Comparison test! BMW R 1300 GS vs. R 1250 GS in comparison 

Compare technical data, details, pics: www.1000ps.com/en-us/comparison/264575/bmw-r-1250-gs-2023-vs-bmw-r-1300-gs-2024

Hi, I had a test ride on the 1300 and was so disappointed after waiting so long for it. Had the full intentions of buying it there and then, there is good tech on it but it’s not enough for me. I have the standard 1250 triple black and love it. I bought another 1250 but this time a GSA Trophy edition.... What a beauty, I didn’t buy the GS for more HP or speed I have other bikes for this. Maybe it’s just me but I hate the new rattly tractor engine soooooo noisy quick shifter is terrible. You need to test ride the bike because I couldn’t wait to get on it, it’s not for me I love the 1250 and I’ll stick with it.

I have a 1250 GS TE which was new last April with 3600 miles on it, BMW here in Cornwall offered me £14,000 px (I paid over 19k 6 months ago) anyway.....I rode the new R 1300 GS TE today, yes it pulls harder, the gearbox change is smoother and its got a few new gadgets...BUT today I realised how good my 1250 is and WONT be changing. TO NOTE the R 1300 frame/seat height is fixed and very high unless you spend another £480 to have the auto height package !

I don't hate the look of the new GS, I kind of like it.... But the old one looks like such a looker in comparison! Plus the old model has that old school wonky BMW charm. Think i'll be hanging on to my 1250GSA for a little while longer

This looks like a very long promo video for bmw and not a review

I’ve got an R1250 GSA which I love. I’ve always thought however that the R1250 GS is the more beautiful looking motorcycle. The new R1300 GS is a step backwards in the looks department in my opinion. What is more it appears that the new model is more road oriented as opposed to being an adventure bike. I’ll be interested to see what the R1300 GSA looks like when it appears.

1300: - no dedicated brake light - no engine braking like the 1200/1250 - no more boxer character: revs up like a triple or inline 4 - feels like a F900XR fitted with a boxer flat twin - moulded chassis vs the rigid tubular frame At legal speeds the 1300 offers nothing. BMW is after new clientele. 1300 is a great bike but it’s no GS like what we love a GS to be.

I had never cared for GS really. I had many opportunities to ride and test them, mostly in off-road situations in the mountains of Oregon and Washington. That is, until now. The R 1300 GS is just fantastic in all aspects. I didn’t think BMW would be able to sway me, but they did indeed. My first BMW.

Great video: thanks for making it in English

To all "I have a 1250 GS and love it....bla...bla...bla..so i will stick with it." Thank you!!! Thank you very much indeed! I have to wait for 3 months for my 1300 GS. It would have been much worse....

Not enough to trade my 1250. As a taller & bigger rider, 1250 suits me better

Just glad I just got a new 1250.

I have had a brief test of the 1300, the reduced size and extra torque and power make it feel like a sport bike rather than what the GS is to most people.......... However before I really got going I had a terminal death rattle from the engine and loss of power after barely 20 miles in. Nursed the bike back to the dealer, it felt like one cylinder was working properly and it was hastily removed to the workshop and I was offered a replacement bike to test. Which I didnt have time for on the day. Very reluctant to tell me anything about what was wrong with the bike even after I enquired a few days afterwards. Somebody I am in touch with via motorrad says its not the only one so far and oil starvation has been suggested ! I am holding off for now..... A lot of new tech and not tested in real world as yet. Having said that, 3 years warranty so if it seizes or goes bang it will be fixed for free 😮 Not very reassuring considering the huge purchase price now. Think I will keep my 1200 snd look elsewhere for the next upgrade this time. ps it really IS ugly and cheap looking but as the saying goes beauty is " in the eye of the beholder". I personally just want to know it works right above all

As a owner of a BMW bike with a quick shifter I can attest that the shifter falls short (especially 1st and 2nd gear)until the 1 yr service is done and everything is adjusted after the bike has been broken in. After my 1 yr service the quick shifter is flawless!!!

2018: The 1200gs is super refined, 2019: the "new" 1250 gs is soo refined!, 2023: the new 1300 is so,much better than the old 1200 is ten times worse! Lol. So they made it cheaper to make, more bent in the knees, and uglier for more money? Were do I get one? Lol

This is a very good 1250 comparison summary and has introduced the thought process needed for someone to get their head around a changeover. Great job - well done and very much appreciate the new English version which is very easy to listen to 👍

I would never have contemplated having an old GS. It just didn’t appeal to me. The new model looks so much sportier and sleek. I love the new headlight. I was considering the R1250RS but test rode the new GS and put in my order for the Tramantana model. There will always be lovers and haters of new bikes / models.

5 seconds and I love 1250

Love your reviews and your sense of humor! I’ve a deposit on a new 1300, but here in the US we don’t expect to see them for another 5 months or so!! Come on, ship them!

