2024 BMW R 1300 GS 

Software update (125_011_030) seems to have fixed the "no start" problem, since getting the update it has not happened again. If it does, then I'll make another video 🤨

My mate and I test rode one together with a 1250 GSA, whoever was on the 1300 just disappeared with no effort. The 1250 felt like a boat by comparison and I found the seat was too soft and I was bouncing on it. The 1300 had the comfort seat which I found was in the Goldilocks zone, in Australia it's a free option. The automatic ride height puts me back in the market for a GS as I'm on tippy toes on the 1200/1250. My mate has ordered the Tripple Black with everything, I'm going to sell my F900XR and K1300GT and work out which organs to sell and life insurance policies to cash to get one. I had a 1200 air-cooled but it got too tall for me at 60yo, and I dropped it a few times in the driveway and carparks so I traded it on the F900XR. Now at 64, if I get one, it will probably be my last bike, so hopefully it lasts15-20 years.

Keeping my '14 1200GS... It makes me happy, it's paid for, and I have "Nothing to Prove". Love your channel, by the way.

I believe that a bike’s “character” is in the rider’s head. Performance and monetary value, on the other hand, is measurable. However, even after fifty years of riding, what gets a bike from the showroom floor to my garage remains a mystery.

I never thought I would ever purchase a GS. I traded my 2022 RT for it and absolutely love the bike. I wish BMW would produce a bike with a flat seat and not have it tipped toward the front of the bike. Even with the lever pulled to flatten the seat its still to tipped forward. My USA delivered GS starts 100% perfect. No issues. The number one thing I love about the new 1300 is the mid corner feel at a sporting pace is 10X better than previous RT or GS. Also the buzz from the motor is gone. If I want character I will grab the keys of a Moto Guzzi V85TT. BTW I sold my V85TT when I got the GS. The RT and V85 were replaced with one bike.

I’m still rocking an 1150GSA that has taken me all over across the continent. I’ve been on the fence of replacing it, but the more 1300 videos I see, the more I think I’m going to keep the 1150. Maybe when the 1300GSA comes out, I’ll try it out.

Scott, we really appreciate your honesty in your reviews back here in the states. I traded my 2015 1200GS with 21K miles for the 1300 and you’re absolutely right, the 1300 lacks the soul and character of the 1200GS. Yes, the 1300 is lighter, has the tech gadgetry and the upgraded suspension, but I never heard engine noise when I pushed the 1200GS between 3500 to 5500 ROM. This is my 4th boxer with my original one being a 91 R100RT which had 135K on the clock! You hit the nail on the head, the 1300 lacks the soulful connection between the rider and the boxer motor. You shouldn’t have to start the motor 5X to get it to stay operational, at least not for a bike you paid $31K for. Overall, the 1300 is an incredible bike and it’s a keeper but I sure do miss the hell out of the old 1200GS. Thanks for all that you do to honestly inform your audience! Much appreciated!

The most balanced review on a bike. Another plus ➕️ is that it wasn't a sponsored bike ❤

Thank-you Scott for confirming my decision…….. to keep my ‘22 fully-optioned 1250. Maybe once the 2nd or 3rd gen. has hit the market.

I'm from Brazil and I have just bought a GS 1.300cc triple black, I am very proud of that.

The new software does not solve the starting problem, but it does occur less frequently. A corresponding message appears on the display - not visible to the vehicles waiting behind you at the railroad crossing for you to finally drive off. But driving is pure fun!

"Soul and character" of the motor. And almost always that means vibrations and rattling. Don't know why I would want that. I love my soulless Triumph Tiger 800... Edit: Posted too soon 😉 Very informative video and helpful. Looking forward to the next one with your wife. Not many people cover the topic riding pillion.

I wouldn’t change my Honda ATAS for any other bike. Might not be the fastest, might not be the nimblest, but is a great all-rounder and I know it will start each time I want. That’s a peace of mind.

You are so clear one the first two points. Thank you! You really have a way with words.

I really enjoy your videos and content!

nice review with clear facts and figures ..Two Thumbs up :)

Excellent synopsis of your ownership. Many of your experiences are a mirror of mine . Thoroughly enjoyed this . Roll on the bug fix with the starting 😄👍

Nice video, with a lot of information! Thank you very much!

