✔The FINAL result of the weight loss program was about 43 lb or 19.5 kg. What do you think - is it worth putting your adventure bike on a diet? Sound off below! 🏍CURRENT R1300GS SETUP: ⚡ Touratech Crash Bar and Skid Plate: touratech-usa.com/BMW-R1300GS-and-Adventure-Parts?p=1 ⚡ Cyclops Pegasus Lights: tinyurl.com/2kaknpfn ⚡BlackDog pegs: blackdogcw.com/bdcw-platform-footpegs-v2-bmw-r1200-1250-gs-gsa-lc-2013-f750-850-gs-gsa/ ⚡Garmin Zumo XT2 GPS: amzn.to/3wh3Uhh ⚡Mosko Moto Reckless 40: tinyurl.com/2syntbhe ⚡Denali B6 Brake Light: tinyurl.com/9746het9 ⚡Cool Covers Seat Cover: www.coolcovers.co.uk/ ➕SUPPORT➕ [I may receive commissions which are invested back into the channel] ⚡ Patreon: www.patreon.com/bigrockmedia ⚡ Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: bit.ly/33kgRIz ⚡ Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN ⚡ Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto ⚡ Pacific Powersports (Motoz Tires, Barkbusters): pacificpowersports.com/ USE CODE BRM2024 ⚡ 3D Cycle Parts: www.3dcycleparts.com/?aff=3 ⚡ Taco Moto : tacomoto.co/?ref=fi6gv640 ⚡ Cyclops Adventure Sports: tinyurl.com/2kaknpfn ⚡ Denali Lighting: tinyurl.com/9746het9 ⚡ Amazon: amzn.to/3viGZ0A ⚡ Merchandise: big-rock-moto.myspreadshop.com/
Ian ive got a chance to get a 16 super tenere with 2k miles for 9k i dont want to miss out on this oppurtubity. But ive gone back and forth. Ive considered both super and gs 1200 but to get a comparable buy i would have to spend alot more. Is it worth saving up for a comparable gsa?
Great build Ian! And yes, a 40lb diet makes a very big difference on these bikes particularly on multiday off road trips. I would put the center stand back on as you'll need it when you have to pull a wheel. That's an easy tradeoff for me. Graphics look GREAT. I don't care for the black either. The only thing I'd definitely do is replace wheels with Woody's Superlites. IIRC your forged wheels are lighter than cast, but I don't know that I'd trust them yet for hard trail riding compared to Woody's. Light wheels are VERY noticeably better handling as well and worth every penny. Thanks for sharing your passion for this community.
Thank you Ian for your hard work. Always enjoy your you insights. I'm back in the market after a 15+ year break from bike ownership . Love a shaft drive but sure do wish BMW had a lighter option , maybe based around a boxer twin in the 750-900cc range. Should be able to get something like that in the 190-210kg range. Yes I know, just another old dude wanting options from 30 years ago only better 🤷🏻♂😁 I'll probably go for the new 1300GS eventually after checking some other manufacturers but like you would love an option that was lighter and doesn't need a gym membership. Congratulations again on how well the channel is doing 👍
I am pretty much a pavement rider (and ride in your area frequently). I had a Goldwing and presently have a 2022 GS1250 and a 2015 KTM 1250 Super Adventure. I have ridden the KTM to Alaska twice with about 125 pounds of "stuff" in the panniers and on top of them (I use a Redverz Atacama tent for reference). Realistically, I don't think weight is an issue for how I have used these bikes. They have enough power that the weight is not an issue. If you are going to use these bikes off road, it is probably nicer to have less weight, but that is why a KTM 350 is so nice. I continue to love your channel and you have the best on the internet.
Richis - Hey how do you like your Gold Wing? I’m thinking of getting that bike next. No chain maintenance, tubeless tires you can plug till you get home. I’ve found 99% of my riding is on the road.
I like the graphics as they’re great protection to your paint and the colors wake things up 😊 And your diet is a fun experiment for the GS, great fun sir!
If you order the bike without the vario top case mount, the rear rack is plastic rather than metal and I'm sure a lot lighter. With regards to the muffler mount, BMW makes a bracket that works without the passenger pegs.
Im usually not a fan of wraps, but I absolutely love the way this bike turned out! IMO, it's one of the best looking big adventure bikes I've ever seen.
27 дней назад
this is brilliant, intelligent and absolutely on point
Defo a good idea, weight loss always a good area to focus on rather than just adding gear on all the time like so many folk do. some of the bigger bikes with extra gear are crazy heave these days.
