The R-series GS Adventure has always been one of the most tech-heavy and visually large motorcycles to come out of the BMW factory in Berlin, but the latest R1300GS Adventure (GSA) takes things to a whole new level.
Unveiled at BMW Motorrad Days, the new R1300GSA has been met with both criticism and love from the motorcycling world. It takes the already large and technologically advanced R1300GS and adds even more tech, a much larger fuel tank, more bodywork and perhaps most controversially, the option of BMW's new Automated Shift Assistant system which takes the clutch work away from the rider.
When it comes to styling, BMW has never been vanilla in its approach, often producing bikes that are deemed hideous on debut but quickly grow on the motorcycling world. While it is too soon to know if the new R1300GSA will turn the view of the (many) haters online, it is undoubtedly a BMW.
"The appearance of the new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure is sure to attract attention,” explains Christof Lischka, Head of BMW Motorrad Development. The big GS is not only visually different from its almost dainty sister. Never before have seating comfort, ergonomics and wind and weather protection been so harmoniously combined with precise handling, exceptional suspension comfort and smooth running. The new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure has set itself the goal of becoming the benchmark for large adventure motorcycles.”
It certainly has presence with the R1300GS Adventure weighing in at a hefty 269kg ready to ride.
At its front is the new X-shaped LED headlight which debuted with the R1300GS sitting proudly above BMW's latest telelever EVO front suspension system.
The GSA has always carried copious amounts of fuel, and the R1300GSA is no different with a massive 30-litres on board. That's 11 litres more than the base R1300GS which should see range extended to over 600km if BMW's claimed fuel economy of 4.9 Litres per 100km holds.
The tank itself is so large and in charge in its position in front of the rider, that BMW has included rubberised tank trays to the left and right of the upper tank covers which provide "non-slip, secure storage for utensils during stops." It's got us thinking, did BMW's engineers think they were making a kitchen bench to go with the "everything including the kitchen sink" mantra of building out a GS Adventure? They also appear to have included a crane hook to the tank behind the fuel cap...
As usual, BMW has thrown an immense amount of technology at its flagship adventure machine, with the GSA not only receiving dynamic electronically adjustable suspension which tailors suspension settings to the ride mode selected, but it also gets a lot more.
For the R1300GSA BMW is introducing numerous new systems aimed at making the ride easier and more accessible.
Adaptive ride height can be added as an optional extra, allowing the bike to drop down 30mm at a standstill and at lower speeds. There's also an option for shorter riders wanting BMW's behemoth which sets the seat height a further 20mm lower than the standard 890mm.
Out of the box the R1300GSA ships with Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) with built-in braking function as standard. Building on this system and available as optional extras ex-works is the Riding Assistant package which consists of Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Change Warning and the new Rear End Collision Warning (RECW). BMW says it will also start to offer the RECW system on the BMW R 1300 GS from model year 2025.
Power from the 1300cc boxer twin has been improved, with GSA laying down 107 kW (145 hp) at 7,750 rpm with a stump-pulling maximum torque figure of 149 Nm at 6,500 rpm. According to BMW, this makes it by far the most powerful BMW boxer engine ever to be produced in series. No word yet on whether the improved power will filter down to the base R1300GS.
The R1300GS was a pretty heavy bike for off-pavement adventure tipping scales at a claimed 237kg ready to ride, and with the Adventure even heavier it will take dedicated riders to venture far off the pavement with this massive adventure motorcycle.
Pricing and arrival of the new R1300GSA are yet to be announced by BMW Motorrad's New Zealand distributor Sime Darby, but expect it to hold a pretty premium over the $45,990 the base R1300GS retails for.