BMW R 1300 GS Alternative Review | R 18 Service & A Chat About Motorbikes Over An English Pub Lunch 

"Mummy, there's two ruffians with some form of a great brute of a German motorcycle on the driveway!" "Oh do go shoo them off Timothy, bloody peasants".

The world needs a bike that: - Rides like a GS - Looks like a Bonneville - Sounds like a Harley

By the time you've speced a GS up with stuff it really needs, it's nearer £24K to £16K.

I really like the look of retro bikes, but I can see beauty here as well. Perhaps in a generation this will be the retro people pine for.

I'm a huge adventure bike fan and I love a GS me, but I do agree with you on the looks of the R1300GS, not for me either. Just a small correction - that bike you borrowed is the Tramuntana version and it's over £22,000 not the £16,500 you mentioned (that's for a fictional basic GS that I'm not sure actually exists in reality!). Enjoyed your video, I'm glad it's not just me that gave the new GS a thumbs down! ....FWIW I also agree it's a fabulous bike to ride!!

I know guys with big ADVs who love them and can afford them. I know guys who can’t deal with the cost and have a 650 V-Strom. It’s really about where you’re at. Some people have lots of money and just don’t care about servicing costs. Others don’t earn so much and like to wrench. It’s kinda silly to think one bike ifs ‘right’ and another ‘wrong’. It’s about your choice and to me it’s like my wife. She may not be perfect but she’s perfect for me and that’s all that counts.

"Are we in trouble?" 😆

The format of these latest batch of Videos is absolutely top notch. Loving it!

I have an old R1100GS and it is a really hideous beast. I bought it on function alone back in the 90s. It is a very boring to ride, but capable motorcycle and is a fast as I'd ever need with just 80bhp. It replaced an older R100/7. but I never learned to love it like I did that bike. Now I don't have to travel far from home it doesn't get used. Time to get rid of it and find a good deal on a used Sport Glide I think to put some soul back into my riding and a smile on my face. Sometimes function wins over form, but it you don't really need the function there are more important aspects to riding a motorcycle for me. A less capable bike on paper can often provide more enjoyment.

Owned a R1200GS but sold it last year. Test rode the 1300GS this year and I have to admit I miss the old 1200.

Love the idea of the GS as a functional machine, I'd love one but they're far too expensive for my liking! I would like a more stripped back model with less power and fewer gadgets and gizmos for a lower price, but maybe that's just a Moto Guzzi V85TT...

Yeah, nah. My neighbour had a GS 80, about 35 years ago. At the same time, two of my work mates, who were brothers of one another, had matching GS 100's. They were motorcycles. My neighbour used to ride his like a GP bike. Gee he used to hustle that thing along at a pace. I don't think they were that powerful, but boy, did it get along, just the same. And the note was divine. And this might sound ridiculous, but he was untouchable in the twisties. He loved it, we loved it. And when it fell over, he never cursed. I'm not so sure about these new ones. Any bike that comes fitted with a helipad just isn't my thing. And any helipad that comes with a whole airport attached to it isn't my thing either. Horses for courses, though. If you've got one and you love it, I'm thrilled for you, that's what bikes are about. But for me, a 140 hp, quarter of a tonne of breakable dirt bike, no thanks.

Funny, in advance I knew exactly what you guys would say. Excellent bike to ride, but dont like the looks. Sums it up :D What I dont quite understand, as a big fan of this channel, is why the Ol Man doesnt understand adventure bikes, like he lays out at the end. I mean, to me its quite clear why people like it, you can still have a delicious twin cilinder sound, you can have lots of comfort, good for travelling, more wind protection, certainly more suspension travel, and you sit higher up which feels comfortable just like SUV's in the car segment, and some of them do look really good ( and many of them do not, so pick one that looks good).

I'm loving your videos with you guys together so good and relaxing! I think people are so wrapped up in technology that looks are second best, it's a shame I wouldn't walk away and look back at that one but if we were all the same it would be boring.

