It's the same successful formula it's always been and hasn't changed since the GSA was released all those years ago. I've owned them all from the 2003 1150GSA onwards and over the years they've just gotten better incrementally with more refinement and tech. 200000kms later and it's still for me the most highly capable, reliable, comfortable, long distance ALL ROAD tourer. I don't give an f about it's looks as it was never meant to be pretty and never has been. For those who want a more off road focussed bike then choose something that's easier to handle and lighter. It's not rocket science. The term "Adventure" means different things to different people and BMW knows that better than most, having invented the adventure bike segment back in 1980. Thanks for the review.
Great comment. Agree completely that adventure means different things to different people. If this recipe works for you - awesome. If you prefer something else - awesome. As long as you’re out there riding. All the best.
Thanks for the review Wayne. Love your work. I think a lot of the characteristics you mention are not that dissimilar to the 1250 GSA, perhaps unsurprisingly. Even the controllability of the GSA vs GS when sliding around in the dirt - I think that is also the case for the 1250 series. One difference I did notice was that the 1300 GSA feels a little more top heavy / tippy than the 1250 GSA which makes it feel heavier even though the numbers will put them at a similar weight. On the black top, not a big deal, but I think it has slighty reduced the "off road ability" of the GSA. Next time, take it up the more challenging track.... Will make for good viewing 🙂.
Interesting you say that about the top heaviness. That could exacerbate the ‘falling in’ feeling when tipping into corners on the road too. With more agressive tyres I might have taken it up the other track, but there is one descent in particular that is starting to get chopped up a bit now and I even have to take it steady and pay attention on the Tuareg now. Don’t think it would have been fun on the big GSA
As i ride often alone in the bush, this bike is really not an option for me - even without luggage. Seems about time to include some hydraulic lift helper feature in this category.
There are available collapsable, ratchet bike lifts. And numerous DIY videos. I almost bought one, but instead , I weight train, and lift with my legs. I'm 68 and have dropped my r1250gs twice. Of course if you get injured when you drop your bike, you will need help. I do like the extensions a on the GSA crash bars, as they would help with lifting.
@@Vicko026 Thank you, yes. Interestingly, I couldn't find it anywhere (not even Google Lens and the usual sniffing aids) so it's not an official sales item?
@@michielvandepol6765 Hello and thank you, I really appreciate the information. But still I am not able to find anything like that. I live in the EU. I have also used the native Dutch search engines, but without success. Is it a specific product ID from a specific vendor? Otherwise: what is the purpose of this thing?
I have a 2024 R1300GS Opt.719 (no Adv.) and also a 2023 Ducati MTS V4 PikesPeak. Both have their pros and cons, both are top of the line motorcycles. It just depends on your most frequent and preferred riding style, whether you ride alone or two-up, how tall you are, whether you live in warmer countries (the Ducati V4 Granturismo engine gets quite warm). It's a completely individual assessment of the rider in question, both are very comfortable for long rides. The BMW has a great pull from low revs due to the beastly torque - I have an extra BT-Moto Stage1 modification/flash, with a Stage2 on the way. The Ducati V4 engine is smoother and better at higher revs. Of course, it's also thirstier :-). The Quickshifter is better on the Ducati PP. The gearbox is also smoother and has smoother running on the Ducati PP. But I don't know if it would be the same for the Ducati V4Rally. To be fair, I have a lot more (20.000) km on the Ducati and all the mechanical parts have sat properly. So this observation is now a bit unfair to the BMW, (I have 3.700km on it) where it's still somewhat raw from the factory and will sit. What can't be denied though: The Ducati is visually much more appealing.
@@Vicko026I did (and love it btw) but I’m curious about the effortless riding that you mention about the GSA. I own a V4S and buy it just after testing the standard GS1300. The V4S seemed to me more natural that the BMW with the telelever thing. Nice videos you have, and very nice environment to ride!
@@etdbsub0 I found the V4r is easier to ride, more fun, engaging and capable. Yes the GSA has more bottom end torque, but offroad you can have too much… And there is light years difference between the v4s and the v4r. Even though the s was surprisingly good off-road.
It's the same successful formula it's always been and hasn't changed since the GSA was released all those years ago. I've owned them all from the 2003 1150GSA onwards and over the years they've just gotten better incrementally with more refinement and tech. 200000kms later and it's still for me the most highly capable, reliable, comfortable, long distance ALL ROAD tourer. I don't give an f about it's looks as it was never meant to be pretty and never has been. For those who want a more off road focussed bike then choose something that's easier to handle and lighter. It's not rocket science. The term "Adventure" means different things to different people and BMW knows that better than most, having invented the adventure bike segment back in 1980. Thanks for the review.
Great comment. Agree completely that adventure means different things to different people. If this recipe works for you - awesome. If you prefer something else - awesome.
As long as you’re out there riding. All the best.
Great and honest review, many thanks good sir. Have a great New Years eve.