Good stuff, personally I would keep the centre stand for practicality reasons, but you’ve given a great illustration of what can be done! Cheers. Ps for touring I would definitely add a tank bag!😊
Hi Ian, absolutly brilliant - a really fabulous approach to reduce weight on your bike. So much so, I'm going to use your approach on my R1250GSA. Thank you so much 😃.
Good experiment for getting the bike lighter, especially for day rides in the twisties. For touring, less concerned on shaving the weight and wanting more functionality and comfort.
All bike owners should add lightness to their ride. I very much considered what options my latest bike has in the weight loss category before deciding to buy it and loosing 10% or more in weight is very much noticeable to me.
Riverside BMW gave me an exhaust side foot peg delete bracket with the 1300GS when I bought it. I did get the factory enduro package. Really enjoy the channel.
I do think that reducing the overall weight is good. But to me, and just as important, is improving the look of the bike! Good choice of exercise in trying to reduce weight!
A neighbour of mine is currently having a great time hooning around offroad, in Spain, on his KTM 690. From what I read it's 322 lbs/146 kg without luggage, so an adventure bike weighing under 450 lbs seems eminently achievable.
pretty good idea to shed off few kgs without sacrificing too much practicality imo. 20kg is around 8% of total bike weight so pretty significant. now test if you can feel difference. Im first to admit, i couldnt feel difference by removing one brake disc and caliper on my 950 in the past
The good thing about the luggage is you only have that weight when you are packing for a trip. Most of the time, it should be removed and not contribute to the weight of the bike and not wear out from too much weather exposure.
I say worth it. I think for one thing rackless soft luggage and not a ton of silly farkles and lights looks a lot better than a fully farkled out bike. Also worth mentioning aero improvements if you happen to be going from hard panniers to rackless soft panniers that ride tighter to the bike. I put my 1250 on a diet recently and eliminated the Touratech top box and panniers it came with from the adventure moto camp setup and went to the Tusk Highlands. Wild how much stuff came off the bike. I was also able to eliminate the rear seat and top rack which lowered the luggage like 6 or 7 inches on the bike as well as lightened it. Plus it looks really good and serious! The only gotcha is there is no grab bar in the back... I suppose the reality is rackless panniers block that off anyways. You can still get pretty decent purchase under the subframe in the back so not a huge deal. I swear you can feel the difference in how it cuts through the air with the rackless bags vs the full touratech setup. I'd say the biggest problem is I'm not sure where to put stickers I pick up from places I go anymore, maybe start sticker bombing the windshield?
I like the graphics. I like the triple black, it’s the best looking of the options, but what you have there, I’m into it. In fact, my first thought is it breaks up the profile in a way that perhaps some of the folks that don’t like the look of the new GS may be swayed, even if ever so slightly.
For every day riding and, especially, touring, I want the convenience and maintenance aids on the big GS. I'll take the machine, with the weight, as designed. Also, like you, I don't want to mess with after market exhaust options. I trust the BMW designers. That mid-size 900GS is really nice. However, I'll take the 1300 because I care about overall touring more than "serious" off-road travel. Thanks for innovating with your weight experiment.
This was a great topic for a video, so it's not a stupid exercise. I think it was well thought out and who else did this? Nobody! So from no experience with a big bike I would say it's supposed to be a big comfy bike that is still capable for "real world" off road riding! Like dirt roads that may not be well maintained and secondary roads as well as highway riding. Ready for anything but, I might want to turn around if it gets any rougher kind of thing but it keeps you from getting into trouble because it's capable. Compared to a 800-900 lb Harley it's light but like you said that was a lot of weight to take off of a bike. Oh, by the way you do an excellent job at editing and setting up your videos, they're always well produced! You should be proud of how well you do with your channel!
BMW makes the bracket for the exhaust to remove the passenger pegs. My Trophy with the Enduro Package includes the bracket to use for removal of the passenger pegs.
I bought my 1250GS with the Vario bags and top case. Then I also purchased the Mosko Reckless 40 bags. Huge change. The Vario bags and top case weigh over 45 lbs total, the Reckless less than 10. Plus the Reckless moves luggage weight forward and down. So, if my tour includes off-pavement riding it will be with the Mosko setup. If just on the pavement I'll probably stick with the Vario bags and top case because of their greater convenience, especially with the BMW Vario bag liners.
I like the graphics kit. Keep it. Anytime you can shave weight without compromising protection or safety, go for it. Personally, I'd keep the center stand but that's me.