The GS is the bike if you like to ride 😎

Great review as always fellas 👍 Really like the Dad & Son interaction - it's like chatting with a couple of mates ❤. Love the way the Ol' Man gets stuck straight into the salad to get it out of the way 😂

I really like your comparison with big bird from Sesame Street 😂

Love the relaxed approach to the video.Thks.

Like the new style of videos - keep on bringing them!!

A truly excellent review video, so different and so honest compared to other RU-vid postings. I admire what you guys are doing here, well done.

Being an owner of an ADV motorcycle I think it's a nice looking bike but as you have said it's a personal opinion, great to see you both presenting a vlog keep them coming 👍 You two are babe magnets 😂

Loved this video! Made me chuckle!!😂

The Old Man looks a bit uncomfortable....eating lunch in his bondage gear....LOL

Good old Castle Ashby. Where else in the UK can two motorcyclists chat with a bike & get tutted at for parking there, and three tourists wander down the drive without anyone muttering..? The local VSCC used to hold 1/8th mile sprints down the drive every autumn, too. Nice relaxed video vibe, chaps.

Really like the more vlog style content. hope there is more of it in the future

Excellent filming (or whatever the technical term is). Your work has improved greatly. I like that you're not just standing out in the road next to a pretty field...although those videos serve their purpose, too.

I actually enjoyed this video, yes the 1300GS is not your normal fare but a bit of variety is nice sometimes + you guys have a similar take to me on the premium Adv offerings. Nice to have a bit of sun too!

I bought an R18 after seeing the old man buy his, and absolutely love it! So much cooler than any Harley in my opinion! I’m also lucky enough to own a new R1300GS, which I also love.

Really enjoyable and I think your point re the looks, although as you say a matter of opinion, is valid. Although you do not necessarily focus on adventure bikes, I think that it would be good to get your views on the updated Moto Guzzi V85 TT, which certainly has the late 1980s early 1990s vibe. Thanks again for a good video.

Nice to see you still have the Jimny. 75k kms on ours now and hasn’t missed a beat. Fantastic little cars

Really like this new relaxed style, so engaging and to see a bit of your life off the saddle. Nice looking house and you managed to get some of your lovely old furniture in there. I want to move as I`ve been in the southeast all my life and the riding here is shite, just because of the traffic volume and more than our share of numpties...

This bike has a lot of strong points. The question about looks is subjective. I can see the beauty in it, as I can do the same about the R18. Both bikes agree with me in terms of looks, because I like very different things about bikes in general. The riding experience is different too, from bike to bike. This tall bikes have the virtue of visibility in city traffic or on the highway. And they overcome all the irregularities of the roads, A or B roads, everything is easy with those machines. A different exemple is the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, it is in the Adventure bike segment and the looks are substantially old school aesthetic values, very beautiful too. The decoration on this BMW,1300 GS is good but I would prefer the trophy version. The golden handlebars and rims on the Tramuntana version are not my cup of tea and I don’t care so much for the bits and bobs of the 719 parts option. Last week I went to Harley Dealership, to see their stunning bikes, the 2024 modern and sporty Fatbob, the Low Rider ST was there too, promising sunny afternoons of joyful rides…I just love every bike . Keep on bringing them to the channel, whatever kind you choose to show here on the channel. I know it will be fun. Thank you.

Very enjoyable watch, a welcome change to the usual bike review channels. Have to say the Ol' Man cracks me up with his 'living in the past' comments about prices and bike designs - reminds me of me but i go a back a bit further to the 70s - I can remember when £2 would get a few pints, a packet of baccy and fish chips n peas and change for a couple of pints Sunday lunch. Ahhh those were the days - mind my wages were only £12 a week and I had to give me mam £5 keep money.

😂😂😂 one of the best reviews I’ve seen, completely agree!!!