Thanks for the review Wayne. Love your work. I think a lot of the characteristics you mention are not that dissimilar to the 1250 GSA, perhaps unsurprisingly. Even the controllability of the GSA vs GS when sliding around in the dirt - I think that is also the case for the 1250 series. One difference I did notice was that the 1300 GSA feels a little more top heavy / tippy than the 1250 GSA which makes it feel heavier even though the numbers will put them at a similar weight. On the black top, not a big deal, but I think it has slighty reduced the "off road ability" of the GSA. Next time, take it up the more challenging track.... Will make for good viewing 🙂.
Interesting you say that about the top heaviness. That could exacerbate the ‘falling in’ feeling when tipping into corners on the road too.
With more agressive tyres I might have taken it up the other track, but there is one descent in particular that is starting to get chopped up a bit now and I even have to take it steady and pay attention on the Tuareg now. Don’t think it would have been fun on the big GSA
As i ride often alone in the bush, this bike is really not an option for me - even without luggage. Seems about time to include some hydraulic lift helper feature in this category.
There are available collapsable, ratchet bike lifts. And numerous DIY videos. I almost bought one, but instead , I weight train, and lift with my legs. I'm 68 and have dropped my r1250gs twice. Of course if you get injured when you drop your bike, you will need help. I do like the extensions a on the GSA crash bars, as they would help with lifting.
You keep talking about height, but there is a lower option and adjustable height
I had the seat in low position. Yes there is a lower option. But I’m commenting on it in this spec. Which doesn’t get the lowering suspension.
Can you do a test on the KTM 1290 Adv R on the same tracks you've been using. Many thanks.
Nice 😊
As a matter of fact, the regular gs can load more than the gsa, as per the specs!
Yes I did see that later in the specs. Didn’t get a chance to confirm it but I did scratch my head on that one a bit. She’s a big girl!
@Vicko026 they are probably limited by total gross weight, and since the gs weight less, it can load more!
Hi, what is that plastic cover in the middle of the handlebars with the letters BMW Motorrad? Who did you get it from?
Came with the press bike
@@Vicko026 Thank you, yes. Interestingly, I couldn't find it anywhere (not even Google Lens and the usual sniffing aids) so it's not an official sales item?
@@hewlett62 Yes it is. At least in the EU. Product ID: EI00270V (the product ID in The Netherlands). It costs 28 euro overhere.
@@michielvandepol6765 Hello and thank you, I really appreciate the information. But still I am not able to find anything like that. I live in the EU. I have also used the native Dutch search engines, but without success. Is it a specific product ID from a specific vendor? Otherwise: what is the purpose of this thing?
@@hewlett62 IT IS AN OFFICIAL bmw part, i will put it on mine to
With your own money, this one or V4Rally?
Watch my v4r review and it should be apparent. But that’s just me…
I have a 2024 R1300GS Opt.719 (no Adv.) and also a 2023 Ducati MTS V4 PikesPeak. Both have their pros and cons, both are top of the line motorcycles. It just depends on your most frequent and preferred riding style, whether you ride alone or two-up, how tall you are, whether you live in warmer countries (the Ducati V4 Granturismo engine gets quite warm). It's a completely individual assessment of the rider in question, both are very comfortable for long rides. The BMW has a great pull from low revs due to the beastly torque - I have an extra BT-Moto Stage1 modification/flash, with a Stage2 on the way. The Ducati V4 engine is smoother and better at higher revs. Of course, it's also thirstier :-). The Quickshifter is better on the Ducati PP. The gearbox is also smoother and has smoother running on the Ducati PP. But I don't know if it would be the same for the Ducati V4Rally. To be fair, I have a lot more (20.000) km on the Ducati and all the mechanical parts have sat properly. So this observation is now a bit unfair to the BMW, (I have 3.700km on it) where it's still somewhat raw from the factory and will sit. What can't be denied though: The Ducati is visually much more appealing.
@@Vicko026I did (and love it btw) but I’m curious about the effortless riding that you mention about the GSA. I own a V4S and buy it just after testing the standard GS1300. The V4S seemed to me more natural that the BMW with the telelever thing. Nice videos you have, and very nice environment to ride!
@@etdbsub0 I found the V4r is easier to ride, more fun, engaging and capable.
Yes the GSA has more bottom end torque, but offroad you can have too much…
And there is light years difference between the v4s and the v4r. Even though the s was surprisingly good off-road.
A Versys 650 with 17 inch tyres could handle this terrain with suitable tyres easily .😊
Nice one
you need a Pot Belly to counter balance it
Adventure motorcycle my ass thing is a tank , bring back big single’s , VTwin, 750cc max
Gone silly, bike fully loaded over 300 kgs … loose a 100kgs
Are you ok?
None of this helps. The 13 GSA is ugly. I can't drink it up. But BMW is lucky, the big KTM still wins the trophy for the ugliest motorbike. . .
UGLIEST EVER!
So many errors in this video!