BMW has officially unveiled its new R 1300 GS with the new rig featuring a new more powerful boxer engine, new suspension, and significantly less weight.

BMW arguably established the adventurebike segment more than four decades ago with the R 80 G/S, but with the ultra-competitive segment constantly injected with new models, BMW has opted for an almost completely new design for the new R 1300 GS, with an impressive weight saving of 12 kg compared to the R 1250 GS, with the new model now weighing in at 237kg ready to roll.

The centrepiece is once again the two-cylinder boxer engine. Its new design is more compact thanks to a gearbox located under the engine and a new camshaft drive arrangement. The 1300cc boxer twin produces a claimed 107 kW (145 hp) of power at 7 750 rpm, and 149 Nm of torque at 6 500 rpm versus the R 1250 GS which produced a claimed 100kW (136 HP) and 143 Nm of torque.

At the centre of the new suspension is the sheet metal shell main frame made of steel, which in addition to being significantly optimised in terms of installation space also offers higher levels of stiffness than the predecessor model. For the rear frame, the previous tubular steel structure has now been replaced with a die-cast aluminium construction. The new EVO Telelever front wheel guide with flex element and the revised EVO Paralever rear wheel guide also provide even greater steering precision and ride stability.

The new electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) now combines the dynamic adjustment of the front and rear damping with a corresponding adjustment of the spring rate (“spring stiffness”) – depending on the selected riding mode, riding condition and manoeuvres.

Exclusively in conjunction with DSA as optional equipment ex works, two further items of optional equipment are available for the suspension of the new R 1300 GS: the new adaptive vehicle height control and the sports suspension.

With adaptive vehicle height control, the new R 1300 GS offers fully automatic adjustment of the vehicle height depending on the operating condition.

With 20 mm more spring travel at the front and rear and an optional athletically firm sports suspension specially developed for the GS, BMW says that off-road riders will be well catered for here.

In standard trim, the R 1300 GS now offers four rather than three riding modes for adaptation to individual rider preferences. The “Rain” and “Road” riding modes allow riding characteristics to be adapted to most road conditions. With the “Eco” riding mode it is possible to achieve the maximum range on a single tank of fuel, while the additional riding mode “Enduro” enables an enhanced riding experience off the beaten track with a specific set-up for off-road use.

The R 1300 GS sports a new, full LED headlamp that consists of two LED units for low and high beam along with four additional LED units for the daytime running light and the side light. Newly designed LED turn indicators – integrated in the hand protectors at the front, function-integrated at the rear – round off the lighting package of the R 1300 GS. BMW also offer an optional “Headlight Pro” feature where the beam of the standard full LED headlamp turns into the bend according to the banking position. In this way, the bend is almost fully illuminated because the light moves to where the motorcycle is heading.

The BMW R 1300 GS features the new Riding Assistant option, consisting of Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Change Warning (SWW). Active Cruise Control (ACC) with integrated distance control can be used to set the desired riding speed as well as the distance to the vehicle in front. Front Collision Warning (FCW) with brake intervention is designed to prevent collisions and help reduce the severity of accidents, while Lane Change Warning monitors the lanes to the left and right and can help ensure a safe lane change.

The R 1300 GS features an entirely new design which is based on the traditional GS flyline while at the same time reflecting extreme compactness and significant weight reduction.

With a new aluminium fuel tank that has a much flatter ramp than on the predecessor models, the flyline is largely responsible for the very dynamic, light and accessible appearance of the R 1300 GS. Here it was also possible to add a very sporty and dynamic accentuation by means of the continuous texture in the fuel tank centre cover.

The highlights of the new BMW R 1300 GS:

  • Completely newly designed boxer engine with bottom-mounted gearbox and BMW ShiftCam technology for varying the valve timing and valve stroke on the intake side.
  • Most powerful BMW boxer engine ever.
  • Powerful response across the entire engine speed range, exemplary fuel consumption, emission levels, running smoothness and refinement.
  • Output and torque: 107 kW (145 hp) at 7 750 rpm and
    149 Nm at 6 500 rpm.
  • Knock sensor system for optimised travel suitability.
  • Completely redesigned suspension with sheet metal shell main frame and die-cast aluminium rear frame. Even greater steering precision and ride stability thanks to new EVO Telelever with flex element and revised rear wheel guide EVO Paralever.
  • Weight reduction of 12 kg compared to the previous model.
  • BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Pro as standard.
  • Four riding modes as standard.
  • Engine drag torque control (MSR), dynamic brake assist (DBC) and ride-off assistant (HSC) as standard.
  • Driving Modes Pro with additional riding modes as optional equipment ex works.
  • Dynamic Traction Control DTC as standard.
  • Electronic Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) as optional equipment ex works, with dynamic adjustment of the damping and spring rate, and also load compensation.
  • Adaptive vehicle height control and sports suspension as optional equipment ex works.
  • New matrix LED headlamp as standard.
  • Headlight Pro with adaptive turning light as optional equipment ex works.
  • Hand protectors with integrated turn indicators as standard.
  • Lithium-ion battery with Battery Guard (service function via BMW Motorrad APP) as standard.
  • Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) with brake function as standard.
  • Riding Assistant with Active Cruise Control (ACC),
    Front Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Change Warning (SWW) for safe and convenient motorcycling as optional equipment.
  • Smartphone charging compartment with integrated USB socket and additional 12 V on-board power socket as standard.
  • Seat heating for rider and passenger for enhanced touring suitability as optional equipment ex works.
  • Handlebar riser by up to 30 mm as optional equipment ex works.
  • Wide range of seat height variants as optional equipment ex works.
  • Connectivity: multifunctional instrument cluster with 6.5-inch full-colour TFT screen and numerous features as standard.
  • RDC, Keyless Ride, heated grips as standard.
  • Intelligent Emergency Call as optional equipment ex works.
  • Attractive basic variant along with the model variants
    Triple Black, GS Trophy and Option 719 Tramuntana.
  • Extensive range of optional equipment, Original BMW Motorrad Accessories.

Increased range of standard equipment in the new BMW R 1300 GS compared to the previous model:

  • Heated grips.
  • Keyless Ride (steering, ignition and fuel tank lock).
  • RDC.
  • MSR.
  • BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS Pro.
  • Cruise control DCC with brake function.
  • LiO starter battery.
  • Hand protectors with integrated turn indicators.

The R 1300 GS will start at $26,000 ride away and is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in early 2024.

We’re off to Spain at the end of October for the official launch of the new R 1300 GS, so keep your eye out for our launch report of Beemer’s new adventure machine.

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