Excellent review 👍 I have a 2014 1200gs and love it. Enough power for me and extremely reliable. Very easy to work on.

Excellent video, very informative!

Thanks for the honest review. While the 1300 might be a "little better" than the 1250 in some aspects, I personally think that the new GS has lost its "chunky, powerful & tough" look. It resembles a V-Strom or Honda DCX. The 1250 GSA is so much more aggressive looking.

Very valuable information; thanks for sharing.

Excellent video. Appreciate the advice!

...still loving my 2021 RT....

“Lost soul and character” is all I had to hear, Scott. Now looking forward to the 2025 R12GS, reminds me of my earlier GSs. 110 hp or so is plenty for me. I may struggle between that and the new Guzzi Stelvio, but think I’ll stick with the BMW. Thanks for this update

As usual, great and honest review! Leaving soon for a big trip, still no software update for my 1300, hope no issues riding it…Take care.

Thanks for the nice overview. I also got now update for the starting problem yet. Sometimes the fuel cap doesn‘t open. The topcase, the cases and the cylinder guards are not available until now. I had a 1200 GS LC before. Exept the sound I’m really enthusiastic about the new GS and would buy it again.

20,000 miles on the 1250, 1700 on my 1300. For me the real differentiators have been: the adaptive ride height and the new ESA suspension. I keep it on DYNAMIC and am amazed how it can smooth out the road while maintaining complete body control. The biggest negative for me is that the throttle is not as silky smooth at the bottom end as the 1250. It’s not snatchy but much more abrupt.

Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Your wife´s comments were very interesting. My wife is often riding with me. Besides the extra vibrations on the SAS1290, she liked the 1250GS better....so did i, to be honest.

It's a great bike, but it won't stop me from saying that it feels like they ruined the GS. It looks like they tried to make it cheaper to build and moved toward the model of keeping people from being able to work on it themselves (to go with their business model) under the guise of less weight and more power. The 1250 is an icon. Sometimes you leave things behind when you move forward. .

We just got a 1300 Trophy for our rental fleet. Haven’t gotten out on it yet to do the break in miles, but I’m looking forward to it! Great info on what to look out for and what to expect! I’m working on getting this process done on our 2 new 1250 Rally’s. We have a fleet of BMW 750, 850, mostly 1250’s and the one new 1300.

Great review! I’m waiting for the new 1300 GSA with the new ASA, which for me is a must! Ride safe…

thank you! Wow you described the way I feel about this bike "to the letter". But to add, I love the tractor sound 😉, it is definitely noisier than my 1250 and it's not as comfortable, perhaps an aftermarket seat may fix this? But the main feature I love, which is consistent to your conclusion is the handling and the weight. On paper it's only 12kg lighter, but it feels much much more than that, and that got me hooked. I always enjoy and appreciate your reviews, thanks again.

Sehr differenzierter und strukturierter Bericht über das erste halbe Jahr mit der neuen GS 1300! Grüße aus Bremen! 😊

My s1000xrs engine noise dominated the bike so I added a sound deadening instead the panels and it’s worked a treat, and I added a bar bag. To quieten the tunnel.

I read this week that (MCN UK) later this year BMW plan to release a 1300GS with an automatic gearbox as an option. Seemingly it will have no clutch lever but will retain a gearshift.

Looking forward to hearing about it after owning it over the summer season too. Agree with your conclusions regarding trading up from the 1250, but still a great bike if you are entering the ADV market from another premium bike.

Remember that sometimes when the bike won't start it's because the owner left the keyfob in the tank storage pouch when stopped, and the key turns itself off after about five minutes. To wake it up you have to move it fair amount or even give it a shake to wake it from its dormant state - its a good thing for both theft and not running your battery flat.

Hey Scott, congratulations on your new bike. I've been watching your videos for several years now and had a 750GS (great bike for the money), a 1250 GS and a 1250 RT. I love the brand, but I rode a Ducati Multi Strada V4 Pikes Peak and it ruined me. Sold the RT and bought a Pikes Peak. You need to ride one!! It rides almost as comfortable as the GS, but handles much better and the enigine!! That V4 is the best motorcycle engine made today. Tons of power from 4K up, super linear power band, very smooth all the way to redline. My RT popped, groaned and sounded like it was pinging under heavy loads and buzzed like crazy if you held it at 5 or 6K. Anyway, nice to see you in another video, as I really respect your opinion.

