Is BMW's R1300GS the best adventure bike on the market? | MCN Review 

Never really wanted a GS before…..but this R1300GS has now really got me very interested. I think I need a test ride!

Lighter, more power, more agility - this is always how I wanted the GS I used to have… I better test one. 😝

I admire BMW's commitment to R&D. The Japanese manufacturers used to be the gold-standard for this but I just don't see it in them anymore. Lots of the tech is way above my head: I use hardly any of it on my R1250RT despite it being fully-loaded, but I like the fact that the company wants to be at the cutting edge. Nice, clear explanation. Thanks.

As always--a superlative, detailed review by the best in the business. Thanks, Neevsy!

A big change from BMW towards the market of people who always wanted a GS but feel intimidated by its size. It’s a bold move with the new design and a bit like marmite but whether you like it or not, so far from all the reviews I’ve seen from various motorcycle journalists it looks much better, easier to ride and manoeuvre and it will sell! Thanks Neeves and MCN team for the review and video, well done you all! 👍👍

Class review Neeves, you cant beat experience when it talks.

Now that's how you do a review of a new bike!! Well done MCN . .

As always a very honest, objective and eloquent description that covers just the correct info that we need to want this motorbike. Thanks

Great review ! Always a pleasure to watch MCN videos

This is an outstanding first review, Michael. Great job. I rode a 2023 GS through Spain last year and have been eyeing the 2024. Might be my first $30K motorcycle.

BMW really is on a roll with their motorbikes these days. Their S1000s, naked, touring bikes… even the baby gs310 etc. They’re really all so good right now!

It looks like an amazing achievement for the product development team. Love how they have focused on making the bike better, lighter but not that different apart from the looks.

The best review I've seen so far. Very even-handed. I bought my first GS (R1150GS) in 2001 and have ridden it a lot both touring and off-road. The newer 1200 and 1250 versions did not inspire me due to their bulk and weight. As I have aged, my ability to handle a heavy bike has diminished. I rented a 2021 1250 in Spain and rode from Barcelona to San Sebastian up the Costa Brava and through the Pyrenees Mountains and back. I enjoyed the new features, including the riding modes, better shifting, and power increase over my old oil head. However, I found myself wishing the bike was a bit lighter and more nimble. The new 1300 seems to meet my needs in the redesign to be smaller, lighter and more powerful. It may finally be time to upgrade!

Thanks once more MCM. Congrats to BMW, a lot of effort in developing the new GS even If the 1250 has been a success. I always thought of my 1250 that I just wanted the bike to be lighter, but I see there is much more.

Adventure bikes aren't my cup of tea after owning a few different models, but the way Neevsey presents this I can at least appreciate what BMW have done with the new GS. Far more informative and realistic than the cringeworthy gushing I'm seeing in 'influencer' videos. This is the sort of balanced review we deserve to watch.

I'm not a GS kinda guy. But,,, when BMW does the makeover to the RS I'll do cart wheels to my local BMW dealer with cash in hand. Been enjoying my F900XR as a sport tourer daily and it's good. My Honda NT1100 is my primary comfort long distance tourer and it's good, but a R1300RS looks to be my ultimate objective handling the duties of both bikes I have now.

Thanks!!!! IMO this new R13GS is the "overall" GOLD STANDARD of adventure bikes. Even though I do not have the budget for it, it's still the gold standard (fortunately at 72 years old there are various middleweights that will get the job done for me, but I'll always be envious/ greatly appreciate BMW's R13GS)

If you not touring off-road, even after testing new GS, multistrada for me way to go and price is almost the same. Owned few GSes before, but Ducati is just next level.

MCM always present the facts in a non-Bias way. Hats off to you guys for a informative release. As a long term GS owner , i like some of the Upgrades, But it reinforces that a GS is never the best at any one thing. But what it does well is cover a wide range of riding scenarios from touring to off Road adventures with min fuss.

Superb summary, cheers Michael!

Great review...very thorough & interesting..cheers from New Zealand..

Nice one Michael, as always! Any news on the auto box?

Neeves is the man! 🙏 Great review as always!

I have a newish 1250TE with all options Inc the akra but apart from the billet front engine cover which was quite a lot, this looks a bit small and I’m not sure I like the colourways, I prefer my white blue red rallye. I’ll probably get one of these but I hope the looks grow on me. Good review, this geezer knows his bikes, he’s my go to reviewer, best in the business.

I appreciate that you didn't simply gush over the bike, as I've seen in several other reviews - realism is a good thing. The headlight: I'm not much for the looks ... I wonder how well it lights the road? 👍

A grown-up review finally, been waiting for that one.