Glad you finally rode one. I have one and love to ride it.... and I love the look too. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as you stated. So for me it is a win win. I have a triumph as well and love the look of it. But when I compare the ride.. it is night and day. It is like comparing a Cadillac Escalade to a Toyota Carolla. I love both.. but the ride from the GS is far superior in every way possible. I mean.. if I want to I can go 140 km in 2nd gear. Torque is incredible. The overlap in the gear range is great too. Where as with the triumph.. you better Be in the right gear or it will clunk out. Not to mention all the stuff you can carry. I don't go off roading. But for long road trips there is nothing better. You have the comfort, power, and capacity of a Goldwing.. but super agile. I can go over a speed bump at 60km per hr and not even feel it. You do that on another bike and you will fly off. Personally I don't like the old style you referred to. Anyways.. thanks for reviewing. Would be good if you got a chance to see what it is capable of.

I think as looks go people who like adventure bikes like the utilitarian esthetics but your right regarding say the 80s bikes look much better and moto cuzzies adventure models capture that vibe

I’ve owned a GS1300 (719 option) since March 2024 never owning the previous iterations. I bought it purely to tour the Picos, Pyrenees and the Alps. No off roading on this bike for me (too expensive to drop). It’s completed the first two tours and hasn’t missed a beat. It’s been an absolute delight to ride. Eats up motorway miles and is perfectly balanced when pushing on in the twisties. The German engineers have done a remarkable job on improving the boxer gearbox. It’s as smooth as silk unlike the tractor like R9T I had on my 2017 scrambler. Yes, I agree it’s not the best looking adventure/tourer. Perhaps that award would go to the Ducati multistrada but for me I’m loving the new GS and for a weekend blatt around the country lanes I still have my customised T100.

I completely agree with you OI Man about the foot pegs! I prefer them slightly forward!

Great video, love the vlog start and the pub lunch looked very yummy 😋 not keen on the looks of the BMW 👍🏼

This bike is not for everyone. My mom(67yrs old 5'7") rides a 1250GS. She has 60k miles on her 2020. She's looking at upgrading to one of these. You can't get her to ride anything else. She loves the power and visibility she has riding it.

Overpriced and overhyped imo.Thank you fellas.👍

I had a mate drop off a Suzuki vstrom 250SX 2024, currently testing and well it’s completely messed with my head, now of course it’s no way on the same level or scale as the BMW but at almost $50K fully loaded that’s a lot of hamburger lunches. This works out to be 13 Suzuki baby vstrom and a happy men’s group in theory, may have to use that left over cash for a ginger beer and burger. Thanks again guys love your work.

Feel for you with your R18 and appreciate your candid comments regards depreciation. BMW really did sell new buyers down the river discounting so soon after launch and to me it showed a lack of confidence in their own product. Excellent video and enjoying the new format 😀👍.

I usually agree with the Old Man, but I must admit, when it comes to BMW's, I think we may think slightly differently. First and foremost, the bike has to do what you want it to. Otherwise, it will be a dud. The GS does exactly what someone looking for a large adventure bike is after and more. The R18 falls short. When I buy a cruiser, I am looking for style, but above all, comfort! The boxer engine has always written that bike off for me right away. I like to relax and stretch out on a cruiser, and the engine is simply in the way. Looks wise. I love all types of bikes but usually don't like adventure bikes. This GS in that BEAUTIFUL green with the gold wheels looks stunning. It reminds me of the Kawasaki Z650RS, and that is another beaut of a bike. The R18 is 90% beautiful, but that engine, for me, ruins that bike. I'm sure others love it. But I do think it's the engine turning most people off.

The tech is outstanding. eg radar cruise and radar near stop light. Plus that dark green colour and graphics. For an off road bike those street tyres look very tourer to me. An interesting review you gave.

I think the 16 grand D'Arcy quoted was for a very base model and the one you tried wasn't basic. With all the extras they can come in at well over 20 grand. Far too rich for me that's for sure.