Excellent story, Scott! I think you help a lot of 1200 and 1250 owners to make up their mind and that's very useful. Honesty first at Nothing to Prove! Personally I like the looks of the 1250 much more than the 1300. I know, it's subjective and personal, but I love tubular frames; I had the same feeling about the Ducati's when they changed to their new aluframes (Panigale, Multistrada and so on)

Nice review. 21' R1250gsa in the stable. Just back back from 2k trip over 3 days (austin - taos - gunnison -taos - home) and hit 10k miles. I think it just got broke in so dont see the need to upgrade just yet. Maybe I am getting old and my bike junkie habit is settling. We will see when the adventure hits. Per my bike, I like the range, and apparently the saddle, sore butt was not a problem. Regardless, thanks for taking the time.

Great informative, well described bike video. To me, I feel like Triumph has been catching BMW and is pretty much neck and neck now for the two best ADV mid and large segments today. I'll likely buy again after evaluating on the NEXT new model prob 2028 or 2030 just guessing.

Interesting video Scott and great attention to detail as always 👍 Think I’ll stick with my S1000XR though 😁

I also have a 1300 after my 1200 and 1250. Fully agree with your comments. Better all the way but not having the character of the older GS. Without a doubt I would buy it again. No better bike to ride!

I am not gonna lie. I do not always like your videos. But this one is really nice!

Thank you Scott for the awesome and honest review! I just rode one for a few miles, but my observations echo yours. I rode the trophy edition. I had trouble turning the power back on after I shut it off. Good thing I was at the dealer. They told me to hold the Fob up to the power switch. THAT was silly! I'm not sure the ESA ever changed, could it have been turned off? The front end dove when braking and lifted under throttle, and that was in Road mode. It was like a cheap used 1990's bike. What's the point of the Telelever again? (Rhetorical). It was without feeling on dirt, as they are, and I'm ok with that! The throttle was snatchy, especially in second gear, (also in Road mode). Typical for BMW, the engine lugged noticeably if you entered a round-about in third. That didn't change. BMW Boxers don't have much gear overlap in my opinion. My other twins don't notice a one-gear difference. HOWEVER, this new make-over felt instantly at home. It's like they copied the styling of the Honda NC700X or NC750X. It felt as light as those (except for getting it off the side stand), and even looks like them a little! The comparison ends there. Can the windshield be programmed to remember the preferred height? I had to set the "Sandwich" button to Windshield because it I had to raise the shield to full height every time I started the bike. BMWs have as many quirks as my Moto Guzzi. The Guzzi has a button for the heated grips though, and ride modes change instantly.

Just came back from cycling trip in Spain. Santander to Gijón in 6 days. Same as you’ve run into. The most lovely people, best cheapest wine and food and spectacular country. A motorbike trip is in my dreams but I’m afraid I need to win the lottery first. And with that we’re moving to Llanes.

Great work unbiased and honest Scott are those special riding jeans you are wearing who makes them?

Great review - actually agree with just about all of your comments. The seat, agree it’s not as ‘plush’ but if you ride predominantly shorter rides and more sporty, then the thinner seat i feel is better…you can move around on it much better if you’re throwing it around country lanes. My only issue to date..if I apply back brake first then the front, the front lever is very firm. No problem. If I apply front only I get 10 mm more travel before lever firms up. Also experienced ‘pulsing’ on front brake lever especially 2 up-have you had this? Great channel, keep up the good work

I just spent a week on the r2300gs through the Pyrenees. Loved the handling. Loved the wind protection. BMW cases were ordinary (central locking is just much slower & less convenient than a key). Shift cam noise is terrible, and occurs at a rev range you'd otherwise happily lumber along at. Electronics were patchy. I kept getting complaints that the lights weren't working (they were) with only 700km on the clock. A few starting issues too. I did find the seat comfortable though, doing 1800+km in the week

Real owner long term reviews are the most important reviews. Thanks for this.