That was always the advantage of the GS verses the GS Adv. the GS is slimmer and more manageable off road. It made for a really tough choice between distance and on road verses running trails. That is what I see you doing to your GS at this time.
The exercise is VERY worthwhile. In my case my riding is either pavement or at worst good farm roads to ride on. I do not need nor can I effectively ride off road on a large adventure bike of any sort. However, weight matters greatly to me. My tiger 900 GT low (I've a very short inseam) is actually 24# lighter than my previous Suzuki 650 V-Strom with a full tank of gas and equipped almost identically (I weighed the two of them side by side so the number is accutrate) and that was in fact a major consideration for me when I went looking for a larger bike. I looked at the big BMW's but weight was a major factor in my decision to go with the Triumph even tho' I do love the big boxer's. You've motivated me to have a look at my Tiger to see what I can strip to drop weight off it. Thanks for taking the time to put these videos out Ian. MUCH apprecciated.
Great video Ian. I’d suggest for future videos about weight that you keep the accuracy of each item, add them all together, and then round off the total. When you round off each item, and then round the total, you lose two significant digits. It may not make a difference in your example, but it’s still good practice.
I have left my bike stock, its a 1200. I do have the vario boxes. I find them convenient. and the extra weight not a problem. I could replace with a small top box most of the time. When I went off road I took them off a small back pack strapped to the back was sufficient. I enjoyed my ride to Tuk on the bike without boxes bags ect or extra weight. Not practical most of the time my wife brought our Rav 4 so I had a support vehicle. It was nice to ride light. A lot of other riders had half a ton of aluminum boxes full of stuff plus a load of bags tied on top of the boxes. I believe my bike setup was nicer to ride. Their camping cheaper than my motel And a lot more comfortable than my camping. So it depends what rides you want to do. Do you want to bring half a ton of camping shit. or travel light? Most of my day to day rides, or paved touring rides. I probably wouldn't notice the weight difference. Touring I would notice the lack of capacity and less convenience. If stuff doesn't fit in my boxes, I don't really need it. I believe choice of gear for trip would be more practical way to save weight. taking the boxes of and using the light bags looks like a plan.
If you can save even 1lb and the bike still does what it’s supposed to do for you it’s a win win. Removing 30+ lbs is amazing. I know it’s at the other end of the spectrum but I removed 40lbs from my Himalayan. With only 28ish HP to work with you REALLY notice it. My GS is my commuter/two up touring adventure bike. If I could run my Mosko Reckless with a passenger I’d ditch my aluminum bags and frames right away.
I am all for light weight and simplicity. I drive my car out of necessity, so I want it to be luxurious, comfortable and well equipped. Don't care about the weight and how it feels. I ride my bike only for fun, so I appreciate the lightness and the analogue mechanical nature of it. It's like a break from all the modern digital and sedated feeling vehicles. I love the all black on the GS. It looks more classy and luxurious that way. The colors give it a sporty look and in my opinion it doesn't go well with such a massive bike. On the F900 it looks good
The rear fender is to keeps Harley riding friends riding behind you from getting mad at you spraying them with rocks - don't ask me how I know lol. Also, I like having the rear panier racks, even if I don't have the luggage mounted - I like having my 'rear crash bars', and it gives you even more places to grab to and attach tow straps if you need to drag the bike out of a ditch. Idk if all that is really worth it, not for 45 lbs. I would just get a lighter bike.
Good job with the weight loss! The only thing I probably would've kept n would be the center stand. For me Its just too handy for tire work, oil level check and just general maintenance. Plus it really doesn't weight that much and its so low I cant imagine I could tell a difference. I have a 901 Norden, what I have for my luggage setup is a set of Givi hard cases with quick release racks. This setup only gets used a few times a year, my daily go to is a SW-Motech Adventure Rack with a top case. I used one of their quick release plates for the Sys bag system on the back of a 1550 Pelican case. I can throw my lunch, mail and few groceries in that with no problem and it keeps me from dealing with the weight of the side racks and cases. Plus all I have to do is pull a cord and the top case pops off. Keep up the great content!
I really like the principles of this, thanks Ian. Later this year I’ll get a stock Africa Twin 2024 base model - one of my goals will be how to reduce weight. Sure, I’ll have to add stuff (protection etc) but I’ll also be able to remove or replace things. Exhaust and tail tidy an example where weight savings should be possible. Keep up the great work mate! 🇦🇺
Thanks Ian, your brief comments about the 900 GS helped confirm my preference for the boxer/shaft drive road ability of the larger bike. And I like the lightweight Mosko mounted close to the frame. When not in use there's no rack cluttering up the rear. In serious dirt riding i'll be going back to single cylinder lightweight, I'm too old to push 500 pounds around on anything beyond jeep trails. Edit: Not a fan of the graphics, too busy and the fine paint job (regardless of color) is hidden.