Great video, love the VLOG style in the first half! Honestly, I don't dislike the looks of the GS. It's not made to be aesthetically pleasing as a priority, though I wouldn't call it ugly. That title is reserved for the V Strom 650 🤭 It's function over form to a degree. Yes, lots of plastic everywhere, but those bits keep your pants dry and legs warm, though like you said I wouldn't mind some more functionality off them like a cupholder or small storage bits for the wallet and stuff. It is a bike made to handle everything, from daily commuting to touring Europe with 3 hardcases and a passenger to crossing half of Africa. It is a "no compromise" bike in terms of what it can do. The compromise comes with the ADV styling. Though it is definitely one of the better-looking ADVs... (NX 500, V Strom 650 come to mind). Now I'd love to see your opinion on the Versys 650 or 1000, since it has that aggressive sports bike styling with the comfort of a tourer! Love your different perspectives on things!

That particular GS, (The 'Option 719 Tramuntana Edition') - with a decent selection from the options catalogue and full luggage is around the 23k mark! (I know, 'cause I've got one - I've been suffering from open-wallet surgery since!!) Even though I've splashed a load of cash on one, I have to agree with your review; however, I've not bought mine for the looks - it's just a superb mile-muncher and great for taking a pillion. [NB - I've got a T120 Bonneville and a Classic 350 to compensate for the GS's lack of aesthetic prowess!] Anyway - great video - keep up the good work guys.

Great work by Darcy and Ol'Man 👍 Thanks for giving us your frank opinion about this hideous creature, lads 👍

i definitely see what you mean about the styling. I think I'm used to that appearance whenever I think about adventure bikes, but now you're pointing it out some of those odd plastic components do really make it look like like a poorly shaped jigsaw puzzle. Then again, as Darcy said, the plastic is probably to bring the weight down and isn't necessarily there for the looks. However, for its price, I would expect every piece of the bike to look like its molds together. Better yet, sometimes less is more. Stripped back old fashion adventure bikes are great, although riding them at highway speeds is a battle against the wind, which is where the plastic panelling on newer models can be handy. Regardless, definitely gets the job done, powerfully and beautiful engine, and looks are definitely down to how other adventure bikes look by comparison across competing brands.

Loved the video, gents! Cool format

That GS will run circles around 95% of the bikes you have reviewed previously. I think it is the best all around do almost anything bike made. Touring being one of its strong categories. Has power And handling of a sports bike and capability of doing some off road riding as long as the rider knows their and the bikes limits.

‘I love pepper as well. Oh you’ve used it all!’ Typical parent😂 Loved the vid as always guys

I think adventure bikes are a group all of their own. Same as cruisers and sports bikes. Difficult to love all three. They get a lot of coverage in the film world MI etc. Being so high up they are a bit like an SUV of the bike world. Lots of people buy those and never go off road (in fact most of them can’t go off road). People like the bigness of them makes them feel safe are adventure bikes tapping into the same mind set? Great video guys. Keep it up and stay safe

Great video as always! It was interesting to hear your perspective on the BMW R 1300 GS...I am a huge fan of BMW...Hope I will ride it one day

I had an R1200GS. It was a phenomenal bike for exploring the Nevada desert. I did drop it in a ditch one time that took me almost an hour to get it back upright. I agree the 1980s GS was far better looking. All that plastic is ugly. I currently have an R1250RT which isn’t great looking but is by far the best bike I’ve owned in 54 years of riding. My Moto Guzzi V7 Stone is the bike I take out most often.

@Mr Darcy @ The Ol' Man: Thank you for this content! Because I'm at home in both worlds I always find it very entertaining watching you guys sharing your perceptions of modern motorcycle looks 😅 Yes, even in Germany "nobody" buys a R18. Obviously BMW did not get the bike quite right. The R nineT was spot on and sold like hot cake. I like the R 12 nineT, but the bigger star for me is the R 12. The standard version in black (not the bling bling version Darcy rode). It feels very close to a spiritual successor of the Iron 883, even pricewise. I'm 55, it might be a coincidence, but the owners of the few R 18s I saw were all "old" men. Like I've never seen a 30 - 40 year old on a W800. The R 20 might change things though.