Thanks! Great and informative video. I have the R 1250 GSA 2022. This is 20240609. i have about 15,000 miles on it. Am going in for third inspection soon. Only four times have I ever tried to start her and she made me do it twice. That's the very worst thing. i like to think of the Navigator as a Garmin issue not a BMW issue. However, I have sent my Garmin (navigator) in twice. I like having it as a back up to the iphone now. It makes me feel good I am not losing much in the upgrade. The starting issue is very noticeable to me because I tried a Harley ADV first. It takes a Harley about five times everytime to crank. Something about top dead center (and being a Harley in General). So i don't gloat so much when my bike starts damn near everything without an issue. The bike exceeds my talents and I hope to improve my skill level to be worthy of the bike. I get on about an hour a day of course there are days I push my endurance. I looked at the mpg today and it was at 47mpg. My Harley heritage Softail gets 30 mpg and only has a range of 120 miles. My Harley looks nice and shiny sitting in my garage. I miss the rumble and noise a little bit. In the US there is a different psychology about Harley vs everything. For me I learned the hard way with a Harley, that ride and wrench is for real. But you can slowly see the change coming over the world. Where Police stations are switching over to BMWs. Some Die Hard harley riders aren't so quick to give me a hard time and I don't mind pulling up right next to them. I stopped to help a guy just off the interstate. He said, You know, they don't make em like you anymore. He was a Hell's Angel and had some kind of Screamin' Eagle jacked up on a smaller body. He took off and disappeared down the interstate. He blasted off in a rumble. I hit 80 and couldn't spot him. I hit 100mph twice on mine and backed off only because that speed was new to me. I'm 260 lbs and I don't feel the bike struggles with me at all. Thank you for the video comparison! Knees to the Breeze!

Glad to hear that my '21 GSA is still a very worthy steed in comparison haha. I have no plans to move to the 1300 anytime soon, but maybe I'll be ready at the first facelift within the 1300 range. I reserve my thoughts on that until I see what they do with the Adventure model next year.

Thanks for such a nice and honest review! I don’t know what it is with the GS, the bikes keep getting better and better yet this seems to be negatively correlated with charm and character. I still sigh when I spot an 1150 on the road, even some 1200s like the Rallye… When I realized this, having already watched a ton of reviews about the 1300, I rushed and bought one the last 1250s still up for grabs in March. I had to travel 600 kms to go get it from the only dealer who was still offering them brand new. I figured it was now or never for the 1250 whereas I could still get a 1300 later if I wanted to. When I got the dealer to pick up my new bike, there had a 1300 Trophy available on the showroom floor and I thought this was going to mean trouble as I still could get out of the 1250 and opt for the 1300 instead… Then, when I laid my eyes on the brand new 1250 Rallye that was waiting for me, my heart started pounding. That’s the one I brought back home taking the long way around all the winding roads I could find. It arrived there with almost 1000 kms on the clock and ready for its first inspection. I must say I still look back each time I park it in my garage and walk away.

Thanks for the video. This bike is really tempting. I tend to avoid 1st generations of new products. The electrical/software problems you've experienced, not having lit handlebar buttons nor Apple/Android connectivity in a premium bike makes me pause. This review helps a lot. Thanks again!

Very informative video, thanks Scott! I'm VERY interested in your opinion on comparing this to the Tiger 1200 - seems like those are the only ADV bikes with shaft-drives manufactured nowadays.

Hi Scott, great video. I just bought my 1300, it has software 125-13-030, but the dealer left in the AGM (BMW's temp fix). I'll get them to retrofit the Li at first service, hopefully no problem. Thanks for the tip

Excellent real world review. It confounds me why motorcycle manufacturers get seat comfort and buffeting wrong so often. Interesting the ATAS comments. Oddly when I tried a GS at the ABR festival last year I wondered what the hype was about, I way preferred my ATAS for smoothness DCT, fit and ‘cockpit’.

Great 6 month report Scott! I’d buy one no problem. 1st & probably 2nd batch issues will be sorted. However, I’d wouldn’t sell the RT just in case😉

Excellent review Scott, covering the major issues and differences. I agree that an upgrade from my 2021 fully loaded triple black is not justified even considering selling the 2021 model and still having to shell out another 8 to 10,000 Euros for the 1300. Convincing my wife would be the next problem 😂. Thank you for your honest review…greetings from Berlin, Jim

I own a 1250 gs rally version and tried many others (Multistrada, Africa twin, ktm 1290) but no one can reach its level. Absolutely amazing. The only defect is the not retro light handlebar

Nice one Scott. Thank you. I’m glad I waited until the end to write this as at the start when the bike wouldn’t start all I was thinking was due to it being in first gear! However, I take it now that you simply did that to show what it occasionally does. Interesting comment though about the change of direction mid corner compared to sports bikes. If you have the required skill set then nothing will change direction quicker, mid corners, than a sports bike. Perhaps me being an ex Australian Superbike Racer is one reason why I can say this as I do also own a 1250GS. I could be on say a CBR650R and be miles in front on a set of twisties than I could riding my GS and I’m using this particular Honda as a reference due to it not being “a real stortsbike”. As my son has one so I have gone back to back on these. My race bikes? No comparison however they aren’t street legal.