I really don't like the 1300 design and the lack of presence. For the first time I will consider other brands once y replace my R1200GS.

The more I hear about the new 1300, the more I like it 👍

Test rode the 1300 and stopped it early…. Whine from gearbox, clatter from the engine, notchy gear change under foot . 1250 is a class act ..

I've never ridden a GS, never made it past sitting on one at the dealer, but I'm very tempted by the new model. That seems to be the opposite reaction to GS owners!

The only thing I like about the new bike is that it will be a lot easier to clean. Some more power, smoother shifts, and a few new doodads isn’t going to sell it for me.

Gs 1250 e um sonho ❤

A very nice BMW bike but i m sorry this thing is NOT a GS .The last real GS was the 1250.

I dont understand when you say the new version has so many options and less reliable on third party options compared the the old gs. Like so many options? Where? Chasis wise

Thanks, I’ll be staying with my 1250, I don’t like the new light and the small windshield is a problem, the new bike ain’t got no sole!! Give them a year or two for the new engine, frame and transmission to get the kinks out then maybe I’ll take a look

And I thought this channel is in German, great to be able to access German content in English :-)

Everyone talks about lower weight, but you won’t be able to tell the difference with the 6kg’s from the transmission, the rest is from taking away fuel capacity, not having any protection, and other trickery which isn’t really weight savings. The only real savings is from the transmission. Let’s be real. And no backlit controls and those ridiculous indicator/brake/running lights shows there was little effort put into the new one.

I love the BMW GS, but my height is the problem, I'm only 5'6 , if only I were taller at a minimum of 6'1, i surely would purchase it

a 1300 parece uma XRE, GS 1200 e muito mais bonita com essas rodas raiadas

What's that with the voice over??? Anyway I always like it when I see a journalist riding the better lines on public roads. Great info also 👍

Oddly looking up the 0-60 and top speed they are very very close.

Are all the observations in this review relative to the 1250? IE: Is the quick shifter only better than the previous 1250 or is it better than (or compatible to) all other quick shifters? I ask because of all the features that’s made me shy away from a GS, it’s the gear box.

Bad news:according to Motorrad journalists the 1300 shaftdrive will have to be replaced every 80 000 kms at the owner'expenses.BMW had too many problems with previous models,they won't garantee anymore it to the life of the bike if you follow the maintenance schedule!

The new is is not a adventure bike anymore but a sportstouringbike🤢

Nice bike. Designed to bring some new blood into the BMW fold.

Fabulous comparison thank you and also for doing it in English. I never really looked at a GS as it never appealed, it came across as the Land Rover of bikes when I wanted the Audi...and I was never going to take a £20k bike off road unless to the b&b down a gravel travel. This new GS is definitely appealing to me as it’s now far more accessible, looks highly refined and more aligned to the bikes I’ve previously owned. I’ve a test ride coming up, if the bike comes across as refined, rides well and not the farm yard tractor of old, I may just order one... although the new Guzzi Stelvio looks great and may be one to also look at... great review thank you 😊🏔🍻👍

What about the sound of the motor? I hear better the 1250!

Your riding style makes me nervous. Are you a motocrosser?

They begging us to believe this abomination is good and pretty. So pathetic. It looks cheap and mostly what they did is to make it cheaper in production. Front? - ugly and cheap, frame? - cheaper in production, overall it is looks cheaper and worse than previous.Some slight performance improvement is not worth it and overwhelming negative feedback probably means something? This bike is exactly the sign of that no one cares about what people like. Business first. And now we can see how every youtuber will be complementing this dull disgrace how good it is and how we should be happy about it. Can't wait to hear some real voice and honest opinion about all this.

The head light of new GS is "the cross" which a symbol is no good

Dude’s body positioning in corners is all wrong.

I dont mean to be rude to reviewers i feel they are too positive as if they had the bike from bmw and need ti give a good review i have a gs1250 myself i have no doubt its a good bike but having seen and sat on it the footrests are cheap and passenger seat is tiny and the engine sound well is like a tractor hmm

So you went straight from 1st to 6th and left it there…? Hard to take you seriously.

How about that noisy motor ?

So what you are saying....the GS has lowered it's standard...so instead of being the leader they want to be like others....SAD...

R1300 has no rear stoplight🤬

I did the test with both,r1300 is a joke

The new product seemed very odd in design at first. However, after looking at it several times with interest... the new bike looks really cool. Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with the beauty of something new. I don't understand why some people say the new product is smaller. When the two models are placed side by side, they appear to be almost the same size. The 1250 Rally's design looked so cool... but before I knew it, my eyes were fascinated by the 1300, and the 1250 looked like an old design. Hahaha I really like the new product. The only thing that is disappointing is why the tail lights disappeared?? It feels so empty .