Its a Bowie knife vs Swiss Army knife comparison, the Harley vs R1300/Adv discussion. Each beautiful in their own way and theres always going to be some situations where one is better. I dare say the Swiss Army knife is easier to live with in most situations, tho you may not feel like Rambo when you whip it out.

Agreed. 👍👍😊😊

I love classic looking motorcycles, but for an adventure bike, this 1300 GS looks very good to me. Unfortunately, since I'm a geezer, I'd probably kill myself falling off the damn thing! If I were to get a BMW it would probably be the new R12.

The old man reviewing modern bike videos must continue!

I agree with the plastics on the body and foot position. plastic feels cheap to me. but i did like the color and design very much. I guess this is my taste.

Came from Harley over a R NineT to a R1250GS. First it was all about the look, now it's about the riding experience and the comfort while doing long tours over month. But you are right: it' ugly 😅

Loved this video chaps perfect mix of bikes, lunch, a worried looking few sheep around 😂 but I honestly am wondering why BMW changed the look of the GS so much. Was the King of the Adventure bikes for so long but even the GS lovers have doubt on the new ones. I do also wonder what the GS Adventure will look like once it’s revealed. Keep up the fab vids chaps 👍

Owned a 2010 GSA for 13 years. Its the right kind of ugly. Big, brawny and fun to ride. The new ones have lost the "look".

I believe the plastic fairings on the bike are for improved aeordynamics, fuel economy, and noise reduction which are important for a bike that most people will use for touring. This bike hits the sweet spot for me, great performance and the bike doesn't try to hard to look super adventurey. Now if only I could afford one.

Do you own motorcycles mostly for looks, or for the fun of driving them? Both are important, and I wish I could have both maximized. But there is no perfect motorcycle. If I had to choose, I prefer a good handling bike..

Hi great vid I have the same problem with large adventure bikes and weight great touring bikes but anything really rough unless your super capable something lighter I think would be better 235kg unloaded. Load up all the luggage then she a big girl indeed I would rather have a Crf 300 off road or even a T7 less tec if that goes wrong in the middle of nowhere that's your lot ride safe guys

I've had an R18 for 2 years and rode a GS13 when she was in for service. Very capable machine and scary fast, though I think the difference in head hight makes it feel faster. With you on the looks it's not pretty. There was a noise that sounded like something was wrong, like a can of bolts hidden under the plastic somewhere. I thought I should report it when I picked my bike up and they said "the cement mixer, they do sound like that".

Decent review. And I like the vloggy stuff at the start too. Sets the scene nicely for the standard review stuff. But pretty sure the version you've tested costs a lot more than 16k.

Problem with the adventure segment today is that they are just selling a vision, this is not adventure bike this is marketing brochure. Bike on brochure might be great but anything above 200kg I can't consider adventure it is a tourer in such case I think I will be far better on a Triumph Speedmaster. Hell with so many extras, electronics they are even pushing car prices might as well do the trip in my car if I am going to ride 300kg comfortable motorcycle stacked to the deck. Everyone in the adventure segment that rides single trails, sand, double trails craves for a lightweight reliable machine which can take him from the street to the trails. One can only hope Suzuki will finally pull their heads from their .... and made a modern DR650 or perhaps Honda do something with the XR650, those will be the fastest selling motorcycles I can bet a beer on it.

22:30 is what it is in essence, but maybe the purpose of the plastic is to make repair cost more manageable in case of falls.

At the end of the day, I prefer a road bike for the road and a dirt bike for the dirt. If I had to get another ADV bike, I'd probably choose something mid-sized - the F800GS is a good option. Not very top-heavy, good luggage options, light enough to be fun on single-track but still heavy enough to handle some touring. If you want something with more traditional styling, I think you'd have to look into the scrambler market.