Thanks for the review! I'd love to hear more from your wife's perspective, as the main criterion for my next bike purchase is whether my wife would enjoy it. (There are not enough 2-up reviews on YT, generally!)

I just got a 2023 AT, and beside the fact that it rides very well and feels rock solid, there are 2 things unique I love; the DCT and Apple car play. So nice that I wouldn’t even consider the GS as long it doesn’t have those 2 things.

Honest review, nice one man, good work!!

IMO, great review & transparency - WELL DONE!!!. IMO the new GS1300 is "overall" top of the heap in the big adventure category (BMW did it again). However, for me, "fortunately" these days there are quite a few very good, lesser-cost middle-weights that will satisfy my riding needs/ get the job done (thank you trickle-down technology)

I took a demo ride on one and found the upshifts as clunky as an upshift can be 0/10. Down were pretty good. Not the best ever but nothing I would complain about 7.7/10. I can’t imagine people ride it say anything other than the upshifts are dog shit bad. Maybe it was just my bike. It’s not torquey as I thought it would be. Maybe because it’s so linear🤷🏾‍♂️. On off throttle was a lil jerky. Handling is certainly good. Really nothing bad to say about the suspension or riding position. Both very comfortable. Overall I wasn’t impressed. Maybe because it’s built up by so many that my expectations were high. Feels like you have to ride it a certain way to enjoy it.

Interesting and honest reivew! Quick question: I see you didn't go for the BMW hard luggaeg, but shopped from Touratech. From other reviews it sounds like the BMW OE panniers are fiddly to use/mount. Is that true? Did you just go Touratech for a better price deal or you simply prefer their system/quality build over BMW oems? Keep those reviews coming, always very interesting to watch

Akso took the 1300 for a test: Agere with most. Character, meh, still very much a boxer Better sounding engine with less vibes; not as smooth at low revs (

Test drove this as an option to replace my 2022 Ducati Multistrada V4S and I was disappointed. Happily staying with my Ducati therefore.

Thanks for offering your review. Traded a 2018 RS, very happy with decision. Wanted more upright position and more leg room (64 yrs old ) and comfort after 8h-10hrs in the saddle was not there on the RS. Had a choice, 2023 1250 or the 1300; I’m 5’10” , 31” inseam the 1300 is much more manageable (less weight located lower, and I can flat foot). These are big as I get older and want to keep riding.

I have over 2,000 miles on mine. I am a little different in two aspects of your video. The seat to me is more comfortable and it has tons of character. I traded in my 2022 R1250GSA. Off-road I am way quicker and the suspension is great. I do have a high seat with the sport suspension. It is the tallest version you can purchase. I do agree that on the road it is very quick. It is like my 2020 S1000XR and my 2022 R1250GSA had a baby. So far zero issues. I am heading out on a 6,000 round trip across the US and back in June.

Looks like a nice bike. I like my 1200. What I really like about my 1200 is the comfort for long rides. I don't do a lot of them. I do like to do at least 1 long tour every year. Some of it off road. So I mostly just ride around town going for coffee with the option to hit the road and ride the length or breadth of the continent. I've been for Coffee in Tuk, Anchorage, Skagway Jasper, San Francisco, LA, Ect. If its not as comfortable for long rides, maybe the 1300 is not the right bike for me. Oh dropping a $10000 dollar bike in the dirt hurts a lot less than dropping a $20000 dollar bike in the dirt.

Great review and I really appreciate your style. However I am kind of struggling to justify the upgrade over the 1250 especially if you are losing the comfort. I would love to hear your thoughts comparing it to the KTM SAS 1290 that you rode recently. Would you swap if you had the chance?

