the most part, were rewarded for doing so with an exceptional new motorcycle.
When we first started to hear rumours of another new instalment of GS machines, this time a 1300, back in 2022, expectations were high and, once again, they were met. Rather interestingly the new GS puts out 145 hp, the old 2000 Fireblade put out a little over 125…
So now the German company has added an new R1300GS Adventure offering to the range which already includes a G310GS, an F800GS, an F900GS, an F900GS Adventure, an R1250GS Adventure as well as the standard R1300GS. Rather interestingly the GS bit stands for the German Gelände/Straße which means Terrain/Street. In English a ‘TS’ probably wouldn’t sound nearly as cool. As Gaeilge GS would stand for Gach Sráid or ‘All Streets’. Sounds like an cúpla focal wins again...
A long time ago, when you were just a twinkle in your fathers eye, well maybe not that long ago, I had quite enough of working for the ogre that employed me so I went out for a spin on my bike. I rode a 1200GS the length of the globe. It was a simple affair that, once the ABS pump shat itself, was a ‘real’ bike to ride. The bike was simple, not me, I’m really quite complicated and it delivered 60,000 kilometres in 10 months with absolutely no issues.
The silluette of a supermodel. Or, then again, maybe not...
The design team at BMW have moved on a whole lot more in the time that’s elapsed between then and now.
A new 1300 looks and feels so much different to the machine from which it has evolved. Features such as a choice of fuelling modes, suspension with load adjustment, traction control and intelligent ABS are all part of the standard offering.
So along with its sibling, the new Adventure has a brand new frame and engine. Both are lighter and the engine is, thanks to the way the clutch has been located, more compact than any other boxer. It also puts out 145bhp.
All of this is sprung on what must be the most dynamic suspension set up on the market. As well as that load compensation feature, which allows the rider to fill the panniers, add a pillion and watch as the rear lifts the added weight to present the bike at the same height that it was at when it was before it was loaded.
Built in luggage points
Unpack everything and the spring sinks back down to allow the tail of the bike to sit at exactly the height the rider wants it to sit at. Very clever and just one part of the companys new Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) which is all available as an ex works extra.
Then there’s a couple of options available called ‘adaptive vehicle height control’ and ‘adaptive vehicle height control comfort system’. The theory here is that the bike, in its previous incarnations, was deemed as being too tall for some riders. Now on the first one the bikes height can be set to ‘drop’ by 30mm when at a standstill or at low speeds. The second one allows for the bike to be ridden at a standard height that is 20mm lower.
The bike comes with four standard riding modes. Road, Rain, Eco and Enduro. These could be known as Movin’ along nicely, A bit nervous, Forgot to put petrol in it and Havin the craic.
Nothing's impossible, you're just approaching it in the wrong mode...
The bikes looks are as polarising as we could expect when presenting a new BMW to the masses. This one doesn’t look like a standard one with a big tank. It’s a completely different shape and while the wider tank and the taller screen are part of the beast the shapes are completely different with the bigger bike being more ‘boxy’ while the standard is housed in a much ‘softer’ set of bodywork.
Meanwhile it doesn’t really matter which one you roll into Ushuaia on, they’re both going to be equally brilliant! The new GS ADV is, along with the rest of the BMW Motorrad range, available in both Kearys in Cork and Joe Duffy BMW in Dublins Finglas. At the time of putting this piece together prices weren’t available /way too complicated to understand. The R 1300 GSA starts at €23,800 before you begin to add the factory and dealer fit options.
Newer, lighter, compact and more powerful that ever before
Dee is on 0215003600 and holds the key(s) to your lasting happiness. You should probably err on the side of caution though and bring your big wallet just to be on the safe side…
If you manage to watch it through to the end you win a KitKat...