Are modern R/GS the first muscle bikes? unnecessarily powerful and fast for their use? thanks for the excellent video!

Great colour I guess with all the body panels would be easier to keep clean more approachable for a shorter rider but very costly.

The R18 in Black Storm Metallic with pin stripping is the most beautiful bike currently being produced. It looks like a supersized R51/3 which I find the most beautiful bike ever produced. That said, I own a R1300GS 😀

I'd be realy curious of what you guys would think of a yamaha scr 950

After three GSs I moved to Ducati, the GS is a great package but I think the Multi ownership experience is so much better and I prefer the Skyhook suspension. I got sick of the hyped up marketing and off road capability BS, if I wanted to go off road a much lighter and cheaper bike would be my choice. By the way that particular model is well north of £20,000. My wife is from Stamford so I know that lovely part of the world👍.

I agree the 1300 is better looking than the outgoing 1250. I like the looks of this bike, even though I have no interest in owning a bike that big.

Good video as ever lads, keep up the great work. It is sad re the R18, but HD sales also collapsed as that rising high price has caught up with them. Read reports of HD dealerships closing down. Once a blue collar bike. Without the boomers HD in real trouble. A Shame. That GS motor in the RS or R12 would be fun but maybe lacking character?

I've bought, once, a pretty nice helmet from XLMOTO. The "pin-lock" got scratched while I tried to dust off some tiny littering - with a micro-fiber cloth for glasses ! - A gentle touch, and a scratch !!! The customer service at XLMOTO told me that I - myself did it - so NO replacement ! On the other hand - I, without producing any scratches, many times, removed stuff from pin-locks on other helmets, using paper napkins, towels, fingers.... ! So obviously the plastic on the helmet from XLMOTO was tooooo soft. Well, after that, I never did, or going to buy a helmet from them again 🤷‍♂🤷‍♂ Several other items were also with different issues / deformations.

Charming old man - you know how to speak to girls. Your son can learn from you 😊 Very nice episode btw.

I'm in love with my R1200C. It's beautiful, has a unique design, and the engine is sweet and torquey. But my R1200GSA it's the best bike I've ever ride: fast, comfortable, you can ride a lot of kilometres, the suspensions are great, and it's EASY. THE BEST FOR AN OLD MAN (Like myself) Nevertheless, I've had many other bikes, just to taste that life is not always as easy as a GS.😊 Engineering vs. Soul.

Your review just showed to me, that the Honda you recently rode, almost does the same things than this. If i were in the market for this kind of bike, i'd go for the NX 500 and eat the expensive Fish 'n' Chips for the next 10 years.

I just got my R18 Classic two weeks ago. I love how it rides and handles and looks, but I still have to get used to it. My other bikes are a Yamaha R6 and a HD Sportster S. Compared to these bikes, it feels like I'm riding a boat. It's absolutely massive. Lane filtering is almost impossible. The only complaint I have is that when I want to go from second to first gear, alot of the time i get stuck in neutral. I really have to kick the shifting lever hard to get out of it. But hey... when harley riders give a thumbs up when passing, you know you are riding something special.

To be honest I think the GS1300 looks good from the side. Like proper good. I don't mind the plastic, it's a modern bike so it's different to classic ones. The front looks hideous though. Having said that, I thought the GS1250 looks ugly from all angles. so this is a big improvement. To be honest I think the same of my honda NT1100, Great looking from the rear and side, bland viewing head on from the front. On a different topic, really liking the videos lately.

Truly amazing bike the BMW but too much power and too heavy for realistic adventure rides if you skill level is entry level or medium level. My GF has a BMW 310 GS and it’s a lot easier to pick up and it doesn’t break your leg if it falls on you. Even the RE Him is hard to pick up. Imagine running out of petrol and having to push this thing 1-2 miles. The cost would never get past my account. The CRF 300L and Rally seem to be the best option for us at the moment. But I have a mate going away out of state and I will mind his car and bike. Suzuki 250 Vstrom. I plan to test for a month At least I can pick it up by myself.