I’m looking right now. My 2018 R1200GS (I really loved that bike) got T-boned at an intersection 7 weeks ago today. I’m fine, walked away with a concussion and some bruises. That’s it. Bike didn’t do so well, totaled. Hmmm, I was not in the market for a bike 7 weeks and 1 day ago, but now I am and the 1300 mostly fits the bill for me. I have some panniers I don’t want to have to replace (keeping them helps mitigate some other costs as I only need to buy a rack for my Bumot luggage which will work). Your review has pushed me over the edge as my other options are to get R1250GS or a used R1200GS (don’t want to go that far back though). Guess all I need to do now is finalize the trim I want. Something else about the battery/start issues. I’ve got a couple of Huskies that have Lion batteries. One of the problems with these batteries is when they are cold. It’s not unusual for them not to start a bike on the first or even second try if done too quickly. Lion batteries get more juice flowing when they get warmer. The trick is to give them an initial start try when cold. If no start then wait 5 to 10 seconds and try again. The battery will heat up internally and by the third time will generally give much better cranking amps. This is a known problem with Lion batteries over the lead acid variety which delivered good cranking amps out of the gate, but were heavier. Take my input for what it’s worth.

I’ve had mine for several months now and have had absolutely zero problems with mine, starts first time every time. The lithium battery and associated technology has been fitted in other BMWs for several years with no issues so I can’t understand why you’re having the issues you’re having, it seems strange !

I love my 1150GS... since this season i supplemented it with a 1997 Honda Transalp. Between the two bikes i have everything i want from a bike. Feeling like munching some kilometers on the Autobahn? I'll take the 1150GS. Feeling like taking some backcountry roads, potentialy unpaved, i'll take the Transalp. All together both bikes cost me less than 5000€. Never in my life would i spend something like 25 000€ on a bike to be an early adopter... Without these cheap but good used bikes i could never afford to ride a bike anyways. Like who has 25k to spend just like that? Loan or lease? Never in my life...

Good review, thank you. It will be another 20 years before I'm in the market for a 1300 GS... One remark. To me the beauty of the oilheads and older Boxers is their simplicity. I have done a service on a 1200LC of a mate of mine, it is just harder to work on than on my 1150s. Of course the LCs are quiter, less mechanical noise. Yet a big 2 cilinder engine will never be as smooth as a 4 or 6 cilinder. If I'll stick to Beemers, I'll stick to oilheads. Saves a lot of money too! Which is not unimportant...

13:12 Pros and cons sure. I still adore my ‘05 1200 pulls like a tractor. I see the side stand still has a really big lean why is that ha. I’d get one in a minute but hard to justify when my 19yo one still performs like new. Great review and the higher compression makes a different sound for sure. Even VW Audi cars that happened with the higher compression right.

Would love you to do a deep comparo between the RT and GS for on-road applications now that you've owned and ridden both and which one you would buy if you could only have one. Thanks for the great content as always!

I've had my Trophy for a little over a week. I took it on it's first trip/voyage during the break in mileage. I had the no start happen once during that first 750 miles. Took it in for the 1st service, and they said it would also be getting a software update. I didn't ask what for, but I am now on the 2nd trip . Have 1100 miles so far. I have not experienced the no start yet. But then I only had it happen once so far, before that 1st service.

One of your most poignant videos to date Scott answering a lot of concerns and being very candid about the 1300. I have a GSA1250 and took a test ride on the 1300 and agree with everything you say. My opinion on the shift-assist was that there wasn’t ‘much’ of a difference. Ride an XR and that has a proper buttery smooth quickshifter. My bike has 30k on it and my wife has been on the back for most so I’m sure a lot of us out here would love to hear your wife’s opinion. Keep the videos coming. 👍

Thanks for sharing Scott 😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦🍻

I have a Multistrada V4S and I have no problem. Made 6k km from this February. I don't know about GS but RT was on my mind when I was choosing my bike for this year. I have a lot of soul and character in my Ducati 😅

Nice video and agree with most of your points, except for the Navigation. You say the Connected Ride Navigator (CRN) is better than the Nav 6. The reason I disagree with this is because the CRN does not support non-announcing shaping points. If you create a route in BaseCamp or whatever and use a lot of shaping points to ensure the route takes you on the roads you want to take, all those shaping points are announced. And to me this can get very annoying - JMHO...