The thing with seat height issues is not only about how tall you are, it’s about your inside leg measurement: some people are longer in the body and shorter in the leg, others have longer legs and shorter bodies.

Nailed another one Neevesy! Very nice.

Good vid. This is a milestone motorcycle not only for BMw but for the riding world. I can't wait until the new RS and RT versions come along with the new ADV model. MMMMMMMMM!

Iv got one it's a fabulous bike to ride I never had a demo ride I just bought it I picked it up last Saturday jumped on it and did 200 miles on it and I can't fault it ,my other bike is a 2023 m1000rr competition and I can tell you the gs is a perfect bike for anyone

Getting one next year. Being 6.3 feet I prefer to wait for the GSA version. Otherwise I'm going for the 1250 GSA, especially that I like the old design much more.

Interesting you say about the bouncy suspension, got rid of my 2017 GS after a couple of years and that was one of the reasons, horrible wallow on some roads which myself and my pillion wife really did not like. I can see that the potential for the problems that BMW seems to get with their bikes (I’ve owned 5 Boxers over the years and well over 200k miles) is very high with this bike

I really enjoyed that. Neevsey wins. Such a good review.

I have one on order. Tripple black. Looking forward to season ‘24

It a beauty. Another beast. I think I’m smitten. Can’t wait to see the GSA!

Great reviews! Are you planning on doing one over the r1250rs by any chance?

One of my bikes is an R1200 RS Sports tourer. I’ve never lusted after a GS, BUT - Now I Do !! (Tramontana in Green please)

A superb, informative and thorough review

nice review...look forward to seeing them all lined up with their 'baby gro' pilots@ the Channel Tunnel next Spring......seems to me BMW GS is innovating towards what the Japenese have been doing for the last 10yrs with Adv bikes.....next 'innovation' will be the end of the Boxer.

great review ,many thanks.

Excellent review!

Excellent content coverage. I want to see you take it out for a week and let us know what "you" think of it's redesign, Mr. N. Can't wait!

Anyone know when the adventure bigger tank version will arrive?

Thanks for reading out the press release 🙏

Thanks neeves! I’m glad to see they grabbed their scrotum in the looks department a bit like Ducati did with the 999. It’s a great looking bike and a good departure from the overly bulky older model.

I look forward to an owners review after a few months. Real life review. I want to see things like can you fit metal boxes to it or is it aimed at only bmw plastic moulded cases with electronic locks. Why no backlit switch gear. Yes base price is attractive but when you add up all the extras you get on other adventure bikes as standard your pushing 20k.

Definitely looking to taking a test ride on it

Makes me more interested in what the rest of the 1300 family will look like. Though i still want a smaller k series model again, like an 800 triple maybe. Ugh.

I have had 4 different GS’s over the years. My favorite is still the old R 100 GS PD.

It’s certainly the bike of the moment here in the Uk but I am expecting the Honda AT adventure sports to give the BMW 1300 some competition next year. With a reduced front wheel size and a lower centre of gravity for improved road use, plus increased torque the AT will be highly anticipated. It’s interesting that Honda feel increased torque rather than outright HP is the way to go but as a tourer it should be spot on.

Just let there be a GS with a 17" front tire and I'll ride my Musltistrada Pikes Peak over to the BMW dealer next spring. No gravel or dirt in my life anymore. Had the 19/21" adventures and all done with gravel/dirt.

Any CANBUS connection port? Also the luggage/panniers are gonna be ultra expensive.

I am the owner of a BMW F800GS, I am considering to get a new bigger bike, R1300GS is simply not for me... I am more biased to the old 1200´s or 1250... The price of a new 1250 is simply a lot of money that I am not sure if I am willing to spend (cost of the bike, luggage, insurance...), so I have started to look and consider an Africa Twin 2023 -- 1100cc maybe the Adventure Sports. Anyway seems that BMW wants to move into that direction making the 1300GS narrower...

Great review 👍

Excellent review

Nice. Does it have CarPlay yet?

BMW certainly prices that bike as it's at least one of the best in the market. Given history of the bike, that should be as close to reality as we can get (with some contenders putting pressure on it of course). Thanks for the video!

As always great video! It is a beautiful bike for sure. Since the first time I saw the headlight I started noticing the Porches have a star cluster as well. Best!