Hello Ian, bike looks really good, I really like what you do for the motorcycle community. 20Kg weight reduction is really significant and it also affects the mileage the bike returns.
I agree with it all, except the center stand. You may not miss it all the time, but some times it really is necessary, or at least a lot more comfortable; oil change, wheel change, etc. After all, it has to be done some times. It is also so low on the bike, that nobody will be able to tell the difference in handling.
Like the graphic design. You make me want to drop my center stand on my multi and the crash bars, but I like the piece of mind of protection Great video
It's definitely worth it, especially for smaller riders. Another big weight savings is the battery. A lithium battery from Antigravity saves a lot of weight. I did this for a Kawasaki Versys 250x and the battery was under the rear passenger seat, worse place for a chunk of lead.
Weight is huge for anything you take off road so this is very useful and informative. I also really am liking the look and reviews for the F900GS. I overall like the rackless luggage. I have the Mosko Moto 80 but I also have a Nanuk(like a Pelican with better latches) case on the back and really like that lockable storage
Cool look into this subject. Ive gotten by with no side boxes. Only tank bag, backpack and camp gear on the back rack. But thats only solo. I think theres two type of riders in this segment. The latter has disposable income and time to be messing around with this much gear and weight. I barely get the time to ride and go on long trips. So the time is spent riding. I cant imagine a GS payment and top of the line gear. I see guys struggling all for the look. And a smaller lighter and less expensive bike is definitely the answer.
I love the idea, I'm a girl, I'm pretty small so the weight on my GS is prettty bothersome sometimes. So I love the concept, but also what you are removing partially are the additional things which don't normally come with the GS. I'd love to see what we can do with the factory bike before we start to add shit to our bikes.:) Just from my side, and it's not a solution obviously but for me it can be, especially when I ride onroad and have gas stations accessible -- I fill half the tank in my bike. It gives at lease 10kg less and I can feel it.
I’m a hard pass on losing the center stand and Touratech pannier scaffolding…at least for my riding and I bet 90% of other GS owners. Plus people have ridden around the world on older, heavier GSAs.
Definitely not dumb, learning is always valuable. Would be super interesting to see how performance changed before and after. Like actual 0-60 and such.
Always interesting. I have a 1250gs so I am biased. I just love it - I have always liked bigger bikes that offer comfort, weather protection and shafts drive (previous bikes include ST1300, K1200gt and even 2 x Road Kings plus a Kawasaki Voyager Nomad!!! ). The 1250gs is great on dirt roads which is the limit for me. Unfortunately I have to ride at least 2 hours on bitumen to get to dirt and that is the beauty of the 1250gs - I would rate it as the best touring bike - it can do just about anything. The smaller adventure bikes of course do better on the more difficult terrain but I'm not that sure the F900gs would be that much better than a 1250gs. Realistically If you want to do single track or difficult fire trails buy a dual sport and a trailer. (oh yeah and buy a used dual sport - that way when you accidentally throw it down a hill you won't feel so bad). 😊😊😊😊😊
I wouldnt want to eliminate the center stand, or factory fog lights. However this is a great example of how crazy the weight difference can be fully loading up with luggage systems!
On my 2023 1050 strom, I gained 7 kilos (15 pounds) by removing the center stand and installing a lithium battery. Of course then I added them back with some crash bars and a luggage rack :) With these big AVD bikes, if you get them too light, you will loose some highway comfort because they will start to be susceptible to wind. Of course this is just theoretical because at some point you will run out of stuff to remove without structurally modifying the bike but it speaks to the concept of having a big voluminous ADV bike that weighs 200 kilos for example. There's probably a sweet spot somewhere but it's hard to find because it's dependent on aerodynamics, mostly surfaces that act like sails basically, especially for crosswinds.
Yep my ‘09 KTM 990 has dry weight around 203kg and it was easy to lose 10 kg (fit 2-1 exhaust, lithium battery, remove oem rear rack and grab handles, one mirror inner fairing plastics). No crash bars or pannier racks needed on this bike. Short journeys I carry a back pack. I could remove centre stand, passenger foot pegs and SAS/vapour emissions gear (not a problem in nz) next. Keeping oem air filter but some fit aftermarket ones that significant weight loss. Accessories are fun and maybe useful but reduce performance imho but it’s whats important for your type of riding. It’s a 15min job to put the givi pannier racks back on for longer rides.