To steal your saying, two thumbs way up, stay safe 🍀

I would never downgrade from R1200GS, R1250GS to this... R1200GS beats in reliability all that new junk. Regarding performance, most riders cannot handle even 100HP motor and they still want more, silly..

Great review!!! You said the seat wasn’t as comfortable and plush as the 1250, what about the Suspension, can you still get the plushness and “Cadillac” feel on the 1300 that you get on the 1250? Or does the Sportiness of the 1300 not allow that plushness of smoothing out the bumps in the road as well as the 1250? Also, how about the Ergonomics, are they all-day comfortable? Thank you for your awesome reviews. 🤠

we just returned from a 10 days journey from Italy. My 1300 GS has the same issues with not starting. I felt like it’s worse after long trip when everything was very hot down there. then, I overtook a lorry and had to stop at the red light, freakin lorry behind me again! I switched off the engine off and could not restart! what an embarrassment! the lorry left me standing!Really hope the Softwareupdate is coming soon. greetings from Switzerland

I own a 1250GS, did a test drive with the 1300 and it feels indeed much lichter. I am 1,75m but my legs are shorter so the adaptive height was a dream. Pity that my 1250 is only 2 years old. The CRN you find it better, well me not. Sold it again. The software is TomTom and i am a Garmin fan. So I0m more happy with the nav6.

Hi, I got mine in December 2023. I gave up on the lithium battery and got the AGM fitted. No problem ever since. UK bike. No software update available yet for me but I don't think I'll go back to lithium battery. It also cured heated grip memory problem. Can I recommend the Dunlop trailmax mission tyres on this bike. I've just done 1000 miles to the south of France and they've been brilliant on all road conditions.

I had a 2017 1200GS exclusive. Loved it but was nervous about something breaking on me namely the esa shocks. Considering a 2015 1200GS with non-esa shocks if the ride quality is good.

Chuckles. I ride an 1150. I’ll just see you when I get there, if I don’t decide to go somewhere else.

I’m impressed with mine after 18 months of my 2021 R1250GS and definitely wouldn’t go back, the 1250 felt ponderous compared to this. I initially thought the 1300 was more uncomfortable, higher more forward position but after just over 1000 miles I prefer it. On my 1250 it felt right when I set off and uncomfortable as the ride progressed, this is just the opposite.

Great video, thanks Scott. Would I change my Multistrada V4s for the 1300GS? HELL NO! The GS is a good bike, but the Multi is so much better. I guess it all depends on the type of rider we are and what we want out of our motorcycles.

The 1250 pillion seat Also adjusts fore and aft, you just need to use the key to do so

If I were going back to a GS I would still stay with 1250 considering their used prices here in the UK. You would save around 6k.

I have a Kawasaki SX 1000 just over 7 years old it’s never failed to start on the button, That’s why I still have it ,Japanese bikes generally are so reliable , I like BMW and the Tiger 1200 , but for me I’ve always had great service and reliability from Japanese bikes in just over of 51 years, It’s a lot £££ if the bike is still throwing up issues, and it’s not that much better than the outgoing 1250 , even The Triumph is still struggling with a few issues and a screen that’s slow in stating , I was hoping for a great review with no issues and you smiling saying how good it is 😊 , it’s not for me 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Really liked my 1250 unfortunately it ended in a crash. Had a few bugs that were resolved except for the fuel cap not opening sometimes. Cap was replaced but I still carried tools to remove it just in case as it was still acting up. My biggest annoyance was the mechanical engine noise so the 1300 is not for me. I see there are still problems with the navigator. Garmin replaced my Nav6 literally 6 times in 4 years of ownership.

Interesting - thanks for posting this. I tried the 1300 a few weeks back and came to more or less the same conclusion - it hasn’t really got any better, more sort of moved sideways. Comfort-wise it has definitely got worse - the stock bars were too wide, the angle of my back was a little uncomfortable and the seat wasn’t great. Ride-wise I felt it was very similar to the 1250 (I only used Dynamic mode). The quick shifter/auto-blipper has improved slightly but by more or less any other bike’s standards it’s really poor. And here’s the weirdest thing (and very subjective I know) - I found it less chuckable/forgiving with less of a planted feel. Might be the transition to something different but weird all the same. I’ll give it a pass and try a different brand for a while I think. Thanks again.