Agreed. The GS could be the best bike to ride in the world, but I couldn't live with those looks

Well, excuse me for a moment…. just popping my tin hat on…right, ready. I have an R18 and love it, no regrets. Agree with many in the comments that it’s no all rounder blah blah blah and yes it’s a high days bike really BUT, don’t care. It’s fabulous. We all like different things and have different requirements and those change as you get older. After +30 years riding ive long done the speed thing. Anyway, horses for courses. As long as it’s two wheels it shouldn’t matter what you ride.

Ooooh u stirred the wrath of the rich, old yellow bib, advance rider gs brigade😂😂😂. Glad of your opinion on your channel instead of journos on holiday in Sicily all expenses paid all free and a good review promises a re invite😂😂 well done

Similar to Harleys most people who criticise these bikes have never ridden them. There is a good reason the GS is a top selling bike and most won’t be ridden seriously off road anyway.

I enjoy owning a bike I like the looks of hence no BMW appeals to me. But I can see the place for all types of bike including ADV's and Cruisers.

planning to auction the worn sweaty jacket? Interested! :-)

Hello the house! This genre of motorbike, the "Adventure" motorbike are the gnu Goldwings of motorcycling. I dare say that the vast majority of owners NEVER venture off road. Doubtless there are more than a few that will chime in otherwise but the troof of the matter is like a great many Goldwings and FLHs, the bikes are used for Starbucks Hopping, weekend rides and just putting around with a smile on your face. The GS1300 is kinda-sorta fugly. Beauty may well be in the eye of the beer holder but I don't drink adult beverages. I like this genre of bike quite a bit but their looks are nothing compared to a traditional looking Harley or for example, a 1982 CBX. The R18? It still loos like someone is grilling a couple of armadillo on the BBQ. The Moto Guzzi V85TT is far loverlier looking than this GS1300 and that's not damning the Goose with faint praise in any manner at all. The first thing anyone other than a genuinely blind person notices about any THING or any ONE is looks. That, along with attitude, really explains most folks aversion to Harley riders. They tend to dress like pirates and behave like recently gelded juveniles. This is also true of many owner's of fArtificial Harleys like Honda's "Fury" (what a furious name, LOL!) Kawacopies and the worst of all...Starley owners. A stereotype is more often that not, based upon reality. Most adventure bike riders are tarted up to go to Dutch Brothers or Starbucks and there's nothing wrong with that but the personal they project is one of the "rugged" outdoorsman. Pfffffft! I coined the portmanteau "sAdventue" bike because the riders going nowhere do their best to appear as if they came from somewhere. The moral of the story? The bike does not make the rider, because all too often the rider makes a fool of themselves by themselves. The BMW GS1300 looks the part. Whether or not the owners live the role is meaningless so long as said rider just enjoys the ride on what is essentially a large touring rig that is the 2 wheeled equivalent of the modern SUV. SS

Does your back hurt? Your left arm is holding your back.

The GS Is a machine for adventure . Purpose built. Take it for a countrywide travel then you will know BMW has given you good suspension, brakes , seats , power and all that matters unlike a Harley which needs a suspension, handlebar , seat from day one right out of the showroom.

I took one look at this new 1300 and purchased a 2023 R 1250 GS. For some odd reason the 1250 truly ticks all my boxes for looks. The 1300 does exactly nothing for me. I’m certain the 1300 is an excellent bike, just not for me.

I have a 1250 and don’t think the 1300 is ugly. I do however feel that BMW have considerably missed the mark with the design and it really lacks presence. The new frame and headlight design are both steps back for me. The price quoted is for a base model, whereas almost everyone opts for the TE version and this including some further options takes the price to well over £20k. The final downer is the design and function of the new luggage 😢

Service costs are crazy Gave mine up

AdV's are not for me but bikers should just stick together regardless of preferences as there are plenty of dissaprovers out there. Cheers for the review 👍