Ian, my 1300RGS came with the bar risers and the exhaust bracket in a bag, it’s part of a package my dealer told me. Comes from BMW. Simple fix if you want to remove the passenger foot rests.
GS looks much meaner and leaner (with less weight) - BMW should incorporate all these accessories as part of the bikes frame so they can reduce the weight. Or have quickly detachable accessories that can removed quickly or perhaps use carbon fiber to lighten the bikes to really barebones
I like the looks of the graphics. I usually would not eliminate the center stand, but with shaft drive it probably wouldn't be as big of an issue since you don't have chain maintenance.
Great job Ian! If I had a 1300, hopefully one day I will, the only thing I’d keep on is the rear fender for long rides (4,000 mile rides) just to keep things clean in the rain. I really liked the way you removed the center stand, upper crash bars, and the luggage racks! And put on soft bags. I see those bikes around s. Cal. Looks like they should have a small car instead. Graphics look great too! Thanks for your help.
I have an R40 on my 690. Would love a video or packing list showing how you’d pack it for a multi day camping trip. I’m always looking for tips and improvements
Hola Ian, primero gracias por tus videos. Aprecio tu esfuerzo y trabajo. En lo personal valoro mantener bajo el peso de mis motos. Practico enduro con una Husky Te300, en terrenos difíciles. Desde hace un par de años tengo una KTM 790 ADV R, la que utilizo normalmente con mi esposa. Aunque no tengo experiencia con motos grandes de aventura (BM1300 por ejemplo) si noto mucho la diferencia entre mi moto de enduro y la de Adventure. Por lo que trato de no sumar mucho peso. Utilizo bolsos Gaint Loop, y ktm power-parts reckless y estoy muy contento. Amo la ligereza. Saludos desde Argentina.
Nice job!! Great Video!! Glad to know you like the 1300 over the 900 for a “adventure” bike. I Realy wanted to like the 900GS. But the range kills it for a good BDR bike..
I did a weight reduction to my 2005 GS and lost about 25 pounds. Your 1300 GS is still almost 100 pounds heavier than my old oil cooled GS. I've got a water cooled 1200 GSA that weighs way more than your 1300. I'd love to replace my GSA with the new 1300 GS but that old 2005 GS isn't leaving my possession.
Great experiment 🤓 1300 is so much lighter than 1250 adv 🫣 I use only topbox - having a locked luggage is important for me. Great to know that I need only lower crash bars 👍 thank for this, and for metric units!
Its not stupid, its actually very smart. What can be considered stupid is to pay for all that when in fact its not needed, 99% of the times not even the bags are needed. But this is the trend / fashion today, even people who buy a T7 that is by design and concept a " naked " bike and with a decent low weight, buy all the Crash bars, paniers, lights and ridiculous gimmicks and turn the bike into a christmas tree.
That’s impressive weight loss but shows why the GSA is a lot more than the GS (1200/1250). My measure is to pick up the equivalent weight in the gym (on the odd occasion I get there). It’s when you compare a 690 to 890 KTM and c. 60kg/132lb that it’s a massive difference. Try 2 65lb dumbbells and it puts it in perspective!
I've mentioned for years and years at motorcycle shows that the GS needs to be put into a program and make all its parts -10% of all the sum of its parts that'd be 55 60 lbs less in theory and would fit average sized riders. (5.9 and 160 lbs.) Ps the rear fender is a spray device that lessenes spray for behind the vehicle ...think mud lap on a car . I like em
Nice practical vid Ian, I try to do the same on the big ADV bikes I have owned. Good job on the graphics kit, just the right amount and style to suit BMW and the Mosko gear as well 😉
Another great video, well done!!! As for me, I prefer the black and don't like the graphics you used because it looks.... "to aftermarket, trying too hard to be different", anyway it boils down to different strokes for different folks/ personal choices.
I'd probably leave the center stand on but the rest is a great improvement. I see this 1300 as 80% road and maybe 20% dirt or gravel road bike with no trail riding. The 900 leans more toward the trail though. I'd expect that to handle 50-60% road and 40-50% dirt roads and light easy trails but that really depends on the rider. When I look at a bike to ride the trails with, my first thought is if I can pick up the bike by myself. If not then I have no business being on the trails with it but that's just me at my age and physical ability. Others may have a different metric.