Well, I just did the test ride today. Power was good, but shifting at least on the test bike was an issue, causing the bike to jump occasionally with shifting. The test bike, with all extras, felt really heavy! Definately heavier than expected. The question is, is this the right approach and for who? This bike in my opinion, has less presence, less comfort, less room for pillion and smaller paniers. The suspension in sport mode was jumpy on B roads, in road mode was better. I really missed the plush ride and the feeling of the 1250 gs though, the 1300gs feels more like a sport tourer, not like an adventure bike.

Great video! I just would like to say that I owned a V4S and the handling was poor…the rear shock (however I dialled it in) seemed under sprung. I fitted Road 6 tyres and an Ohlins damper to try to firm it up from its hideous mid corner wallow but I really should not have to do that on a 24K bike! I’m 100 kilos plus kit and ride hard through the corners…I also tested a 1290sas and that had a hideous speed wobble at 130… The telelever set up for me is far superior to that of any other manufacturer.

Great Review as Eveeer. Want one

Great review.

I bashed my shin on the engine of the old version. Every time. I hope the new engine position and layout solve that problem. Looks very promising.

Nice review Neevsey❤

Brilliant review. In the real word these bikes will be ridden 95% on road by the masses. A lot of us ride 2 up. I have a 2 year old GSA with 27k on it and my wife was on it for 23k. Could we see a future review of all the adventure bikes on road and have a pillion plus luggage included and hear what the pillion has to say as well. We’re free anytime you need us 😂

How do you find this new X lamp in flesh?

Me, a normal guy tested this motorcycle. Yes, it's gadget whise better and more nimble. The character of it is like a supermotard with off road tyres, which I personally don't like. I still prefer the pervious GS models and am curious how the new GSA model will end up.

Again, MCN surpasses other road tests, with informative and precise review. Looking at buying one and took one for a ride. I like the ride height adjustability for this 175cm hobbit!

Wait for the adventure version.

It's got a beak only a mother could love 😅

good motorcycle tour

Bit late, but very welcome review.

So glad they updated that awful old headlight to a beautiful model light. Can’t wait to buy a GSA!

I always admired the GS for being so unorthodox looking. I eventually bought an BMW S1000r beacause of the naughty unsymetric headlights and fun riding. The new GS is a definite improvement in looks department and if its faster with more torque, well yeeharr. However, being a pauper and only can afford one bike, my KTM sdr 1290 is getting swapped for a Triumph Rocket 3 next year, maybe, if I ever tire of the mental engine

Excellent!

I wonder, when the fork or rear suspension breaks after 50’ to 100’ km? Will it it cost the same price as the after market value of the bike? 😱

Thank you.

I've had every generation of the GS series... My favorite real bike is still the 1150 with it's "agricultural" feel...!

GS is ok, but I don't go off road enough to care. The new RT is what I'm really looking forward to.

Beautiful motorcycle

Nice review, but i miss to hear how the GS1300 handles when it comes to front tire noise, that leads directly to your head when driving more than 45 km/h speed I absolutely dislike the GS 1250 due to this road tire noise

I dig it. Looks like it went on a major diet and stopped looking like a two wheeled tank. Kinda futuristic now too. Sleek and sexy. Waiting on the 1300rs though.

Haven't heard a review where anyone seemed excited or said it was fun

Small light and nimble ?

Never been a gs fanboy, but this gen seems less "bmw" but much better. Im curious to see the Rt 1300

Like a big NC 750 Honda, like it :) greatings from a gs 1200 bikie .

I haven’t watched any reviews of the GS till Mike’s….on purpose. Nevesey’s review is the only one worth listening to.

To me definitely become more of a road bike. Like filling that space between the 800GS adv bike and the K series road bikes

listing competitors for the GS… and no mention of the HD Pan America! ouch!

I think the new Stelvio might give the GS a run for it's money.If the Stelvio turns out to be as good as my V85 TT,take my money.

Human nature being what it is, everyone will want to ditch their 1250’s for this.. a good time to buy a 1250 ? Off road ability is mostly irrelevant, most of these bikes never go off road. Good review. Thank you.

I miss the old headlight

Can't wait until I am 68 with a big gut and it will be the perfect bike for me.

Yes

Honda CRF450 Rally is something else 🌻

But does it power wheelie in first and second gear like the 1290 SAR?

I think it looks awesome. Nicer lines all around, and dig the headlights.

Test rode and ordered

I rode my Yamaha Tracer 900 to a test ride on the 1300 GS, I wanted to like it, the result was the Tracer won over, where the Tracer is a pleasure to ride, I found the 1300 more of a chore in comparison.

It's still a good un, says our tester Ernie bore